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Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: Our most recommended tours and activities

Doi Suthep Temple & Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip.

1. Doi Suthep Temple & Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip.

Experience an ethical elephant estate and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on this outdoor adventure tour from Chiang Mai. Interact with the elephants in the forest and feed them treats, enjoy a Thai meal, and visit a temple on top of the mountain. Begin your trip with hotel pickup and a scenic journey to a private elephant estate where you'll get to be their caretaker for half a day. Upon arrival, walk to the main base camp located up the hill and get changed into an elephant caretaker outfit. Hear about the long history of Asian elephants 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 lush forest. Continue with elephant bathing in the river and say farewell to your new, big friends before taking some time to enjoy an authentic Thai lunch. Taste dishes with rice and a selection of fresh tropical fruits. With a full stomach, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep next, a temple situated on the top of a mountain. You can reach the top by walking up or using the elevator. At the top, see a golden chedi and terrace adorned with small shrines, breadfruit trees, rock gardens, and an Emerald Buddha statue. Round off your day on the mountaintop with breathtaking views of the greenery below, followed by drop-off back at your hotel.

Doi Suthep, Wat Umong & Wat Pha Lat Sunrise Small-Group Tour

2. Doi Suthep, Wat Umong & Wat Pha Lat Sunrise Small-Group Tour

Begin your morning tour by climbing the 306 steps up to Doi Suthep Temple with your local guide. Bask in the golden rays of sunrise after conquering the staircase and take photos of the unrivaled view of the city of Chiang Mai.  Then, stand in the shadow of the golden Kruba Srivichai Monument, named after the Thai Buddhist monk and engineer of many temples and roads. Gain an insight into how the monks live and choose to make a merit (offering) with them.  Head to Wat Pha Lat, a hidden temple in the lush jungle. Admire the serene statues, shrines, and surrounding nature.  Wrap up your half-day tour with a stop at Wat Umong, a 700-year old temple built back in 1297. Explore the forest and underground tunnels. Marvel at the architecture of the chedi.

Private Doi Suthep Temple and Sticky Waterfall Tour

3. Private Doi Suthep Temple and Sticky Waterfall Tour

Get picked up from your hotel or accommodation in Chiang Mai and drive up the curvy mountain roads to Doi Suthep - Pui National Park. You will visit the most important temple here. Walk up 306 steps (or, if you prefer an easier method, take a funicular ride) to the temple, which sits at 1,100 meters above sea level. The famous golden pagoda is stunning and the temple contains the relic of the Lord Buddha. Here, you'll also have the chance to get a holy blessing from a Buddhist monk and participate in a wrist tiding ceremony. From the balcony, enjoy a panoramic view of Chiang Mai. Next, you'll continue to Bua Tong waterfalls. Swim around the clear water or climb the "sticky" limestone and enjoy the gorgeous natural scenery.

Chiang Mai: 4-Hour Wat Umong and Doi Suthep Evening Tour

4. Chiang Mai: 4-Hour Wat Umong and Doi Suthep Evening Tour

Be picked up from your hotel in Chiang Mai city center and go on a short drive to Wat Umong temple in the late afternoon. At this time of day, the crowds are few and views are prime. Upon arrival, explore the underground tunnels, bask in the beauty of the temple, and enjoy the forest surroundings. It is said that the trees in this forest have words of wisdom for those who pass by. After Wat Umong, the next stop is Doi Suthep temple. At this ornate structure, which is reached by a 306-step staircase, enjoy a beautiful sunset that lights up the golden temple. Also, take in the spectacular views of Chiang Mai at night from the summit of the mountain. Join a traditional ceremony performed by the temple's monks at the Golden Pagoda. After an afternoon spent exploring Chiang Mai’s temples and enjoying the sunset over the city, be returned to your hotel.

Chiang Mai: 6-Hour Doi Pui National Park Summit Hike

5. Chiang Mai: 6-Hour Doi Pui National Park Summit Hike

After being picked up in the morning from your hotel in Chiang Mai city, you will head towards your local hiking adventure. 2 hours after beginning your ascent, you will reach Wat Doi Suthep at the 1,100 meter mark. Here you will start to traverse through highland jungle and the old Hmong Hill Tribe Village near the summit of Doi Pui which you will reach after your 3rd hour. After a hearty lunch at the village and an approximate 1-hour climb, you will tackle the summit of Doi Pui peak. Here we get to enjoy 180 degrees views of the Mae Ping Valley. The trip will be completed by a climb with a 30-minute downhill stroll to the Doi Pui Camp grounds ,where your ride back awaits you. Refreshed with cold drinks and snacks, you will then head back to the comfort of Chiang Mai, but not before making a stop at Wat Suthep to marvel at this rich temple which was built centuries ago in 1383.

Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep & Inthanon National Park Day Tour

6. Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep & Inthanon National Park Day Tour

Start your day of adventure at 8:00 AM when your private guide and driver picks you up from your hotel. You'll drive through the west of Chiang Mai to the Doi Suthep Temple, the most famous landmark in Chiang Mai and a sacred site among the locals. Thai people say you haven’t truly been to Chiang Mai if you haven't visited Doi Suthep. At the top of the temple, marvel at the shining gold and jeweled pagoda made in the Lanna architecture style. Listen to the chanting of the monks while you admire the panoramic views of the whole city of Chiang Mai from the viewing platform.  Next, you'll head to Doi Inthanon National Park where Thailand's highest peak is located. The area is covered by lush green preserved forests and has become one of the country's best parks. Stop at the halfway point up to the peak where you can admire the beautiful Wachirathan Waterfall and enjoy the flavors the real Thai food for lunch. After lunch, continue the drive up the mountain and enjoy the amazing views along the way. At the summit, visit the King, and Queen Pagoda and the beautiful surrounding gardens.  On the return trip, you'll make a final stop at a local market on the way down the mountain before heading back to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

4-Hour Doi Suthep & Hmong Hill Tribe Village from Chiang Mai

7. 4-Hour Doi Suthep & Hmong Hill Tribe Village from Chiang Mai

Depart Chiang Mai and travel to the temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on Doi Suthep mountain. Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims who climb up 309 steps to the stupa on the hilltop. Get spectacular views of Chiang Mai city and its surroundings. Then, visit a village and museum of the ethnic Hmong hill tribe, located inside the boundaries of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Learn more about the life of the tribe, known for their colorful costumes and handicraft traditions. Return to Chiang Mai and get dropped off at your hotel.

Chiang Mai Top Temples & Handicraft Center Private Day Tour

8. Chiang Mai Top Temples & Handicraft Center Private Day Tour

Enjoy a day visiting Chiang Mai's ancient temples and a handicraft center to see craftsmen at work. The first stop is the 14th-century Wat Chediluang, in the heart of old city. Continue to Wat Phra Sing, the city's most venerated temple. Its smaller worship hall is a fine example of Lanna architecture. Afterwards, visit Wat Chiang Man, the first temple in Chiang Mai built by King Mangrai. Enjoy authentic Thai food for lunch before visiting the Doi Suthep Temple, perched on a mountaintop at 3,520 feet above sea level. Head to the Sankampaeng handicraft center to see silk weaving and to visit silverware, lacquerware, ceramics and jewelry factories.

Doi Suthep National Park: Beginner Downhill Bike Ride

9. Doi Suthep National Park: Beginner Downhill Bike Ride

This tour offers the most scenic and popular downhill mountain bike ride in Chiang Mai. Your day kicks off with transfer from your hotel at 9:30 AM and a comprehensive safety and bike fit-out briefing. After a 45-minute drive to the top of Doi Pui Mountain, you’ll take a short test ride to get comfortable with the equipment.   Finally ready, you’ll head off towards Hill Top Coffee Plantation along a small jeep track. If you’re a beginner, your guide will help you with your downhill riding techniques. Follow the track covered by spectacularly large tree canopies to enjoy the cooler temperatures before arriving at the first resting point. Take a break and maybe try a cup of local coffee as you soak in the mountain air and views! Home to the friendly Hmong Hill Tribe People, you will witness the rural living and farming in Northern Thailand’s mountains.   The second route you will take requires your full attention, as the wild growth of the forest hugs the track. For advanced riders, there are single tracks paralleling the moderately challenging jeep route to get their technical single-track fix (advanced riders know what I'm talking about!). There will be plenty of fantastic viewpoints for rest stops and lightly mixed terrain to challenge you as your ride continues down towards Lake Huay Tueng Tao at the base of the mountain. Arriving at the lake, you’ll enjoy a dip if you like, a well-deserved meal and amazing views of the mountain that just gave you an awesome 3+ hour mountain bike descent adventure. Then it’s time to head back to Chiang Mai, the lazy way: by truck, which will have you back around 3:30 PM.

Doi Suthep Hill Tribe Village and Evening Buddhist Service

10. Doi Suthep Hill Tribe Village and Evening Buddhist Service

Benefit from pickup at your hotel in Chiang Mai, and then depart for Doi Suthep and Pui Mountain. Arrive at Doi Suthep Temple to transfer to a small truck that will take you into the mountains to a remote Hmong Hill Tribe village. Learn how the locals still live connected to nature, and get some free time to explore the village on your own, including the primary school and its compound. Relax with an afternoon coffee or tea before heading back to Doi Suthep Temple. Follow your guide through the historic complex, and get lots of information about the ideals and beliefs behind Buddhism. Attend an evening service at the temple to get better acquainted with the beliefs, bathed in golden light.

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What people are saying about Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 961 reviews

Our tour guide Sam was a really great guide for group of four people, and made it a personal and teaching experience. I can only recommend the tour to anyone who is interested in impressing temples and a view behind the scenes. My pickup in the morning was smooth and the van was even a few minutes early, and we went straight to Doi Suthep. Even though it was a bit hazy on top when sunrise came around, the view was still impressive. The hidden temple Wat Pha Lhat was super beautiful as well, lying like a little oasis in the forest. The days after I caught myself in many "Did you know...?" moments with fellow travellers that didn't join, so you definitely learn a lot! Big recommendation!

This was such a fun tour. Our guide was so kind, funny, and enthusiastic! She explained all kinds of things about Thai culture, food, and beliefs that I would have never thought to ask about. Beautiful temples and great service. 100% would recommend this trip to anyone.

Great guide - really friendly - challenging walk but great fun - would recommend

It was fantastic! Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. Thank you!

Great trip - just the right amount of time and content.