Explore more curated experiences in Chiang Mai
View all Chiang Mai toursChiang Mai: Chiang Rai White, Blue & Red Temple & Karen Tribe
Full-day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai's White, Blue & Red Temples, with stops at Mae Kachan Hot Springs and a Long Neck Karen hill tribe village.
Highlights
- Marvel at the dazzling mirrored White Temple, Wat Rong Khun
- Explore the striking indigo Blue Temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten
- See the towering Big Buddha and Red Temple at Huay Pla Kang
- Relax and recharge at the Mae Kachan Hot Springs
- Visit a Long Neck Karen hill tribe village and community
Choose from 1 available option
Chiang Rai Temples Day Trip (Shared)
Full description
Chiang Rai's three iconic temples are close enough to visit in a single, unforgettable day, and this trip strings them together with a couple of stops most visitors never plan for on their own. You'll start early from Chiang Mai and wind north through the hills, breaking the drive at the Mae Kachan Hot Springs, where mineral-rich water bubbles up from the ground and you can dip your feet, watch locals boil eggs in the natural heat, and stretch your legs before continuing on. A short drive later brings you to a Long Neck Karen hill tribe village, where you'll meet members of the community, see traditional weaving and brass-coil neck rings up close, and learn a little about a way of life that's very different from the cities most travelers pass through.
From there, the day turns toward Chiang Rai's temples, each one a completely different flavor of spectacular. Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, is a dazzling, almost surreal structure of white plaster and mirrored glass built by a local artist as a gift to Buddhism. Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple, glows with deep indigo walls and gold detailing that feel like stepping into a different world entirely. Finally, the towering white Big Buddha and the striking Red Temple at Huay Pla Kang round out the trip with sweeping hilltop views over the city.
With a knowledgeable guide leading you through each stop and comfortable coach transport handling the long stretches between them, this is the easiest way to see everything Chiang Rai is known for without renting a car or piecing together your own itinerary.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Pickup from Chiang Mai
Meet your guide at the pickup point confirmed after booking and start the journey north toward Chiang Rai.
Drive toward Mae Kachan
Comfortable coach transfer through the northern Thai countryside.
Mae Kachan Hot Springs
Photo stop and short guided visit at the natural mineral hot springs; watch locals boil eggs in the heated water and dip your feet if you like.
Drive to the hill tribe village
Short coach transfer to the Long Neck Karen community.
Long Neck Karen Village
Guided visit to a Long Neck hill tribe village to learn about local traditions, crafts, and daily life.
Drive to Chiang Rai
Longer coach transfer into Chiang Rai province, arriving at the White Temple.
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
Guided visit and free time to photograph the intricate white and mirrored-glass temple complex.
Drive to the Blue Temple
Short coach transfer across Chiang Rai city.
Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
Guided visit to the striking indigo-and-gold temple, one of Chiang Rai's most photographed sites.
Huay Pla Kang Temple, Big Buddha & Red Temple
Guided visit to the hilltop temple complex, home to the towering white Big Buddha statue and the vivid Red Temple, with panoramic views over Chiang Rai.
Return drive to Chiang Mai
Relax on the coach ride back to Chiang Mai as the day winds down.
Drop-off at Chiang Mai hotels
Drop-off at hotels in central Chiang Mai, ending the tour.
Detailed Itinerary
Your day begins early, around 7:00 AM, with pickup from your hotel or a central meeting point in Chiang Mai (the exact location depends on the option you select at booking). Once everyone is aboard, the coach heads north toward Chiang Rai province, and the first stretch of driving takes about an hour and a half.
Around 8:30 AM, you'll pull in at the Mae Kachan Hot Springs for a relaxing photo and rest stop. This is a favorite break on the route north — steam rises from the ground where mineral-rich water bubbles up naturally, and you can watch locals cook eggs in baskets lowered into the heat, or simply dip your feet and stretch your legs before getting back on the road.
A short fifteen-minute drive brings you to a Long Neck Karen hill tribe village around 9:15 AM, where you'll spend about 45 minutes with a guide learning about the community's traditions, including the brass neck coils worn by some of the women, along with local weaving and handicrafts. It's a rare, respectful glimpse into a culture very different from city life in Thailand.
From there, the journey continues into Chiang Rai proper, a longer drive of just over two hours that gets you to the legendary White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, by early afternoon, around 12:15 PM. You'll have a full hour here with your guide to explore the dazzling white and mirrored-glass structure and its surreal, otherworldly details.
Next, a thirty-minute drive takes you to the Blue Temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten, around 1:45 PM, where deep indigo walls and gold accents create a completely different but equally striking atmosphere. From there it's a quick hop to Huay Pla Kang, home of the enormous white Big Buddha statue and the vivid Red Temple, arriving around 2:30 PM for sweeping hilltop views over the city.
By roughly 3:30 PM, it's time to begin the return journey to Chiang Mai, a three-hour drive that gets you back to your hotel by around 6:30 PM, rounding out a full, unforgettable day exploring the best of Chiang Rai.
Includes
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Round-trip air-conditioned coach transport from Chiang Mai
- Entrance and guided visit to Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
- Entrance and guided visit to Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
- Entrance and guided visit to Huay Pla Kang Temple, Big Buddha & Red Temple area
- Visit to Mae Kachan Hot Springs
- Visit to the Long Neck Karen hill tribe village
- Drop-off at hotels in central Chiang Mai
Excludes
- Hotel pickup (pickup location depends on selected option)
- Meals and drinks
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Donations at temples (optional, cash appreciated)
- Travel insurance
Important information
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in central Chiang Mai (exact point confirmed after booking)
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
You might also like...
Traveler Reviews
The White Temple was even more incredible in person than in photos, all that intricate silver detailing glinting in the sun. Our guide gave really thoughtful explanations at each stop, and the hot springs break was a nice surprise in between. Long day but absolutely worth it.
Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple, was honestly my favorite of the three, the color is unreal in real life. Pickup was on time and the coach was comfortable enough for the long drive. Just be ready for a very early start.
Great value for $40 considering how much is packed into the day. The Big Buddha at Huay Pla Kang was massive and the views from up there were great. Only downside was we had less time than I wanted at the hill tribe village.
13 hours sounds long but it genuinely flew by. Our guide kept things interesting on the bus with stories about the region, and all three temples were completely different from each other. The Red Temple pagoda area was a nice quieter stop compared to the crowds at White Temple.
Really well organized tour and our guide spoke excellent English. The Mae Kachan hot springs stop was short but a nice leg-stretch break. Would have liked a bit more free time at the White Temple since it gets busy with tour groups.
Booked this last minute and it exceeded expectations. Visiting the Long Neck Karen village was a moving experience and our guide explained the community's history respectfully. All entrance fees being included made it easy, no surprise costs at any stop.
Long travel day but the sights make up for it, especially the White Temple and the giant Buddha statue. Our driver was safe and careful on the mountain roads. Just bring snacks since there isn't much time built in for proper meals between stops.
One of the best day trips we did in Thailand. Seeing the White, Blue, and Red temples all in one day for this price felt like a steal, and the hot springs stop was a fun bonus. Hotel pickup was smooth and right on schedule.