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Northern Thailand Hiking

Our most recommended Northern Thailand Hiking

Chiang Mai: Waterfall, Elephant Sanctuary and Bamboo Rafting

1. Chiang Mai: Waterfall, Elephant Sanctuary and Bamboo Rafting

Embark on a one-of-a-kind experience and visit an ethical rescued elephant facility in the jungle outside Chiang Mai. Cool off in a waterfall, savor a traditional Thai lunch, and become a caretaker for the day as you interact, feed, and observe the gentle giants in their natural environment.  Begin with a pickup from your hotel or accommodation in downtown Chiang Mai. Take a scenic drive southwest of Chiang Mai and see local farms, hill tribe villages, and rice fields along the way.  Journey to the Mae Wang Waterfalls, where you'll relax and take a dip in the water. Arrive at the Pon Elephant Thailand located deep in the jungle. You'll be welcomed to the sanctuary by a guide who will lead you through the experience. Get dressed into Karen hill tribe clothing like the ones elephant caretakers wear. Next, get a briefing on Asian elephants and the background of the sanctuary. Come and meet the friendly rescued elephants and feed them bananas. Walk up the hill with elephants through the forest and watch the elephants forage for food in the wilderness. Observe elephants interacting between families in their natural environment. Head down to the river and enjoy bathing with the elephants. Walk with the elephants back to the sanatorium and embrace the memories and have time to say goodbye to these marvelous creatures. Finish off with a scenic bamboo rafting trip along the Mae Wang River before you get dropped off at your hotel in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park & Elephant Sanctuary

2. Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park & Elephant Sanctuary

Discover the beauty of the Doi Inthanon National Park, see the Wachirathan Waterfall, and feed elephants at an elephant sanctuary. Choose from a tour with a centrally-located meeting point in Chiang Mai or a tour with convenient pickup and drop-off directly at your accommodation in Chiang Mai.  Hop aboard a comfortable van or bus and relax the drive to the southwest of Chiang Mai. Stop at one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in the country, Wachirathan Waterfall. This waterfall is more than 80 meters high, creating a refreshing mist that nourishes the surrounding vegetation.  Continue your journey to admire the stunning Twin Royal Pagodas. Take in gorgeous panoramic views with a terraced flower garden and the summit of Doi Inthanon Mountain. Walk on an ancient fern forest trail and have a delicious lunch at at local restaurant. Drive through the mountains and hill tribe village to the Elephant Village. Once you arrive, put on a traditional Karen tribe t-shirt and get ready for your jungle adventure. Pickup some fruits to feed the elephants. Learn about Asian elephants and the village's background. Find out how to approach elephants and the correct ways to feed them. Go on a forest hike with the friendly elephants through the lush vegetation and breathtaking mountains. Observe elephants roaming and foraging for food freely in the wild.  Swim with the elephants at the hidden waterfall where you can take some amazing picture. Have free time for a cool shower, to dry off, and to change back into your own clothes. Leave the Elephant Village and travel about 1.5 hours back to Chiang Mai City. 

Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Visit and Guided Hike

3. Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Visit and Guided Hike

Explore Doi Intanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest peak, on this full-day tour from Chiang Mai. A member of the local Karen hill tribe will be your guide during the hike. Walk through the jungle and spot exotic birds and butterflies. Reach the hill tribe village after about 2 hours of hiking. Drive through Baan Khun Klaang, the largest karen community in the park, and then see the beautiful Wachirathan Waterfall. Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, drive to the summit of the mountain and explore the Ang-Kha Nature Trail. Continue to the twin pagodas built in honor of the King and Queen of Thailand. Admire the royal flower garden surrounding the site.

Chiang Mai: Private Elephant Sanctuary and Waterfall Tour

4. Chiang Mai: Private Elephant Sanctuary and Waterfall Tour

Begin your private experience with pickup from your hotel in Chiang Mai. From there, take a scenic journey to a private elephant estate where you will be their caretaker for half a day. Upon arrival, walk to the main base camp to get changed into an elephant caretaker outfit and prepare yourself for a day of fun. Hear about Asian elephants' long and fascinating history as you learn to cook healthy herbal treats for them to eat for a snack. Afterward, feed the handmade treats to them and walk along their side through the beautiful lush forest. Following that, your tour continues with elephant bathing in the river before you say farewell to your new friends and set off on the next part of your tour. Following the sanctuary, take some time out of your day to enjoy a delicious Thai lunch. Savor local dishes accompanied by rice, and finish off your meal with a selection of fresh tropical fruit. After lunch, continue to the Buatong Sticky Waterfall. Whilst there, enjoy some walking and climbing from down below the falls to all the way up to the very top. As the waterfall is constructed from natural limestone, you can walk and climb easily to the top, enjoying the clear water to cool down. As your tour concludes, depart from the waterfall to return back to Chiang Mai.

From Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Hiking Tour

5. From Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Hiking Tour

Travel deep into the National Park stopping off at some of the most scenic waterfalls in the region on this one-day Doi Inthanon hiking tour. Experience a gentle 4km hike along a nature trail and learn about the flora and fauna along the way and enjoy the highest point in Thailand. The tour begins with a visit to the summit of Doi Inthanon – the highest spot in Thailand and an area rich in biodiversity and unique flora and fauna. Walk along a short hiking trail on the summit before heading to the start of the main hike. A local guide will take you through a pine restoration area, deep into a shady, forested valley and into farmland before reaching the Karen hill tribe village, which was founded 150 years ago. As you walk along the trail, you may spot snakes, lizards, and if you’re very lucky one of the resident gibbons. Upon reaching the village you will enjoy a local lunch and try a free coffee that is grown in the region. One final waterfall awaits on the way back to the city, beautiful all year round, and caps off a fun sightseeing day.

From Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Day Trip & Hike

6. From Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Day Trip & Hike

Explore the Thai jungle and embark on a guided hike on this day trip from Chiang Mai. Marvel at Thailand's highest mountain, visit pagodas and the rainforest, and feast on a delicious lunch as you go. Begin your experience in Chiang Mai and meet our guide for the drive to Doi Inthanon National Park. The park is home to Thailand's largest mountain which rises 2,565 meters above sea level, and has air that is cool year-round. Upon arrival, take a walk around the Angka Nature Trail. Experience an authentic rainforest environment filled with rare flora, animals, and birds. Continue on to visit 2 pagodas, built in honor of the King and Queen of Thailand for their 60th birthdays. There, take a stroll through the Hmong Market, and shop for local products like vegetables and seasonal fruits. Next, head to the Royal Project restaurant for lunch. Load up on energy to get ready for your afternoon hike. Have peace of mind knowing that free drinking water is also available during your experience. Begin your hike along the scenic Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail. Trek through shady forests and authentic jungle. Absorb a panoramic view of the rice terrace, and learn all about rice paddies. Conclude your hike at the Karen Hill Tribe Village, and find out about the villagers' way of life. Savor some freshly ground and brewed coffee before your return journey back to Chiang Mai.

Full Day Hike & Bike at Doi Suthep Mountain National Park

7. Full Day Hike & Bike at Doi Suthep Mountain National Park

At 9:00 AM, begin the day with a hotel pick-up and ride to the base. Once arrived, you'll have your safety briefing and be kitted out in safety gear. Then you can begin the hike up to the old Hmong Hill Tribe Village at the summit of Doi Pui National Park. The trek takes you through a stunning highland jungle, filled with huge indigenous Mai Yai trees. After about 3 hours of steady walking, you'll reach your destination: the summit of the National Park, reaching an elevation of 1400m. At the peak, your bikes and gear will be waiting for you in the nearby village. After a well-earned lunch break, begin your descent through the National Park on your mountain bike toward Lake Huay Tung Tao, an approximately 2-hour ride away. In contrast to the hike up, gravity rewards you now with a cool ride downhill with views of the beautiful Mae Ping Valley.  Awaiting you lakeside is a proper late lunch with cool drinks. Take a dip before it’s time to jump back in the truck and head out of the National Park. After a fun day out, you will be delivered back to your hotel around 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM.

