Doi Suthep Temples & Hiking Tour
Chiang Mai
+3
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.
After you made the booking, our team will send a confirmation by email with further instructions. If you do not receive any email in your Inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.
After you made the booking, our team will send a confirmation by email with further instructions. If you do not receive any email in your Inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.
Our team of experienced travel experts have ventured around Southeast Asia and have decades of first-hand travel experiences to share. Contact us now to have all your tour-related questions answered!
OPENING HOURS
PAGE LINKS
TAT license no. 14/03720
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in
157 Comments
5
Very good
The trip is very good
This is a great trip! The tour guide is very professional and explains the entire history and environment in detail! Very happy to participate in this event! Thank you tour guide
5
Super friendly and knowledgable guide – beautiful temples
We had such an amazing guide, Mai Lee was so nice and kind, friendly, knowledgable and made the experience for us really special. We drove up to Doi Suthep where Mai Lee explained many things to us about the temple and traditions. She showed us how to do the Chinese fortune telling sticks, and how to perform various rituals in the temple. She encouraged us to get a blessing from the monk and get a blessed bracelet, she showed us how to do all this properly so we were very at ease! We had photo opportunities for each couple in all the best photo spots. We then drove down to Wat Pha lat. Such a beautiful site! The hike down was easy and only took about 30 mins, we were then driven back to our hotels. Recommend 100%!!
5
Highly knowledgeable experience
Nice friendly, highly knowledgeable, experienced expert tour guide! great tour for half day fantastic history on the Buddhist monks and Thailand
5
Great tour
I’ve did the 5am tour. No regrets waking up early as the tour was absolutely amazing.
Everything was very good organised and our tour guide Sama was very knowledgeable and attentive. Explained everything in detailed, gave us enough time to the pictures etc.
The sunrise was just beautiful, but the second part of the tour (second temple) is just breathtaking.
As it was raining the hike downwards was a bit tricky, but Sama gave us walking sticks which helped us to get us safely to the car.
I can highly recommend the tour especially with Sama, it’s 100% value for money.
5
Amazing experience
Amazing guide very knowledgeable. Insane sunrise and cultural/religious spot. Little hike that you can do very easily with comfy shoes. Definitely recommend