Northern Thailand · CHIANG MAI BAMBOO RAFTING TRIPS
The 11 best chiang mai bamboo rafting trips you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.
Join an English-speaking guide such as Nop, Paul, Yaya, or Mimi for a 9-hour trip from Chiang Mai. Feed and bathe rescued elephants, walk with them through the forest, swim at Mae Wang Waterfalls, eat Thai lunch, and float down the Mae Wang River by bamboo raft.
“It was absolutely amazing. If you come to Chiang Mai I highly recommend visiting the elephants.”
Spend about eight hours visiting Bua Tong Waterfall, New Elephant Home, and a bamboo rafting camp near Chiang Mai. Guides such as Paul, Fluke, and Mr. Poppy lead the day, with time for waterfall climbing, elephant care, lunch, and a quiet river ride.
“Amazing experience! Mr. Poppy was great. Informative and hilarious. Couldn't have asked for a better guide. Seeing how happy and well cared for the elephants were really made the experience special. Highly recommended.”
Leave Chiang Mai for Living Green Elephant Sanctuary near Inthanon National Park. Feed and walk with rescued elephants, cook vegetarian Pad Thai, and raft the Wang River with a local guide. Guides such as Mark, Rainbow, Jon, and Tuctuc are known for clear explanations and warm care.
“Everything about this trip was fantastic, from the pick up from hotel to drop off at the emd Our guide exceeded all expectations. He was very knowledgeable and ensured that everyone had a great time and stayed safe at all times. The sanctuary was ethical and clearly cared for the elephants. Bamboo rafting was fun and well organised Lunch was really good -pad thai and lots of fruit.. as much bottled water as you needed available too. A well organised trip, value for money - would recommend this trip to anyone”
Travel from Chiang Mai to Joy Elephant Sanctuary for Karen clothing, elephant food preparation, forest observation, herbal tea, a waterfall stop, lunch, and a Thai souvenir craft. Then ride a bamboo raft down the Wang River. Guide Jade is among the staff praised for kind, helpful care.
“I had a great time on this tour. feeding the elephants, walking with the elephants and the waterfall were highlights. I wish the listing description actually listed the HIKING we did with/next to the elephants. that was not clearly listed and should Read more”
Leave central Chiang Mai for a cool waterfall, picnic tea, and a 45-minute bamboo raft ride on the Wang River. Guides such as M, May, Pik, Em, Pai, and Win have led this outing. Lunch, equipment, insurance, and hotel pickup are included.
“Very good tour. Pik our tour guide made sure we were well looked after. The waterfall, rafting and lunch was great. Very helpful having the hotel pick up as well.”
Spend a wet, active day in Mae Wang district with an elephant sanctuary visit, a swim at a 20-meter waterfall, lunch, and bamboo rafting. Guides such as Tony and Eat have been praised for warm, lively service. Bring clothes, sandals, and a towel you can get dirty.
“You will get soaked but there are places to change during the day. Bring a swim suit, towel, and shoes/sandles you don't mind getting wet Rafting was great and gives a view you would not normally see of Thailand. My wife and son had a great time feeding the elephants.”
Meet Karen guides and rescued elephants at Doi Inthanon Elephant Sanctuary, feed them fruit, walk through the jungle, and bathe near the river. After a vegetarian Thai lunch at Mae Saphok Waterfall, ride a bamboo raft downstream. Pickup, transport, and admission are included.
“Great experience seeing elephants in natural habitat. Looked well looked after and cared for. Waterfall was amazing due to previous rain and bamboo rafting was relaxing”
Spend about six and a half hours outside Chiang Mai with an ATV ride, a waterfall swim and tea picnic, and a 30 to 45 minute bamboo raft trip on the Wang River. A trained instructor, safety gear, lunch, transport, and insurance are included. Guide Pik may be available.
“Fun day good group xthanks Pik great staff really enkoyed the experience linch on arrival all good saw elephants too x👍”
Spend a full day south of Chiang Mai with an English-speaking guide, local market stop, bamboo rafting, a 2 to 5 hour jungle trek, waterfall swim, packed lunch, rice fields, and a Karen village visit. The title mentions elephants, but elephant care is not clearly included in the published schedule.
Leave Chiang Mai around 8:30 for Mae Taman, where you can feed elephants, watch them bathe, enjoy lunch, raft the Taeng River, visit a waterfall, and stop at an orchid and butterfly farm. Hotel transfers, bottled water, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide are included.
“Fun time w the elephant. After feeding them, we went in the river to splash them and each other. Then we went to the waterfall for a little spray shower. Finally we went on the river for bamboo rafting. From peaceful floating to fun whitewater turbulence, it was cool and safe. Great day for me. Thank you.”
Spend a full day beyond Chiang Mai with guide Phil or another local guide, spotting elephants, learning to steer a bamboo raft in Mae Wang National Park, and swimming beneath Mae Wang Waterfall. Lunch, bottled water, and transport are included. Bring sunscreen and dry clothes.
“We very much enjoyed this excursion. The guide was nice and knowledgeable and the places we visited were wonderful. My only suggestion, a local boat captain is highly recommended, my husband and I were on a raft together with our kids Read more”
Pick a mountain, a market or a kitchen.
