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Chiang Mai itinerary

7 days, hour by hour · ThailandOctober–May

Days
7
Stops
32
Per day
≈ 2,700 THB
First stop
07:30

By TripWalkers · Updated:

Short answer

The TripWalkers Chiang Mai itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 32 stops, hour by hour, for October–May. The first three days:

  1. Day 1 Old City temples
  2. Day 2 Doi Suthep & Nimman
  3. Day 3 Elephant Nature Park

Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 3, 4 and 6 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 2,700 THB a day (excluding accommodation and flights).

Day 1 · 08:00–17:30

Old City temples

  1. Culture

    Wat Phra Singh

    Golden Lanna-style temple with the Lion Buddha; come in the morning to see the monks.

    ≈ 40 THB per person

  2. Culture

    Wat Chedi Luang

    Giant brick stupa from 1391 (partly ruined by an earthquake); join a monk chat in the afternoon.

    ≈ 50 THB per person
  3. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Food

    Khao Soi Khun Yai

    Northern Thailand's coconut curry noodle soup (khao soi); closes at 14:00, Sri Phum.

    ≈ 60 THB per person

  5. Culture

    Three Kings Monument & Lanna Folklife Museum

    The three founding kings and a museum of Lanna culture (air-conditioned).

    ≈ 90 THB per person
  6. 3 h 30 min · travel, break, free time

  7. Landmark

    Tha Phae Gate

    Old city gate with pigeons; on Sundays the Walking Street starts here.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • SP ChickenSkewered grilled chicken (gai yang); next to Wat Phra Singh.
  • Wat Chiang ManThe city's oldest temple (1296); elephant stupa, a stand-in for the museum.

Day 2 · 07:30–20:30

Doi Suthep & Nimman

  1. Culture

    Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

    Mountain temple at 1,000 m; red songthaew 60 THB, 306-step naga staircase, golden stupa and city views, quiet in the morning.

    ≈ 50 THB per person
  2. 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Culture

    Wat Pha Lat

    Hidden temple in the forest; 45-minute descent along the Monk's Trail, waterfall.

    Free
  4. 1 h · travel, break, free time

  5. Shopping

    Nimmanhaemin Road

    Nimman: cafes, One Nimman, Think Park, boutiques.

    Free

  6. Food

    Tong Tem Toh Nimman

    Northern Thai cooking; nam prik ong (pork and tomato chilli dip) and sai oua sausage, expect a queue.

    ≈ 150 THB per person
  7. 3 h 15 min · travel, break, free time

  8. Landmark

    Maya Mall Rooftop Bar

    Sunset and mountain views in Nimman; quick stop.

    ≈ 150 THB per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Ristr8to NimmanAward-winning latte art coffee.
  • Chiang Mai University Ang Kaew LakeCampus lake with mountain views; a stand-in for Nimman.

Day 3 · 08:00–20:00Day trip

Elephant Nature Park

  1. Nature

    Elephant Nature Park

    Sanctuary for rescued elephants; NO riding, feeding and a walk in the river, book online months ahead, vegetarian lunch included, hotel pickup 60 km.

    ≈ 2,500 THB per person

  2. Nature

    Mae Taeng River Viewpoint

    Valley views on the way back; photo stop.

    Free
  3. 2 h 30 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Food

    Huen Phen

    Restaurant in a 1970s Lanna house; khantoke platter, rooms full of antiques.

    ≈ 200 THB per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Elephant Jungle SanctuaryAlternative ethical sanctuary; half day.
  • Dash! Restaurant Old CityThai food in a teak house; a stand-in for Huen Phen.

Day 4 · 08:30–15:00Day trip

Doi Inthanon

  1. Nature

    Doi Inthanon Summit

    Thailand's highest point at 2,565 m; 2 hours by tour or rental car, 10°C in the morning, Ang Ka moss forest trail.

    ≈ 300 THB per person

  2. Landmark

    King & Queen Pagodas

    Twin pagodas and gardens; sea of clouds.

    ≈ 40 THB per person

  3. Nature

    Wachirathan Waterfall

    Thundering 80 m waterfall; rainbows.

    Free

  4. Nature

    Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail

    2.5 km through forest and rice terraces with a Karen village guide; coffee in Mae Klang Luang village.

    ≈ 200 THB per person

  5. Food

    Mae Klang Luang Karen Village

    Lunch on a terrace; village coffee and fish.

    ≈ 100 THB per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Sirithan WaterfallAlternative waterfall; no crowds.
  • Royal Project Inthanon RestaurantRoyal Project agricultural station; trout and strawberries.

