Chiang Mai: Kayak Under the Stars – 6 km to the Heart of the City
Badge of Excellence
Chiang Mai, Thailand
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the fun of kayaking in Chiang Mai without the heat of the day on a nighttime kayaking tour on the Ping River. Not only will you escape the midday heat, you’ll avoid the crowds on land and see the Rose of the North’s majestic landmarks when they’re illuminated and look even more impressive.
- See Chiang Mai in a completely new light on an evening kayaking tour
- Stay cool and beat the heat of the day with a night tour
- All safety equipment and kayaking gear are provided
- Enjoy personalized attention in a small group limited to 15
What's Included
- Professional Escort: Guided by Chiang Mai’s No.1 Professional Kayaking guides.
- First Aid: Our instructors are certified in First Aid and CPR, ensuring your safety during the event
- We use top-quality hard-shell single & double kayaks for a superior experience.
- Safety equipment: Head lamps, navigation lights, Whistle, Life jackets
- Insurance: please provide your passport details at check-in
- Hydration: Water for hydration packs and bottled water are available throughout the event.
- Support Truck: “Following” ready to assist and support. Includes secure storage for your valuables.
- Google Earth Orientation: Provided at our Pro-shop.
- You are the captain of your own boat.
- please provide passport # at check-in for insurance ID
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.6:00 pm
What To Expect
1
Ping River
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Can't list your accommodation in the pickup tab ? No problem! Simply enter the exact address and provide any additional details in the special instructions tab below. We will confirm your pickup time with you. For any questions or assistance, feel free to contact us directly through: Phone/WhatsApp: +(66) 0810247046 Email: info@mountainbikingchiangmai.com For a smooth pickup please check your email for further instructions in the morning.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Caroline_J
Just a very simple little journey by Kayak with a lovely guide. It made me feel very peaceful and happy.
Reviews
4.3
based on 55 reviews
Margaret_P, Sep 2025
This was a nice relaxing paddle at the end of the day to wind down after lots of activities. The sky put on a beautiful lightning show for us. Wish I was staying longer to join the day excursions.
Caroline_J, Jun 2025
Just a very simple little journey by Kayak with a lovely guide. It made me feel very peaceful and happy.
Letitia_R, Feb 2025
Really lovely mozy down the river. Pace is set by the group so you’re with. Guide was kind. Recommend
Tim_R, Jan 2025
Kayaking in the dark - what could go wrong? Falling down the gap between the jetty and the land, injuring my leg, was what went wrong for me. We wore lights on our heads, but they were set to a dim red for use on the river. No bones broken but a huge deep bruise up the outside of my thigh, it was 3 days before I could walk without significant pain.
For safety the jetties need to be illuminated when used at night.
Still did the kayaking (which is really peaceful except when passing a bar or restaurant).
Response from Host, Jan 2025
We are sorry you slipped on the bamboo, glad that all is well now. We are urging participants to keep the bright light on untill in the kayak.
Thank you for your feed back.
Sudarshan_S, Dec 2024
Let’s do some Positives, 1. It was peaceful and great experience. Negatives- we were exhausted after a 14 hour flight and we had to get the boats unloaded, fix seats and load up after the exhausting trip. Physical fitness must be very good to compete the 6 km rowing and so it’s not for everyone. Our guide happened to be the owner and he came alone when he couldn’t do the load/unload part of our trip was a bit surprising to us. We also took another activity from the same vendor and it was great. The Chiangmai Bikes and kayaking offers good things too.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
I am glad you enjoyed the Night Light Kayaking. Special thanks for helping with your 2 Double Kayaks. We are always happy to get a helping hand but certainly not required. It's great to hear that you experienced a verity of our Outdoor Adventures and looking forward having you back.
Laura_W, Oct 2024
The guide was super, took us further up the river because the water was flowing faster so did the day tour at night 14km in 1.45 hrs. We are competent at kayaking. We had thunder and lightning which was great to watch from the water. The river had flooded but they were careful about where we went in and how we got out. All safety precautions were in place with lights on life jackets and the kayaks. The guide had great English and pointed out the wildlife along the river.
mawg64, Apr 2024
Everything was set up for us on this trip. That made it great. After a 15 min ride, we were on the river. Our guide made sure we all had a good experience by moving back and forth between everyone and explaining where we were and what we were seeing. Well worth the time and money.
plubarsky, Feb 2024
Very organized and a delightful way to see Chiang Mai.
The guides were excellent!
