Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple & Wat Pha Lat Hike
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Chiang Mai, Thailand
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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 hidden forest temple on Dou Suthep in a garden with statues
- Hike through the monk’s trails to Wat Pha Lat until you get to the temple
- Walk on the 300-step dragon staircases; capture the staircases
- Learn about the history of the temple through the paintings on the walls
What's Included
- Signature Chiangmai Red Car (songthaew)
- Bottle of drinking water
- English speaking guide
- Entrance fee - All entrance fees THB 130.00 per person (If option is selected)
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
1
Wat Pha Lat Monk's Trail
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Wat Pha Lat
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Wear proper walking shoes.
- Remember that temples are sacred places and visitors are required to dress appropriately. Shoulders and knees need to be covered.
- The Monk’s Trail to/from Wat Pha Lat is generally considered an easy hike (approx. 30-45 minutes) for people in normal physical condition. However, parts of the path are uneven and may be slightly steep or slippery, especially after rain. While most participants complete the hike without difficulty, some guests may find it a bit more strenuous. We therefore recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. This tour may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues. If you are unable to do the hike, you can go with the songthaew (pick up truck).
- For the sunrise program (start 5:00 hrs in the morning) we visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep first. After sunrise we continue to Wat Pha Lat from where we start the Monk’s Trail and hike down the mountain instead of up.
- This tour is operated with a typical Thai “songthaew”. A songthaew is a converted pick-up truck with two benches in the back, open sides, and no air-conditioning. It’s an authentic way locals travel around Chiang Mai.
- Free pick up and drop off inside the old (walled) city of Chiang Mai. If you are not an actual guest at one of the hotels in our pick-up area, the designated meeting point will be in front of the Burger King at the Tha Pae Gate. Do NOT pick a random hotel from the list if you're not a guest in that hotel.
- Participants should be aware that pickups will begin up to 45 minutes before the scheduled tour start time.
- Entrance fee for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (THB 50 per person) and for Wat Pha Lat/Monk’s Trail (THB 100 per person) are NOT included and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour.
- As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available time slot or day, though a rescheduling fee will apply. No refund will be provided in case of late arrival.
- Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund. For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
- Our tours operate rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand usually don’t last long. If it rains heavily, we try to seek shelter and will continue as soon as the weather improves. During the rainy season, it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho. Please note cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 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
Reviews
4.9
based on 724 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Ren_H, Aug 2026
This was an excellent tour of the Doi Suthep Temple & Wat Pha Lat. Both of these temples are special, unique and different from the temples in the Old City. Wat Pha Lat is a complex of temples and buildings in the jungle. We then hiked down the Monk's trail which was very scenic. I am glad we hiked down the mountain instead of some tours that hike up the mountain. Our tour guide was very informative and friendly. My only recommendation is to be transported in an air conditioned van and not in the back of the red truck (taxi). It was hot, muggy, noisy and the smell of the exhaust.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed visiting Doi Suthep Temple and Wat Pha Lat, and that you appreciated the unique atmosphere of the jungle temple and the scenic hike along the Monk's Trail. It's also wonderful to know that your guide was informative and friendly throughout the experience.
We also sincerely appreciate your suggestion regarding the transportation. We understand that traveling in the back of a red truck can be less comfortable, especially in the hot and humid weather. Your feedback is valuable, and we'll certainly share it with our team as we continue looking for ways to improve our guests' experience.
Thank you again for your thoughtful review. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on another adventure in Thailand! 😊
ana_r, Jul 2026
This tour was amazing!! Our tour guide, Mr. Saman Duangkham, was very knowledgeable, helpful, and courteous. He made the tour and hike fun! I had a wonderful time and highly recommend to anyone coming to Chiang Mai. ❤️
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review and your high recommendation! We are so happy to hear that you had an amazing time exploring Chiang Mai. We will be sure to share your kind words with Mr. Saman he will be so thrilled to hear that he made your hike fun and memorable. We hope to see you again in the future!
Igore_A, Jul 2026
It is amazing. Very authentic! Going early might seem unworthy but it provides you the time to enjoy.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your lovely review!
We're delighted you enjoyed the authentic experience and found the early start worthwhile.
We hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable moments in Chiang Mai!
Adrienne_D, Jun 2026
A fun and well organised afternoon. Saman was very knowledgeable and from what I could gather was once a monk. He really cared about making sure we had a lovely experience :)
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your lovely review.
We're so happy to hear that Saman helped make your afternoon special. His passion for sharing local culture and ensuring guests have a wonderful experience truly shines through.
