An Easy Chiang Mai Itinerary with Excursions
Chiang Mai completely lived up to the hype and this Chiang Mai itinerary has all you need for a stress-free time. The city has a hippie town vibe mixed with ancient temples, quiet side streets, and modern malls. I loved the contrast.
The restaurant scene is fantastic, the little boutiques and jewelry shops are so fun to wander through, and the night markets were far better than what we experienced in Bangkok. Everything felt manageable, walkable, and relaxed. Within the old town, you don’t really need a guide, just wander up and down all the streets. It honestly seemed like the kind of city where you could settle in for a month and never get bored.
One tip: you should plan one weekend in Chiang Mai to experience the weekend market.
If you want all the Google Map pins for everything mentioned below (plus a lot more), you can get them here.
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Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
Ingmon House: For a good budge option, my friend Shannon and I stayed at Ingmon House. It was a simple, easy, cheap hotel for four nights in Chiang Mai. However, there are definitely so many great options to splurge on. We spent around 90% of the day outside and basically only slept in the room, so this may be a good option for you as well.
Phor Liang Meun Terracotta Arts Hotel: On one of tours, the pick-up stopped for someone here. It looks amazing and I kinda wish we stayed here. It’s got ancient charm and modern amenities.
I looked up Sunday Villa Sirilanna Hoteland El Barrio Lanna. I really liked these hotels but opted for the cheaper option. The pool and wooden features look so nice.
Chiang Mai itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Khao Soi
Early evening arrival
If you are following my Bangkok adventures, then this Chiang Mai itinerary starts by arriving to the city after an early evening flight. Take a Grab from the airport to your hotel and check in.
Evening
Once you’ve checked in, wander the streets of Chiang Mai. Be sure to stop by IDOIDESIGN, it has such amazing jewelry. I highly recommend it. I saw several pieces and even went back for more the next day.
Then, head to dinner at Vegan Society Restaurant, which was really great. The traditional dish in northern Thailand is Khao Soi and this was the best of our entire trip! (Maybe because it was the first place I had it.) The soupy sauce paired with crunchy noodles is really fun. No matter where you end up for dinner, definitely get the Khao Soi to mark you entry into the region.
Day 2: Wandering and Temple Tours
Morning
Breakfast was included in our room rate; however, we didn’t find it that interesting. There are so many nice cafes around Chiang Mai, so I recommend heading out first thing in the morning instead of bothering with breakfast at Ingmon House.
Stop by Mengrai Kilns to observe the amazing array of pottery. There are so many different things you can buy, from full sets of dishware and serving ware to cute elephants, yoga pose cups, figurines, and so much more. There are at least five areas of pottery, so be sure to walk past the pond to the additional viewing spaces.
Next, walk to breakfast at Fern Forest Cafe. This is such a lovely garden escape in Chiang Mai. There’s a cool koi pond and a delicious selection of cakes as well.
Afternoon
Next, walk around Chiang Mai. There are so many shops around and most of the fun is in discovering them for yourselves.
However, here is a list of my favorite shops. All of these, plus more, are linked in my Google Map Pins.
- Mengrai Kilns for pottery
- IDOIDESIGN Phra Sing for contemporary jewelry
- Chiangmai Cotton for clothes
- Silver Supplies & Co. for jewelry
- The Silver Cafe for more jewelry
- Metal Studio Jewelry for even more jewelry
- Kinaree the Gallery of Asia for some interesting dragon rings
- NHD never hate drawing studio for art
- Artisan Privilege for clothes
- PIQUE 3 for cute souvenirs
- Buya made it boutique store for clothes
During the heat of the day, check out Lanna Folklife Centre. It’s worth it to observe some of the interesting architecture and ancient writings and figurines. Next, visit the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre.
Lanna Folklife Centre
When we were visiting in December, not only was there the weekend market, but there was also a three-day cultural market that started in the afternoon, so we walked through that as well.
If you want something different, get a massage at the Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Facility. Here you can get a cheap massage while supporting women who have been incarcerated.
You’ll likely see some cool graffiti while walking around. This is also a good time in your Chiang Mai itinerary to check out some of the temples in the area.
Chiang Mai Evening Temple Tour
At 3:00pm, head back to your hotel for your evening tour pick up. The evening temple tour is a great introduction to the city and an easy way to tour the main temples out of town. I really liked our guide, and it was much easier going in a small group than bothering to figure our transport ourselves. I also booked via Get Your Guide.
The first stop is Wat Umong. This temple was originally built into a cave. There are some Buddha statues and even bats in the ceiling.
Walk to the top to see the pagoda and the prayer flags.
Then you’ll drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. TMI but peeps, the last time I felt this car sick we were in the mountain in Albania 3 years ago. Be prepared if you’re sensitive because the road is full of twists and turns for 30 minutes (it felt like it was longer).
However, it’s worth it. The tour timed to arrive at sunset when the monks chant and it was a really special experience. You can take the stairs to the top or an escalator-type lift. We arrived at 5:40 p.m. and stayed until sunset, around 7:20 p.m.
Going with a guide really makes a difference. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and Shannon and I spent time asking her questions. This turned out to be the right decision because she took us and a couple of others who hung back to get blessed by the monk and also taught us how to read our fortune.
If your guide doesn’t do this automatically, be sure to ask to do these experiences.
Plan to spend time taking photos, walking around the space a couple of times, and sitting down to take it all in.
Evening
When you get back to Chiang Mai around 8:30pm, explore the night market. There are just so many different things to eat and buy. My favorite was a stall with fresh veggies where you pick what you want and they turn it into a skewer with spicy sauce. I actually went back twice for more! We also grabbed a tofu dish and a Pad Thai.
