Chiang Mai – Chiang Dao Trekking tours 4 Days 3 Nights

Chiang Mai
4 days
North Thailand Tours

Overview

Chiang Dao Trekking tours 4 Days 3 Nights offer an immersive journey into the mountains and local communities of Northern Thailand. Starting from Chiang Mai, the adventure takes you into the Chiang Dao area, where you can experience traditional bamboo rafting on the Tang River before trekking to Paang Daeng Nai, a Palong hill tribe village. Along the way, discover the Royal Project, learn about local agriculture and cuisine, and experience an overnight stay in the village while sharing stories and daily life with the local community.

The trekking adventure continues through lush forests from Baan Paang Daeng Nai to Baan Mae Chon, with opportunities to learn about local plants, bamboo, and the natural environment. The final day takes you through a Lahu village and its fascinating spirit temple before visiting the Chiang Dao Caves and Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park. Combining nature, trekking, cultural encounters, and authentic village experiences, this 4-day journey offers a memorable way to explore Chiang Dao beyond the usual tourist routes.

Highlights

  • Trek through the lush forests and scenic mountains of Chiang Dao
  • Experience a traditional bamboo rafting trip on the Tang River
  • Visit Paang Daeng Nai and Mae Chon, two Palong hill tribe villages
  • Learn about Palong culture, local traditions, and daily village life
  • Discover local plants, bamboo uses, and the natural environment during the trek
  • Visit a fascinating Lahu spirit temple and explore the Chiang Dao Caves
  • Discover the unique papermaking process at Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park
  • Enjoy an authentic homestay-style village experience with local meals and campfire stories

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Chiang Mai Arrival
  • Day 2: Chiang Mai- Palong village (B, L, D)
  • Day 3: Baan Paang Daeng Nai - Baan Mae Chon (B, L, D)
  • Day 4: Ban Mae Chon – Chiang Mai (B, L)

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Itinerary in Details

Day 1: Chiang Mai Arrival

Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be picked up and transfer to your hotel in Chiang Mai. Today you will be free to relax, ready for your trekking tour on the next day.

Day 1: Chiang Mai Arrival

Day 2: Chiang Mai- Palong village (B/L/D)

Bamboo rafting
Your trekking guide will pick you up at your hotel for your Chiang Dao private trekking. We will drive into the mountains. On the way, you'll stop at the Mae Ma Lai market. Your guide will do some shopping for the coming days. He will take you along and will explain about the different ingredients used in the Thai kitchen.
Then, continue to a riverside camp on the Tang River where you will make an experience an traditional raft trip. Continue by car to Chiang Dao where we will start trekking.
 
Royal Project at Paang Daeng Nai
We will start our trek with the hike to the Palong village Paang Daeng Nai, which is part of one of the Royal projects. Here the guide will explain about this agricultural project. Lunch will be at the village. There are only a handful of Palong communities in Northern Thailand. The Palong tribe only recently moved from Myanmar to Thailand. The women wear a distinctive costume mostly in red, with rattan hoops and a silver belt worn around the waist.
 
Overnight at the village
Your guide will introduce you to the Thai kitchen and will explain you about all the different herbs we use for the Thai dishes. After that, you can help him to cook dinner. After dinner, he will take you to one of the local houses to tell you the stories about the daily life of the Palong and the history of the village.
Overnight will be at Palong hill tribe village Baan Paang Daeng Nai

Day 2: Chiang Mai- Palong village (B/L/D)

Day 3: Baan Paang Daeng Nai - Baan Mae Chon (B/L/D)

Great trekking 
Second day of your Chiang Dao private trekking. After the sounds of nature and the locals woke you up, your guide will prepare breakfast. After breakfast, your guide will show you around the village. He will explain about the village shrine and the ‘huja rawl’, the ‘village heart’. After this, we will continue our trek through the forest about 3-4 hours to another Palong village. Your guide will take his time to explain about the natural environment. We will invite you to recognise wild ginger, rattan and the pitcher plant in the forest and tell you all about bamboo and its many uses.
 