We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Saadiqa_A, Jun 2026
Nancy was warm, friendly, and very knowledgeable. She shared plenty of interesting background about Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat, helping me appreciate the history and significance of both temples. It was a great experience that I would highly recommend
Arthur_B, Jun 2026
This was a great tour combining a short hike with sightseeing at two temples on Doi Suthep. Maggie was an outstanding tour guide who provided lots of information on the different sites and Buddhist traditions. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback. We're so pleased that you enjoyed the tour and found Maggie's insights into the temples and Buddhist traditions valuable. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again soon.
Bonnie_B, May 2026
Our tour guide was Sama and he was excellent. He was personal and very knowledgeable. We did the early sunrise tour. We got lucky and went on the Buddha’s birthday and there were 800 monks there. We like hiking and the hike down to the next temple was fun. I would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We greatly appreciate your 5-star rating and we are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful experience with us!
Madysen_B, May 2026
Taking the monks trail up to the temple was a great way to get a little hike in and see the beauty of the surrounding nature! Bring bug spray! My family and I went at sunset which I also highly recommend. Not only was the sunset over the city beautiful, but you also get the chance to see the temple lit up at night. Our guide was Saman. There is no doubt that he is more than knowledgeable about every aspect of the tour. Saman covered the history of the temple, Buddhism, monks trail, along with many other facts we would have never known. I highly recommend this tour and Saman as your guide!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this amazing 5-star review with our team! We love hearing how much you enjoyed with guide Saman. We know you have choices when it comes to your travel adventures, and it means the world to us that you’ve chosen to book an experience with our team. Thank you again for supporting our local business and we hope to see you again in the future!
Jason_R, May 2026
Guide is very knowleagble; kind and personable. He will listen to you and take time try to accommodate. Takes really good pics too lol.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and the company of our guide. Your kind words will certainly be shared with our team.
Myles_B, May 2026
Saman was a great guide who wasted no time delving into the rich history of the temples and Buddhism. Would definitely recommend as a solo traveller or group. Thanks again Saman!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that Saman’s knowledge and passion for Thai history and Buddhism helped make your experience so enjoyable. It’s great to know that you would recommend the tour for both solo travelers and groups. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again in the future.
Katharine_M, Apr 2026
Our guide Saman was wonderful. He was very informative, and took time to explain rituals and temple grounds.
We had 2 young children with us-and they were entertained and looked after. The hike was interesting and enjoyable.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your review. We are pleased to hear that the tour met your expectations and that you enjoyed the experience.
Marine_O, Apr 2026
We went with Saman, who was super lovely & explained everything about Buddhism to us. Really recommand going at this time, as you avoid all the tourists and get to enjoy the sunrise.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour with us and we would love to see you back.
Jacob_I, Mar 2026
We had a fun experience with our guide which helped us understand the culture. It was a fun experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Sawadee kha Jacob,
We really appreciate your fantastic review and are glad to hear you had a wonderful tour!
David_T, Mar 2026
Take the vecular train as the steps to the top are steep. The hike is slightly challenging if you are unsteady on your feet
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Sawadee kha David,
We greatly appreciate your 5-star rating and we are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful experience with us!
Chandra_C, Mar 2026
The tour guide was fantastic. Very knowledgeable with a good sense of humor. The hike was beautiful.
However, the red truck experience was awful-the exhaust fumes were overwhelming and filled the back of the truck for the entire ride up the mountain. The driver was kind and the guide gave up her spot in the cab on the ride back
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 4-star review. We’re glad to know that you had a positive experience with us. Your feedback is valuable, and we’re always striving to improve.
TinOo_M, Mar 2026
We did the afternoon 1.30pm tour. It's a bit hot however red signature chiangmai taxi was an experience. It was a bit hot but still a fun ride. Our tour guide (Ching? I believe) explained in detail on how the temple/pagoda was built and it was great. All in all, it was a great.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your 5-star review. We are delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with us and hope to see you again!
Mary_O, Mar 2026
This was for sure a hike and we were all glad we wore hiking/walking shoes. Gorgeous views even when it is cloudy.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this amazing review. Glad to hear you had an enjoyable experience with us!
Eliot_L, Mar 2026
What a magnificent temple! We were treated to a beatiful sunrise, morning chants, and circumambulation (Pradakshina) around the central golden chedi. The group was not too big and our guide was extremly helpful.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Sawadee kha Eliot,
Thank you for your review and 5-star rating. We’re thrilled to hear that you are satisfied with our tour. Your feedback is really appreciated and we hope to see you back on our tours!
Lynda_H, Mar 2026
You will be traveling with a red open air tuk tuk with no AC to both of the templs. I would give this tour a 5 stars had we are traveling by a regular car with AC. I was not aware of the type of transportation because the description only stated that a traditional red car was included for the hotel pickup. Saman, our tour guide was great, he is very attentive and very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Sawadee kha Lynda,
Thank you for joining our tour and for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review.
We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the experience overall and that Saman made a positive impression.
