Chiang Mai Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Chiang Mai tour packages
- What people love about Chiang Mai Tours
- Travel Chiang Mai your way
- Best tour companies for Chiang Mai tours
- Popular Chiang Mai Cruise Ships
- Discover Chiang Mai tours for every budget
- Chiang Mai tours for every type of group
- Top Chiang Mai travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Chiang Mai
- Contact our Chiang Mai travel experts
- What our customers ask about Chiang Mai Tours & Trips
The best Chiang Mai tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaChiang Mai travel expert at TourRadar
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Wonderful experience, great to experience as a group with a leader who is local and knows the area well.”
Kelsey, traveled in January
Northern Thailand beckons with Mok Fah Waterfall and Mae Malai Market before leading to Mae Ma Nai Hilltribe Village. Chiang Mai's temples, including Wat Prasingh and Doi Sethep, shine alongside Mae Taeng River kayaking adventures. Hilltribe homestays offer home-cooked dinners and genuine Thai rural life.
Duration 8 days Destinations Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $945
10% Off- NZ$851You save $94
5 Days Exploring Thailand's Floating Markets And Temples
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Food amazing and lots of activities. Hotel on return was better.”
Alexandra, traveled in April
The city's architectural heritage shines through Wat Phra Singh's northern style, Wat Chedi Luang's massive stupa, and Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai's oldest temple. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep offers stunning city panoramas.
Duration 5 days Destinations Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak, Chiang Mai Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Hoi An Express From
10% Off- NZ$2,246
Amazing Thailand In 9 Days
77 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I felt so safe as a so many traveler. My organizer Long Pham did an exceptional job of setting it up.”
Jody, traveled in December
From the boutique De Charme Hotel, Chiang Mai's wonders extend to Doi Inthanon National Park and the White Temple. The Pagagayaw Karen hill tribe village welcomes visitors, while local coffee plantations and the 70-meter Vachirathern waterfall showcase natural beauty.
Duration 9 days Destinations Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket Age Range 1 to 89 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Operator Realistic Asia From $1,576
7% Off- NZ$1,466+$580 local paymentsYou save $110
Thailand Classic In 12 Days - Bangkok/Chiang Mai/Phuket
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was well organised and had some flexibility which we liked. We had such great and memorable time in Thailand.”
Kadarnath, traveled in May
Cultural riches await at Chiang Mai's ethical elephant sanctuaries and hill tribe villages. The iconic White Temple of Wat Rong Khun stands out, while De Chame Chiang Mai or The Empress Premier provide comfortable accommodation.
Duration 12 days Destinations Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Portuguese, French, Spanish Operator PrestiGo Asia From $4,577
45% Off- NZ$2,517You save $2,060
Duration 9 days Destinations Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $3,313
10% Off- NZ$2,981You save $331
What people love about Chiang Mai Tours
- Explore Northern Thailand
One of the best travel experiences that I have had. I travelled with my 21 year old granddaughter and we both enjoyed the whole trip. The hotel in Chiang Mai was barely average and based on the clientele that Intrepid must generate for them, the accommodations could have at least had a better view than a brick wall. The guide and the homestay experience was excellent ( if not somewhat surprising). The trip to the Asian Hospital was depressing. the animal MAY be benefiting from medical breakthroughs but they have no quality of life, stimulation, enclosures or chance of release. They are chained in inadequate facilities for the remainder of their natural life. Intrepid needs to be a leader in responsible tourism. The tours should include a daytrip to the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand near Hua Hin instead so tourist can experience the wildlife of Thailand in stimulating natural settings. Most of the animals have been rescued from the tourist industry that has exploited them for the sake of tourist amusement.The foundations work in nothing short of incredible and all tourist would benefit from a firsthand experience at the foundation with the dedicated veterinarians/ volunteers, the founder of the foundation and the incredible variety of Thailand wildlife..
- 5 Days Exploring Thailand's Floating Markets And Temples
Boat trip on ha long bay was fantastic - food amazing and lots of activities. Our hotel on first night was changed and was disappointing but hotel on return was better
- Amazing Thailand In 9 Days
This tour was excellent from start to finish, and the guides were extremely helpful every step of the way. Even on our free days, they were willing to arrange us our transportation to and from whatever activity we wanted to do. What an awesome trip!
Travel Chiang Mai your way
If you're looking to really get into Chiang Mai's culture, our most popular tours combine temples, ethical elephant experiences and mountain trips. Many travelers start with our 9-day Thailand circuit from Bangkok to Chiang Mai - you'll get right into local life at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and spend quality time with elephants at well-vetted sanctuaries. The 12-day routes let you dig deeper into northern Thailand's traditions; our guests tell us they love how the itinerary mixes city temples with genuine village encounters. What works well is how we balance guided activities with free time - you'll see major temples like Wat Phra Singh but also have space to wander and find your own special spots in the old city.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Chiang Mai. We have 73 adventures that vary from 3 days to 18 days. With the greatest number of departures in August, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Our heritage tours put you right in the middle of Karen village life where you'll learn hill tribe traditions firsthand. The homestays are a real highlight - you'll help cook traditional meals and see how local farming works. When we visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, we go early before the crowds show up, which our travelers really appreciate. The best moments often come from simple things like cooking with families, joining craft workshops and connecting with locals - these personal experiences tend to become the stories our guests share most often.