Day 5 · 08:30–21:00

Cooking class & Warorot

  1. Food

    Thai Farm Cooking School

    Cooking class on an organic farm; market shopping, 5 dishes (khao soi, curry paste), hotel pickup.

    ≈ 1,500 THB per person
  2. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Shopping

    Warorot Market Kad Luang

    Locals' market; dried fruit, sai oua, Lanna fabrics, Chinatown.

    Free

  4. Landmark

    Wat Ket Karam & Ping River

    Temple and cafes across the river; Wat Ket neighbourhood.

    Free

  5. Food

    Woo Cafe Ping River

    Gallery cafe; riverside.

    ≈ 150 THB per person
  6. 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time

  7. Shopping

    Night Bazaar Chiang Mai

    Chang Khlan night market; open every night, bargain, Kalare food court.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Basil Cookery SchoolClass in the Old City; a stand-in for the farm.
  • Ploen Ruedee Night MarketFood courtyard with live music next to the night market.

Day 6 · 09:00–17:00Day trip

Mae Kampong & Sticky Waterfall

  1. Nature

    Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall

    Climb the limestone 'sticky' waterfall (non-slip); 1 hour north of the city, free.

    Free
  2. 1 h · travel, break, free time

  3. Landmark

    Mae Kampong Village

    Mountain village in the clouds; tea and coffee, wooden houses, Thai villagers.

    Free

  4. Food

    Mae Kampong Village Restaurant

    Local miang (fermented tea leaves) and northern dishes.

    ≈ 100 THB per person

  5. Nature

    Mae Kampong Waterfall

    Seven-tier waterfall in the village; walk.

    Free

  6. Nature

    Flight of the Gibbon Zipline

    Forest zipline (optional, expensive); or the San Kamphaeng hot springs.

    ≈ 3,000 THB per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • San Kamphaeng Hot SpringsFoot soak and boiled eggs at the hot springs; a stand-in for the zipline.
  • Mae Kampong Coffee HouseVillage coffee and miang; a lighter stand-in for the restaurant.

Day 7 · 09:00–13:45

Sunday Walking Street and a gentle goodbye

  1. Culture

    Wat Umong

    Tunnel temple in the forest; monks' sayings hang in the trees.

    Free

  2. Shopping

    Baan Kang Wat Artists' Village

    Wooden workshop village; ceramics, cafe, next to Wat Umong.

    Free

  3. Food

    Khao Soi Mae Sai

    The locals' khao soi; Ratchaphuek.

    ≈ 60 THB per person
  4. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  5. Landmark

    Chiang Mai Airport

    15 minutes from the city by Grab; goodbye.

    ≈ 150 THB per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Sunday Walking Street RatchadamnoenIf it's Sunday: a 1 km handicraft market with temple courtyard food; book a late flight.
  • Blue Diamond Breakfast ClubOld City breakfast and bakery.

Good to know: 6 things that make a Chiang Mai trip easier

  1. Grab (taxi/moto) is cheap; red songthaew 30-60 THB; scooter 250/day (licence needed). The airport is 15 minutes from the city.
  2. November to February is cool and dry (best; Yi Peng lantern festival and Loy Krathong in November); March to April brings burning smoke (air pollution is bad, bring a mask), and the Songkran water fight is in April.
  3. TDAC digital arrival card; Turkish citizens get 60 days visa-free. Bring cash in THB; cards work in malls.
  4. Khao soi 50-70, street food 40-60, restaurant 150-250; elephant park 2,500, cooking class 1,200-1,500; round up tips.
  5. Cover shoulders and knees in temples; NO elephant riding, sanctuaries only. Visit Doi Suthep in the morning and the Sunday Walking Street in the evening.
  6. Coffee culture is in Nimman; Akha Ama, Ristr8to, Graph.

Spending: ≈ 19,000 THB per person for 7 days

  • Food5,000 THB
  • Entry and tours9,000 THB
  • Local transport3,000 THB
  • Other2,000 THB

Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.

We did the planning. You just pick the dates.

TripWalkers rebuilds this route around your number of days, budget and pace — on a map, day by day, in your pocket.

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?

This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 3, 4 and 6; skip it on a short stay.

How much does a day in Chiang Mai cost?

In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 2,700 THB per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.

What time should you start the day in Chiang Mai?

The first stop is at 07:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.

Which season is this itinerary for?

This page covers October–May. There is a separate plan for June–September: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.