8 Best Day Trips From Chiang Mai: Trekking, Views, Waterfalls

Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of Northern Thailand and with its laid-back atmosphere. Many travellers visiting get stuck for a few days longer than originally planned, due to the charm of the 700-year-old town with its small cafés, hidden gardens and lanes, temple hopping opportunities and unique boutique and handicraft shops that are unparalleled to anywhere else in Thailand.

The mountains and beautiful natural surroundings of Chiang Mai add to the beautiful atmosphere that this city is covered in, making it the perfect base for plenty of day trips from Chiang Mai.

Also, staying in Chiang Mai is more affordable than the southern beach resorts of Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan or the sparkling capital of Bangkok as it is also a chance to breathe in the fresh air of the mountains.

A Word About Animal Tourism/Riding Elephants In Thailand

Elephant rides, trekking in the mountains and visits to hill-tribe towns are still popular among travellers. And in case you are looking to join one of them, I advise you to make sure you browse around to find an authentic and ethical tour as some companies may only be operating for a purely commercial purpose.

The best and most ethical day tours are led by the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. They also offer multiple day experiences where you can spend more time with the elephants while immersing yourself in the local hill tribe culture, cook and sleep with a local family. Or join their once-in-a-lifetime experience and volunteer for a week which you'll spend watching the elephants and helping carry out some research on their natural behaviour. Help teach English to the local kids and immerse yourself in hill-tribe culture.

Chiang Mai Day Trips By Scooter

This post is about small day trips out of Chiang Mai to organize and take on your own scooter and when I talk about driving I mean driving yourself on a scooter or hiring a driver for the day. I think this gives you ultimate flexibility as you can stop anywhere interesting that catches your eye.

If you end up renting a scooter yourself, it's best to ask at your hotel or hostel to have a safe ride. Also, do make sure you get travel insurance, I cannot stress this enough!

Organising Your Day Trips From Chiang Mai By Car

Alternatively, if you don't feel confident riding a scooter or travelling solo and hiring a driver by yourself is not an option, you can hire a tuk-tuk or one of the many red Songthaews with other travellers (best in groups) to get around nearby places.

The Best Day Trips From Chiang Mai

1. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

At about 1,670 meters above sea level and a 30-minute ride out of town sits Wat Phrathat on Doi Suthep mountain. After climbing the over 300 steps from the car park you reach this beautiful temple overlooking the city of Chiang Mai.

Don't be deceived, this temple is a major tourist attraction of Chiang Mai and there is a whole tourist village around it selling anything from tacky elephant souvenirs, and scarfs – which may actually be needed on one of the rather cool December evenings – to food.

The thing I enjoy most about this little trip is the drive up the Chiang Mai mountain and I'd highly recommend hiring a scooter to do that. This way you can stop off at other smaller lookouts or the waterfalls on the way. There is actually another viewpoint over Chiang Mai that is halfway up the mountain which is a little quieter than the top and which I quite like as well.

Be prepared for locals selling souvenirs and food, but if you're like me you might like snacking on some fresh fruit, try and take a few pieces and haggle. Finally, the view you will get from the top really is amazing. There is also a viewing platform to take some beautiful landscape pictures.

My ultimate recommendation is to come to Doi Suthep just before sunset to see the light fade and watch the city bathe in all shades of red, yellow and orange light until the temple lights come on and you can take a seat inside the temple to hear the monks chanting.

There is an entry fee of 50 THB to the temple as a foreigner. Yer, you guessed it, locals get in for free. I snuck around the ticket booth a few times but I think they closed this loophole now.

Also, be mindful of where you take off your shoes as people just leave them lying around anywhere. It's best to put them in one of the shoe shelves near the stairs that lead up into the temple. Otherwise, good luck in finding them again!

From Doi Suthep, you may also continue the road for another 6km to hit Phu Phing Palace, the royal winter residence where you can visit the gardens containing fountains, exotic flowers, and large bamboo plants. Make sure to wear long pants and something over your shoulders as you may otherwise need to hire a sarong for a fee at the entrance.

Also, it's best to check ahead for the blossoming season and if you can visit the inside of the Palace as this is only possible in certain months and there have been reports about re-occurring renovation works.

