Tour overview

This 4-day short break is an independent trip without a tour leader: the activities run with local partners on a join-in basis. You stay three nights in a Chiang Mai hotel, with breakfast daily and one lunch.

You climb the 300 Naga steps to Doi Suthep, the temple above the city, then join a three-hour cycling tour along back roads to Wat Suan Dok, Wat Umong and the Royal Park Ratchapruek.

Read more

The next day heads north into the hills for a hike to Huay Sathan waterfall and ten kilometres of white-water rafting on the Mae Taeng River, with grade 3 to 5 rapids.

The physical rating is high because of the rafting. This break suits active travellers who want adventure around Chiang Mai.

Trip highlights

  • Doi Suthep and the Naga stairway (Day 2)
  • Cycling to Wat Umong and Wat Suan Dok (Day 2)
  • Huay Sathan waterfall (Day 3)
  • Rafting the Mae Taeng River (Day 3)

Your route

3 stops from Chiang Mai to Mae Taeng

4-day route: Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep – Mae Taeng – Chiang Mai
  1. Chiang Mai Days 1–4
  2. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Day 2
  3. Mae Taeng Day 3

Why choose this tour

Daily departures and a short, affordable trip. Three adventures in three days.

Best suited to

  • Active travellers
  • Short-break seekers
  • Solo travellers
  • Add-ons to a longer Thailand trip
The golden chedi of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Day-by-day itinerary

4 days from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Chiang Mai, Thailand

  1. Day 1 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

    Welcome to Thailand.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Doi Suthep, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Umong Chiang Mai

    Temples by bike.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Huay Sathan Waterfall, Mae Taeng River Mae Taeng

    Waterfall and rapids.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
White-water rafting near Chiang Mai

Where you stay

  • Chiang Mai (3 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 3 nights in a hotel
  • Meals 3 breakfasts and 1 lunch
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Doi Suthep visit
  • Back-road cycling tour
  • Waterfall hike and white-water rafting with safety kit

Not included

  • Flights and departure transfer
  • Meals not included 1 lunch and 3 dinners
  • A tour leader
  • Most lunches and dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A cyclist on a street in Chiang Mai

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a tour leader
  • You are not a confident swimmer
  • You want a relaxed break
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–4 · Lunch: Day 3 · Dinner: none included
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Thailand
The Naga stairway at Doi Suthep

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £305 per person, twin share, tour only. 347 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Thailand?

UK citizens can currently enter Thailand without a visa for short holidays; check the latest rules before travel.

Is there a tour leader?

No. This is an independent trip; activities run with local guides.

How hard is the rafting?

Grade 3 to 5 rapids over about 10 km, with helmets, life jackets and a safety briefing.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast daily and one lunch.

When can I start?

Departures run almost every day.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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