The 15 Best Waterfall Trips in Chiang Mai

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9,160 reviews · 9 hours · from $60Our pick

Travel from Chiang Mai to Pon Elephant Thailand for a guided day with rescued elephants. Feed bananas, walk through the forest, bathe with them, swim at Mae Wang Waterfalls, eat a Thai lunch, and float down the Mae Wang River on a bamboo raft. Guides such as Nop, Paul, Yaya, and Sunny add local insight and help with photos.

“Other than my wedding this was one of the best days of my life! Got to cuddle my favourite animal. The sanctuary was so well run. They really care for them and I learnt so many things I didn’t know. Can’t recommend this tour enough ❤️”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5,780 reviews · 7 hours · from $50

Travel about 80 minutes from Chiang Mai to Pon Elephant Thailand in Mae Wang. Feed, touch, and walk beside rescued elephants, learn their stories from an English-speaking guide such as Beer, Yaya, or Nop, and help cool them in the river. After lunch, hike to Mae Wang Waterfall for a swim or a cool break.

“Beer was such a great tour guide & very patient! Knowledgeable & welcoming. Our group had such a great time, awesome experience!!! WooHoo shout out to Beer!!! Until next time :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,262 reviews · 9 hours · from $63

Spend nine hours outside Chiang Mai feeding and bathing elephants, visiting a Karen long-neck village, eating a Thai lunch, and climbing Buatong Sticky Waterfall. Guides such as Fluke, Amy, Tiger, and Paul are praised for clear English and careful timing. Expect a busy but varied day, with swimming clothes needed for the river and falls.

“Brilliant Day! our tour guide Fluke was very knowledgeable, entertaining and looked after us very well! it was the highlight of our Thailand trip so far don't hesitate to book!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Doi Inthanon Waterfall and Royal Project Chiang Mai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,735 reviews · from $50Top rated

Spend 8 to 9 hours exploring Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai with an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, lunch, and bottled water. See Wachirathan Falls, a Karen village, Hmong market, Ang Ka Trail, Thailand’s highest point, and the Twin Royal Stupas. Small groups are limited to nine people.

“Tour guide Ize did a great job coordinating the tour and explaining concepts of things in the itinerary (e.g. historical events)”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Chiang Mai: Sticky Waterfall & Angel Waterfall Park Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,371 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $41

Spend 6 to 8 hours visiting two very different Chiang Mai attractions. Climb the mineral-coated rocks of Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall, then stroll through Dan Tewada Land of Angels, a man-made park with misty paths, gardens, caves, cafés, rabbits, and goats. Guides such as Avi, Nine, Lily, and Amy are known for safety help and taking photos.

“We had a lovely guide and a really good time. Both places were a bit crowded but I guesthid can't be avoided in the high season. Literally a refreshing activity”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Chiang Mai: Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall & Huge Cave & Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,049 reviews · from $30

Travel by air-conditioned van from Chiang Mai to Bua Tong Cave, Sticky Waterfall, and Nam Phu Chet Si. Your English-speaking guide, often Kim, Tono, John, or another local guide, leads the cave climb, shows you the safest route up the limestone falls, takes photos, and serves a Thai buffet lunch.

“We loved it. The guide was very nice and supportive. He took our phones at the waterfalls and took pictures. We loved it”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Bamboo Rafting and Waterfall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 870 reviews · from $58

Spend about eight hours visiting Bua Thong’s climbable waterfall, New Elephant Home in Mae Tang Valley, and a bamboo rafting camp. The elephant program centers on welfare, forest walks, and no riding. Guides such as Paul, Fluke, and Mr. Poppy are known for clear explanations and hands-on help, though the waterfall needs steady footing.

“Paul was the guide for today's adventure. It started with a trip to the waterfalls, followed by the trip to New Elephant Home, and then the bamboo raft excursion. Paul took care of us, and gave us lots of information and what to expect. He was knowledgeable about the elephants and was always willing to help take pictures for everyone in the group during the entire trip. Paul took care of the admission fees/tickets. The length of time at both waterfall and elephant sanctuary was the right amount of time. By going to the waterfall first, we were able to enjoy more time with the elephants with less people around.…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Chiang Mai Half Day Tour: Sticky Waterfall & Hotel Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 611 reviews · 4h 30m

Ride from Chiang Mai to Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls with an English-speaking driver, then explore on your own for about two hours. Limestone deposits give the rocks a rough, grippy surface, so you can climb the falls instead of simply viewing them. Morning departures offer cooler weather and fewer crowds. Bring swimwear or a change of clothes, a towel, and motion-sickness tablets if needed.

