Chiang Mai Volunteering & Community Service Tours & Trips
181 Chiang Mai trips. Tours from 64 tour companies. 361 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.
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Chiang Mai Reviews & Ratings
Above our expectation
It was a marvellous trip for us in Indochina. Everything was above our expectations except for the vegetarian food for my wife. The itinerary was perfectly organised...
Good choice to South East Asia
I will HIGHLY recommend this tour to my family, friends and work colleagues who are thinking about travelling to Vietnam and South East Asia – and will personally re...
Fanstastic itinerary
Wow! I couldn’t have asked for a better trip! Thank you so much. The cities were fantastic as were the rural and water based adventures. The tours and gu...
Warmest greetings from Australia
We made it back to Australia and our home town safe and sound. It is a three hour drive to my home town from Brisbane and I didn’t think it was safe for me to make ...
Chiang Mai Tour Selection Trips
- Chiang Mai is often forgotten in comparison to its much better known sister in the south, Bangkok, and so it is sometimes treated as a secondary attraction on one's tour of Thailand. However, there are tons of attractions and activities to do in the area, especially if you appreciate wildlife and the outdoors. If this sounds appealing to you, make sure you go on a Thailand tour that spends more than just a day in this city!
- If you don't care about getting the best deals, you will probably visit Chiang Mai in "winter", which is the most popular time of year to visit. Just remember to expect cool weather at night and pack accordingly by bringing a sweater!
- Consider tours that include forays into nearby countries such as Laos and Myanmar (Burma) as well. You will be surprised how different these geographically close countries are.
- If you have visited Bangkok before, this doesn't mean that you will have a good understanding of what to expect in Chiang Mai. Many travelers are very surprised at how different the cities are, and not just in appearance. The food in Chiang Mai is very different, influenced by the many different ethnic minorities in the area, and there are also significant cultural differences to learn about on a cultural tour.
Additional details
Chiang Mai Weather
Unlike traditional weather patterns, Chiang Mai is a tropical climate and for that reasons it is generally considered to have three “seasons”: hot, cool, and rainy.
The cool season begins in December and continues until February. During this time temperatures generally average in the mid-80s, though it is recommended you pack a warmer layer for night, since the evenings can sometimes become a little chilly. The hot season begins in mid March and lasts until June.
During this time, the daily high can reach up to 104 degrees, and the humidity can also be at an all time high. In Bangkok, in particular, this weather can be unbearable -- though the more mountainous regions like Chiangmai still benefit from cooler evenings and generally cooler weather on average.
The rainy season also begins in June and lasts until the end of October. The weather is much more comfortable with temperature being on average in the high 80’s Fahrenheit during this time. However, it does rain everyday during this time, usually in the late afternoon. If you don’t mind a little rain, it usually only rains for about an hour or two.
While the cool season is usually considered the best time to visit Chiang Mai, because it is the most comfortable weather, the rainy and hot seasons are the best time to find discounted travel. The rainy season in particular is a great time for an eco tour or to observe the jungle, as all the tropical foliage comes alive during this time.
Outdoor Excursions in Chiang Mai
- ATV Tours. This activity, usually included in adventure tours of Chiang Mai, is one of the best ways to cover ground in the muddy and hilly terrain around Chiang Mai. Not only will the ride be thrilling and an exciting adventure activity, but you will also get a more comprehensive feel for the landscape, and see a lot more of the region.
- Visit the Elephants. While elephant riding is usually best avoided and considered unethical, there are still many ways to interact with elephants and support their conservation in the Chiang Mai area. At these centers, one of which being the Elephant Nature Park, you will get ot meet, feed, and bathe rehabilitated elephants and learn why elephant riding is so detrimental.
- River Activities. The Mae Tang river flows through the Chiang Mai area, and is a great way to see some of the area’s incredible scenery, as well as have a great time going whitewater rafting or kayaking. Be aware that the height of the river depends heavily on the time of year, however, so the best time to make a trip to the water is between mid-June until the end of January.
- Trekking. The tropical and untouched mountains of the Chiang Mai area make it a great place to go on a day hike, or even a multi-day trek. It is recommended that you take a guided hike, as the majority of trails are unmarked and therefore hard to navigate on your own. Another option is hiking Thailand’s third tallest mountain, Doi Luang Chiang.
Chiang Mai and other Countries
Even if you aren’t on a complete tour of Thailand, Chiang Mai might be an easy location for you to visit on your tour of Southeast Asia! It’s location nearby to Thailand’s borders with Laos and Myanmar make it easy (and worthwhile) to visit if you are in either country. If you are thinking about crossing country lines to squeeze in this fantastic city on your Asian tour, here's some useful info:
- From Kuala Lumpur, a flight to Chiang Mai is just under 3 hours.
- From Singapore, a flight to Chiang Mai is 3 hours.
- From Vientiane (capital of Laos), a flight with a single transfer will take just under 3 hours.
- From Yangdon (Myanmar), a flight will only take 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- From Mandalay (Myanmar), the plane ride will take 1 hour and 25 minutes direct.
Within Thailand:
- From Bangkok, a flight to Chiang Mai takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. Taking the 12 hour sleeper train ride is also popular amongst travelers who want to take in the scenic Thai countryside views. A bus ride between the two takes 9 to 12 hours.
- From Phuket, a flight is two hours. A bus ride is much more arduous, although some travelers do take the 24 hour journey!
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