Ultimate Chiang Mai Itinerary: 3-5 Days (2026)
Are you planning an upcoming trip to Chiang Mai? You’ve landed on the right article.
Chiang Mai is a relaxing mountainside town in Northern Thailand that has such a friendly culture, amazing food, and dozens of interesting attractions. I spent a little over 2 weeks in Chiang Mai, and never ran out of fun new things to see and do.
This itinerary will cover how to spend the perfect 3-5 days in Chiang Mai, how to get around, the best day trip opportunities, and more.
Here is the ideal Chiang Mai itinerary for first timers.
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How To Get Around Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a very walkable city, and the old city is only a 30 minute walk from the airport. The old city is encircled by this unique rectangular moat that once protected the city from invaders.
It looks like a river, and has fountains, benches, and sidewalks where many locals go to walk and exercise.
Grab and Bolt
Besides walking, rideshare services like Grab and Bolt are cheap and readily available in Thailand. I used Bolt (cheapest) a handful of times, and it was always reliable.
Songthaews (taxis)
Additionally, you’ll see red songthaews ALL throughout Chiang Mai. These are pickup trucks converted into a taxi with benches, and they’re similarly priced to rideshare services.
They can take you anywhere inside of the city, and many people take them to get to the famous Doi Suthep temple on top of the hill.
Motorbike Rentals
One of the cheapest ways to get around is to rent a motorbike. I rented a motorbike for around 300 baht/day (~$10/day) for most days of my trip. Renting a motorbike is not only cheaper than rideshare services, but it’s fun, and gives you the flexibility to go wherever you’d like.
To rent a motorbike, you’ll need to bring your passport and cash for the security deposit (~1000-3000 baht depending on the shop).
They will rent you a motorbike without an International Driving Permit (IDP), but it’s best to have one in case you get stopped by the police. If you don’t have one, the police can charge you up to 1,000-2,000 baht.
The motorbike rental shops provide you with helmets, and allow you to rent by day. Always take photos and videos of the motorbike when you first get it, as they’ll check for damage when you return it.
Tip: Download Whatsapp if you plan on renting a motorbike/car because that’s how the shops will contact you.
Car Rentals
If you want to venture outside of the city for a day trip, Chiang Mai has reliable car rental shops. I rented a small sedan from Chiang Mai Wheels for 2 days (~1200 baht ($40)/day) to get to Chiang Rai, and had a great experience.
For car rentals, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP), a passport, driver’s license, and cash for the security deposit. Keep in mind that you’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road in Thailand. It was definitely a little weird at first, but I got used to it within a half hour!
If you don’t feel like renting a motorbike, it’s easy to get around by walking, hiring a Bolt/Grab, and joining organized tours to the attractions outside of the city.
Where To Stay In Chiang Mai
The best place to stay in Chiang Mai for your first few days is without a doubt the old city. This area is encircled by the ancient moat, and within walking distance to all of the popular temples, markets, and restaurants.
It’s peaceful, and I loved being able to walk by the water every morning on the way to coffee.
Another place to consider staying is overnight at the Chiang Mai Elephant Nature Park. This is one of the most ethical elephant sanctuaries in all of Thailand, and they’re tucked in the mountains, an hour north of the city.
They offer overnight stays in rustic huts, and provide full roundtrip transportation from the old city.
Perfect 3-5 Day Chiang Mai Itinerary
Day 1- Old City, Wat Phra Doi Suthep, Tha Phae Gate
Start your first day in Chiang Mai wandering around the charming old city. There are many beautiful temples within the old city that you can get to by walking, or hopping on a songthaew.
Here are some must-see temples.
- Wat Phra Singh: Chiang Mai’s most revered 13th century temple with an iconic golden stupa
- Wat Chedi Luang: 14th century temple with a large 282 ft chedi (bell-shaped shrine)
- Wat Lok Moli: Royal black and white 13th century temple with an ancient chedi
- Wat Chiang Man: Chiang Mai’s oldest royal temple founded in 1296
While you’re in the old city, stop at one of the many cafes to enjoy breakfast, coffee, or an authentic Thai tea.
