Between downing bowls of khao soi and knocking elbows at the night bazaars, we recommend spending a day in Chiang Mai’s more rural outskirts, where bamboo rafting, unique waterfalls, and elephant sanctuaries await. Let this list of experiences, both active and relaxed, inspire your outdoor adventures around northern Thailand’s largest city.
Walk Up the Sticky Waterfalls in Sri Lanna National Park
About 40 miles north of Chiang Mai, the Sticky Waterfalls (officially known as Bua Thong Waterfalls) will have your mind spinning as your bare feet grip and climb the surprisingly textured limestone beneath you. These naturally tiered falls are fed by a mineral-rich spring and, over time, the water deposits calcium carbonate on the rocks, creating a rough, sponge-like surface that provides incredible traction. Unlike most waterfalls, there’s no slippery algae here—just super-grippy rock and cool, flowing water. While you can access the falls year-round, the best time to visit is during the dry season (November to April), when the weather is cooler and the water levels are lower.
Visit an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary at Elephant Nature Park
Located approximately 40 miles northwest of Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park offers visitors the chance to spend a half or full day with a herd of rescued Asian elephants. Feed, bathe, and walk alongside these gentle giants as they roam their natural habitat of jungle paths, rivers, and mud pits. Along the way, you’ll learn about the park’s conservation mission, community involvement, and elephant rehabilitation efforts. As a true sanctuary, Elephant Nature Park follows a strict “saddle off” philosophy. Translation? No riding, no tricks, and no chains—just elephants being elephants, foraging, playing, and socializing in a space that finally feels like home.
Hike the Monk’s Trail to Doi Suthep’s Summit and Temple
The Monk’s Trail (also known as the Wat Pha Lat Hike) is a moderately challenging 9-mile out-and-back trek that begins near Chiang Mai University and winds its way up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of northern Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temples. While the destination is the stunning 14th-century temple and pilgrimage site—complete with a gleaming golden stupa, chanting monks, panoramic views over Chiang Mai, and a revered relic believed to be part of the Buddha’s shoulder bone—you’ll also pass Wat Pha Lat, a hidden forest temple with moss-covered stonework, gentle waterfalls, and a peaceful, meditative vibe. The trail is uniquely marked by orange monks’ robes tied to trees that serve as a spiritual and practical guide through the jungle, and a reminder to dress modestly out of respect for the trail’s religious significance.
Go Bamboo Rafting Down Chiang Mai’s Local Waterways
For centuries, communities along northern Thailand’s rivers have lashed together bamboo stalks with vines, rubber, or rope to create rafts for navigating waterways and transporting goods. Only in recent years has this traditional mode of travel found its way into the realm of tourism. Today, you can embark on a peaceful paddle down rivers like the Mae Taeng, Mae Wang, or Mae Sa aboard one of these handmade bamboo rafts, passing serene scenes of rural life: rice paddies, grazing water buffalo, teak and bamboo forests, and riverside villages. No prior rafting experience is needed; just bring a hat, some water shoes, and a willingness to slow down and take it all in.
See Sunrise Over Chiang Mai from a Hot Air Balloon
From October to March, hot air balloons rise with the sun over Chiang Mai’s San Sai District, taking in the region in its coolest, clearest light. As you ascend, panoramic views of Doi Suthep, the Ping River, and the Chiang Mai skyline come into focus, with morning mist still rising off the rice fields and forest below. Launches typically begin around 6:30 a.m., when winds are calmest, and flights last 45 to 60 minutes. Currently, Balloon Adventure Thailand is the area’s only licensed operator, and a reputable one, staffed by experienced commercial pilots who are in constant communication with the Chiang Mai Airport Tower throughout the flight.