“Cool, slightly crowded so maybe the earlier time would have been better, the food and drink at the cafe were also very cheap.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon, Waterfalls, & Tribal Villages Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 484 reviews · 10 hours · from $36

Spend 10 hours traveling from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak. You’ll visit Wachirathan or Sirithan Waterfalls, the King and Queen Pagodas, forest trails, and Karen and Hmong communities. English and Thai guides may include Bobo, Choo, PJ, or Nammy. Lunch and hotel pickup are included, but park and pagoda fees cost extra.

“It was perfectly organized, and we got to see beautiful spots! Would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Chiang Mai: Ethical Half Day Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 450 reviews · 7 hours · from $54

Travel from Chiang Mai to Joy Elephant Sanctuary in Mae Wang for a 7-hour, English-guided visit focused on observation, not riding or bathing. Feed elephants, watch them forage, walk beside the herd, relax at a waterfall, enjoy Pad Thai and tea, then make a Thai herbal inhaler to take home.

“What an amazing way to see the elephants at this sanctuary. Well cared for and great to see them doing what they want to do. X”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep Temple and Waterfall by Songtaew Trio

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 429 reviews · from $13Best value

Travel by open-sided songthaew from Chiang Mai to Huay Kaew Waterfall, forested Wat Pha Lat, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. You explore independently while an English-speaking driver handles the winding mountain roads. Small groups are available, and quiet time slots may become private rides, often with drivers such as Mr Dang.

“You start your journey in the old city and the driver drives you to 3 spots. You have enough time to explore everything by yourself.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall & Royal Project Day Tour From Chiang Mai

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 352 reviews · from $31

Spend about eight hours exploring Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai in a small group of up to 15. Visit Thailand’s highest point, two waterfalls, the King and Queen Pagodas, and Baan Mae Klang Luang, with lunch, hotel pickup, and guides such as Paula, Oil, and Mr. Yak. Expect scenic stops, cultural visits, and limited serious hiking.

“Bus was on time the day was packed with lots to see. The two waterfalls were amazing and flowing very well. The king and queen pagodas were amazing to see and I would recommend this Tour to families.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.8 hour Sticky waterfall, ATV and White water rafting Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 308 reviews · from $110

Spend about eight hours outside Chiang Mai with guide support, hotel pickup, a limestone Sticky Waterfall, an ATV ride through roads and jungle tracks, and 4 km of level 3 to 4 rafting. Guides such as Joe, Mr. B, and Mr. K are praised for clear instructions and friendly help. Thai lunch, water, transport, fees, and local insurance are included.

“If you want a funpacked adventure squeezed in one day you should definitely try this trip. You can expect about an hour of ATV ride amongst elephants, a beginner friendly but thrill rafting on the nearby river a nice meal for lunch and the stickRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 301 reviews

Spend a full day in Doi Inthanon National Park with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, waterfalls, mountain viewpoints, Thailand’s highest point, the King and Queen Pagodas, a Karen village, lunch, and round-trip transport. Guides such as Alex, Billy, Nammy, and New are praised for making the long day friendly and informative.

“jacke is a fantastic guide! tahnk you for your patience and teaching us so many things!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Chiang Mai: Dantewada Land of Angels & Sticky Waterfall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 278 reviews · 5 hours · from $54

Travel from Chiang Mai with an English-speaking guide such as Kiki, Chris, or Didi to Dantewada Land of Angels and Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls. Explore gardens, caves, pools, and photo spots before climbing the limestone falls with hands-on help. The five-hour small-group tour includes transport, tickets, water, and hotel pickup.

“Kiki was a great guide. He picked us up promptly, was very informative and super friendly. We had a great day.”

Check availability →Read our full review