RIVER TRIPS · CHIANG MAI RIVER CRUISES
Every trip has one free day too few. These 13 chiang mai river cruises justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Ride a traditional long-tail boat along the Mae Ping River, then stop at a family farm for herbal tea, local plants, ice cream, and optional Khao soi or Pad Thai. Hotel pickup is available in central Chiang Mai, and groups are limited to 10.
“From start to finish, a great experience. Very informative guide. Food was delicious!”
Start with hotel pickup around 5:45 to 6 PM, then follow a guide such as A, AJ, Aidon, or Jo Jo down the Ping River. This gentle two-hour trip runs from Wat Taa-Luk toward Nawarat Bridge, with safety gear, calm current, riverside music, and city views.
“Was really fun and adventurous. 2 hours sounds long but it flew by and it was really therapeutic. Was just me and wife and we had a great time, Aidon was an amazing instructor and very accommodating. Would highly recommend and would definitely do it again!”
Leave Chiang Mai by fat-tire e-bike for a guided ride through rice paddies, orchards, villages, and temple sites. The mostly flat route reaches Wat Ton Kwen, the Ping River, and Wat Chang Nam. Guides such as Hockey and Name provide instruction, local context, food, helmets, gloves, water, and lunch on morning trips.
“Great experience, easy ride on a quality e-bike through Countryside outside the city in a small group. Our leader, Naem, was knowledgeable and friendly. We would use the company again.”
Leave Chiang Mai at 8:30 a.m. for Chiang Dao Valley, where guides such as Aidan teach you to handle a hard-shell kayak before you paddle through bamboo, creeks, and wetlands. The five-hour outing includes lunch, hotel transport, safety gear, water, and a support truck.
“Had a fantastic jungle kayak adventure with guide Aidan today - a wonderful mix of drifting along and navigating some rapids! I was new to using a one-person kayak but Aidan took the time to explain what to do both before we got in the wRead more”
Spend a full day rafting the Mae Taeng River from Chiang Mai. Expect Class III and IV rapids, a safety practice session, jungle views, lunch, hotel pickup, and time to shower afterward. Guides such as O, Deer, and John have been praised for their humor, care, and strong English.
“O was so friendly and helpful. Really enjoyed the activity even though it wasn’t a full river with big rapids. There were times to relax and also for the adrenaline to pump”
Spend a full day on the Mae Taeng River with guides such as Mike, Tomy, and Tom, tackling rapids, jungle scenery, and rice fields in a group capped at 15. The day also includes protective gear, Thai food, hotel pickup, and a waterfall visit with a natural slide.
“There are just too many everything about the day in my opinion was outstanding every person that worked with the crew of the white wire rafting team were just perfect”
You’ll tube for about 1.3 hours on the Mae Taeng River, often passing elephants and water buffalo near Elephant Nature Park, then hike to Saa Gee Waterfall for a natural rock slide. Guides such as Bang and Jack lead the trip, with showers, snacks, and return transport included.
“This excursion was our favourite. Everything was great. It will be a memory we hold dear to our hearts forever. Can’t recommend this adventure enough:) It was a 10/10!”
Take on Mae Taeng River’s Grade 3 and 4 rapids with guides such as Tom, Tommy, Mike, or Ann. Your day includes Chiang Mai hotel pickup, safety gear, a riverside Thai buffet, and a waterfall stop with a natural rock slide. Children ages 7 to 12 may join, but must skip the 2km Class IV section.
“Amazing experience. On the River, surrounded by all Nature, Expert guide. Delicious lunch and incredible slide in the waterfall. All perfect. Thank you so much, all the best Arianna”
Leave Chiang Mai for Wat Ban Den, then cycle about 20 kilometers through rice fields and villages before kayaking the Ping River in the Mae Taeng Forest Reserve. Guides such as A keep the pace friendly, with single or double kayaks, lunch, water, safety gear, and hotel pickup included.
“This is such a peaceful day out. Cycling through the countryside, stopping for snacks at a local market. We finished our bike ride by the river & transitioned to kayaks. We were given a choice of single or double kayaks. We loved watching the Read more”
You’ll learn to steer a single or double kayak with guide Twee and the Chiang Mai Mountain Biking & Kayaks team, then paddle the gentle Mae Ping River past water buffalo, fishermen, birds, and forest reserve scenery. Pickup, lunch, gear, water, and support are included.
“If you are looking for a serene trip to experience north Thailand nature, this is the tour to go! Kayaking was really beautiful and great view of mountains, definitely recommend in December. Also the Chiang Dao is the perfect cherry on top. Shoutout to Twee and the tour guides 🔥”
Spend a full day kayaking the Mae Ping River from Chiang Mai, with a safety briefing, single or double kayak, rural views, birds, lunch, and a shaded forest finish. Hotel pickup, water, safety gear, and a support truck are included. A 150 baht river fee and insurance charge are extra.
“This is the second time I've used this company and it was great both times. Everything is super organized. Our guide was so kind and helpful and we had a blast. Pick up is prompt from you hotel. You have to do a quick check in at the office. Then you drive in a van to the starting spot and learn how to kayak! We opted for the longer kayaking as we had already done the caves. It was just me, my partner and the guide for this part. Our guide was so patient and friendly. We stopped off for a delicious lunch before heading back to Chiang Mai. Thank…”
You’ll leave Chiang Mai at 8:30 am for the Mae Wang Valley, learn paddling and safety skills, then choose a white-water kayak or sit-on-top boat. Expect Class I and II rapids, elephant camps, jungle wildlife, riverside lunch, and optional Class III and IV rapids for experienced paddlers.
“Just a great day White water Kayaking, in a very scenic place, with lovely people, But be prepared for lots of horse fly attacks”
Spend about eight hours riding an electric bike through Chiang Mai’s rice fields, orchards, villages, and Ping River countryside. The route is mostly flat with some hills, and includes Wat Ton Kwen, Hang Dong, lesser-known stops, lunch, equipment, insurance, and hotel pickup.
“What a great way to spend a day! I had a wonderful time cycling round the countryside with my guide. The bikes are great (the battery makes the hilly bits easy). Lunch was a welcome break. We got information about the places we stoppRead more”
An hour, an evening, a set of rapids or a week aboard.
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