After spending the morning in the old city, it’s time to visit the famous Doi Suthep temple. This is the iconic golden temple perched on the hill, overlooking Chiang Mai.
It was founded in 1383, and has a golden stupa, pagodas, buddha statues, and an instagrammable serpent-lined red staircase.
There’s 300 steps to reach the temple from the entrance, and a tram that will give you a lift for 20 baht.
To get to the temple, you can do a 20 minute drive up a very windy hill, or use a songthaews. There’s many red songthaews waiting at the bottom of the mountain to take tourists up (cost ~100 baht).
To end your first night in Chiang Mai, head to the Tha Phae Gate on the eastern side of the old city. This is an ancient red brick wall that once protected the old city, and there’s a lively market held here every night.
Here you can shop for souvenirs, try street food, and there’s many great nearby restaurants for dinner.
Day 2- Sticky Waterfall, Blue Temple, Night Markets
Buatong Sticky Waterfall
After spending a full day in the old city, venture out to the Buatong Sticky Waterfall. This is an interesting cascading waterfall with ropes, and limestone rock that allows you to climb up it barefoot!
It’s tucked in the rainforest, just a little over an hour north of Chiang Mai. It’s completely free to visit, and the parking lot is less than a 5 minute walk to the top of the waterfall. From here, you can walk down the stairs to begin the climb at different levels.
Tip: The shoe racks are at the top of the waterfall, so you’ll want watershoes to climb down the stairs.
It’s an easy drive to the waterfall by motorbike or car, and there are group tours available from the old city.
Chiang Mai Blue Temple and Land of Angels Waterfall Park
Less than a half hour drive from the sticky waterfall, the Wat Ban Den temple is another place worth checking out.
This is known as Chiang Mai’s blue temple, and it’s one of the most impressive, with multiple structures, including 12 stupas for each zodiac sign! I got to see the famous blue temple in Chiang Rai, but missing this temple was one of my biggest regrets.
Before heading back to Chiang Mai, stop by the Land of Angels waterfall park. This is an enchanted forest-themed waterfall park with cascading manmade waterfalls, and gardens. It makes for great photos, and the entry fee is only 80 baht per person.
Old City
After a morning of exploring, head back to the old city to relax. Chiang Mai has an incredible cafe culture, and there’s so many cafes perfect for recharging on long travel days.
In the evening, you can visit some more temples, try street food, or shop for souvenirs at a market.
Here are some night markets worth checking out in the old city:
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar: Largest night market with produce, street food, and souvenirs
- Ploen Ruedee Night Market: Popular night market with live music, street food, and beer
- Chiang Mai Gate Market: Lively night market around the old city gate with music, souvenirs, and street food
- Wua Lai Walking Street Market: Saturday only night market with live music, art, and street food
If you’re a real foodie, try unique Thai dishes and desserts on a street food tour with a local that will tour you through the best night markets in the city.
Day 3- Elephant Nature Park
On your next full day in Chiang Mai, visit one of Thailand’s most ethical elephant sanctuaries, the Elephant Nature Park.
The Elephant Nature Park houses around 75 rescued elephants, and nestled in the lush rainforest, an hour north of Chiang Mai. It’s one of the best places to spend quality time with elephants, and they don’t allow touching, riding, or any forced interactions.
They offer both half-day tours, and overnight stays. On their half-day tours, you’ll get to hang out with the elephants, learn about their rescue stories, take photos, and enjoy a buffet lunch on the property.
On their overnight tours, you’ll get to stay in a rustic hut, observe the elephants interact in their social circles, prepare food for them, and enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the property. The Elephant Nature Park provides full transportation from hotels in Chiang Mai (on all tours) so you don’t need to worry about driving there.
View full details and reserve a visit on their official website.