From Chiang Mai: Sticky Waterfall Hike & Mountain Bike Ride

8. From Chiang Mai: Sticky Waterfall Hike & Mountain Bike Ride

Sticky Waterfall Cross Country Ride #Trip "1B" If you're a nature enthusiast and an adventure seeker, then the Sticky Waterfall, 22 km Cross Country Ride in Chiang Mai is a tour you don't want to miss. The tour begins with a visit to an extraordinary natural wonder, a sediment waterfall with a unique property that allows for a nearly vertical ascent and descent. As you climb and descend the waterfall, you'll be amazed by the stickiness of the sediment, which provides a firm grip for your hands and feet. But the adventure doesn't end there. After the waterfall, the mountain biking tour takes you on an exhilarating mountain bike ride through the stunning scenery of the east valley of the Ping River. You'll follow the red dirt single track, clay trails that wind through the rugged terrain, providing an great workout for your legs and lungs. Along the way, you'll also encounter breathtaking view points, explore a mysterious cave, and cool off with a refreshing swim in the Mae Kuang Reservoir. The tour concludes with a delicious lunch that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized. This tour is a favorite among locals, and it's not hard to see why. With its combination of natural wonders, thrilling outdoor activities, and delicious food, the Sticky Waterfall Cross Country Ride is an experience that you'll never forget. The trip is truck supported so everyone can join.

From Chiang Mai: Chiang Dao Cave Trekking Full-Day Tour

9. From Chiang Mai: Chiang Dao Cave Trekking Full-Day Tour

Get picked up from your hotel in Chiang Mai city center and head off on a day trip to Chiang Dao. Begin with a visit to the Chiang Dao Cave (Wat Tham Chiang Dao), which is without a doubt one of the area's most fascinating sites. Five limestone caverns invite visitors to uncover the beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, Buddha statues, and offerings from faithful pilgrims. After paying a small entrance fee, the tour begins through a system of interconnected caverns extending over seven miles into the heart of the mountain. Expect cooler air in here, although hot days may create humid conditions at times. Some of the caves are illuminated by electric lights. Here you'll find Buddha statues, including a 13-foot reclining one. Don’t miss the row of five seated Buddhas in the first cavern, which many travelers find particularly impressive. After the cave adventure, the next stop is the Chiang Dao market to gorge on delicious local meals before heading to the Buatong Sticky Waterfall, one of the most unique waterfalls in Thailand. One impressive feature of this natural wonder is the sticky mineral deposits that allow visitors to actually climb up the waterfall without falling off, with the help of a safety rope. This is definitely a great way to cool off after a long day of your trip. Afterward, relax on a complimentary transfer back to your hotel in Chiang Mai city.

Chiang Mai: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Tour & Lunch

10. Chiang Mai: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Tour & Lunch

This full-day tour takes you to an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, where you'll get to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat and learn about their history and care. Your experienced guide will take you on a guided walk with the elephants through the sanctuary's lush forest and show you how the elephants are cared for. You'll have plenty of opportunities to interact with the elephants, feed them, and take photos. After the walk, enjoy a delicious Thai lunch before bidding farewell to the elephants. This tour includes transportation to and from your hotel in Chiang Mai, so you don't have to worry about anything except enjoying your day with these amazing creatures.

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What people are saying about Northern Thailand

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 149 reviews

Most amazing experience, the bamboo rafting was very cool and elephants well taken care of. Detailed itinerary: they picked us up at 8:30 and we drove for about an hour and half to the bamboo rafting, which lasted for 40 minutes, we then drove for another 20 minutes to the sanctuary where we first got my briefing on the elephants and how to act around them, then we got to feed them for about 40 minutes. We then took the elephants on a small walk up the hill and got to take same pictures. After that we ate pad Thai and relaxed for a about an hour, we then walked to the waterfall which was 20 minutes walk, mostly flat and downhill. We didn’t stay at the waterfall for super long, probably around 30 minutes, we then walked back to the car which was 15 minutes. The drive back was an hour and half, we were back at 5pm. We were provided with water through the whole trip which was very nice, our tour guide mosquito was amazing! Oh and I recommend bringing both sneakers and sandals:)

Absolutely stunning strip! Would definitely recommend. It was so well planned. The taxi driver and tour guide were so lovely and friendly. They stopped enough times for snacks and toilet breaks. Our guide was super helpful sharing knowledge about the sites we were seeing and the culture of Thailand and its people. We really enjoyed this.

Fantastic day trip. You cannot interact more closely with elephants than this tour. Feeding them, washing them with mud and them going in the river with them to rinse them off. Bamboo rafting was a great experience, and then finished off with a swim at the waterfall! Highly recommend this trip!

Très belle découverte et très bon moment

Small group, fun & friendly tour guide (I had Jackie!) and well planned itinerary :)

The trip was great! The guide knew good English and the arrangement was great.