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 ‘songthaew’ or ‘rot sii daeng’ (a converted pick-up truck with two rows of back benches).
The songthaew 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 songthaew 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 ‘songthaew’ 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
- This tour is operated with a ‘songthaew’, a modified pick-up truck with two rows of bench seats in its open-air back (so not with an air-conditioned vehicle!).
- For the 5:00 hrs time slot, we first visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, then Wat Pha Lat, and from there we walk the Monk’s Trail downhill. For the other two time slots, we start with the hike uphill to Wat Pha Lat.
- The Monk’s Trail is generally considered an easy hike (30-45 minutes) for people in normal physical condition. However, parts of the path are uneven and may be slightly steep or slippery, especially after rain.
While most participants complete the hike without difficulty, some guests may find it a bit more strenuous. This tour is not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
- Remember that temples are sacred places and visitors are required to dress appropriately. Shoulders and knees need to be covered.
No leggings, too tight clothes or revealing tops, otherwise entry may be denied.
- Entrance fees for the Monk's Trail/Wat Pha Lat (THB 100 per person) Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (THB 50 per person) are not included and must be paid cash on day of the tour.
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157 Comments
5
Great Trip
It was such a nice trip! We saw the sun rising above the mountains from the temple’s viewpoint and went hiking in the jungle. The taxi driver was about 20 minutes late in the morning, but the great tour guide made up for it! We will definitely come back again!
5
Fantastic guide!! Great day out 🙂
Our tour guid Samran was so lovely and very knowledgeable about everything we saw, even on the trail, it was great learning from him. We saw so much for a very reasonable price. All in all it was a fantastic day and I would definitely recommend!
5
Amazing Experience!
We booked this tour on short notice and it was amazing. Very well organized, awesome story telling, open, friendly, and smart. After a nice hike through the forest, where we learned a lot about local flora and fauna, we experienced the temples and got to know a lot about the history of Buddhism and the life of the monks.
Plus we enjoyed the beautiful view over Chiang Mai. Highly recommended!
5
Hiking and temples. A great afternoon!
I had a fantastic afternoon with Wuthikorn (also known as Boy!) He picked me up on time from the hotel, and we drove out in a songthaew to the start of the Monks Trail hiking route that leads to the beautiful hidden temple Wat Pha Lat. The hike is not difficult, a few steep bits, but worth it, and beautiful. We then got a ride up to the incredible temple Wat Doi Suthep. Stunning! And fascinating to wander around. Wuthikorn was a really interesting guide, he loves to explains Thai culture and the Buddhist religion. I feel I learned a lot. He also showed me how to take better selfies on my phone so thanks for that too! A lovely afternoon.
5
Doi Suthep
Our guide Sam was excellent very informative with a good sense of humour. On the hike the walking sticks Sam gave us helped.