The 9 Best Cruises & Boat Tours in Chiang Mai

1.Chiang Rai Temples, Golden Triangle & Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 518 reviews · 15 hours · from $70Our pick

Travel from Chiang Mai in a small group of up to 12 to visit Wat Rong Khun, Wat Rong Suea Ten, Baan Dam Museum and the Golden Triangle. Guides such as Anna, Bee and MM explain the sights in clear English. Choose Long Neck Karen admission or wait outside while the group visits.

“Really appreciated how much we got to see in one day, hitting all the highlights of the region. It never felt rushed though; I felt we had more than enough time at all sites, both the temples and Golden triangle. The guide was friendly, informative, and enthusiastic. Really appreciated her offering (without me asking!) help with photos as a solo traveler. The driver was both efficient and safe. Would recommend.”

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2.Mae Ping River Cruise & Optional Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 336 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $17Best value

Take a small-group long-tail boat from Chiang Mai along the Mae Ping River, with hotel pickup available in town. See riverside homes, stop at a family farm and herb garden, and choose a lunch of Khao soi or Pad Thai with herbal juice and ice cream.

“This was an excellent activity and very good value for money. The wooden, traditional boat was comfortable enough for a couple of hours, the captain/guide was very helpful and gave us some information on the way, (in not great English but he did his best). We passed hotels, riverside cafés and even a royal residence. The little place we stopped at by the river was cute. Do not miss the lunch!!! Both dishes offered were delicious and the ice cream was good, too. All in all a very pleasant way to cool off in Chiang Mai.”

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3.Chiang Rai Full Day Tour with Boat Trip and Longneck Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 112 reviews · from $55

Spend 13 to 14 hours traveling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by air-conditioned minivan. Visit the White Temple, Black House, Blue Temple, Karen Longneck Village, Mae Khachan Hot Spring, and Golden Triangle, with lunch, a guide, and a short boat ride included.

“The long neck tribe was the most memorable and amazing experience! The temples were interesting, the boat trip also a load of fun! Our tour guide Apple was the best! My only suggestion would be to ditch the black museum to make the day not as long. As nice as it was, I felt it a little unnecessary.”

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4.Chiang Rai:White-Black-Blue Temple-Golden Triangle-Keren-Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 96 reviews · from $79

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with an English-speaking guide, visiting the White, Blue, and Black temples, Mae Khachan Hot Spring, a Karen Long Neck village, and the Golden Triangle. Lunch, entrance fees, and a Mekong boat trip are included, but expect a very long day.

“Well organized and lots of information. Khun Oy was very knowledgeable and was able to provide us with a lot of information throughout the trip. It was a long day. 13 hours however we did so much and the time past by quickly.”

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5.Chiang Rai Day Tour from Chiang Mai + The Long Neck Hill Tribe With Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 74 reviews · from $79

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in a small, air-conditioned group of up to 15 people. Visit the White and Blue Temples, Black House Museum, Mae Khachan Hot Spring, Long Neck Karen Village, and Golden Triangle, including a 20-minute boat trip toward Laos.

“A very nice guide but the program is too much for a day.. we had to speed up at everything and we came back late around 11pm at Chiang Mai. A very long day. The places we visited are nice”

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6.Chiang Mai Farm Life & Khao Soy Tasting on a Half-Day Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · from $19

Take a 45-minute Mae Ping River cruise from Wat Chaimongkol, pass temples and riverside homes, then visit a local herb and rice garden. Taste fruit, herbal drinks, and khao soi before returning to downtown Chiang Mai. Hotel pickup may be available from selected central hotels.

“The trip was about two hours and included a boat trip to and from the farm - a good meal was served with ice cream desert and a soft drink followed by the return trip - a trip up the river with food for less than $20’per head - What’s not to like - if you have a morning to spare - worth a visit.”

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7.Chiang Rai:White+Black+Blue Temple+Golden Triangle+Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 63 reviews · from $74

Travel by small minibus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with hotel pickup, a Thai lunch, temple admissions, and a Mekong boat ride. You’ll visit the White Temple, Blue Temple, Black House, Golden Triangle, Mae Khachan Hot Springs, and possibly a Longneck Karen village. Guides may include Apple, Smile, Fern, or Surina.

“Great trip! It was a full day of visiting places and sightseeing. We had a fun and well knowledged guide 😁 For me it was a well spend day 👍”

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8.Half Day Private Chiang Mai Trishaw Ride and Mae Ping River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $95

Spend four hours moving through Chiang Mai by song thaew, longtail rice barge, and traditional samlor. You’ll visit Warorot Market, see lotus-folding at the flower stalls, photograph Tha Phae Gate, and finish at Wat Phra Singh with an English-speaking guide such as Nannie or Touch.

“The boat ride was so so, nothing much to see but ended well with dessert ice cream :). The ricksaw ride was much better as its the first time we travel in a ricksaw convoy! That was cool!”

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9.3-Days Slow Boat Trip to Luang Prabang, Loas

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 5 reviews · 3 days · from $101

You travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, pause near the White Temple, cross into Laos with local assistance, then take public slow boats via Pakbeng to Luang Prabang. The guide helps at the border and guarantees boat seats, but does not stay aboard, and Pakbeng lodging is not included.

“Meget skuffende. Intet besøg ved Det hvide tempel. Total forvirrende med busserne. Guiden kom for sent til grænsen, så måtte selv stå for visum. Guiden forsøgte at snyde mig med at veksle penge og tog overpris for simkort. Guiden er kun på første stop og ikke med på slowboaten. Så det er IKKE en guidet tur. Meget billigere, nemmere og unden frustrationer at gøre turen selv. IKKE pengene værd. Hotelværelset er virkelig et skod hotel.”

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