Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat Sunrise Tour (Small Group Only)

This is a five-hour morning tour of three temples around Chiang Mai, limited to nine guests. It suits travellers who want Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at sunrise and two more temples afterwards, with a guide to explain what they are looking at.

What the morning looks like

Doi Suthep comes first, with two hours set aside. The staircase to the temple has 309 steps and can look daunting, but the view from the top is the reward. The golden pagoda catches the early light.

Next is the large golden Kruba Srivichai Monument, a 30 minute stop where you learn about the lives of Thailand’s monks and can make a merit offering. Then comes Wat Pha Lat, a temple tucked into the forest, with statues and quiet shrines. Allow an hour there.

The tour ends at Wat Umong, a 700-year-old temple with underground tunnels, forest surroundings and a large chedi. Entry is included, and this stop also gets an hour.

Good to know

Included are bottled drinking water, an English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, insurance and the entrance fees for Doi Suthep and Wat Umong. Personal expenses are extra.

Hotel pick-up and drop-off are listed as included. The alternative is to meet your guide outside McDonald’s, where they wear a green shirt and hold a “TripGuru” sign. Last-minute booking is available for the meeting point option.