The Mountains of Chiang Dao
CLIMBING, HIKING & CULTURE
Explore Chiang Dao With Your Zippy Motorbike
Chiang Dao is among our top three motorbike tour ideas. Chiang Dao is a small city located north of Chiang Mai, but still within the Chiang Mai province. In comparison to Chiang Rai or Pai, Chiang Mai is much smaller, with just over 16,000 inhabitants. Chiang Dao is famous for having many mountains, such as the Doi Chiang Dao. Furthermore, as of now, Chiang Dao has far fewer tourists than Pai or Chiang Rai, so make sure to visit it before it becomes too mainstream!
Once you have rented a scooter from Zippy Motorbikes, you will need to travel a 72-kilometer route which takes around 90 minutes on a motorbike. Among the three route inspirations which we recommend, Chiang Dao is the shortest and the closest city to Chiang Mai.
Climbing Doi Chiang Dao
Doi Chiang Dao is a mountain that is 2,225 meters high, making it Thailand's third largest peak. In total, it takes about 5 hours to climb to the top, so it takes around a full day to get to the summit and back down. That is why it is also possible to ask for a guided tour that you can break up into pieces by camping overnight.
Walk Through A Nature Trail
Around Chiang Dao, there is a lot of jungle so walking one of the nature trails is a popular option among many visitors. One of the most popular trails is a 90-minute one that leads to the famous Chiang Dao caves. The trail starts just to the left of the road just before you get to Wat Tham Pha Plong.
Visit The Temple Wat Tham Pha Plong
Wat Tham Pha Plong is found high up in the middle of the jungle and it takes you exactly 510 steps to reach the top. The staircase is lined with Buddhist proverbs, making the way to the top educational and fun! Once you reach the top you will be able to enjoy the amazing view of Chiang Dao's treetops.
Get Lost In The Chiang Dao Caves
One of the most popular activities in Chiang Dao is going to the Chiang Dao caves. Make sure to take about an hour to navigate the tunnels so that you may see all the Buddhist shrines inside. We also recommend that you hire a local guide and rent a lantern in order to be able to see parts that are not accessible otherwise.
Relax At Pong Arng Hot Spring
Approximately 30 minutes away from Chiang Dao is the Pha Daeng National Park. The water at the hot springs is between 50 and 60 degrees Celsius, making for a very relaxing afternoon. Visiting these hot springs is probably best during the winter, when Thailand is not as warm.
Visit The Sri Sangwan Waterfalls
Another highlight of Pha Daeng National Park is the Sri Sangwan Waterfalls. The waterfalls are just 3 kilometers from the hot springs so visiting both on the same day is the way to go. The best time of year to visit the waterfalls is during the rainy season, as this is when they will have the most water.
Please note: We only cover mechanical issues within 100kms of Zippy Motorbikes Chiang Mai Pty. Ltd. and we only cover tires for the first 48 hours (Please see our Terms and Conditions for details).