Chiang Mai · Thailand
Chiang Mai Tours, Tickets & Things to Do
Discover the best Chiang Mai tours, ethical elephant sanctuaries, the golden Doi Suthep temple and the old city’s ancient wats, Thai cooking classes and night-market food, the misty heights of Doi Inthanon, and day trips to Chiang Rai’s White Temple and the sticky waterfalls. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect northern Thailand itinerary.
1,350 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Chiang Mai
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Chiang Mai
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Typical tour price in Chiang Mai: €42 per person, 30% below the global medianHow much do tours cost in Chiang Mai? →
Chiang Mai
3-in-1: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, and Trekking Trail
from$48/ person
via Viator
Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai Day Tour from Chiang Mai: White Temple & More w/ Lunch
from$40/ person
via Viator
Browse
Explore Chiang Mai by interest
Whatever brings you to Chiang Mai — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Elephant sanctuaries
Ethical, no-riding visits.
ExploreTemples & old city
Doi Suthep and ancient wats.
ExploreChiang Rai temples
The White and Blue temples.
ExploreCooking & food
Classes and night markets.
ExploreDoi Inthanon
Thailand’s highest peak.
ExploreAdventure & rafting
Ziplines and white water.
ExploreSticky waterfalls
Climbable Bua Tong falls.
ExploreDay trips
Chiang Rai, Inthanon and more.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in Chiang Mai
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Elephant Sanctuary
Ethical jungle visits.
300+ toursView tours
Doi Suthep
The golden mountain temple.
150 toursView tours
White Temple
Chiang Rai’s surreal wat.
120 toursView tours
Old City Temples
Wat Chedi Luang and more.
150 toursView tours
Doi Inthanon
Thailand’s highest peak.
80 toursView tours
Cooking classes
Thai food and markets.
120 toursView tours
Sticky Waterfalls
Climbable Bua Tong falls.
50 toursView tours
Night Markets
Street food and crafts.
60 toursView tours
1 day
Chiang Mai in 1 day
- 1Elephant sanctuary
- 2Doi Suthep temple
- 3Old city wats
- 4Night market
2 days
Chiang Mai in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Elephants & temples
- 2Day 2: Chiang Rai
- 3White & Blue temples
- 4Cooking evenings
3 days
Chiang Mai in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Elephants & temples
- 2Day 2: Chiang Rai
- 3Day 3: Doi Inthanon
- 4Wildlife, art & nature
With kids
Chiang Mai with kids
- 1Elephant sanctuary
- 2Sticky waterfalls
- 3Cooking class
- 4Night bazaar
Full day
Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary day
- 1Morning pickup to the sanctuary
- 2Feed the herd by hand
- 3Mud spa & river bathing
- 4Waterfall or bamboo-raft finish
Full day
Chiang Mai temples & Doi Suthep
- 1Wat Chedi Luang & Wat Phra Singh
- 2Monk chat in the Old City
- 3Climb to Doi Suthep
- 4Sunset over the city
3 hrs awayChiang Rai Temples
White and Blue temples.
from €35View trips
2 hrs awayDoi Inthanon
Thailand’s highest peak.
from €35View trips
1 hr awayElephant Sanctuary
Ethical jungle visits.
from €40View trips
1 hr awaySticky Waterfalls
Climbable Bua Tong falls.
from €30View trips
30 min awayDoi Suthep
The golden mountain temple.
from €20View trips
3.5 hrs awayGolden Triangle
Three countries meet.
from €50View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Chiang Mai visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
The cool season (November–February) brings pleasant, dry weather ideal for elephants, temples and day trips — the prime time to visit Chiang Mai.
Cool season (Nov–Feb)
Comfortable, dry days and cooler evenings, perfect for sightseeing, nature and the Yi Peng lantern festival (Nov).
Hot season (Mar–May)
Very hot, with March–April bringing burning-season haze; visit early and seek cooler heights like Doi Inthanon.
Rainy season (Jun–Oct)
Lush and green with afternoon downpours; cheaper and quieter, with waterfalls at their fullest.
Yi Peng & Loy Krathong
In November the lantern festivals fill the sky and rivers with lights — magical but very busy; book well ahead.
Avoid the haze
March–April can have smoky “burning season” air; check conditions and consider other months if sensitive.
One day
Enough for an elephant sanctuary and Doi Suthep.
Two days
Add a day trip to Chiang Rai’s temples.
Three days
The sweet spot: elephants, Chiang Rai, and Doi Inthanon.