Day 3: Yoga, Cooking Class, and Markets (weekend)
Morning
Don’t eat breakfast! Today you’ll do a cooking class and be munching soon enough.
First, Start the day with yoga at the Bodhi Tree Cafe. This is such a lovely experience!
After that, grab a quick coffee at Khum Cafe. The garden space is so nice.
Then return to the Bodhi Tree for your cooking class with Lotus…
Afternoon
Book your cooking class experience at least a few days in advance. We booked 2 weeks beforehand via WhatsApp. Check it out here.
Chef Lotus caters especially well to veg and vegan diets and can even cook without oil. She’s an exceptional cook who learned recipes from her grandparents and can replicate just about anything from one taste alone she says!
During the class, you’ll choose five dishes from a set menu and cook throughout the day. We opted for papaya salad, tom yum soup, green curry paste and curry, pad Thai, and mango sticky rice. The complete class typically runs from 10am to 12pm or from 4pm to 6pm.
You eat each dish as you go and learn along the way. This is such a fun experience with Lotus and her family (two of her sisters were helping out).
Our class actually took 4 hours because they accidentally double booked us with another couple who were making entirely different dishes. However, it worked out fine for us because we were taking it easy and this was our only activity planned for the day. We got to try double the dishes though! So that was great.
Evening
Once the cooking class wraps up, explore some of the nearby temples like Wat Samphao and Wat Phan On. Just put “temple” into Google Maps and go wandering.
Around 4pm, the evening weekend market starts picking up. Wander the stalls, shop for linen dresses, and grab some snacks. I also got mochi, the cheapest of my life, and it was so good. I love that the markets are around the temple grounds.
The markets are such a fun experience. A lot of the things are “same-same, but different.” If you see something you like, buy it. Prices are generally very fair, and there’s not much negotiating. Bring cash. Shannon and I were always borrowing from each other at the markets, haha. That said, there is usually always an ATM nearby.
Day 4: Doi Inthanon Day Trip
Doi Inthanon is a national park at the highest point in Thailand. There are proper hikes, but many travelers (including myself) on a Chiang Mai itinerary opt for a tour to see the main sites, which require a car. The summit was pretty chilly in the morning, but the walk itself is very short. It’s the coldest part of Thailand! At one point there is a stop to balance a coin and make a wish!
Then you’ll go across the street for another short walk.
The tour also includes a visit to the two temples dedicated to the king’s parents. We booked this tour, making sure it was a small group that included hotel pick up.
On the way back, we stopped at a coffee plantation and had excellent coffee. I bought back a medium and a light roast blend. You’ll also see the traditional weaving.
The tour also stops at the Wachirathan waterfall, which is a cool site.
In the evening, head to the mall and go grocery shopping to take things back home. Shannon and I went a little crazy. On the bottom floor there is a huge grocery store called Rimping Supermarket.
For dinner, you really can’t go wrong with whatever restaurant you chose. I had such a huge list of places to eat at and usually I just ate at whatever looked good around me and had positive reviews when I was hungry.
And check out the Ran Lao bookshop, too.
Day 5: Chiang Rai Day Trip
Chiang Rai is a very cool day trip and a popular addition to any Chiang Mai itinerary. It’s basically a 7 a.m.–7 p.m. experience since the city is about three hours away. This is the tour I booked. It covers the white, blue, and red temples, all of which are incredible. It was also a small group of around 9 people.
The ride is about 3 hours to the white temple. The tour stops at a coffee shop on the way.
These temples are otherworldly! The White and Blue temples are considered “contemporary” temples designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. He has a very psychedelic interpretation of Buddhism and uses this to encourage young people to embrace Buddhism.
The temples are total photoshoot spots. If you’re annoyed with people taking endless pictures, then I suggest you skip these sights. We had a great time though Shannon and I coordinated by wearing white and blue!
The temples are best described though pictures.
White Temple
This was such a stunning sight. It may be touristy but we both were wow-ed!
After the White Temple, we had lunch. Although the cost is not included in the tour, it was cheap, fast and good!
Blue Temple
I think the Blue temple was my favorite!
The tour of the Red Temple also includes the female Buddha temple which is huge.
I didn’t quite understand the story but one of Buddha’s reincarnations was a woman and this came to a monk in a dream, so he built the temple to honor that. There is a viewpoint at the top, too.
After our ride back to Chiang Mai, we were so hungry that we went to the nearest vegan restaurant, Downtown Vegan Garden. I was really craving a Bahn Mi and it was so good. The garden space was sooo nice.
To end the night, get a massage near your hotel. We went to this one next to our hotel and it was open till about 10pm.
Day 6: Back home
Morning
On your last day of this Chiang Mai itinerary, spend time wandering the temples in the city, getting a nice breakfast, and doing some final shopping.
If you want a cleansing kinda breakfast, try the butterfly effect – organic cafe for a smoothie bowl and coconut water-matcha.
An alternative is to visit the cat cafe, like we did. (Especially to get out of the heat).
Depending on your departure day, there is a very cool art center called Baam Khang Wat. According to reviews, it’s most popular on weekends and a bit sleepy on weekdays. We didn’t end up going, but it looks like a very cool thing to do. Take your luggage with you and then take a taxi straight to the airport before your flight.
Head to the Airport
Another option after checkout is to visit the Chiang Mai Airport Mall. Take a tuk-tuk to the mall, wander Uniqlo and other shops, then head to the airport. There is a free airport shuttle from the mall that leaves every 15–30 minutes. Ask the driver for the next departure when you arrive.
And that’s it! Hope you enjoy your trip.