Northern Thailand · GUIDED
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 guided tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Walk Chiang Mai’s Old City with an English-speaking local guide, visiting Wat Chedi Luang, teak-built Wat Phan Tao, and lavish Wat Phra Singh. Guides such as Nana, Sunny, TomTam, and Popcorn are praised for clear history, humor, meditation tips, and helpful photos.
“Nuttata is a really great tour guide. I learned a lot about Chiang Mai and thai people as well as buddhism :)”
Spend a full day in Doi Inthanon National Park with an English-speaking guide, a two-hour Pha Dok Siew trek led by local Karen people, waterfalls, twin pagodas, village lunch, coffee, and Thailand’s highest point. Guides have included Toey, Mint, Daniel, Bobo, and Chan.
“Really awesome itinerary to see Doi Inthanon park. The afternoon hike with the hilltribe people was relaxing and beautiful (mostly a downhill hike).”
Spend three hours walking Chiang Mai’s old city with an English-speaking local guide such as Jen, Pun, or Danny. Visit four important temples, hear Buddhist and Lanna stories, and finish at Wat Chedi Luang. Small groups, water, and a low-impact route make this a useful first look at Chiang Mai.
“Excellent walking tour around the old city of Chiang mai. Our guide Pun was extremely knowledgeable and explained lots about the history of the city and its temples. A great way to see the old town and understand the history and culture. Recommended”
Follow an English or Thai-speaking TripGuru guide from Chansom Memorial Bridge through Ton Lamyai Flower Market and Warorot Market. Try steamed rice dumplings, dinosaur-shaped pa thong ko, mango sticky rice, and Hakka noodles. Morning departures are best for the full food route.
“We had a great time! Sunny provided a lot of information, and showed us all around the markets explaining the different foods. She also helped take our pictures at the places we ate at. Everything was simple and easy. At the end, we were stuffed!! Thank you again Sunny for a great time.”
Meet guide Natt near Tha Pae Gate for a relaxed two-hour food walk. The lunch route visits Warorot Market, Thana Ocha Noodle, Patongo Ko Neng, and Lung Khajohn Wat Ket for three Michelin Guide selections. Dinner swaps the market for Nimman and serves khao soi, roast chicken, and papaya salad.
“Natt was an interesting and informative tour guide. Our group was introduced to several local foods from places we would not have found on our own. Recommended.”
Ride a train with your bike to Lamphun, then cycle about 40 to 50 kilometers through temples, orchards, rice fields, villages, and quiet lanes back toward Chiang Mai. Guides such as Gun, Farm, Tue, and Aei lead small groups, with lunch, snacks, drinks, helmets, and insurance included.
“Farm was the best tour guide! The bike ride is pretty long, but totally worth it! Don’t forget your passport for the train ride!”
Spend about 10 hours in Mae Wang driving a specially built tuk tuk, with training before you set off. Visit a remote temple, feed and bathe elephants without riding them, eat Thai lunch, and raft on a bamboo river. Guides such as Bigg, Nam, and Oa are known for warm, hands-on help.
“This was a really fun day driving through remote areas that I would not have seen otherwise. They give you instruction and you practice driving your TukTuk before you head out on the road. You get to feed and bathe the elephants in the rivRead more”
Ride 35 to 40 km through the paved hills south of Chiang Mai with an English-speaking guide such as Hockey, Oki, or Joost. You’ll pass rice fields, orchards, villages, and temples, with e-bike instruction, helmet, gloves, lunch or snacks, bottled water, and hotel pickup included.
“This is a great way to get out of the city and enjoy nature. Rice fields, bamboo, teak trees, plumeria…so much to take in. Definitely a hilly ride, but with an electric bike it was super easy even for two retirees. It was nice that they ended the tour Read more”
Escape Chiang Mai’s city traffic on a four-hour guided fat-tire e-bike ride through flat countryside. You’ll pass rice fields, orchards, villages, Wat Ton Kwen, the Ping River, and Wat Chang Nam. Guides such as Hockey, Name, and Naem lead small groups, with bikes, helmets, gloves, food, water, and hotel pickup included.
“We had a very good time. Our tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. He made several stops to show us old temple ruins and various plantations we passed. I loved the passion he showed for the stuff in his region. It was a great way to go off the beaten path and learn a lot about the region from a local.”
Spend 4.5 hours visiting Wat Pha Lat and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep with a small group of up to 10. Your English-speaking guide explains Buddhist customs, temple art, and local history, while included transport makes the mountain trip simple.
“We're very happy we decided to make a stop at Chiang Mai, the temples in the mountains are imersed in the forest, which gives them an extra beauty. Our guide was great, gave us a lot of info”
Ride 20 to 25 kilometers through Chiang Mai’s countryside with an English-speaking guide such as Wit, Wee, or Dong. Expect quiet lanes, temples, rice fields, the Ping River, local crafts, market snacks, and historic Wiang Kum Kam, plus water and a Thai meal.
“Wit / Weet (hopefully that’s the correct spelling) was an amazing tour guide. Funny, knowledgable and patient with us. He took us on a cycling tour to temples, around the Chiang Mai countryside and made stops for traditional Thai lunch, ice cream and a local market (we were lucky it was a Saturday and the market was running - it’s not on every day). Wit answered all of our questions and gave us great suggestions for food to try on our tour with him and places to visit around Thailand. He used to be a monk so he shared his personal experiences when we visited temples, which we really appreciated.…”
You’ll ride an ATV for one hour through rural roads and jungle tracks, climb Chiang Mai’s unusual Sticky Waterfall, and enjoy a Thai lunch. English-speaking guide Joe has received praise for friendly communication, while free activity photos and videos add a useful bonus.
“Joe picked us up and took us on an incredible ATV adventure combined with a scenic waterfall hike. He demonstrated excellent knowledge, professionalism, and friendly communication throughout the tour. His pleasant demeanor and well-Read more”
Spend 7 to 8 flexible hours with Wilai, a female guide and driver who can adjust your private Chiang Mai day around weather, timing, and interests. Visit Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat, three major temples, and Warorot Market in an air-conditioned vehicle for up to four people.
“What an amazing day! Wilai was so helpful. Great conversation before trip even began to discuss what we could fit in for our day. Met is inside the airport with such a friendly and calm demeanor we instantly knew our day would be great. WilaRead more”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Rain, Bim, Kiti, or James for an evening of street food, Khao Soi, temples, markets, red-truck rides, and a riverside drink. Expect a five-hour outing with seven or more tastings, walking, local transport, and either a small group or private format.
“This tour was absolutely incredible, very well planned and so much fun! Our guide Rain was so helpful and informative, we really enjoyed spending time with her and learning about her culture”
Walk Chiang Mai’s Old City with an English and Thai-speaking guide, visiting Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Phra Singh. Guides such as Gan, Koi, Nick, and Booncharoen have been praised for clear stories, humor, and thoughtful answers. Entrance fees cost extra.
“This tour is a great way to explore the temples, and to understand the history of Chiang Mai. Booncharoen, our guide, was great: knowledgeable, open to questions and clearly loves this city.”
Pick a mountain, a market or a kitchen.