Day 4- Hidden Jungle Hike, Thai Cooking Class
Wa Pha Lat Hike (Monks Trail)
Start your next day off with a beautiful morning hike to a hidden jungle temple via the Monks trail. This hike begins at the base of the Doi Suthep mountain and the trailhead is the “Wat Pha Lat hike” on google maps.
They charge tourists an entrance fee of 100 baht to begin the hike, and it winds up the mountain through the forest, to the hidden jungle temple.
This temple (Wat Pha Lat) used to act as a resting place for monks on a pilgrimage to the famous Doi Suthep temple, and it has a beautiful view of the city. If you continue hiking past the temple, there’s a very steep section that connects to the main road.
From here, you can flag down a songthaew to take you back to the bottom of the mountain. Or, you can hike the same trail down once you reach the jungle temple.
Huay Keaw Waterfall
After seeing the hidden jungle temple, check out the Huay Keaw Waterfall. This is a stunning cascading waterfall near the base of Doi Suthep mountain, surrounded by lush greenery. It has large rock pools that you can swim in, and nice nearby hiking trails.
Thai Cooking Class At An Organic Farm
The next activity you won’t want to miss in Chiang Mai if you love Thai food is taking a cooking class. They have evening cooking classes, where you can learn how to make everything from pad thai to massaman curry, and coconut soup.
Plus, you’ll get to bring home an ebook of the recipes to test your skills when you return on vacation. This half-day cooking class takes place at an organic farm, and they cover roundtrip transportation from the old city.
Day 5- Don Inthanon National Park
End your trip on a high note by visiting the literal highest point in Thailand at Don Inthanon National Park! This is a spectacular national park with waterfalls, pagodas, and scenic mountain viewpoints, that’s a 1.5-2 hour drive from Chiang Mai.
The peak of Don Inthanon is at an elevation of 8,415 feet above the clouds, and you can drive all the way to the top. At the top there’s cafes, souvenir shops, and it’s right next to the iconic twin pagodas.
It took me a little over 2 hours to drive from Chiang Mai’s old city to the summit of Don Inthanon. The next most popular thing to do in the park is to hike the Kew Mae Pan or Pha Dok Siew nature trails.
The Kew Mae Pan is a scenic hike through the cloud forest, and along a mountain ridge, where you’ll have a sweeping view of the valley. The Pha Dok Siew is a trail to a waterfall that winds through rice fields and a local village with coffee farms.
Both of these trails require you to go with a guide. The guides are waiting at the trailhead, and charge an additional fee of 200 baht.
My hiking guide was super friendly and brought me to a nice viewpoint of the twin pagodas on the Kew Mae pan nature trail.
If you’re driving there yourself, I recommend hiking the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail, visiting the twin pagodas, and the highest peak. You likely won’t have service on top of the mountain, so it’s a good idea to download the google maps, with the entrances pinned.
I found it confusing when I arrived to get to the twin pagodas, and the “highest point in Thailand” sign because they were in completely different areas.
Don Inthanon Tours From Chiang Mai
If you want the most stress-free experience, I recommend going on a guided tour from Chiang Mai. This private full day tour includes a visit to the peak, twin pagodas, coffee village, and Pha Dok Siew waterfall with a knowledgeable local.
This is the cheapest Don Inthanon tour that includes a visit to the highest point, twin pagodas, a waterfall, and short cloud forest hike.
Note: I rented a car to make the drive to Doi Inthanon, and I would not recommend driving there by motorbike. It’s a steep windy drive up the mountain, and can be very dangerous for motorbikes.
Summary
Chiang Mai is an amazing city to visit in Thailand if you love good coffee, food, and nature. In the city, you can go temple–hopping, try new cafes and restaurants, and attend the lively markets at night.
As you venture outside of the city, you can visit everything from elephant sanctuaries to jungle waterfalls, and cloud forests!
With 3-5 days, you have the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in the old city, and make time for a day trip or two.
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