Top Chiang Mai Day Trips

Getting to Doi Inthanon, the tallest mountain in Thailand, from Chiang Mai can be a hassle, and so can navigating the national park once you are there. This tour includes hotel pickup and takes care of the details so you experience a variety of what Northern Thailand has to offer. Your guide also takes you to a waterfall, a hill tribe village, and more for a well-rounded experience.

If you’re short on time in Chiang Mai but want to experience all the area has to offer, this convenient tour lets you enjoy three distinct experiences. Observe elephants up close in their natural habitat at the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, visit Doi Inthanon National Park, home to the highest mountain in Thailand, and hike along the Pha Dok Saew trail to see a gorgeous waterfall.

Visit an elephant sanctuary, relax at Bua Tong waterfall, and take part in river rafting—all in a single day without the hassle of planning transportation and logistics. Start the day with hotel pickup from Chiang Mai accommodations, followed by a day full of activities—with entrance fees included, as well as lunch along the way for the ultimate stress-free adventure.

Chiang Rai’s most striking temples are spread across the province, making them difficult to visit in a single day. This small-group tour from Chiang Mai connects the highlights with ease thanks to private transport. Visit Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), admire the vivid blue tones of Wat Rong Suea Ten, and explore the striking red complex of Wat Huay Pla Kang, all while learning about the region’s modern temple architecture and symbolism.

Chiang Rai is famed for its temples, including the spectacular White Temple. The city is roughly a 3.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai so a day trip by public transportation is tricky, but this bus tour makes it easy. An official guide ensures you don’t miss a single detail of the temples. Plus, enjoy a soak in some hot springs and visit a “longneck” village (entrance at your own expense).

Explore Doi Inthanon National Park and stand at Thailand’s highest peak. Immerse yourself in lush natural surroundings as you walk to picturesque waterfalls. Visit a local Hmong hill tribe market. Discover a scenic Karen village, where you can experience traditional village life and enjoy a coffee tasting.

Hike in Doi Inthanon National Park (entrance extra), visit a waterfall and the highest point in Thailand, stop at a Karen village and a Hmong Market, and see the Twin (King and Queen) Pagodas, all in one day without having to plan a complex itinerary, on this small-group guided tour from Chiang Mai. Hotel pickup is included. Private tour and longer hike option available.

Discover the architectural wonders of Chiang Rai with a full-day tour featuring the iconic White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), the majestic Red Temple (Wat Huay Pla Kang), and the stunning Blue Temple (Wat Rong Seur Ten). You’ll also stop briefly at a natural hot spring and have the option to visit the Long Neck Karen Village, where you can learn about the traditions of this unique hilltribe — and meet other ethnic groups in the area. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide who will share stories and cultural insights at each stop. All entrance fees are included, along with lunch, bottled water, and fresh seasonal fruits. Round-trip hotel transfers are also provided, making this a convenient way to explore Chiang Rai in one day. Full-day tour to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai, approximately 12 hours Visit the famous White Temple, Red Temple, and Blue Temple Lunch included along with bottled water and fresh fruits All tickets included

Have a three-adventure day when you join this group tour from Chiang Mai. You’ll get to spend time at the elephant sanctuary, go for a jungle trek, and raft on the rapids and smooth waters through the rainforest. You’ll keep costs down by booking this group tour, but still have plenty of attention from your guides, and plenty of opportunities for fun.

Don’t just eat the incredible food in Thailand; with this hands-on half-day experience—you can visit an organic farm and learn how to make local dishes from scratch. Discover expert tips on how to grow herbs and vegetables, and then take part in a cooking class where you can make a variety of dishes—such as curry paste, curry, stir-fry, soup, and spring rolls.

Visit the magnificent temples of Chiang Rai on a full-day, private-tour from Chiang Mai to a series of iconic Buddhist sites. Enjoy the flexibility of a private driver/guide throughout the day as you visit Wat Sang Kaew Photiyarn, Wat Rong Khun, Wat Huai Pla Kung, and more, with a break for lunch in a local restaurant. This 13-hour temple tour from Chiang Mai includes pickup and drop-off at city hotels, lunch, and entrance fees, and it’s a fun, personal way to explore the sites of northern Thailand.

Get up close and personal with the world’s largest land mammal on a visit to the family-owned Elephant Pride Sanctuary. The elephants here once worked on logging crews to cut down the protected forest, but today they live at leisure. This small-group adventure includes a Thai lunch, water, skip-the-line access, and hotel transfers from Chiang Mai.

