What are the most popular first-day activities when starting a tour in Chiang Mai?

First-day itineraries in Chiang Mai focus on the cultural heart of the old town with visits to key temples including Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang. As evening approaches travelers head to the bustling night markets. The mountaintop Wat Phra That Doi Suthep located at 3,500 feet offers sweeping views of the city below. Common accommodation options include the Boutique Hotel & Spa or The Empress Chiang Mai. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Our guide was very knowledgeable and gave us a great overview of this beautiful city on the first day."

What are the best months to start a tour from Chiang Mai?

The prime time for Chiang Mai tours runs from November through February when cool temperatures and clear skies prevail. October and March provide good alternatives with moderate weather conditions. Hotels such as The Empress Chiang Mai and Century Park Hotel see higher occupancy during these months. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "We traveled in November and had perfect weather for trekking and outdoor activities."

What wildlife and nature experiences are available on tours from Chiang Mai?

Nature enthusiasts can visit elephant sanctuaries in Mae Wang trek through Doi Inthanon National Park or explore Lod Cave by bamboo raft. Nature-focused stays include the Pung-Waan Resort in Kanchanaburi and Fern Resort which place guests close to these natural sites. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The experience with elephants was incredible, and the mountain scenery around Chiang Mai was breathtaking."

How long is the typical travel time between Chiang Mai and popular nearby destinations?

Key travel times from Chiang Mai include 3.5 hours to Pai (175km) 4 hours to Chiang Rai (260km) and 2.5 hours to Doi Inthanon National Park. Tours use modern air-conditioned vehicles for these transfers. A TourRadar traveler noted "the drives between destinations were comfortable in air-conditioned vehicles and offered beautiful mountain scenery along the way."

What are the most common starting points for tours within Chiang Mai?

Tour departures concentrate around three main hotels: The Chiang Mai Gate Hotel in the Old City Holiday Inn Chiang Mai near the Ping River and the Amora Hotel Tapae Chiang Mai in the central area. These locations offer easy access to temples markets and elephant sanctuaries. The "Treasures of Thailand" tour starts at Holiday Inn Chiang Mai at 8:00 AM while others begin at Amora Hotel Tapae as confirmed by a TourRadar traveler: "The pickup from Amora Hotel was smooth and on time."

What's included in most meal plans for tours starting from Chiang Mai?

Standard tour packages cover daily hotel breakfast several local lunches and typically one traditional Khantoke dinner show in Chiang Mai. A 4-day tour usually includes 4 breakfasts 3 lunches and 1 dinner. One TourRadar traveler mentioned "the food variety was excellent especially during the included traditional dinners in Chiang Mai."

Thailand Tours from Chiang Mai

Find your perfect adventure! We have 52 tours of Thailand that start in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The most popular month is August, and tour lengths range between 2 and 14 days.

10 best Thailand tour packages from Chiang Mai

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In-depth Cultural
Best of Northern Thailand
4.5 (48 traveler reviews)
"The high energy, enthusiasm and kindness of tour leader Wit was much appreciated. The highlights of Northern Thailand were memorable."
Michelle, traveled in November
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park, Si Satchanalai,Sukhothai,Ayutthaya,Kanchanaburi,Bangkok+4 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
16% Off
From $1,590
US$1,340per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Customized Private 5 Days Family Tour in Northern Thailand, Daily Depart
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The ones we went to were definitely worth our time for the artwork and/or scenic views. A fun boat ride along the Mekong seeing Laos and Myanmar."
Andrew, traveled in August
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Golden Triangle Park, Chiang Rai
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern ThailandGolden Triangle Southeast Asia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Agate Travel
16% Off
From
US$1,409per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Chiang Mai Cultural - 6 Days 5 Nights
4.0 (1 traveler review)
"Chiang Mai is absolutely beautiful! It was a very enjoyable experience."
Femke, traveled in August
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep,Mae Wang National Park,San Kamphaeng+2 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Northern ThailandChiang Mai+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
WOLO Travel
16% Off
From
US$630per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
5 Days in Northern Thailand: Temples, Elephants & Mountains
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep Pui National Park, Doi Inthanon
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern ThailandChiang Mai+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
East Gate Tours LTD
20% Off
From $717
US$574per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Treasures of Thailand 8 Days - Chiang Mai to South, Small Group Tour (English Only)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Great Tour minibus. Your every wish is considered."
Frances, traveled in February
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Sukhothai, Uthai Thani,Ayutthaya,Kanchanaburi,Bangkok+3 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English
Operator
Destination Services Thailand
15% Off
From $1,397
US$1,187per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Treasures of Thailand 8 Days - Chiang Mai to South, Private Tour
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"Very good itinerary that covers a lot of distance, but the van is extremely comfortable."
Eric, traveled in October
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Sukhothai, Uthai Thani,Ayutthaya,Kanchanaburi,Nakhon Pathom,Bangkok+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
Destination Services Thailand
15% Off
From $1,792
US$1,523per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Explorer
Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand: Environmental Conservation, Education, and Elephant Trekking
4.9 (239 traveler reviews)
"It's been a week since I returned home, and not a day has gone by where I haven't thought about, laughed about, talked about, or even cried over how much I love and miss being in Thailand."
Emma, traveled in June
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Northern ThailandGolden Triangle Southeast AsiaChiang Mai+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
GIVE Volunteers
15% Off
From
US$3,195per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
8 Days Enjoy Highlights of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon, Chiang Dao, Chiang Rai
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern ThailandChiang Mai+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
20% Off
From $1,636
US$1,309per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
A Scenic Discovery from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Pai, Mae Hong Son
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern ThailandMae Hong Son+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Bravo Indochina Tours
20% Off
From
US$1,079per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Active
5 Day Chauffeur Driven Tuk Tuk Adventure in Chiang Mai
5.0 (4 traveler reviews)
"This was the experience of a lifetime for our family, and we have many photos to cherish."
Kimiko, traveled in August
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern ThailandChiang Mai+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
The Tuk Tuk Club
20% Off
From
US$801per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Active
A stunning 11 day Tuk Tuk Adventure in Northern Thailand
5.0 (32 traveler reviews)
"Awesome trip. A lot of fun driving around the mountain roads in northern Thailand."
Kirsten, traveled in January
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon, Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, Pai
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern ThailandMae Hong Son+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
The Tuk Tuk Club
20% Off
From
US$1,877per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Active
A 5 Day Tuk Tuk Adventure in beautiful Chiang Mai
4.9 (17 traveler reviews)
"Fantastic experience. Opened my eyes to places I never thought I'd see."
DebraHetherington, traveled in July
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern ThailandChiang Mai+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
The Tuk Tuk Club
20% Off
From
US$801per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Active
Northern Thailand Discovery 7 Days
4.5 (13 traveler reviews)
"The vehicles were comfortable. Odynovo delivered everything that they promised."
Assie, traveled in April
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon, Mae Hong Son, Pai
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Thailand
Operated in
English, German,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Bravo Indochina Tours
20% Off
From
US$1,039per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
5 Days in Chiang Mai including Chiang Rai Temples: White Temple, Blue Temple & Black House and More
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Dao
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern ThailandGolden Triangle Southeast AsiaChiang Mai+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
20% Off
From $427
US$341per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Hiking & Trekking
Northern Thailand Hilltribes Trek
4.8 (35 traveler reviews)
"The experience was incredible and I feel very blessed to have seen this part of the word and had such an experience."
Ryan, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Northern ThailandGolden Triangle Southeast AsiaChiang Mai+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
17% Off
From $469
US$389per person
Price based on Shared Room
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