Monk Chat & Alms Walks in Chiang Mai: The 4 Best

1.Wat Phra That Doi Suthep spiritual Sunrise Tour with an Ex-monk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 798 reviews · from $64Our pick

Leave Chiang Mai around 5 a.m. for sunrise at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, then visit Wat Pha Lat and Wat Umong. Your guide may be an ex-monk such as Pon, Tu, Tom, James, or PJ, with hotel pickup, breakfast, transport, and temple fees included.

“This was absolutely amazing. Worth rising early for sure. Our guide Tom was knowledgeable with a kind and joyful disposition. I would highly recommend if you are in Chiang Mai.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Spiritual Sunrise Wat Doi Suthep, Pha Lat, Alms & Meditation

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 674 reviews · 5h 30m · from $59

Start before dawn with an experienced ex-monk guide such as James, Non, Tu, or Blue. Watch sunrise at Doi Suthep, join chanting and a short meditation, offer food to monks, eat a local breakfast, then visit jungle-set Wat Pha Lat and tunnel-filled Wat Umong.

“The temple at sunrise is incredible and it was more than worth getting up early for. You get about five minutes to sit with the monks for the meditation and the rest of the time is spent walking around or listening to the guide. Our guide was a monk for 17 years so he told great stories and shared a lot of insight. And he was funny! And happy to take pictures for us. He captured some very beautiful and then also playful and fun moments. The alms giving is very special. And the other two temple visits are somewhat quick but more or less all you need. You could…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Evening Chanting & Meditation

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 3 hours · from $20Best value

Spend three quiet hours with monks at a Chiang Mai temple, joining evening chanting, a 15-minute meditation, and Metta practice. Guides such as Son, a former monk of 13 years, explain Buddhist life and answer questions in English or Thai. Confirm the meeting point before you go.

“A wonderful experience, very informative. Memories for a lifetime.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Chiang Mai Temples Visit Walking Tour with Ex-Monk Guide Part 1

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $25

Meet at Three Kings Monument for a 3.5-hour walk through Wat Sadeu Muang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Chedi Luang. Guide Katoon, also listed as Cartoon or Khatom, brings former-monk experience to Buddhism, temple customs, architecture, and Chiang Mai history.

“Katoon was our Guide. My husband and I were lucky enough to do the tour alone. He was attentive and kind. He explained the whole route very well. I highly recommend it.”

Check availability →Read our full review