Northern Thailand · TOUR REVIEWS

Chiang Mai Tours: The 15 Worth Clearing a Day For

354 tours  ·  from $8

A week here splits neatly: the Old City on foot, then a mountain, a valley or a highway every day after that. The 15 below are the ones that earn a whole day, priced and timed, with the full catalogue underneath when you want to go deeper.

Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai - The ride to Smile Organic Farm
Chiang Mai Thai Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes, Farms, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai

1.Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19,087 reviews · from $29Our pick

You’ll visit a Chiang Mai market, explore Smile Organic Farm’s herb garden, then cook curry paste, curry, stir-fry, soup, and spring rolls. Guides such as Lily, Luna, K, Love, and Cici lead small groups, with vegan and vegetarian menus available.

“Everything was perfect. Our Guide Love helped us in cooking all the dishes. The only thing missing was a thai dessert, but we were so so full with our 3 course meal already. Don’t miss it if you’re in Chiang Mai.”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting - The drive southwest from Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Bamboo Rafting Trips, Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Visits, Tour Reviews

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting

2.Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9,160 reviews · 9 hours · from $60

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.”

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Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Eco-Friendly Tour - The mountain drive and what it means for your day
Doi Inthanon Day Trips, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Eco-Friendly Tour

3.Doi Inthanon National Park Eco-Friendly Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 6,667 reviews · 9 hours · from $46

Spend nine hours exploring Doi Inthanon with an English, French, Spanish, or Japanese-speaking guide. Visit Thailand’s highest point, the Ang Ka boardwalk, Twin Pagodas, Wachirathan Waterfall, and a Hmong village for locally grown coffee. Pickup, park fees, and small-group options vary.

“Wonderful day, seeing a part of Thailand we didn’t know about. Beautiful eco forest, waterfalls and gardens. Particularly enjoyed meeting, learning about and seeing the Karen Tribe villagers at work. Thoroughly recommend”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour - Meeting rescued elephants at Pon Elephant Thailand
Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Visits, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour

4.Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5,780 reviews · 7 hours · from $50

Spend about three hours at Pon Elephant Thailand learning each rescued elephant’s story, feeding them bamboo, walking beside them, and cooling them in the river. After lunch, hike to Mae Wang Waterfall. English guides such as Beer, Yaya, Nop, and Amy are praised for clear explanations and warm help.

“Our guide Sunny was really friendly, spoke english well and told us the story about the elephants living in the sanctuary and how they treat them with medicine etc. The elephants were also friendly and calm and it was a great experience to play with them. The food that the locals cook was really nice and we even got to meet the lady who‘s the owner of the whole sanctuary”

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Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Temples, Karen Tribe and Hot Springs - Mae Kachan Hot Springs: a gentle first stop
Chiang Mai Hill Tribe Village Tours, Chiang Rai Day Trips, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews

Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Temples, Karen Tribe and Hot Springs

5.Chiang Rai Temples, Karen Tribe and Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5,401 reviews · 11 hours - 810 minutes · from $35

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with an English-speaking guide such as Benz, Ruby, or Kwan. Visit Mae Kachan Hot Springs, a Karen long-neck village, the White and Blue Temples, and Huay Pla Kang Temple. Bring lunch money, modest clothing, and your own earphones for the 41-language audio guide.

“Having Benz as a guide was a pleasure, he’s really friendly and truly passionate about what he does, he’s constantly making sure everyone is enjoying the tour and giving great tips for pictures, the information he brings is clear and easy to understand. 10/10 highly recommend guide Benz!”

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Chiang Mai: Cooking Class, Market & Thai Herbs Garden Tour - Starting at the local market
Chiang Mai Thai Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes, Markets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Workshops

Chiang Mai: Cooking Class, Market & Thai Herbs Garden Tour

6.Cooking Class, Market & Thai Herbs Garden Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 4,824 reviews · 3h 30m · from $31

Join Thai Cottage Home Cookery School for a 210-minute class with hotel pickup, a local market visit, and cooking in an organic herb garden. Guides such as Wave, Flook, Tu, Kat, and Balloon help you prepare several dishes, curry paste, and mango sticky rice.

“Amazing cooking class with Mew. Amazing communication, great ingredients & fun cooking. Highly recommend this cooking class if you’re in Chiang Mai.”