We were 6 people in our group and we had 2 guides keeping us on course.
Highly recommend
MarionandLarry_H, Feb 2024
It was a peaceful paddle on a beautiful night with the shadows of the trees accompanying us. The trip was well organized and the guide and staff were more than competent making for a drama-free experience. Kayakers Don’t miss this opportunity.
Tamara_H, Feb 2024
Hands down most enjoyable part of the excursion was our guide! Great staff all around but he made the trip!! Loved seeing a quiet side of Chaing Mai night life but not sure I would go in the water when I could see it 🤪. Our guide was informative, helpful, very funny and personable and I am sad we didn't think to get a picture with him, or write down his name! Would come back for another adventure with him!!
Susan_C, Jan 2024
On-time pick-up; the guides stayed with the group and made sure everyone was safe and comfortable. It's my second time kayaking with them and will go again!
I wish we had started earlier to enjoy the sunset because we launched after the sun had set.
Owen_C, Jan 2024
I am not an experienced Kayaker, this is a leisurely trip on the Ping River, The trip delivers what it says it will a chance to see Chiang Mai from the water. As you enter the city you see many nice buildings that are lit up at night. This is a good way to get out and spend a peaceful evening. Enjoy
Carolina_B, Jan 2024
I do not recommend this to anyone! Not only was it not a pleasant ride and physically challenging, but the staff kept making inappropriate and rude comments to all my friends. Having in mind that they receive tourists from all around the world, the company and staff were not culturally aware and kept making us pay fee after fee that was not disclosed beforehand. Terrible experience.
Response from Host, May 2024
We are very sorry to hear about your disappointing experience. Your feedback is extremely important to us, and we deeply regret that our service did not meet your expectations. We take issues of cultural awareness and professionalism very seriously and will address this with our team immediately. Additionally, We have addressed the additional Fee issue on Trip Advisor and included all fees to prevent future misunderstandings.
Akum_D, Jan 2024
Honestly none of it. Was awful. They were rude, disrespectful, and borderline misogynistic. The experience itself was way too long and they were also late in picking us up
Response from Host, May 2024
We apologize for your experience with our guide and any discomfort it caused. While no harm was intended, we have parted ways with the guide in question . The delay on January 4th was due to peak season traffic, and we are sorry for the inconvenience this caused.
We're glad the kayaking itself went smoothly, providing an escape from the city's congestion during this busy time. We understand how frustrating these issues can be and appreciate your feedback. We're committed to improving our services to ensure a better experience for all our guests. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Parker_M, Jan 2024
Took us very long time to get on the river and there was a hidden rental and insurance fee of 250 Bhat.
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Parker,
Yes, as your friend mentioned, our pickups took longer than expected due to the peak tourist season. We have since added vehicles and we've incorporated the 250 baht river/insurance fee into the rate as to speed up the evening check in process.
Thank you for your feedback. We aim to share the joy and wonder we find here, with you.
jam16livecom, Nov 2023
Great experience! We got picked up right on time, the guides were great. It was my 2nd time kayaking and their knowledge and experience gave me a lot of confidence. They whisked us away in a truck and took us just outside of Chiang Mai where the adventure began. After a brief safety lesson they got us on our kayaks and we were off. It was nice to paddle at my own pace as the river did most of the work so I mostly just enjoyed the scenery of riverside villas and restaurants with their twinkling lights. The guide made a point to chat with each of us, asking about plans for our trips, etc. My only complaint was that it was over too soon! We made it to the end of the ride and the guides helped us onto shore and we loaded into another truck to be dropped off at a place of our choosing. It was a lovely experience, good for beginners and worth every penny!
Response from Host, May 2024
It sounds like you had an amazing time on your kayaking trip ! It's great to hear that the guides provided a safe and enjoyable experience, especially for someone on their second kayaking trip. Paddling at your own pace while taking in the scenic views sounds delightful. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience!
Hanbitmaro_C, Sep 2023
70% of the total course is quiet and you can hear grasshoppers. The remaining 30% of the route is lit by the lights of the bars, live music, and buildings along the river. Kayaking can be a bit physically demanding. Your guide, Jen, keeps a close eye on you for safety and cracks good jokes. I think it's a calm tour, quite fitting for Chiang Mai.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour. Providing a blend of serene moments with lively sights along the river is what we aim for. We're glad Jen could keep you safe while adding some humor to the experience. Your description of it as a calm tour fitting for Chiang Mai is exactly what we strive for. We hope to see you again soon for another adventure!
