6 Chiang Mai Kayaking Tours to Book Early

1.No.1 Full-Day Chiang Mai Caving & Jungle Kayaking: Chiang Dao

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 206 reviews · from $81Our pick

Spend seven to eight hours exploring Chiang Dao Cave with a local cave guide, then paddle the Mae Ping River through bamboo jungle and forest. Guides such as Jane, Golf, Tony, and Aiden are praised for clear instruction and good humor, while the cave includes Buddhist shrines, bats, large chambers, and a few tight passages.

“Excellent tour Our guides Tony and A were very informative and funny. They made sure that we were safe and never rushed us though out the day”

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2.Ping River Night Kayaking into City Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 144 reviews · 2 hours · from $50Best value

Start with hotel pickup around 5:45 to 6:00 PM, then take a short SUV ride to Wat Taa-Luk. After a safety briefing, paddle a gentle 6 km stretch into Chiang Mai with an English, German, or Thai-speaking guide. Expect Mai Yai trees, bats, riverside homes, glowing bridges, restaurant music, and a calm finish near Nawarat Bridge.

“I never thought about kayaking at night. What a fun experience! Our tour leaders were very attentive. We had one new kayak and they took care of her the entire time.”

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3.Kayak the Jungle Rivers of Chiang Dao Valley!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · from $74Top rated

Leave Chiang Mai at 8:30 a.m. for a five-hour kayak trip near Chiang Dao. Guides, including Aidan on some departures, teach you to handle a hard-shell kayak before you paddle creeks, bamboo forest, and quiet river bends. Lunch, hotel transport, water, safety support, and vegetarian or vegan meals are included.

“Altogether awesome trip! The tour guides were great and kept us entertained throughout the day. The cave was pretty interesting. Guides were great about pointing out the features and wildlife throughout. Kayaking was relaxing and not rusRead more”

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4.25km Leisure Mountain Biking & Jungle Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 45 reviews · 4 hours · from $65

Ride quiet farm tracks through the Mae Ngat Valley, stop at Wat Ban Den and a local market, then paddle a hard-shell kayak through Mae Taeng Forest Reserve. English and Thai-speaking guides such as Jane and A lead at an easy pace, with lunch, hotel pickup, gear, water, and support included.

“We had such a fun day - 2 hours of biking on mainly dirt tracks and quiet roads through the farmland and rice fields and 1.5 hours kayaking down the river through the forest. The guide went at our pace, allowing us to stop for photos and give us information about the area. We stopped for coffee and snacks at a market along the route, and had lunch afterwards. Quite an energetic day, but at a relaxed pace. 100% recommend.”

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5.15 km Leisure River Kayaking at Mae Ngat forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 24 reviews · 1 day · from $62

Spend a full day paddling a single or double kayak along the Mae Ping River from Chur Lare Bridge through Mae Taeng Forest. Your guide teaches the basics, a support truck carries valuables, and lunch includes vegetarian and vegan choices. Expect rural views, birds, fishermen, water buffalo, shaded riverbanks, and time for a swim.

“C’était chouette de profiter de la nature au calme sur un kayak.”

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6.Kayak the Jungle River of Chiang Dao Valley!

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 1 day · from $64

Paddle the Ping River near Chiang Dao with Aidan and a small team of Thai and English-speaking guides. You will practice at the Chiang Mai base, then ride into the valley for about three hours on the water. Expect jungle branches, bamboo, farmland, two weirs, possible wet exits, and a simple vegetarian-friendly lunch.

“Insane activity seeing the landscape of the Chiang Dao Valley, the instructors were excellent and informative while allowing you to explore all the while being very comfortable. This is definitely suitable for beginners and I cannot recommend this enough!”

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