Chiang Rai Temples Day Trip from Chiang Mai
Description
Enjoy a relaxing stop at the Mae Kachan Hot Springs to rest and recharge Visit a long-neck Mae Kachan village to experience their unique culture Discover the White Temple, a contemporary masterpiece of Buddhist architecture Visit the Blue Temple, a modern artistic style blending traditional Buddhist architecture with contemporary design Explore the Hauyplakang Temple, famous for its impressive nine-tiered pagoda
Tour Options
Itinerary
We start the tour from Chiang Mai, travelling by road for about 90 minutes.
Start at Mae Kachan Hot Springs, a perfect place to relax in warm mineral waters before heading deeper into Chiang Rai. It's a great stop to refresh before the day's main attractions.
We will get back on the bus for a short ride of about 15 minutes
Your next stop is a hill tribe village, home to the fascinating long-neck Mae Kachan tribe. Here, you’ll witness the unique tradition of women wearing brass rings to elongate their necks, a cultural practice passed down through generations. The vibrant handmade crafts, colorful attire, and welcoming community offer a glimpse into their rich heritage. Visiting this village is not only a visual journey but also an enriching cultural experience, providing insight into the traditions and resilience of this remarkable tribe.
We get back on the road to get to the next destination.
Your next stop is the White Temple, an extraordinary creation by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Its striking all-white design symbolizes purity, while the intricate glasswork reflects Buddha’s wisdom. Inside, surreal murals blend Buddhist symbols with modern imagery, making it a unique fusion of spirituality and contemporary art. It’s not just a visual marvel but also a profound experience.
We will stop one hour for optional lunch.
Another short bus ride will take us to the next destination.
Next, the stunning Blue Temple awaits, known for its vivid blue interiors and golden accents. Its mystical atmosphere is enhanced by intricate designs and serene Buddha statues. The temple's modern yet traditional style creates a captivating and colorful experience, with dragon sculptures guarding the entrance and a peaceful Buddha inside.
Another short bus ride to the next stop.
Our journey continues to Hauyplakang Temple, a peaceful spiritual haven known for its impressive nine-tiered pagoda. As you ascend each tier, you’ll encounter Buddhist statues and beautiful carvings. The temple is also famous for the statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, which symbolizes compassion. The panoramic views from the pagoda are breathtaking, making it a highlight of the trip.
Time to get on the bus to go back to Chiang Mai
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
One way pick up service. Our team will contact you the day before the activity to confirm pickup time. Please pay attention to your inbox and provide a phone number with a whatsapp account.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For Multi-language Options: ONLY English-speaking guide. Audio guides in 41 languages are available via QR code; please bring your own earphones.
- Keep in mind that there is a lot of traffic in Chiang Mai, for meeting point options leave with enough time to arrive on time for departure
- We do not recommend booking if you have a flight on the day of the tour
- Respect the local customs and dress modestly at temples
- It is very important to arrive at the meeting point at the agreed time
- To avoid inconveniencing other passengers, the tour will not wait for late arrivals and will begin with the participants who are present
- Those who miss the tour due to lateness are not entitled to a refund or rescheduled, as per the established start-time policy
- Please note that for the pick up service is only one way, picking you up from your hotel in the morning to meet the guide at the meeting point, not included the transfer service to your hotel when the tour finished.
- Passport or ID (or a clear photo) is required for tour insurance documentation
- People with mobility impairments
Reviews(36)
Kwan was an awesome tour guide! Everything went so smooth and she was very informative. I loved the tour!
Dear Rachel_H, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that Kwan was an awesome tour guide and that everything went so smoothly for you. It is great to know that you found the day informative and loved the tour! We will happily pass your kind words along to Kwan. Thank you for choosing Monkey Travel Asia! — The Monkey Travel Asia Team (N)
A great tour! We were nervous it would feel rushed, but it was well paced and we didn’t feel like we needed extra time at any of the spots. Our guide Nat was incredibly informative and shared with us so much about Chiang Rai and Thailand as a whole. She taught us common phrases, how to count, and even what our names are in Thai! Nat definitely went above and beyond. She is the best tour guide I’ve experienced thus far. The tour is a large group (40 people) but it didn’t feel crowded once we were at the spots. Super organized and a great day trip!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that the day trip exceeded your expectations and felt perfectly paced. We will gladly pass your fantastic compliments along to Nat—she will be incredibly happy to know that her passion for teaching Thai culture, common phrases, and counting made such a memorable impact on your trip! It is wonderful to hear that her organization kept the day smooth and comfortable for everyone. Thank you for choosing us for your adventure to Chiang Rai, and we hope to welcome you back again in the future! — The Monkey Travel Asia Team (N)
Kwan was very knowledgeable and had a wonderful personality. I would highly recommend this tour; such beautiful temples.
