Explore Chiang Mai by car, passing markets, residential areas and Chiang Mai's main street on this Half Day excursion. Visit the famous Wat Doi Suthep, Wat Phra Sing, Wat Suan Dok and Wat Chedi Luang.

With perfect timing, this tour shows you Chiang Mai’s spiritual side while avoiding the tourist crowds. Visit the city’s most unique and historic temples before traveling up to the mountain top temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.

Arriving long after the tour buses have departed, you will receive a blessing from resident monks, watch the monks evening chants and enjoy breathtaking views of the city at dusk.

On our signature city and temples tour, you will first explore ancient Chiang Mai, including its old city walls, gates, moat and markets. After visiting Wat Suan Dok, where the ashes of Chiang Mai’s royal family are interred, continue to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the temple on the mountain, and the most sacred in Northern Thailand.

Your experienced guide will explain the story of the temple, the white elephant and lead you around its impressive chedi and show you it’s beautiful murals. In the late afternoon, the tourist masses have already left the temple grounds and dusk is a very special atmosphere.

After your private blessing ceremony, witness the magical evening chanting of the monks and city lights looking back over Chiangmai.

This day tour starts at around 3 pm, finishing around 7. 

Visitors must dress appropriately with shoulders and knees covered.

Visit the most important and culturally interesting Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai and afterwards spend time talking with the monks in an open session where the monks will answer any questions about Buddhism in Thailand and monastic life.

This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the role of Buddhism both in Thailand and in every day life, in a country where all boys are supposed to enter practice for at least a short time.

Depart your hotel at around 6 am and head west of the Old City. Arrive at Ton Payom Market in time to buy dishes and join the locals during the daily alms giving ceremony to the monks.

Proceed to Wat Umong, built in the 14th century, a heavily forested temple covered by moss and small plants offering a unique yet charming sense of natural decay. After a walk through its mysterious tunnels you reach the Viharn of the temple to experience your own private blessing ceremony.

Continue to Wat Suan Dok which is famous for its whitewashed Lanna stupas. The International Buddhist Studies center adjacent to the temple offers a unique opportunity to learn and exchange ideas informally with the monks about Buddhism and other general topics.

Experience Chiang Mai like a local. Visit a farmhouse on the outskirts of the city, travel by longtail boat along the Mae Ping River, walk through the fresh food market, and take a trishaw through the city.

Travel thirty minutes north of Chiang Mai city to a local farmhouse in Mae Rim and enjoy a leisurely stroll around the grounds. Then board a longtail boat for a 30-minute cruise along the rural Mae Ping River.

Along the riverbanks see traditional wooden houses and luxury modern residences. Arrive at the boat landing and walk to the charismatic Wararos Market to experience the bustle of local Northern Thai life in this colourful food market.

From the market, travel old style by trishaw along Tapae Road, past the crumbling city walls to the impressive Wat Phra Singh, in the middle of the old city.

Just a short hop east of Chiang Mai head away from the tourist trail and into fertile valleys that offer inspiring views and mountainous horizons not seen from the city. This 40 km one-day ride is a great way to see the Chiang Mai countryside.

Visit the Sankampaeng Markets where fresh produce is artfully displayed. Sampling the fruits in season will make sure you will not run out of energy. Pass by temples and stop and make an offering.

The ride goes through open plains and for some variety short cuts will be taken through lush green rice paddies towards the forests and mountains that surround this area.

Quiet country roads at the base of a mountain range lead to Sankampaneng Hot Springs where, if you can stand the heat, take a dip in the natural mineral springs.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, perhaps sampling the famous northern Thai noodle dish kao-soy, a chicken curry dish made with yellow noodles. This is a real original Thai experience that you won’t find on other itineraries.

The ride is a gentle 40 km with a few small ups and down towards the end. The ride is on quiet sealed country roads, and some smooth dirt lanes through the rice paddies and at the base of the mountains. There is often a gentle breeze blowing and lots of shady spots to keep cool and energized.

Lunch is served in a small local restaurant with a menu tasty noodle soups and some lively curries if you like a bit of spice. Lots of stops are made to sample fruits in season.

Of course, water, soft drinks and snacks are all included all day and the trip is fully supported by an air-conditioned minibus. A quality mountain bike and helmet are of course included.

This trip is suitable for all levels of riders and is an excellent trip for families.

A short transfer takes you to the outskirts of Chiang Mai to meet your host family in an authentic neighborhood. After a refreshing drink, spend time with the family learning about traditional Lanna architecture and the graceful teakwood homes.

Stroll through the orchard and herb garden with your host family, who will also demonstrate how to make bamboo baskets and cigars from banana leaves. This rich cultural experience will wrap up with a delicious home-cooked Northern Thai lunch or dinner that you will prepare with the family. After the meal transfer back to your hotel.

Highlights

• Spend a day with your lovely family and learn how to cook Northern Thai food and enjoy lunch with your host family.
• Learn more about the Thai culture and their traditions for a typical Northern Thai family.
• Experience the local way of life with the manufacturing of handicrafts made from local products.

Flight of the Gibbon is a unique zip line canopy tour through pristine rainforests. Swing from tree to tree on an exhilarating ride using ziplines and skybridges, swooping over the forest floor!

The action takes place in Mae Kampong village, where you will also have time to learn about the local culture and stroll through the village and surrounding forest.

Begin the day with a visit to the local market to pick up ingredients for your lunch. Continue to Mae Kampong village, the starting point for a walk through the community forest, passing tea and coffee fields, to a nice waterfall. Return to the village to watch lunch being prepared by your host family.

In the early afternoon, observe jungle life from a unique perspective, once reserved for a select group of scientists and primates: an exhilarating experience to fly through the rainforest canopy, using zip lines and sky bridges.

The tour starts around 8 am and finishes around 4:30 pm. Flight of the Gibbon isn't suitable for children under 6 years old and guests must be at least 30 kg.

Hit the streets of Chiang Mai on this immersive evening tour, with a resident International photojournalist. Your guide will lead you on a photographic journey through the real Chiang Mai to unusual markets, dancing spots and secret watering holes.

This trip is suitable for photographers of all levels and takes you deeper into the city for a photographic adventure.

You will be picked up at your hotel around 5:30 pm and from here, embark on a photographic expedition to explore local places both known and little known to expose you to a wide variety of vivid local life.

Start the journey at two of Chiang Mai’s most exquisite temples, Wat Suan Dok and Wat Chedi Luang where you may even glimpse the local monks chanting in their temple halls.

Then move onto the bright and bustling Walaros Market, the hub of local life. Here you will have the opportunity to photograph a variety interesting street food, colourful flower markets and a host of unusual local goods.

Stop for a taste of local ‘street food’ and take the opportunity to get to know the local vendors and capture some fantastic faces on film.

This trip is suitable for photographic enthusiasts of every level from absolute beginners to those wishing to extend their photographic travel portfolios. 

 Return to your hotel by 9:30. Street food dinner is included en-route. Bring a tripod if possible.