Four to five days
Add cooking classes, waterfalls, markets and adventure.
A week or more
Use Chiang Mai as a base to explore northern Thailand.
Travelling with kids
Mix elephants, sticky waterfalls and cooking at a gentle pace.
On foot
Chiang Mai’s walled old city, with its temples and markets, is compact and best explored on foot.
Songthaews & tuk-tuks
Red songthaew trucks and tuk-tuks are cheap for getting around the city; agree fares in advance.
Tour transfers
Most elephant, temple and day tours include hotel pickup across Chiang Mai.
Scooter hire
Scooters are popular for exploring, but ride with care and a licence; helmets are required.
Ride apps & taxis
Ride-hailing apps and taxis make getting around easy and affordable.
From the airport
Chiang Mai Airport is just 10–15 minutes from the old city by taxi or transfer.
Choose ethical elephants
Pick sanctuaries with no riding or shows for a responsible, recommended elephant experience.
Thai baht
Thailand uses the baht; carry cash for markets, songthaews and small vendors, though cards work in many places.
Dress for temples
Cover shoulders and knees at Doi Suthep and the wats; it’s a sign of respect.
Take a cooking class
A Thai cooking class with a market visit is a fun, delicious highlight; try khao soi too.
Book Yi Peng early
For the November lantern festivals, book tours, tickets and hotels well in advance.
Visit the markets
Explore the Sunday Walking Street and night bazaar for street food, crafts and souvenirs.
Elephant sanctuaries
Ethical sanctuaries have limited daily places — book ahead.
Chiang Rai trips
White Temple day tours are popular — reserve early.
Cooking classes
Small-group cooking classes fill up — book ahead.
Doi Inthanon
Doi Inthanon day tours are busy in season — pre-book.
Yi Peng festival
November lantern-festival tickets and tours sell out months ahead — book early.
Cool season
November–February is very busy — plan and book early.
Elephant sanctuaries
Around €40–80 for an ethical elephant sanctuary day.
Chiang Rai trips
About €35–60 for a Chiang Rai temples day tour.
Doi Inthanon
Roughly €35–60 for a Doi Inthanon day tour.
Cooking classes
Around €25–45 for a cooking class with market visit.
Temple tours
About €20–40 for a Doi Suthep and old-city temple tour.
How to save
Chiang Mai is excellent value; share group tours, eat at night markets, and enjoy the free old-city temples.
When to visit
Chiang Mai through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Cool (Nov–Feb)
Nov–Feb
- Best for
- Sightseeing and festivals.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak season; book Yi Peng early.
Hot (Mar–May)
Mar–May
- Best for
- Cooler heights and value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot with March–April haze.
Rainy (Jun–Aug)
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- Lush greenery and waterfalls.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Afternoon rain; quieter.
Late rains
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Full waterfalls and value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Green and uncrowded.
People also ask
Chiang Mai travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Chiang Mai?
The highest-rated Chiang Mai experiences are an ethical elephant sanctuary, a Doi Suthep and old-city temple tour, a Thai cooking class, Doi Inthanon, and a day trip to Chiang Rai’s White Temple.
What should I book in advance in Chiang Mai?
Book popular elephant sanctuaries, Chiang Rai day trips and small-group cooking classes ahead, as they sell out, especially in the cool season and during the Yi Peng lantern festival.
How many days do I need in Chiang Mai?
Two to three days covers elephants, temples and Chiang Rai, plus Doi Inthanon; add days for cooking, markets, waterfalls and adventure.
Is Chiang Mai worth visiting?
Yes — Chiang Mai rewards with ethical elephant sanctuaries, the golden Doi Suthep and ancient old-city wats, superb Thai food and cooking classes, the misty Doi Inthanon, and the spectacular temples of Chiang Rai.
What are the best day trips from Chiang Mai?
Top day trips are an elephant sanctuary, Doi Inthanon, the White and Blue temples of Chiang Rai, the Bua Tong sticky waterfalls, and jungle zipline or rafting adventures.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
The cool season (November–February) brings pleasant, dry weather ideal for sightseeing and the Yi Peng lantern festival; the hot season (March–May) can be hazy, while the rainy season (June–October) is lush and quieter.
How do you get around Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai’s old city is best on foot, with cheap red songthaews and tuk-tuks, ride apps and scooter hire, and tours with hotel pickup for elephants, temples and day trips; the airport is just 10–15 minutes away.
1,350 Chiang Mai experiencesfrom €15 · free cancellation
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