The Best Tours To Take In Chiang Mai Thailand

Thailand’s charming northern city of Chiang Mai is a fascinating and vibrant place to explore. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite tours this city has to offer with plenty of active, cultural and delicious options to choose from!

Temple and City Tour

Explore the ancient and iconic sites of charming Chiang Mai on a temple and city tour. You’ll explore culture and history at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chet Yod and Wat Suan Dok. You’ll also discover bustling Tapae Road and the ruins of the old city wall. Experience sights, smells and tastes as you explore local markets and sample different foods.

EXO Travel, 29 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 11, Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +66 53 895 083

Swing like a monkey across tree canopies on a Flight of the Gibbon ziplining adventure. Not only will you see breathtaking jungle views and exotic wildlife, but you’ll also cure your adrenaline craving. Suitable for kids young and old, this tour is a great day out for the whole family. For those that would prefer to stay within Chiang Mai City, the company also offers Segway tours around the Old City.

Flight of the Gibbon, 123, Huai Kaeo, Mae On, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +66 53 010 660

Walk with Giants

Spending the day at Elephant Nature Park is an eye-opening experience. Not a single aspect of the visitor’s day is neglected, from the informative ride to the sanctuary all the way to the tasty lunch buffet. Elephant Nature Park is an ethical way to get to know and interact with elephants. Located outside of Chiang Mai City, the sanctuary was founded in the 1990s and has rescued dozens of elephants.

Elephant Nature Park, 209/2 Sridom Chai Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +66 053 818 754

Thai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Performance

Although a rather touristy tour to partake in, the Thai Khantoke dinner and cultural performance makes for a great night out! Be enchanted as you spend the evening indulging in delicious Thai cuisine and are captivated by the traditional folk-dancing show. Local delicacies are served Khantoke-style on low tables, a communal family style of eating which is common in Lanna culture. You’ll gain insight into Lanna and hill tribe cultures and partake in the celebratory atmosphere.

Khum Khantoke, 139 หมู่ 4 ต.หนองป่าครั่ง, Chiang Mai,Thailand, +66 53 304 121

Cook like a Local

Thai Farm Cooking School is one of Chiang Mai’s most renowned cooking schools and is led by passionate chef and farmer, Sawat. Visitors begin their class by taking a trip to the morning market, followed by a tour of the farm. Most of the herbs are picked directly from the farm. Participants then choose six dishes to make; vegetarian and vegan options are also available. Thai Farm Cooking School provides a fantastic introduction to Thai cooking. You’ll not only leave full, you’ll also leave with leftovers and a recipe book.

Thai Farm Cooking School, 38 Moon Muang Rd Soi 9, Si Phum, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +66 81 288 5989

Beep! Beep!

If you’ve ever dreamt of driving a tuk-tuk, now’s your chance! You’ll explore fascinating rural villages and beautiful landscapes as you navigate your way around the Chiang Mai countryside in your very own tuk-tuk. On this action-packed tour, you’ll first learn how to drive a tuk-tuk, before you head out and off the beaten track. You’ll then float downstream on a bamboo raft before returning to Chiang Mai.

Hop in the Saddle

Explore the sights of Chiang Mai and the surrounding countryside on an exciting cycling tour. You’ll stop at iconic temples, pass through local villages and visit lush landscapes. This tour requires a fair level of fitness and is a fun way to discover Chiang Mai. Enjoy mingling with locals and sampling local specialities on this Spice Roads Tour.

Spice Roads, No. 1 Moon Muang Road Lane 7, Si Phum, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +66 53 215 837

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.