Hike to Wat Pha Lat, the hidden forest temple on Doi Suthep. This secret temple is a beautiful haven of peace, in a garden with beautiful statues.
Then visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the Buddhist temple draped in gold. Overlooking the city from its mountain throne, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of northern Thailand's most sacred temples, and a beautiful example of northern Thai architecture. From the temple you can enjoy a panoramic view over the city.
Pick up from hotels in the center of Chiang Mai by a typical ‘songtaew’ or ‘rot sii daeng’ (a converted pick-up truck with two rows of back benches).
The songtaew drops us at the starting point of the Monk’s Trail where we begin our hike to Wat Pha Lat.
Wat Pha Lat is the jungle temple of Chiang Mai and it is also the finishing point of the popular Monk's Trail, an ancient pilgrimage route.
This hike is along a trail that for many years has been used by monks to ascend Doi Suthep (Suthep Mountain) enroute to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple. It takes between 30 and 45 minutes to hike the Monk's Trail to Wat Pha Lat.
Wat Pha Lat, the secret jungle temple, was built in 1355 and with its old stone buildings, intricate carvings and statues, and plenty of breathtaking places to meditate, it’s clear why people claim Wat Pha Lat is a hidden gem in Chiang Mai.
From Wat Pha Lat we continue by songtaew to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in Thailand and a must-see for anyone visiting Chiang Mai. The temple can be reached via the so-called ‘dragon staircase’, a staircase with more than 300 steps flanked by a ‘Naga’: a mythical serpent with seven heads. Instead of walking to the top, you can also take the cable car (fee not included).
Once you are at the temple grounds you will see statues, pagodas, shrines, bells and Buddhist drawings inside. The original chedi (also called stupa or pagoda, a conical structure in which sacred relics are kept) covered with copper is the most sacred part of the temple. You will learn more about the history of this temple and the meaning of the paintings on the wall, depicting the life of Buddha.
Overlooking Chiang Mai from its lofty perch, 1053 meters above sea level, the temple is best visited on days free of cloud or heat haze; the view of the city, and the Ping valley beyond, is breathtaking.
Afterwards the ‘songtaew’ will bring you back to your hotel or the meeting point in the city.
Pick up/Meeting point:
- Pick up and drop off from hotels in our regular pick up area (the inner city or just outside).
- If your accommodation is outside our regular pick up area, you need to come to the meeting point: in front of the Burger King at Thapae Gate (Pratu Thapae).
Highlights
- Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in Thailand
- Enjoy the jaw-dropping view over Chiang Mai city
- Hike the Monk's Trail to Wat Pha Lat, the hidden forest temple
Note
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the Monk's Trail Hike to Wat Pha Lat.
- The Monk’s Trail hike is not that strenuous and doable for anyone with a normal fitness level.
Guests who are not able to do the hike uphill/downhill, can go with the 'songtaew'.
- For the early morning slot (5:00 hrs in the morning) we start with a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. After sunrise we continue by ‘songtaew’ to Wat Pha Lat from where we hike the Monk’s Trail downhill.
- Remember that temples are sacred places and visitors are required to dress appropriately. Shoulders and knees need to be covered.
No flip-flops/slippers, leggings, too tight clothes or revealing tops, otherwise you won't be allowed in.
- Entrance fee for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (THB 30 per person) is not included and must be paid cash on day of the tour.
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157 Comments
5
A great experience with a great guide
As I was traveling alone, I chose this tour to avoid all the logistics of getting to and from, and it looks like the chinese fortunetelling I received in the temple on top of the hill turned out to be true as I was the only one this specific tour, meaning I basically got a private tour by myself.
Malee was an excellent guide with good knowledge of everything from local traditions to the more historic side of the sites we visited.
I opted for the 4PM tour, which I think was a good thing as it had up been towards 40C earlier that day, which meant that the 30 min hike at the beginning was really not bad at all, especially when the canopy covered us from the sun.
After visiting the first temple, we were picked up and driven to the top, which only had the stairs with 300 steps, at which point the sun was starting to set. As it had rained the day before, we were able to get a full view over the city.
In summary, I really felt that I got my money’s worth for this tour, and then some.
5
Entrancing Temple Tour at Twilight
My friend and I had an unforgettable temple tour experience. Although the city was very hot (around 104 F/40 C), the weather cooled as we hiked up the mountain. We chose the 4 pm start time, which was a smart option for combatting the heat. The hike was only 30 minutes and not too strenuous at all. No mosquitos or snakes to worry about, but we saw lots of cute little lizards! The temples were gorgeous and full of friendly dogs that are being taken care of by the monks. The views at sunset and twilight were beautiful.
Our wonderful experience was guided by Malee! She was very informative, knowledgeable, and kind. She introduced lots of local tidbits about the temple’s practices and the surrounding natural landscape to enrich our tour experience. She was very accommodating and attentive; she answered our questions and even dropped us off at a night market so we could find a local dish we mentioned we wanted to try.
We have so many great memories thanks to Malee, and we recommend this tour to any visitors wanting an enriching cultural experience of Chiang Mai!