The Best Chiang Mai Tours & Excursions: Highly Rated Experiences I Recommend
Whether you want to book something ahead of time or wake up in Chiang Mai and decide you want to do something that day, here are some of the excursions I’d actually recommend booking.
I LOVE using GetYourGuide when I travel. It makes finding and booking tours way easier, especially when you don’t want to spend three hours falling down a Google rabbit hole trying to figure out which tour company is actually good. I scoured through the website to find experiences that are 4.8/5 stars or higher, have great reviews and guides + are reasonably priced for what you’re getting. Some of these are things I’ve personally done, and others are activities I’ve booked for friends, family, or clients.
There are also a few excursions I came across that I would not recommend because of ethical concerns. Unfortunately, because of Thailand’s defamation laws, I can’t publicly name those specific companies or go into all the details. BUT I can tell you which ones I would book!
*One thing to keep in mind: prices can change depending on the season, availability, and when you book, so the prices you see may be different from what I’ve listed.
**And because I like to be transparent: I do earn a commission if you book through my GetYourGuide affiliate links. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and I only share things I’ve personally done, would actually book myself, or would feel comfortable recommending to my own friends and clients.
The Giant Café & Mae Kampong Village Day Trip
This is a great one if you want to get out of Chiang Mai and see some of the mountains! You’ll visit Mae Kampong Village (which feels like a real-life Studio Ghibli film), a waterfall, some scenic viewpoints, and the famous Giant Café tucked into the jungle. It’s a full-day trip, but a super easy way to see a few different spots without having to plan all the transportation yourself.
2. Kingkong Smile Zipline with Lunch and Transfers
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, this one looks SO fun. You’ll zip through the jungle and mountains, choose between two courses, and finish with a Thai lunch. Transportation is also included.
3. Cooking Class, Market & Thai Herb Garden Tour
If you love Thai food, I’d definitely do a cooking class while you’re in Chiang Mai! This one starts with a visit to a local market, then you’ll head to a Thai herb garden and make your own dishes from scratch. Transportation is included, plus you get to eat everything you make and take home a recipe book so you can recreate it later. :)
4. Spiritual Sunrise Wat Doi Suthep, Pha Lat, Alms & Meditation
If you’re an early riser, this is a really special way to see Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat. You’ll head up before sunrise, see the temples without the usual crowds, and have the chance to take part in morning alms giving and meditation.
Transportation and temple entry fees are included, which makes this an easy one to book! Just make sure to wear appropriate clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
5. Temples & Old City Hidden Gems with a local guide
I’ve actually done this one and loved it! Natt, made everything so interesting with his humor and stories, and he was so thoughtful about bringing extra water and umbrellas for everyone. You’ll visit some of the Old City’s temples and a few hidden gems, but it’s not a ton of walking, which is always a bonus in Chiang Mai’s heat!
6. Taste of Chiang Mai: Michelin Guide & Street Food Tour
I haven’t done this one myself yet, but it’s also run by Natt, so I have a feeling this one is going to be amazing too! You’ll hit several local food spots recognized by the Michelin Guide and get to try a bunch of different Thai dishes without having to figure out where to go yourself. Perfect combo :)
7. Chiang Rai Private Highlights (Full Day)
If you have a full day to spare, this is a great way to get outside of Chiang Mai and see more of northern Thailand. You’ll visit the famous White Temple, Blue Temple, and Huay Pla Kang Temple, plus head into the mountains around Doi Chang. Transportation is included in a comfortable car, but keep in mind that it’s about 6 hours of driving roundtrip from the Old City. Temple entry fees are not included, so bring a little extra cash for those.
And of course, wear modest clothing since you’ll be visiting several temples.
8. Tuk Tuk Night Tour with Temples & Markets
This one looks like such a fun way to see Chiang Mai after dark! You’ll go to the meeting point, hop in a tuk-tuk and visit temples, local markets, and some of the city’s best food spots while everything is lit up at night.
It’s a great option if you want to experience Chiang Mai without spending the whole evening walking around AND you get to ride in a tuk tuk!
9. Doi Saket Hidden Jungle Trek & Waterfall
If you want to immerse yourself in nature, this looks like a great option. You’ll spend the day hiking around Doi Saket, with mountain views, waterfalls, and local villages along the way.
Transportation is included, and the hike itself is about !!! 5 hours, so definitely bring good shoes and be ready to get a little sweaty!
10. Jungle Flight Zip Line Roller Coaster
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure with a little less hiking, this one looks SO fun! You’ll zip through the jungle, fly between the trees, and even get to ride a jungle roller coaster.
Transportation is included, so you can just show up and enjoy it without having to figure out how to get there. Definitely one I’d recommend if you want something more active than sightseeing!
11. Grand Canyon Water Park Ticket
I’ve been to the Grand Canyon before and had a great time! I haven’t actually done the side with the inflatables yet, but it looks like a fun way to spend a hot afternoon. There are water obstacles, ziplining, kayaking, and places to swim and hang out. You can book it with or without transportation and there are lifeguards on-site. Definitely a good option if you want something fun and active for kids + adults!
12. Meditation Retreat and Self-Care in Nature
If you’re looking for something a little different from the typical Chiang Mai tours, I’d check this one out. It combines yoga, meditation, and Thai culture in a cozy, half-day experience, so you get to slow down a bit while still doing something meaningful. I think this would be especially nice to add somewhere in the middle of a busy Chiang Mai itinerary.
Hopefully this gives you a few ideas for your Chiang Mai trip! There are SO many tours and experiences to choose from, but these are some of the ones I’d actually recommend. Whether you want food, temples, adventure, or just a fun day outside the city, there’s a little bit of everything here so hopefully something aligns :)