2. Huay Kaew Waterfalls

These waterfalls are quite small but still pretty and you can even walk there from the city center. Passing Chiang Mai Zoo you will soon see a little temple and a crowd of flower stands to your left, this is where you turn for Huay Kaew Waterfalls.

Walking past a couple of street stands you will soon see a sign pointing you in the right direction. Head straight. Once you cross over the little wooden bridge you will already see the waterfalls.

On the right of the Chiang Mai Waterfall, you can even climb up to the top, however, it's quite steep but once you get up there are some nice big rocks to relax on and catch a few sun rays.

I took an early morning walk there and no soul was to be seen around the falls. On hotter days the place is more popular with locals flocking to the water to take a dip or picnic nearby. Entry is free.

As you drive (or walk) a little further up the hill you will pass by Mon Tha Than Waterfall. Here you will have to pay an entry fee of 100 THB. It's another cool little waterfall close to the city of Chiang Mai. If you are interested in something more active, a Nature Trail leads from the Doi Suthep National Park headquarters back down to the waterfalls.

3. Doi Inthanon National Park

Also called “the roof of Thailand”, Doi Inthanon National Park is located just over 100 km from Chiang Mai city and it is home to the highest mountains in Thailand boasting lush green forests and an abundance of wildlife species.

How To Get To Doi Inthanon National Park

Heading south from Chiang Mai on Highway 108, then turning onto Highway 1009 just before Chom Thong Village (you will see signs pointing to Doi Inthanon) and pretty much head straight until you reach the headquarters of the park.

See here for more help on how to get to the park. Entrance is 200 THB plus 20 THB if you come on a scooter.

Doi Inthanon Tours

If you don't want to explore Doi Inthanon National Park by yourself, which is fair enough, because it is a while away from Chiang Mai then there are some awesome trekking day tours and bike adventures to embrace the fantastic nature and local villages.

The best Doi Inthanon national park tours from Chiang Mai are all listed on Viator, my favourite site to book sightseeing and day tours, tickets and more!

Best Time to Visit Doi Inthanon National Park

As part of the Himalayan mountain range and set at over 2,565 meters above sea level, in the winter time it gets quite freezing with below 0 degrees and high humidity all around the year.

Here the rarely-seen frost normally occurs around New Year's however it will never snow. Even on hot summer days the mountain summit gets quite chilly so be prepared to bring warm clothes and always carry a jacket with you. The lower areas are dry and warmer.

Things to Do in Doi Inthanon National Park

There is a lot to see in the national park, from caves to waterfalls to hiking trails and stunning landscape views. The parks map helps for better orientation of what to find where.

The best time to visit the waterfalls of Doi Inthanon is throughout the rainy season between May and November when the streams carry most water.

There is one waterfall a little more off the path called Mae Ya Waterfall and I think it's the most beautiful one out of all in the park. It also counts as one of the largest waterfalls in Thailand and is truly impressive.

The ultimate highlight of any Doi Inthanon National Park tour

Don't miss the two stupas Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Nophamethanidon located 3km from the summit which is dedicated to the king and queen of Thailand. There is an additional entry fee of 40 THB to see the stupas to be paid at the top.

Where To Stay In Doi Inthanon National Park

As it is quite a trip with the scooter out of Chiang Mai it will either be a full day trip with you rising early and returning back to Chiang Mai after darkness. Alternatively, I would recommend making it an overnight trip from Chiang Mai and staying a night or two around the national park to make the most out of it.

Accommodation in Doi Inthanon

There are not very many options for accommodation around here. The town closest to the park is called Chom Thong and there are a few reasonable guesthouse choices, from mid-range to budget.

Doi Intanon View Resort: The resort is conveniently located and is a great place to sleep in beautiful wooden cabins surrounded by a lovely garden area. One of the nicer places to stay around here. Check current rates on: Booking.com | Agoda.com

Cabinthai: This homestay offers basic accommodation for a cheap price in either a dorm or private room. Check current rates on: Booking.com | Agoda.com

Phu Chaem House: You could also stay on the other side of the Doi Inthanon National Park around Mae Chaem. This guesthouse is a good option if you're in for a longer stay and want to explore the park fully. They even have free bike rentals as well as all the necessities like TV, a hot shower and complimentary mountain views! Check current rates on: Booking.com | Agoda.com

4. Huay Tung Tao Lake

This man-made lake just 15 minutes outside of the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai is super nice to spend a relaxing afternoon lounging in one of the bamboo huts right on the edge of the water.

