The 15 Chiang Mai Hiking Tours That Earn Their Price

1.Doi Inthanon Park with Kew Mae Pan Hike Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 841 reviews · 11 hours · from $62Our pick

Spend 11 hours exploring Doi Inthanon with an English-speaking guide such as Mo, Paul, James, or Yoong. Reach Thailand’s highest point, hike Kew Mae Pan from November to May, visit the Twin Pagodas, meet Hmong villagers, sample local coffee, and see Wachirathan Waterfall.

“Guide was amazing Mo was fantastic, fun so kind caring and knowledgeable. Only thing was not great was lunch. Not used to flies all over my food”

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2.Doi Suthep Temple & Wat Pha Lat Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 740 reviews · 4 hours · from $25Best value

Ride a traditional Chiang Mai red songthaew to Doi Suthep, visit the golden Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, then walk the forest trail to Wat Pha Lat. English-speaking guides such as Jane, Margaret, Saman, and Nancy explain Buddhist symbols, help with photos, and adjust the route for weather.

“The level of the Thailand guides is very high but Margaret's is on a different scale! Not only she offered information about the history of the temples but also gave insight about the current status of them. She had solid answers to all our questions and cared that everybody was back in time. She provided extra support for hiking on a rainy day what I can only label as "master minded" strategy to keep allowing the people enjoying the tour under adverse weather conditions. She did also the extra mile without hesitation, ensuring that all the participants would reach their target places on time. In my case she even help…”

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3.Doi Suthep Temple & Wat Pha Lat Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 657 reviews · from $26Top rated

Join a small group of up to 10 for a 30 to 40-minute Monk’s Trail hike to forested Wat Pha Lat, then visit golden Doi Suthep. Guides such as Saman, Jane, Amy, and Pia explain Buddhist customs, temple art, and local life. Expect open-air songthaew transport and extra entrance fees.

“This tour was tremendous! Pia, our guide, was fabulous. She gave us such great information and took extra special care! Really explained the history of the area in detail. I was traveling solo and am only 2 years away from 80. She made sure I was well cared for. Walked me down the 300 stairs and made sure I got my cab ride home! I highly recommend this tour!”

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4.Doi Inthanon Hiking & Elephant Sanctuary Program

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 324 reviews · 12 hours · from $56

Spend 12 hours with a small group of up to 12, feeding and walking with rescued elephants at Living Green Sanctuary, then visit Doi Inthanon, the Twin Pagodas, waterfalls, rice terraces, and a Karen coffee farm. Guides may include Jon, Pete, Rainbow, Nott, or Mod.

“Amazing visit! Real sanctuary vibes and the elephants were treated with so much love. The waterfall area and mountain views made the day even more special.”

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5.Chiang Mai Doi Suthep Temple and Wat Pha Lat Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 299 reviews · from $26

Ride a local red songthaew from central Chiang Mai, hike 30 to 45 minutes through forest to Wat Pha Lat, then visit golden Doi Suthep and its city views. The tour lasts about four hours, with a maximum group of 12 and 130 THB in temple and trail fees paid separately.

“It was so much fun! The tour guide was so knowledgeable and answered all the questions we had which was a big plus!”

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6.Doi Saket Hiking Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 211 reviews · 1 day · from $57

Join Troy and his local team for a five-hour Doi Saket jungle trek from Chiang Mai. Expect steep, slippery paths, wild herbs, ancient trees, a homemade lunch, a secluded waterfall, river crossings, and fresh fruit with tea afterward.

“10/10 couldn’t fault anything. Troy was the perfect guide very knowledgeable and friendly. Picked up and dropped off right at hotel door. The trekking was brilliant, real jungle scenes and a nice circular route so was different scenery the whole way round. We had the waterfall all to ourselves no other groups there at all which felt really special, definitely take your swimming kit for a dip! lunch provided was very tasty. We just had to take water but 2 small bottles or 1 big one was enough for us. Over all Troy went above and beyond to give us a brilliant day exploring in the jungle. Worth every penny…”

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7.Chiang mai Hike & Downhill Bike Adventure –Suthep National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 204 reviews · from $75

Start with a steep jungle hike beside Mon Da Than Waterfall, rest at Khun Chang Khian Hmong village, then ride an off-road mountain bike downhill through Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Guides such as Tui, Tony, Donai, and Jane are praised for patient trail support.

“Absolutely exhilarating! DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE HIKE! We had marathon runners in our group that were struggling at times, especially after the waterfall. Also, please have some level of experience mountain biking. While categorized as beginner by the company, the trail is definitely in between beginner and intermediate and we saw several folks wipe out on the downhill portions of the trail. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO! Also, to the tour company, please work with different restaurants. My fiancé and I contracted severe food poisoning from one of the meals consumed that day. But we’ve since recovered :)”

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8.7-Hour Doi Suthep National Park Summit Hiking

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 191 reviews · 7 hours · from $60

Spend a demanding day on Doi Suthep with a small group of up to 15. Walk the monk trail to Wat Pha Lat and Wat Doi Suthep, then continue through highland jungle toward Doi Pui and a Hmong village. Guides such as A and Nop are praised for humor, safety, and local insight.