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Chiang Mai: Authentic Cooking Class with Market & Farm Visit - From Chiang Mai Hotel to the Local Market
Chiang Mai Thai Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes, Farms, Markets, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Chiang Mai: Authentic Cooking Class with Market & Farm Visit

7.Authentic Cooking Class with Market & Farm Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 4,546 reviews · 210 minutes - 7 hours · from $34

Visit a Chiang Mai market and organic farm, meet the chickens, pick mushrooms, and cook Thai dishes at your own station. Guides such as Kiki, Jimmy, Patty, and Roger lead clear, lively classes, with vegetarian, halal, and allergy-friendly options available.

“This is the best cooking class I have ever being to, Joy our teacher was amazing, and funny. Every food we had was amazing and tasty. It was a farm to kitchen experience, felt organic and fresh. Everything was also well organized. I highly recommend this place. Worth every penny. I went in December but leaving my review now because it's that good, I had to.”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour - Meeting the elephants and learning the ground rules
Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Visits, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour

8.Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,527 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $27

Spend about five hours at Pon Elephant Thailand, south of Mae Wang, feeding elephants, preparing herbal treats, and walking through their forest habitat. Guides such as Pat, Toto, Jackie, and Tuto explain elephant care, while river bathing happens only if the elephants choose it.

“A truly unforgettable experience. This tour made me fall in love elephants even more and it was great to see them in their own habitat with tonnes of space and freedom. None of the interactions felt forced (feeding and getting in the water with them) and felt like an actual ethical elephant sanctuary as many are branded as them but aren’t. Booking was easy, meeting point straight forward to find. Bit of a delay in leaving but the transport was clean, comfortable and spacious. I liked that we were in a small group (7 I think) and the drive took about an hour. We learnt the basics about Thailand on…”

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Thai and Akha Cooking Class in Chiang Mai - What happens at the cooking school
Chiang Mai Hill Tribe Village Tours, Chiang Mai Thai Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Thai and Akha Cooking Class in Chiang Mai

9.Thai and Akha Cooking Class in Chiang Mai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,358 reviews · from $42

Spend about six hours cooking Thai and Akha food at Thai Akha Kitchen in Chiang Mai. Morning sessions add a local market visit. Instructors such as On, Niti, Jasmine, Rita, and Ano guide you through curries, soups, desserts, and Akha specialties in a small group.

“I am glad we decided to do the morning session, as Niti, our cooking teacher first took us to the morning fresh market, we got to see and learn about the fresh ingredients of Thai cooking. The class itself was really fun and interactive, Niti gave good tips and instructions.”

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Chiang Rai White Temple and Blue Temple Day Tour - The long road from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai Day Trips, Chiang Rai White and Blue Temple Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chiang Rai White Temple and Blue Temple Day Tour

10.Chiang Rai White Temple and Blue Temple Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,366 reviews · from $27

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in an air-conditioned van with a guide such as Avi, Banana, or Sunni. Visit the White Temple, Blue Temple, and Temple of Light, with a coffee break and lunch stop. Expect a long but well-organized day, plus time to explore each temple independently.

“Our guide Wasta was an amazing guide. He had a lot of knowledge about the temples and even though the trip was long he made very smooth and entertaining. I highly recommend this tour was full of culture and the food at the buffet was delicious. We love Thailand and its people they are very warm and welcoming. Thank you!”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall - Preparing herbal treats for the elephants
Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Visits, Chiang Mai Hill Tribe Village Tours, Chiang Mai Sticky Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall

11.Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,262 reviews · 9 hours · from $63

You’ll visit a private elephant sanctuary, make herbal treats, feed and bathe elephants, stop at a Karen long-neck village, enjoy Thai lunch, then climb Buatong Sticky Waterfall. English-speaking guides such as Fluke, Amy, and Pong are known for clear explanations and helpful photos.

“We enjoyed our daytrip very much. The guide, Tiger (Satya) and the driver were amazing. It was such a beautiful experience. Can definitely recommend.”

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Chiang Mai: White, Red/Black & Blue Temples Tour with Lunch - The road from Chiang Mai to Mae Kachan Hot Spring
Chiang Rai White and Blue Temple Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chiang Mai: White, Red/Black & Blue Temples Tour with Lunch

12.White, Red/Black & Blue Temples Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,017 reviews · 12 hours · from $33

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by air-conditioned van for Wat Rong Khun, the Blue Temple, Huay Pla Kang Temple, and Baan Dam Museum, with lunch and a guide. Expect a 12-hour day, about six hours on the road, and an optional Karen village visit.

“Our trip was amazing, guide was super nice and she told us everything in detail. The places we visited are magical and a must have. Also the food provided was sooooo good, we didn't know what to start with first. Overall fantastic trip.”