You can easily get there by driving to the North on Canal Road towards Mae Rim until you see a big blue sign pointing left into the direction of the lake.

Take the turn and you will drive along another small road until you hit the entrance of the lake area which costs 20 THB.

The lake which is sometimes also referred to as “Chiang Mai Beach” is very tranquil, peaceful and phone reception is almost non-existent and it's good this way!

Hang out for the afternoon, read a book, paddle on the water, grab a fried rice lunch from the food stall or watch the sunset over the mountains. You are allowed to swim in the water too, however it looks quite muddy and I didn't dare to encounter some funny animals chewing on my feet. I have seen locals do it though.

5. Mae Sa Waterfall

This popular waterfall is located about 26 km from Chiang Mai travelling on Highway 107 towards Mae Rim. With its eight levels, the waterfall sits in a beautiful green environment among big trees and is part of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

You can easily climb the paved stairs to either side of the waterfall which lies in the shade and the big stones adjacent make for breezy picnic spots for both locals and travellers. The entry fee is 100 THB plus parking for 20 THB if you come by motorbike. If you forget to bring your own picnic there are plenty of food vendors next to the main car park.

Still, haven't seen enough waterfalls around Chiang Mai? There are also a few other waterfalls in the area nearby which you can visit with the ticket on the same day.

6. Bua Thong/Sticky Waterfall

Rather unusual and quite special are those limestone waterfalls about one hour (40 km) out of Chiang Mai.

Oftentimes you will hear people speak about the “sticky waterfall” as the rocks are surprisingly gripping and you can take easy steps to climb up the waterfall. Start at the very bottom and challenge yourself.

How To Get To The Sticky Waterfall

Heading out North on the Superhighway, then turn onto Highway 1001 towards Phrao. You are on the right way if you drive past Maejo University and keep heading north on the 1001 and then follow the blue signs pointing towards the waterfalls.

Entrance is free. You are not allowed to bring food or drink to the waterfall to prevent littering, however, there are picnic tables at the top level where you can sit and eat.

Make sure to also bring your bikini and towel and some dry clothes to change for the windy scooter ride home.

7. Mon Jam Village

If you are looking for a day trip with great mountain vistas, Mon Jam located in the Mong Nong Hoi Village is your bet.

About 40km out of Chiang Mai towards Ma-Rim, you will find this unique village in the mountains. Simply take a seat in one of the beautiful open-air bamboo huts and order a locally prepared fresh lunch or dinner. The quality of food has consistently been very good, hope it stays this way!

Additionally, you can take a wander around and explore the strawberry fields, glass houses, and wildflowers. It's quite high up so bring a jacket as it can get chilly. Also if you take a scooter, the roads are windy and it get's quite steep the closer you get to the destination, just to be aware.

Where To Stay In Doi Mon Cham

Onsen at Moncham: The accommodation options in Doi Mon Cham are sparse, your best bet is to stay at the beautiful cultural retreat with a handful of unique rooms and a wonderful garden. Check current rates on: Booking.com | Agoda.com

8. The Hippie Town Of Pai

Once a secret hotspot for travellers heading to the north of Thailand, now Pai is not so unknown anymore. However, if you are into adventure and nature activities as well as a laid-back town atmosphere, Pai is very much for you. It's doable as a day trip but I would really recommend staying at least 1 or 2 nights (or even longer!) as you will get the most out of it then.

From Chiang Mai, you can get to Pai very easily by minibus or you can also visit it as part of the Mae Hong Son loop, a multiple day self-drive route through stunning mountain scenery and nature. If you love Chiang Mai, Pai will most likely inspire you too, promised.

Day Trips From Chiang Mai – Final Words

Chiang Mai as a city is amazing to visit. If you have some extra days, it's definitely worth exploring some of the region's natural beauty and adventure opportunities. From ancient temples to waterfalls, trekking through lush jungles and visiting elephant sanctuaries, there's something, you'll love these day trips from Chiang Mai.