1 Day Sightseeing Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Differents Hill Tribe Villages + Cafe with panoramic views of Doi Luang Chiang Dao

Chiang Dao is an hour and a half north of Chiang Mai, and this day trip combines its three draws at an easy pace: the view of the mountain, the cave beneath it and the hill tribe villages around it. It suits people who want a quieter, greener day than the Chiang Rai run, and it is short enough to be back at the hotel by late afternoon.

Pickup is between 08:00 and 08:30 from your hotel in Chiang Mai city. Around 10:00 you reach Tara Cafe, whose terrace looks straight at Doi Luang Chiang Dao, Thailand's third highest mountain at 2,175 metres and part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2021. You have 30 to 45 minutes there for a drink and photos. At 11:15 you visit Chiang Dao Cave, a temple cave at the foot of the mountain with stalactites, stalagmites and Buddha images in its chambers, and have lunch. At 13:00 you drive to a settlement where five hill tribe communities live, Akha, Hmong, Lisu, Palaung and Karen, and spend one to two hours seeing how they farm, weave and keep animals. You leave at 15:00 and are back at your hotel around 16:00 to 16:30.

Lunch is a set menu, and entrance fees, an English speaking guide and accident insurance are included. The tour needs a minimum of two people to run. Bring walking shoes for the cave and the village and a light layer for the cave, which is cool inside.