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.
+3
157 Comments
5
This tour is worth your money!!
Tik was such an amazing guide. Getting to know details about the temple in such a passionate and funny way was really the highlight!! The sunrise was so worth it, it was breathtaking. Plus you’re avoiding the big crowds by going so early!
5
Chiang Mai temples
Our guide was very helpful and considerate. He successfully arranged logistics and provided great information about the temples we visited .
5
Wonderful Sunrise views!
This was a great experience for those who are wanting to see a couple temples and beautiful views. We did the 5am sunrise tour which was well worth the early rise. Saman was our guide for the day who was very kind and Knowledgeable. We were able to stop and buy snacks for us and the monks before heading on the drive. If he takes any photos of you along the way he will send them to you afterwards. Thank you Saman for a memorable morning 😊
5
Tik is the best guide ever!!!
We met Tik, our guide from WanderSiam, in the morning outside of our hostel, and as soon as we began talking with him on the ride to Doi Suthep we knew we were going to have a fantastic day. On the drive, Tik answered all of our questions about local wildlife, Thai culture, and Buddhist customs in a way that was both entertaining (he is hilarious!) and informative. We learned more about Thailand with him then we did with all of our other tour guides combined!
At Doi Suthep, Tik was very attentive and made sure that we had everything we needed. The temples that we saw were breathtakingly beautiful and are a must-see for anyone visiting the region. Beautiful as they were, we would not have had nearly as deep of an understanding or appreciation of the spectacular art and architecture without Tik’s guidance and thorough explanation. He told us about the cultural significance of every part of the temple’s design, from the center tower covered in gold to the statues adorning the exterior of Wat Pra That. And all along the way, he set up and took fantastic pictures of our group! They were better than anything we would have taken ourselves, and without him we would never have had thought to even visit certain nooks and crannies that ended up having fantastic views of the surrounding valleys and the city of Chiang Mai.
On the drive up I had also mentioned to Tik that I really wanted to find a couple of insects native to the north of Thailand to photograph. Even though this wasn’t part of the tour, Tik pointed out tons of incredible wildlife along every path we took through the jungle. I was touched and incredibly appreciative of the extra time that he took to help me personally enjoy my time at Doi Suthep as much as possible. What’s more, I could tell that he enjoyed it as well. I truly cannot say how special our time was on Doi Suthep with Tik, he made a wonderful trip into an unforgettable experience. When we asked him about his favorite food in Chiang Mai, he recommended a restaurant and even dropped us off there at our request! And the food was incredible! He was so wonderful that we practically begged to have him as our guide again 2 days later when we visited Doi Inthanon!
Doi Suthep is a fantastic place and anyone visiting Chiang Mai should go explore it. But know that you really want have the full experience unless you have Tik with you!
5
Great tour! Learnt a lot!
Amy was a great host! Had a good time with her and she is so patient. The hike was all uphill but she walked at a slow pace to accomodate everyone. Learnt lots about Pagoda’s and temples in the region!