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From Chiang Mai: Elephant Care Program and Nursery Tour - The one-hour ride from Chiang Mai to Mae Tang
Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Visits, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Chiang Mai: Elephant Care Program and Nursery Tour

13.Elephant Care Program and Nursery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,899 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $53

Spend 5 to 6 hours at Elephant Retirement Park Chiang Mai with a live English-speaking guide. Feed rescued elephants, prepare medicine balls, follow them to the mud and sand spa, and help wash them. Guides such as Francesco, Tin, and Disney bring strong elephant knowledge, while lunch and hotel transfers are included.

“Can’t recommend it enough! The guides are super helpful from answering questions, to taking pictures & encouraging everyone to get stuck in. Being up close with the elephants is truly amazing. The bath especially was a highlight, getting splashed by the elephants was something I’ll never forget. I was also super pleased to see that pictures has been taken of my experience and I was able to view them all before I purchased. The money from the tour/photo purchases goes straight back into elephant care which I really loved Facilities were fab however I’d emphasise reading the packing list before you come. The majority of my group ended up not…”

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Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep and Wat Umong Enchanting Evening Tour - Wat Umong and its forest meditation setting
Chiang Mai Temple Tours, Doi Suthep Temple Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep and Wat Umong Enchanting Evening Tour

14.Doi Suthep and Wat Umong Enchanting Evening Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,811 reviews · 5 hours · from $27

Visit Wat Umong’s forest tunnels, then climb 309 steps to Doi Suthep for sunset, monk chanting, and Chiang Mai’s lights. A guide such as TomTam, Boon, or Happy adds cultural context, while small groups, glass water bottles, and optional hotel pickup keep the evening easy.

“I really apprieciate buddism history told by the guide”

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Doi Inthanon Waterfall and Royal Project Chiang Mai - A Karen village and the human side of the mountain
Doi Inthanon Day Trips, Tour Reviews

Doi Inthanon Waterfall and Royal Project Chiang Mai

15.Doi Inthanon Waterfall and Royal Project Chiang Mai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,735 reviews · from $50

Spend 8 to 9 hours exploring Doi Inthanon National Park from Chiang Mai. Visit Wachirathan Falls, a Karen village, Hmong market, Ang Ka Trail, Thailand’s highest point, and the Twin Royal Stupas. Guides such as Mumu, Ice, and Sherri have earned praise for lively local insight.

“Great day, enough time at each destination and the hike was one of the best things I did on my trip!”

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New in Tour Reviews

★ 4.5Jungle Trek, Elephants care & Bamboo RaftingFrom $588 reviews
★ 4.8Jungle Jumbo Elephant Sanctuary with WaterfallFrom $4519 reviews
★ 4.6Chiang Mai InterContinental Afternoon Tea & Teresa Teng RoomFrom $383 reviews
★ 5.0Hmong Village, Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat TrekFrom $573 reviews
★ 4.8History & Mouth Watering Food TourFrom $6712 reviews
★ 4.8Hike on Monk’s Trail and Doi Suthep Private TourFrom $5722 reviews
★ 4.8Sticky Waterfall by Local Truck with Market StopFrom $1926 reviews
★ 4.2Half day Doi Suthep and Meo VillageFrom $345 reviews
★ 4.9Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Market TourFrom $3519 reviews
★ 4.9Guided Jungle and Waterfall Trek with TransferFrom $648 reviews
★ 5.0Chiang Mai Fields of Gold Cycling TourFrom $646 reviews
★ 5.0Evening Foodie TourFrom $423 reviews
★ 4.0Ethical Elephant Feeding & Shower ProgramFrom $303 reviews
★ 4.7Thai Buffalo and Rice Planting ExperienceFrom $5724 reviews
★ 3.4CHIANG MAI ELEPHANT VILLAGE SANCTUARY JUNGLE ADVENTUREFrom $485 reviews

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Chiang Mai Temple Tours59Chiang Mai Thai Cooking Classes45Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Visits44Doi Inthanon Day Trips39Chiang Rai Day Trips30Chiang Mai Old City Walking Tours9
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Explore Chiang Mai

Pick a mountain, a market or a kitchen.

Temples

Wats in the Old CityDoi SuthepWhite & Blue TemplesMonk ChatThe Monk Trail

In the hills

Doi InthanonBua Thong FallsJungle TreksChiang DaoMae Kampong

Food and markets

Cooking ClassesStreet FoodMarketsFood & DrinkFarm Visits

Out and about

Elephant CampsCyclingZiplinesWhite WaterTuk-Tuk Runs