Jason_S, Aug 2023
We arrived and were checked in with staff who were welcoming and walked us through the process. Once all the people were picked up we drove out of the city a bit to launch.
Guides matched us with boats and sent us off into the river. There was no safety lecture or Kayak skills demonstration.
The paddle itself did not provide much to see. Perhaps my expectation was greater than it should have been. Lights on the banks and bridges were nice but otherwise you spend a good amount of time in the dark.
At times kayakers we’re left behind for several minutes without a guide in the back. We also were left on the river last without a guide in support as we lined up to exit. That should be standard operating procedure.
The take out was just a muddy bank. Guides were helpful but it was slippery and hard to get out of the boat.
The staff worked hard, are good kayakers and were very pleasent. It’s just an OK experience though.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We're glad to hear that our staff was welcoming and helpful, but we apologize for the aspects of the trip that fell short of your expectations.
We regret that the short comings in the safety lecture and kayak skills demonstration, which is usually a standard part of our process. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities, and having guides positioned to support all kayakers at all times should indeed be standard procedure.
We're sorry the paddle did not meet your expectations in terms of scenery and that the takeout point was challenging to navigate. We appreciate your constructive comments and will work to improve these areas.
Thank you for recognizing the efforts of our staff. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future.
Robert_M, Aug 2023
Excellent experience. No experience but kayaking down a jungle river at night with my 15 year old son. The kind of experience you have to go outside Europe to enjoy. Well run pick ups and drop offs. Definitely recommended.
Response from Host, May 2024
We are happy you apreciated our service.
Brooke_T, Jul 2023
My husband and I went with our kids, 10 and 7 years old. We all enjoyed the leisurely kayaking in the lovely and rustic Ping River. Our guide was very fun and took lots of pictures family pics for us. He let the kids sit with him in the back of the pick up truck on the trip getting there, they were delighted! It was very simple and rustic, be prepared to get wet from paddling, but a very cool and special experience!
Response from Host, May 2024
We love to hear that your family had a blast. Hope to have you back soon.
Pedro_P, Jul 2023
Whilst the guides were lovely and did a great job, the journey itself was a nightmare. This is marketed as a leisurely activity, but realistically it’s more suited to intermediate to advanced kayakers.
The tour begins way up river and takes about an hour to get into Chiang Mai by kayaking through trees with nothing to really see. By the time we got to the city lights, we were exhausted and underwhelmed.
The river itself is filthy and polluted, with trash and dead aquatic animals spotted all throughout. You’ll end up covered in this water by the end of the trip so you leave feeling tired and dirty.
Response from Host, May 2024
We appreciate your feedback, but your statements about the river conditions are greatly exaggerated. The river is a CLASS 1 waterway with zero hazards, making it easily navigable for most people. Recent rains may have added some debris, mostly bamboo and floating "plant islands."
While this trip was challenging for you, most people handle the 2-hour float just fine. Our ground crew is always in contact with our guides, ensuring an easy extraction if anyone gets tired.
So take the plunge and treat yourself to this unique experience—we love it and think you will too!
Darragh_M, Jul 2023
Had a lovely relaxing kayak in the evening and saw bats, snakes and frogs. Our host was brilliant and we had some great chats. They also dropped us off at the night markets where we got something to eat to end the night.
Felt really safe and comfortable and saw some lovely views. I would definitely recommend doing thus.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the evening kayak and the wildlife sightings. Our host loved chatting with you and we're glad you felt safe and comfortable. Dropping you off at the night markets was our pleasure. We appreciate the recommendation!
Jason_K, Jul 2023
The trip was spiritually strong. I was moved by the presence of Buddha. I hope Buddha can bring more people to experience this wonder.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're glad the trip was spiritually meaningful for you and that you felt moved by the presence of Buddha. We hope more people can share in this wonder as well.
Stacey_W, Jun 2023
This could’ve been a much better experience had our guide not rushed us down the river, often kayaking out of sight in the dark, and not explaining how this type of kayak worked. At the end, he took his kayak out, and the rest of us had no idea where he went and were continuing to paddle down the river! It seemed like he just wanted to get it over with which made the whole experience much less peaceful and enjoyable than it could’ve been. He also talked about his personal life which he is very unhappy about and also about how somebody recently committed suicide, jumping from a bridge into the river. Not what my partner, and I or the other travelers wanted to hear about…
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Reviewer,
We're very sorry to hear about your disappointing experience. Your guide's behavior and the topics discussed were completely inappropriate and not aligned with the peaceful, enjoyable experience we aim to provide. We will address these issues immediately to ensure our guides maintain a professional and supportive presence throughout the tour. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we apologize for any distress caused.