Select from our extensive range of 55 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Chiang Mai with our expert guides leading the way.
Best tour companies for Chiang Mai tours
From what our travelers tell us, both companies deliver solid Southeast Asian experiences but with some distinct differences worth noting. Realistic Asia gets consistent praise for organizing tours that run like clockwork - their guides know their stuff and handle all the little details that could otherwise cause stress. The company really shines when it comes to keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Prestigo Asia stands out for their thoughtfully planned itineraries and how well they keep in touch throughout the process. Their guides Dat and Lucie get mentioned often in the feedback, with travelers particularly impressed by their deep local knowledge and attention to detail. That said, it's worth mentioning a couple of small wrinkles. Some of our travelers have found the guide quality at Realistic Asia can vary depending on which tour you take. With Prestigo Asia, a few people mentioned the transportation could sometimes be on the slower side between locations. Both are solid choices overall - the small issues that came up didn't seem to seriously impact most people's trips. For travelers who really value consistent organization, Realistic Asia makes sense. If you're after a well-paced journey with guides who know their stuff really well, Prestigo Asia might be the better fit.
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Popular Chiang Mai Cruise Ships
Discover Chiang Mai tours for every budget
Our budget-conscious travelers gravitate toward the classic Thailand packages that include Chiang Mai as a key destination. These multi-city routes combine comfortable accommodations with well-planned activities. Popular itineraries run 10-12 days, starting in Bangkok before heading north, where you'll explore Wat Phra Singh, visit hill tribe villages and spend time at ethical elephant sanctuaries. Our customers particularly enjoy the mix of organized tours and free time to explore on their own. Many tours include traditional experiences like khantoke dinners with hill tribe dancing and visits to local markets. The railway market and floating market excursions en route to Chiang Mai add nice cultural touches that our travelers consistently mention in their feedback.
The premium tours in Thailand really deliver something special, running 13-14 days to let you sink into the northern culture properly. You'll stay in excellent hotels and have expert local guides who know exactly when to visit places like Doi Suthep to avoid the crowds. Our travelers love the private cooking classes in beautiful old colonial houses - you'll head to markets with the chef to pick out fresh ingredients first. The experience includes some lovely extras like traditional Thai massages at temple massage centers and quiet morning boat rides through Bangkok's canals before you head up to Chiang Mai. What makes these tours special is the chance to have real conversations with monks at Wat Suan Dok, giving you proper insights into Buddhist life.
Chiang Mai budget tours
Chiang Mai tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
100 tours in Chiang MaiExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Chiang Mai. We have 100 adventures that vary from 3 days to 29 days. With the greatest number of departures in December, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
76 tours in Chiang MaiFrom our Bangkok starting point, the 9-day small group tours weave through Chiang Mai's cultural heart, balancing temple visits at Wat Phra Singh with intimate elephant sanctuary encounters. Active travelers often pick our northern 7-8 day routes, which mix Mae Taeng River kayaking with homestays in Karen villages, where they cook alongside families and discover traditional crafts. Our extended 12-day cultural journeys give guests more time to absorb northern Thai life, combining guided temple tours with plenty of free time to wander Chiang Mai's old city pathways and hidden corners. What makes these tours special, according to our travelers, is how we balance structured activities with independent exploration time, and they consistently mention our guides' expertise in timing visits to places like Doi Suthep when crowds are thin. The tours include distinctive local experiences like khantoke dinners with hill tribe performances and village cooking classes, which help create those meaningful connections our small groups are seeking.
Private / Personalized
38 tours in Chiang MaiOur private tours shine when it comes to flexibility and personal attention in Chiang Mai. These typically run 10-12 days with customizable itineraries that adapt to your interests. Many of our travelers opt for early morning temple visits to avoid crowds, especially at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep where the morning light creates perfect photo conditions. Private guides take you to less-visited spots like Wat Palad and arrange authentic experiences with local families, including traditional amulet-making workshops. Our customers particularly value the ability to spend extended time at elephant sanctuaries, where they can fully engage with the animals without rushing. These tours often include special touches like private blessing ceremonies with monks and visits to artisan villages along San Kamphaeng Road.