Dear JEFFREY_J, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are glad to hear that you highly recommend the tour and enjoyed exploring the beautiful White, Blue, and Red temples of Chiang Rai. We will happily pass your kind words along to Kwan—she will be delighted to know that her knowledge and personality helped make your day trip so memorable! Thank you for choosing Monkey Travel Asia! — The Monkey Travel Asia Team (N)
Our tour guide Dee was fantastic. Gave lots of good information and guidance. Helpful with pictures and other sightseeing suggestions. In true Thai fashion she offered snacks, herbal remedies, and generally cared for us! True kalyanamitta!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are absolutely delighted to hear that you had a "True Thai Experience" on your trip to Chiang Rai. We will proudly share your beautiful words with Dee—she will be deeply touched to be recognized as a true kalyanamitta (noble friend). Offering snacks, care, and looking after your well-being is exactly the kind of heartfelt hospitality she loves to share, and we are so glad her guidance and knowledge made your journey so special. Thank you for choosing Monkey Travel Asia! — The Monkey Travel Asia Team (N)
Great site packed trip. Tourguide knot was very friendly and knowledgeable. Plenty of time to visit each site and still enjoy my day.
Dear leah, Thank you so much for sharing your amazing Chiang Rai experience! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary and felt you had plenty of time to explore and enjoy each magnificent site. Our guide Knot will be thrilled to receive your kind compliments—they truly love sharing their knowledge and making the day special for our guests. Thank you for choosing Monkey Travel Asia, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon! Warm regards, The Monkey Travel Asia Team
Dee was a wonderful guide. She taught us a lot about Thai culture and the northern region and made sure the day went smoothly. She was kind helpful and informative!
Dear Claudia, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience on our Chiang Rai day trip. Our guide Dee will be absolutely delighted to read your kind words. She takes great pride in sharing the rich culture and history of Northern Thailand with our guests while making sure everyone feels well looked after. Thank you for choosing Monkey Travel Asia, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future! Warm regards, The Monkey Travel Asia Team
Great way to see multiple temples and landmarks in one trip. Chiang Rai is about 3 hours from Chiang Mai so this excursion makes it very convenient when visiting Chiang Mai. Highly recommended!
Dear TayVon, Thank you so much for the great review and high recommendation! We are thrilled that our tour provided a convenient way for you to experience the magnificent temples and landmarks of Chiang Rai during your stay in Chiang Mai. It is a long journey, but we are so glad it made your visit seamless and worthwhile! Thank you for choosing Monkey Travel Asia, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future. Warm regards, The Monkey Travel Asia Team
We had Kavee as a guide and her many years of knowledge, history and passion for all the different locations giving a brilliant inisight of the Karen culture and temples, which greatly enhanced the entire experience. Nothing was ever too much trouble and despite requiring specific deadlines to keep the trip itinerary on time, we never felt rushed (even when people arrived back at the coach a little late). Very enjoyable experience, but as per the itinery suggestions, don't book if you have an evening flight on the same day, as the time window is not cast in stone and can take up to the suggested maximum of 13.5 hours if you have a few stragglers that push the time constraints, which is outside the guide's control.
Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so happy that guide Kavee's passion and knowledge of the temples and Karen culture enhanced your trip. She is a pro at keeping things relaxed even when running behind schedule, ensuring a very enjoyable experience for everyone. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Excellent! Good organization, Kabi our guide informed us perfectly of everything. Very comfortable price, 100% recommended from the best tours I have taken so far in Thailand
Muchísimas gracias por las 5 estrellas y por recomendarnos al 100%. Nos alegra mucho saber que tu experiencia con Kavee (Kabi) fue excelente y que la organización y el precio cumplieron tus expectativas. Es un honor para nosotros ser uno de los mejores tours que has tomado en Tailandia. ¡Esperamos volver a verte pronto!
My wife and I recently took the full day Chaing Mai Chaing Rai trip and It was amazing! Kawee was incredibly knowlegable about the history of Thailand, their hill tribes, the evolution of the culture and religion and could translate this information so beautifully to us in such a clear and nuianced way. Thank you for your love of learning and sharing with others.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are thrilled you and your wife loved the Chiang Rai trip. It is fantastic that Kawee's deep knowledge of Thai history, hill tribes, and culture made the experience special. We will certainly pass on your kind words about her clear and beautiful storytelling. We hope to welcome you both back to Thailand soon!