Paul_M, Feb 2023
Double kayak could took on water the whole trip. We had to stop three times to drain it. Was very unstable. Guide did not communicate or explain much. It was dark for most of the trip and the river did not smell very good at times. The lights from the bridges and bars near the end of the trip was nice but this is an experience that I would not recommend.
Response from Host, May 2024
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the issues with the double kayak although we did advise different at the start due to the weight issue . Regarding safety, we'd like to highlight that our double kayaks are equipped with scupper holes, which prevent water from accumulating in the kayak. Even if water enters, it will drain out quickly, ensuring a safe and stable ride. I also like to ad that from a certain weight we recommend single kayaks as it is a "dryer trip". If your combined weight for a double is 150kg you have nothing to worry about. We have single kayaks that can handle 150 kg as well. We appreciate your feedback and will take it into account to improve our services.
syoon71, Dec 2022
We had to wait close to an hour for the others in our group were gathered at the offices of the Kayak operators. After finally gettting to the starting point, we started down the river. There were not many sights on the river or bright lights as described or depicted on the site. It was just kayaking down a river, at night...mostly in darkness. I probably wouldnt have done this activity during the day.
Response from Host, May 2024
We apologize for the delay you experienced and any discrepancies between the description and your actual experience. We strive to provide a memorable and enjoyable tour, and we're sorry to hear it did not meet your expectations. Your feedback is valuable, and we'll use it to improve our operations and ensure a better experience for future guests. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Dan_L, Dec 2022
Amazing experience, picked up from hotel and driven to the office from there we collected the life jackets and kayak’s and headed off to an entry point on the river. The whole experience was amazing, gently kayaking down the river. Our guides looked after us and gave us the most amazing experience.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing experience from start to finish. It's great to know our guides made your kayaking adventure memorable and enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic journey down the river!
David_E, Dec 2022
This was such a relaxing excursion and Jenny was the perfect guide. He connected with our small group- kept us safe, made us laugh and he shared about his life as well as Thai culture. Meeting him and getting to kayak while seeing the lanterns, lights and beautiful sites was such a treat. Kayaking with Jenny was one of our favorite experiences while in Thailand.
Response from Host, Feb 2023
We aim to please ... thank you for your time to review your adventure. I will pass this on to Jane
Regards
Aidan
Alice_R, Aug 2022
The staff were really friendly and helpful, the whole experience was fun and seeing parts of Chiang Mai from the river was a very relaxing but fun experience
Response from Host, Feb 2023
We aim to please ... thank you for your time to review your adventure.
Regards
Aidan
Matthias_B, Mar 2023
Obwohl ein deutscher Guide versprochen wurde konnte leider nur englisch gesprochen werden.
Ansonsten war die Tour schön aber wir haben sie hauptsächlich gebucht weil wir eine deutsch geführte Tour haben wollten. Bei der Buchung hieße es man wird bei Änderungen informiert. Das passierte aber nicht.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Lieber Reviewer,
zunächst einmal möchten wir uns bei Ihnen entschuldigen, dass Ihre Erfahrung mit unserer Tour nicht Ihren Erwartungen entsprach. Wir legen großen Wert darauf, unsere Kunden zufrieden zu stellen, und es tut uns leid, dass wir in diesem Fall nicht in der Lage waren, das zu tun.
Es ist bedauerlich, dass Sie nicht über den Sprachwechsel informiert wurden. Wir nehmen diese Angelegenheit sehr ernst und werden intern untersuchen, warum diese Änderung nicht kommuniziert wurde. Um solche Situationen in Zukunft zu vermeiden, werden wir unsere internen Kommunikationsabläufe überprüfen und verbessern.
Als Zeichen unserer Entschuldigung und Wertschätzung möchten wir Ihnen Ihre nächste Tour mit uns kostenlos anbieten.
Wir hoffen, dass wir in Zukunft die Gelegenheit haben, Ihnen eine erstklassige deutschsprachige Tour zu bieten und Ihr Vertrauen in unser Unternehmen wiederherzustellen. Sollten Sie weitere Fragen oder Anliegen haben, zögern Sie bitte nicht, uns zu kontaktieren.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Aidan
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From $47.79
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