Top Chiang Mai travel itineraries to fit your plans
A week in northern Thailand lets you properly dig into the region's character. The journey starts in Bangkok at the Grand Palace before heading north to Chiang Mai. Our customers often mention loving the shift from city buzz to peaceful northern temples. You'll enjoy special touches like traditional Khantoke dinners with hill tribe dancing and visits to the unique Elephant Poopoopaper Park. Up in the Golden Triangle, where Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar, you'll see both the White Temple and Black House - each showing completely different sides of Thai architecture. Some tours add a Mekong River boat ride, giving you a nice look at life along the borders.
Our 10-day tours mix city life, cultural experiences and beach time really nicely. You'll start in Bangkok exploring floating markets, then head north to Chiang Mai for 3-4 days of temples, elephant encounters and local craft discoveries along San Kamphaeng Road. What works well here is the pacing - you get both guided experiences and time to explore on your own. Most of our travelers love finishing up in Phuket, where you can either relax on the beach or take day trips out to places like the Phi Phi Islands for snorkeling in clear waters.
Two weeks in Thailand gives you our most complete experience, with some interesting options to choose from. Some tours focus on temples, linking Thailand's ancient capitals with Cambodia's Angkor Wat. Others emphasize island life, taking you through Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and also Koh Samui. Our travelers appreciate the variety - one morning you might do T'ai Chi in Bangkok's Lumpini Park, learn cooking from local chefs later and finish at a traditional market. These longer stays include nice cultural touches like monk blessing ceremonies at Wat Damnak and Thai massage lessons at Wat Pho.
Demographics
Young adult travelers gravitate toward our active northern Thailand tours that combine physical adventure with cultural immersion. The kayaking and trekking tours running 7-8 days are particularly popular - you'll paddle the Mae Taeng River, hike to remote hill tribe villages and camp under the stars. Our travelers love the mix of adrenaline activities and authentic experiences, like learning traditional cooking methods from Karen villagers and joining local guides to make friction fires. The overnight trains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai add an element of adventure while saving on accommodation costs. Many tours include free time in Chiang Mai's Nimman area, which our younger guests appreciate for its cool cafes, bars and night markets. The hill tribe treks can be challenging but rewarding - you'll carry your own pack through beautiful mountain terrain while staying in traditional villages along the way.
Our senior travelers prefer the premium private tours that offer deeper cultural experiences at a comfortable pace. These carefully crafted 10-13 day itineraries include early morning temple visits when it's cooler and quieter, especially at Doi Suthep where you can truly appreciate the spiritual atmosphere. Our older guests particularly value having knowledgeable guides who can explain Thai history and Buddhism in detail. The tours include comfortable hotels in central locations and private transportation throughout. Many feature special cultural experiences like traditional blessing ceremonies, visits to artisan villages and demonstrations of classical Thai crafts. Our senior travelers often mention how much they appreciate having flexibility in the schedule and guides who understand when to take breaks during temple tours or market visits.
For families exploring Chiang Mai, our most recommended tours run 11-12 days with carefully planned activities that work for different ages. Parents tell us they appreciate how the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market visit keeps kids engaged - they love watching vendors paddle past selling fresh fruits and local treats. The elephant sanctuary experiences are real highlights for families; children get hands-on time feeding and helping bathe the elephants while learning about conservation. Several tours include stays in Koh Samui after Chiang Mai, which our family groups say provides a nice balance of culture and beach time. The guides make special efforts with kids, like organizing fun activities during hill tribe visits and keeping temple tours interesting with stories and legends. Our returning families particularly value having some flexibility in the schedule, letting them adjust plans based on their children's energy levels and interests.
- Solo Travelers107 tours
- Couples37 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)8 tours
- Seniors (50+)45 tours
Best time to visit Chiang Mai
- Summer 2025
Our summer tours through Chiang Mai blend cultural visits with smart scheduling to match the warm season. The 9-day route from Bangkok has become a favorite, kicking off at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market before heading north where temperatures ease up a bit. Our travelers often mention how well the schedule works - active temple visits at Wat Phra Singh in the cooler mornings, followed by afternoon stops at air-conditioned craft workshops along San Kamphaeng Road. Summer is perfect for the elephant sanctuary portion, where you can cool off alongside these gentle animals during mud baths and river swims. The cultural element goes deeper with our hill tribe homestays, where Karen families welcome you for evening cooking classes and shared meals in their villages. We've designed the 5-day express tours around temple visits and elephant encounters with strategic early morning starts, while our extended 12-day journeys include peaceful overnight train rides and also quiet days exploring the unique temples of Chiang Rai.
- 83 tours
- 102 tours
- popular 103 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall in Northern Thailand sets up perfectly for getting deep into the local culture. We've built our 9-12 day tours to give you both city life and rural experiences, starting in Bangkok before heading up to Chiang Mai. You'll explore well-known temples but also find some spiritual spots that most tourists miss. The timing works out nicely - you'll be there for rice harvest season when the Karen village fields turn golden. The tours take you through Doi Inthanon National Park for waterfall hikes and visits with hill tribe communities. We mix up the active bits like white water rafting with local experiences such as cooking classes, evening markets and also long-tail boat rides. Our guests particularly enjoy walking through the quieter temple grounds during these comfortable autumn months.
