The 10 Best Day Trips from Chiang Mai

1.Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Temples, Karen Tribe and Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5,401 reviews · 11 hours - 810 minutes · from $35Our pick

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with an English-speaking guide such as Benz, Kwan, Ruby, or Dee. Visit Mae Kachan Hot Springs, a Karen long-neck village, Wat Rong Khun, Wat Rong Suea Ten, and Huay Pla Kang Temple. Bring your own earphones for the 41-language audio guide.

“Great value for money, really good day trip. It’s long but you see everything you need to in one day. Each temple is well worth the visit. Thank you Kawee for being a fantastic guide.”

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2.From Chiang Mai: White Temple & Golden Triangle Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,193 reviews · 13h 30m · from $80

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in a small air-conditioned van with an English-speaking guide. See the White Temple, Chiang Saen ruins, House of Opium, and Golden Triangle, then cruise the Mekong. Expect a long day, excellent Thai food, regular breaks, and guides such as Tui, Paul, Bee, and Aom.

“Great trip with guide Pep. Long day but journeys were broken up by toilet and coffee breaks. White temple amazing, to see three countries from viewpoint and boat trip was a one off. Got to say the lunch was the best selection of Thai food we’ve had. Good service and plenty of it. Coffee on way home at the bakery was absolute quality. Great coffee and honey and lemon cake was to die for.”

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3.From Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai’s Temples Exploration Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 871 reviews · 1 day · from $51

Travel from Chiang Mai in a small group of up to 12 to see Chiang Rai’s White, Blue, and Red Temples. English or Thai guides such as Bee, Goi, Phone, and Paul explain the art and customs, with lunch, hotel transfers, and a hot spring stop included.

“This was a great day! Our tour guide Bee was fantastic and kept everything very organized and kept us informed about all activities throughout the day. You get to have free time at each temple. Recommend!”

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4.Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon Park with Kew Mae Pan Hike Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 841 reviews · 11 hours · from $62

Spend 11 hours exploring Thailand’s highest mountain, the King and Queen Twin Pagodas, and the seasonal Kew Mae Pan trail. You’ll hike about 2.78 kilometers, visit a Hmong village and coffee stop, and finish at Wachirathan Waterfall. Guides such as Mo, James, Paul, and Wanida are often praised for their care and humor.

“This is a great trip and good value for money. Our guide Wanida was the highlight. She was very engaging and informative of the history of the area.”

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5.Chiang Mai: The Giant Café & Mae Kampong Village Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 207 reviews · 8 hours · from $54

Spend eight hours exploring Mae Kampong Village, a forest waterfall, Rabiang View café, and The Giant Chiangmai. Your English-speaking driver, such as Nine, Peter, Eikzy, or Charlie, handles the winding mountain roads while you enjoy free time, local food, and cool forest air.

“It was such a beautiful trip to Mae Kampong. Our guide Nine was an absolute joy and made the trip worthwhile. I would definitely book the trip with her. Thank you Nine and team!”

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6.Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Famous Temples & Hot Springs Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 129 reviews · 13 hours · from $24Best value

Travel from Chiang Mai in a shared van for a full day of Chiang Rai highlights. Stop at Mae Kachan Hot Spring, the White, Blue, and Black or Red Temples, Baan Dam Museum, Lalitta Café, and Huay Pla Kang Temple. Expect limited time at each stop and a long drive.

“From the outset, the transport was completely unsuitable. The bus was extremely cramped, with no air conditioning. My partner is currently recovering from a broken leg and had absolutely no space or support during the journey. The entire trip was uncomfortably hot, overcrowded, and caused significant discomfort. The buffet lunch was equally unacceptable. The venue was overcrowded, food was either stone cold, not heated properly, or had completely run out. As a result, I was unable to eat anything at all. When raising this with the tour guide, they were unhelpful and showed little concern. We were also disappointed with what was described as a “snack,” which consisted only of…”

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7.From Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Day Trip & Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 125 reviews · 9 hours · from $106

Travel from Chiang Mai to Thailand’s highest mountain with an English-speaking guide, then walk rainforest trails, see the Twin Pagodas, eat at a Royal Project restaurant, and hike Pha Dok Siew Trail to a Karen village. Guides such as Tui, Aom, Pae, and Yaw-an G are praised for clear explanations and friendly care.

“We had an amazing day on this excursion with an amazing tour guide! Highly recommend this tour and hope you get our tour guide or one as great! I like booking through this company because of the smaller size tour groups which gives you a more personal experience!!”

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8.Chiang Mai: Sticky Waterfall and Rafting Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 61 reviews · 1 day · from $83

Spend a full day beyond Chiang Mai with guides such as Joe or Mr K. Ride class 3 to 4 rapids, drift by bamboo raft near elephant sanctuaries, eat lunch, and climb Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls. Hotel pickup, equipment, water, and local insurance are included.

“A very fun day filled with both exciting and relaxing activities. Observing elephants with the beautiful backdrop of mountain range from our bamboo raft was such a lovely moment”

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9.From Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · 12 hours · from $128

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in a small Spanish-speaking group of up to 10. See the White Temple, Blue Temple, Big Buddha, hot springs, Golden Ganesha Shrine, Lalitta Café waterfall, and optional Long Neck village.

“Me ha encantado y nuestro guía Runsito ha sido maravilloso, amable, un fotógrafo excepcional, implicado en nuestro bienestar, nos lo ha explicado todo maravillosamente. Me he enamorado de este lugar y repetiría sin dudarlo. Mil gracias, habéis creado en mí un recuerdo inigualable. Gracias Runsito.”

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10.From Chiang Mai: Mae Taeng Valley Hike & Bike Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 7 hours · from $83Top rated

Leave Chiang Mai for a guided 5-kilometer hill walk, then cycle 15 to 20 kilometers through Mae Taeng villages, orchards, and rice fields. Your English-speaking guide explains local customs, plants, and farming. Guide Tri has been especially praised for his sharp eye and friendly explanations.

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