Mae Chon, village of the Palong people
We walk out of the forest into the Mae Chon, another Palong village. Once we have arrived in the village, you can rest for a while or spend some time playing with the children. Your guide will prepare your evening meal for you all, and if you like, you can join him to cook dinner. At the campfire after dinner, it’s time to share some more stories with your guide and the local Palong people.
Overnight will be at Palong hill tribe village Baan Mae Chon.
 

Day 3: Baan Paang Daeng Nai - Baan Mae Chon (B/L/D)

Day 4: Ban Mae Chon – Chiang Mai (B/L)

Spirit Temple at Lahu village
Third day of your Chiang Dao private trekking. After the sounds of nature and the locals woke you up, your guide will prepare breakfast. After breakfast, we will trek about 2,5 hours to the Karen village Thakilek. Along the way, we will stop at Lahu village where we will visit the fascinating spirit temple. After this, we will continue trekking to the Karen village.
 
Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park
Drive to the foot of Doi Chiang Dao, the 3rd highest mountain in Thailand. Here we will have lunch in a local restaurant. Visit the famous Caves of Chiang Dao. Drive back to Chiang Mai. Last stop today will be the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park. During an excellent self-guided tour, you will see all the stages of the production of paper from elephant dung and learn about the history of papermaking.
Return to Chiang Mai. It is the end of your Chiang Dao private trekking.
 

Day 4: Ban Mae Chon – Chiang Mai (B/L)
Download itinerary

Accommodation

M Hotel Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
M Hotel Chiang Mai
Superior
Price For Superior Accommodation
Chiang Mai – Chiang Dao Trekking tours 4 Days 3 Nights
Guide Included Pickup Included Private Tour
Cost in USD Per Person Based On Private Tour
From
$247
Season/ No of per. 2 3 - 4 5 - 7 8 - 10 Single Supplement
LOW SEASON
from 1st May
to 31st October, 2027
$26
HIGH SEASON
from 1st November
to 31st March, 2028
$30
Bodhi Serene
Chiang Mai
Bodhi Serene
Deluxe
Price For First Class Accommodation
Chiang Mai – Chiang Dao Trekking tours 4 Days 3 Nights
Guide Included Pickup Included Private Tour
Cost in USD Per Person Based On Private Tour
From
$286
Season/ No of per. 2 3 - 4 5 - 7 8 - 10 Single Supplement
LOW SEASON
from 1st May
to 31st October, 2027
$65
HIGH SEASON
from 1st November
to 31st March, 2028
$73
U Nimman Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
U Nimman Chiang Mai
Deluxe
Price For Deluxe Accommodation
Chiang Mai – Chiang Dao Trekking tours 4 Days 3 Nights
Guide Included Pickup Included Private Tour
Cost in USD Per Person Based On Private Tour
From
$295
Season/ No of per. 2 3 - 4 5 - 7 8 - 10 Single Supplement
LOW SEASON
from 1st May
to 31st October, 2027
$74
HIGH SEASON
from 1st November
to 31st March, 2028
$91

Trip notes

Included:

  • Accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast at the below indicated room types (see hotel category list below) (check-in and check-out around noontime)
  • Services of a driver and private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers
  • Experienced English-speaking guide during all tours and transfers
  • Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Meals (B/L/D) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as indicated in the program 
  • Mineral water
     

Excluded:

  • Early check-in or late check-out
  • International & Domestic flight tickets
  • Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
  • Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
  • Visa - as per country requirements
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance)
  • Airport transfer surcharge for guide between 10:00 pm to 6:30 am is 15 USD/way.
  • Surcharge fees (tour guide, transfer, hotel…) for public holidays like: New Year Period, Christmas Holiday, Lunar New Year…
  • Compulsory Gala dinners on Dec 24 and 31
     

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