Regarding the transportation, we do mention on the Viator tour page: "This tour is operated with a typical Thai “songthaew”. A songthaew is a converted pick-up truck with two benches in the back, open sides, and no air-conditioning. It’s an authentic way locals travel around Chiang Mai."
Of course, it’s always possible this detail was overlooked.
We hope you had a wonderful time in Thailand and appreciate your feedback.
Lynn_M, Mar 2026
Saman was really knowledgable and made the experience truly meaningful. Seeing the Buddhist monks going about their daily rituals was special. Getting up at 4:15 was worth it to see the beautiful sunrise over Chiang Mai
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for taking the time to write a review, very much appreciated. Glad to hear you had an enjoyable experience with us and we hope to see you again!
Dhiraj_T, Mar 2026
This experience is very relaxing and really informative. I recommend doing this over just going by alone. We had Margaret as our tour guide and she was great and very kind.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We really appreciate your positive review and it was great to have you on our tour. We look forward to welcoming you again!
Sacha_F, Feb 2026
Interesting and fun. Jean was a great tour guide and explained all the relics and artefacts. A really enjoyable day out
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Sawadee kha Sacha,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We really appreciate your positive review and it was great to have you on our tour. We look forward to welcoming you again!
Lewis_W, Feb 2026
Lovely afternoon tour with Maggie, great to see two temples and have a light hike down the monks walkway. Would recommend. Thanks Maggie and team.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Khob khun kha, thank you for your review. We are really delighted to hear you had a wonderful experience with us and we hope to see you again!
Dominic_S, Feb 2026
This is a good combination of learning about the mountain temples and having fun and exercise with the hike.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind review and for joining our tour. We truly appreciate your feedback and are happy to hear that you had a pleasant experience.
Arpy_D, Feb 2026
Excessive hiking down the hill in the forest. Very intense suitable only for pro hikers and not for everyone.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Arpy,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re sorry to hear that the hike felt excessive for you. Physical activity can be experienced very differently from person to person, and we fully understand that what feels manageable to some may feel challenging to others.
The Monk’s Trail is generally regarded as an easy, well-maintained forest path and is suitable for most people in normal physical condition. To give some context, members of our team have walked this trail multiple times, including very young children, which is why it is classified as an easy hike. That said, the path does involve walking downhill on uneven terrain, and factors such as weather, footwear, and personal fitness can greatly affect the experience.
Thank you again for your feedback. It helps future guests better decide whether this tour is the right fit for them.
Jennifer_F, Jan 2026
The early morning wake-up was totally worth it for the spectacular sunrise at Doi Suthep Temple. Our guide, Saman, did an excellent job of explaining the life of monks and teaching us more about Buddhism.
The Wat Pha Lat hike was really nice. It was wonderful to walk amongst the trees and have a break from the bustling city. The hike itself was not difficult but the ground is very uneven and sneakers/trainers are recommended as footwear.
The traditional red truck taxi transported us to and from the sites. We recommend that you bring a mask as the fumes can be quite strong.
The best part of the excursion was the interaction we had with others from France, Netherlands and the USA.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Sawadee kha Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience and that Saman made your tour so memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
WILLIAM_R, Jan 2026
Jane made our Tour a fun and memorable one. The knowledge she shared with us and ease of understanding her. Would definitely do another tour with her. Mahalo Jane for a Great time. Nancy Racoma
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Sawadee kha Nancy,
Thank you for joining our tour and for your kind feedback. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience and hope you made many wonderful memories in Thailand.
Krystal_C, Jan 2026
The tour was great. Our guide, Saman, was very passionate and we appreciated his humour. We chose to do this trail because we wanted to walk the monk’s trail, but were worried about the feral dogs. We did the 4pm tour and hiked up the trail, we encountered a few dogs, but the guide knew how to mange them. Beautiful temple and great views.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Khob khun kha, thank you for your review. We are really delighted to hear you had a wonderful experience with us and we hope to see you again!
Starrla_D, Jan 2026
Beautiful sunrise experience at the Wat upon Doi Suthep! Added plus during the sunrise tour was you get to walk down the Monk’s Trail instead of up, which was helpful from the early morning wake-up time. K. Jane was our guide and she was so helpful and respectful, funny too! A woman felt faint after the staircase walk, and K. Jane was confident in safely helping her out until she felt better.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for joining our tour and for your kind feedback. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience and hope you made many wonderful memories in Thailand.
Paul_R, Jan 2026
Excellent tour and our guide was very knowledgeable & accommodating.
Well worth the price - would definitely do this again, or another tour, with same provider.
Just one word of warning - check the tour start time at meeting point! I understood it was 16.00, but got a text at 15.30 asking where we were. One other passenger also had the same experience. Luckily we were only a 5 minute walk away so no real drama - be warned!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Sawadee kha Paul,
Thank you very much for your review. We are pleased to hear that the tour met your expectations and that you enjoyed the experience.
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