“This was an incredible adventure ! The point of view really worth it, and thank you to our guide who was so nice (but it is an activity that requires you to be used to trekking)”

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9.Suthep National Park Hiking & DH Mountain Biking

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 151 reviews · 6 hours · from $62

Start with a steep jungle hike from Montha Than Waterfall to a Hmong village at 1,400 meters, then ride a rocky 14-kilometer trail downhill to Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir. Guides such as Tony, Danai, A, and Tiram are praised for patient coaching. This suits fit hikers and confident bike riders.

“This was a really fun activity. Our guide Tiram was clearly very skilled at hiking, but especially mountain biking, and took us on some challenging routes. I would say you have to be quite fit for this, as on the hike you encounter some quite tough terrain, and we scaled the side of a waterfall on all fours which was tough, but doable. You need to be quite proficient and confident with a bike; this was fine for me as I cycle regularly, but this is definitely not for the leisurely rider, as some of the trails were quite difficult, but I enjoyed the challenge having not really mountain biked…”

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10.Doi Inthanon Park Tour & Kew Mae Pan Trail Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 125 reviews · 1 day

Spend a full day in Doi Inthanon National Park with an English-speaking guide, visiting waterfalls, pagodas, villages, and Thailand’s highest point. The two-hour Kew Mae Pan hike is the main event, with local hill-tribe guides, cool mountain air, and wide views. Nina may be your guide.

“My wife and I had a great time with this day tour. Our guide, Nina, was also very approachable and professional. The twin pagodas were very serene while the Kew Mae Pan trail was undulating nad scenic! I’d recommend this for anyone who is visiting Doi Inthanon for the first time!”

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11.Doi Inthanon National Park Day Trip & Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 125 reviews · 9 hours · from $106

Spend nine hours exploring Doi Inthanon with an English-speaking guide such as Tui, Pae, Aom, or Yaw-an G. Visit Thailand’s highest point, twin pagodas, a Hmong market, rainforest trails, waterfalls, rice terraces, and a Karen village.

“Look no further when in search for a quality-oriented trip in Chiang Mai area! Team at TC did an AMAZING job during our Doi Inthanon trip with a short trekking. Everything from the hotel pickup, ride, guidance and overall vibe was top notch. Tui and his lovely friend (sorry, I'm terrible at remembering names!) were very informative, spoke great English and created a very unique opportunity to learn not only about places we've visited – but also about Thai society, culture and more. We were extremely satisfied and we honestly wish we stayed loner in Chiang Mai to experience more moments like that.”

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12.Doi Inthanon Park Hiking & Elephants Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 102 reviews · 1 day · from $76

Spend a full day from Chiang Mai with rescued elephants, then explore Doi Inthanon National Park, the King and Queen Pagodas, and the Pha Dok Siew Trail. Expect a small group of up to 12, local lunch, mountain coffee, and guides such as Lucy, Easy, or Goi.

“This was a very nice tour ! Be prepared for a long day as there are a lot of activities to do and places to see in one day. Nevertheless, our guide Easy (Izy ?) never lost his humour and was very funny throughout the day. You have a lot of freedom on the different places, which is nice. Our guide was always available for questions and explanations, and gave us a lot of facts on elephants (which is found super interesting as I did not know much). Our driver Anam was also very nice and made sure the journey was smooth enough to sleep on the way back.”

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13.Doi Inthanon National Park & Hike at Kew Mae Pan

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 53 reviews · 11 hours · from $41

Travel from Chiang Mai to Thailand’s highest peak, the Royal Pagodas, Hmong market, and Kew Mae Pan trail. The two-hour hike brings mountain views and mossy forest, while village coffee and Wachirathan Waterfall round out the day. The trail operates from November through May.

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14.Mae Taeng Valley Hike & Bike Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 7 hours · from $83

Leave Chiang Mai for a 5-kilometer guided hill walk, then cycle 15 to 20 kilometers through Mae Taeng villages, rice fields, orchards, and quiet roads. Guide Tri has shared useful insight into plants, customs, and farming. Thai lunch, bikes, helmets, water, snacks, and hotel transport are included.

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15.Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail & Doi Inthanon Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 41 reviews · from $43

You’ll spend about two hours on the Pha Dok Siew trail, visit Doi Inthanon’s summit, see the King and Queen Pagodas, eat a Thai set lunch, and taste White Karen coffee. English and Thai guides lead the 10-hour trip, with hotel pickup from Chiang Mai’s Old Town and Nimman area.

“This was a great trip. We got to go to several stops that we wouldn't have been able to reach otherwise. There were plenty of bathroom breaks and photo moments for us. The nature hike was like traveling back in time.”

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