- 104 tours
- popular 108 tours
- 105 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Our winter tours across Northern Thailand really shine from November through February when the weather turns cool and clear. We run several 7-11 day trips that blend kayaking on the Mae Taeng River with authentic hill tribe village stays. Many of our guests tell us the overnight Karen village visits are their favorite part - there's nothing quite like sharing stories around a campfire over home-cooked local dishes. You'll walk through teak forests with guides who point out medicinal plants and traditional farming spots along the way. The winter schedule includes quality time at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, which works perfectly in the cooler temps. Our travelers love doing the temple visits and mountain trails early morning this time of year - you can really take your time without the usual heat.
- popular 106 tours
- 94 tours
- 95 tours
- Spring 2026
Northern Thailand comes alive during spring with tours balancing active pursuits and cultural discoveries over 9-12 days. Starting in Bangkok's bustling streets, groups make their way to Chiang Mai, exploring celebrated temples and tucked-away spiritual sites. The timing syncs perfectly with rice planting season, as Karen villages buzz with traditional farming activities and local life. We take our travelers through Doi Inthanon National Park, where waterfall hikes blend with authentic encounters in hill tribe communities. White water rafting, hands-on cooking classes, evening market wandering, and also peaceful long-tail boat rides create a varied journey. Our guests often mention the comfort of temple visits during these mild spring months. Time at elephant sanctuaries becomes especially memorable, with groups spending unhurried moments feeding and bathing these magnificent creatures in perfect spring weather. Mountain excursions to Doi Suthep Temple showcase sweeping valley panoramas, free from both summer's harsh heat and rainy season's limited visibility.
- popular 92 tours
- 89 tours
- 92 tours
Contact our Chiang Mai travel experts
Anita
Expert in Chiang Mai at TourRadar
Anita is one of our seasoned Chiang Mai Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Chiang Mai tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Chiang Mai Tours & Trips
What can you experience culturally in Chiang Mai and where do you find these activities?
You'll love diving into Thai culture through a traditional Khantoke dinner where you can taste Northern Thai dishes while watching beautiful cultural performances from the ancient Lanna kingdom. These unique dinners happen at restaurants and venues all around Chiang Mai. Want to connect with Buddhist monks? Head to Chiang Mai University or local temples for fascinating "monk chats" where you'll learn about their daily lives and spiritual practices. If you're into cooking there are lots of hands-on classes where you'll learn to make dishes like Khao Soi they'll even take you to local markets to pick up fresh ingredients. Tea lovers should definitely check out Araksa Tea Garden in Mae Tang District where you can pick tea and see how Assam tea is made. For a really authentic experience try a homestay in a village like Aoi's you'll get to live like a local and enjoy a traditional Khantoke dinner with music and dancing.
Where are the natural areas around Chiang Mai and how do you get to them?
Doi Inthanon National Park is absolutely stunning it's got Thailand's highest peak and you can get there through tours or private transport. You've got to see the twin pagodas built for King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit's 60th birthdays and don't miss Wachirathan Waterfall. The Mae Klang Luang Nature Trail is fantastic you'll walk past coffee plantations rice paddies and the beautiful Pa Dok Siew Waterfall. Then there's Bua Tong National Park with its really cool "sticky waterfalls" where you can actually climb up and down the falls thanks to the limestone surface. You'll need your own vehicle to explore this one but it's totally worth it.
Which places in Chiang Mai are less crowded but still really special?
The Silver Pagoda (Wat Sri Suphan) is this amazing temple covered in intricate silver work and you won't find the usual crowds here. Wat Palad known as the "Temple below the Temple" is super interesting with 650 years of history to explore. Another hidden gem is Wat Umong from the 14th century it's got these mysterious tunnels and beautiful forested grounds. If you're up for a nature walk the Mae Klang Luang Nature Trail in Doi Inthanon National Park is less touristy and shows off everything from coffee plantations to rice paddies plus you'll get to see Pa Dok Siew Waterfall.
What are Chiang Mai's must-try local dishes and where should you eat them?
You absolutely have to try Khao Soi it's this incredible curry noodle soup with coconut cream and crispy noodles that's basically Chiang Mai's signature dish you'll find it all over the city. Then there's Sai Ua a really flavorful Northern Thai sausage best tried at Warorot Market or street food stalls. For a full Northern Thai experience go for a Khantoke dinner they serve up all sorts of local specialties. Krua Apsorn restaurant is great for dinner and don't miss trying fermented rice noodles at local spots. The Nimman area comes alive at night with markets and amazing street food definitely worth checking out.