Beat the crowds and see a spectacular sunrise from one of Chiang Mai’s highest points during an early-morning tour to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This unique tour offers you the chance to experience an alms-giving ceremony in the early morning and explore the famous temple without daytime crowds. Plus, a former-monk guide provides insight into Thai culture and the Buddhist religion.

Cuisine can tell you a lot about a place. Take this food-focused tour and taste first-hand how the region’s plant life and history have shaped its food. Your tour takes you to 15 different tucked-away restaurants and street-stalls that few travellers make the time to try on their first visit to Chiang Mai. Treat your taste buds to a night tour of Chiang Mai on this private trip.  Make sure you come hungry.

Ideal for those short on time in Chiang Mai, this experience packs three adventures into one well-organized day. Ride an ATV through the countryside, stop for a picnic at a scenic waterfall, then drift along the river on a bamboo raft. With transportation and a delicious lunch included, it’s a smooth and time-saving way to experience multiple outdoor highlights in Chiang Mai.

Explore Doi Inthanon National Park on a full-day, private trip from Chiang Mai, then spend the day visiting spectacular waterfalls, browsing local handicrafts, summiting Thailand's tallest peak, and hiking through a landscape of paddy fields and coffee farms. Enjoy the flexibility of a personal driver/guide throughout the day, which includes pickup and drop-off at your Chiang Mai hotel, all transport by climate-controlled vehicle, and lunch, the perfect way to discover Chiang Mai's remarkable mountain scenery.

Head out to Doi Inthanon National Park for a 2-hour trekking tour with a professional guide by your side. You'll hike the fantastic nature trail around 2 hours. You'll also stop by the Phra Maha Dhatu Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri Pagodas, at the top of Thailand's highest peak. You'll visit a Karen village and a Hmong market. Lunch and round-trip hotel transfers are included.

Head up to Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest peak, with this guided small-group trekking and cultural tour. You'll visit area highlights such as Wachirathan Falls, the King and Queen Chedis (pagodas), and a local coffee roasting facility, with a stop for an included lunch along the way.

This small-group tour is a convenient way to tick off three examples of magnificent architecture in a day without having to look up public transport schedules. Zip around the city in an air-conditioned van or car and see Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, and Wat Pha Lat temples—with admission included to save you time waiting in ticket lines. Upgrade to a private tour that also includes a visit to the Chiang Mai Night Market.

Those looking for an experience that combines nature with culture can enjoy this small-group tour to the Doi Suthep Temple and Wat Pha Lat in Chiang Mai. Hike to Wat Pha Lat, nestled within a lush forest, and discover its serene ambience and captivating statues. Then, make a trip to see the splendor of Doi Suthep Temple, adorned in shimmering gold. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience, though entrance fees are extra.

Discover the natural beauty and adventure of Chiang Mai on this full-day tour combining three amazing experiences! Begin your journey at Dantewada Park, a peaceful garden filled with beautiful angel statues, colorful flowers, and scenic mountain views. Walk around and capture stunning photos surround by nature. Next, visit the Bua Tong “Sticky” Waterfall, one of Thailand’s most unique natural wonders. Thanks to its mineral rich limestone surface, you can safely walk and climb up the waterfall without slipping! Enjoy the refreshing crystal clear water and explore the sacred “Seven Colors Spring”. After lunch, head to the Mae Taeng River for bamboo rafting. Sit back as your local guide steers the bamboo raft through lush green forests, peaceful, and gentle river currents. It’s the perfect way to unwind and connect with nature. This tour is ideal for travelers who love nature, local culture, and soft adventure a perfect mix of relaxation and excitement in one unforgettable day!

Discover the natural wonders of the Chiang Dao Valley on an action-packed full-day adventure from Chiang Mai. Paddle along the Mae Ping River on a kayaking excursion, admire the wild scenery of the Chiang Dao Jungle, then venture underground for a guided walk to the Buddhist shrines of Chiang Dao Cave.

It can be hard to get off the beaten track around Chiang Mai. Enjoy a little-known hike and get to know local villagers—activities that are hard to do independently—on this small-group tour to Mae Kampong, a village surrounded by forest and mountains. Look for rehabilitated gibbons, hike to a charming waterfall, and learn about local flora and fauna from your guide. Enjoy an authentic lunch before you return.