Chiang Mai Doi Suthep Evening Tour with Hotel Pickup

Summary

Evening Temple Walks & Monk Chants in Chiang Mai Hills

You’ll wander forest paths at Wat Pha Lat, listen to monks chant at Doi Suthep as evening falls over Chiang Mai, and catch city lights from above. With hotel pickup and a local guide sharing stories along the way, this tour gives you quiet moments (and maybe sore legs) you’ll remember long after your trip.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air to feel so different up in the hills above Chiang Mai — cooler, almost mossy, with that faint incense smell you only notice when you stop talking. Our guide, Noi, picked us up right on time and somehow made the drive feel like a little lesson in local life (she pointed out a roadside fruit stand and told us which ones not to eat unless we wanted “adventure stomach,” her words). The van climbed through green that looked almost too lush for late afternoon. I kept thinking: this is what quiet sounds like.

Wat Pha Lat was our first stop. It’s tucked into the forest, stones slick from the waterfall nearby. There weren’t many people — just two monks sweeping leaves and a dog who seemed to know every path. I tried to pronounce the temple’s name properly; Noi laughed and said I was close enough. There’s something about being somewhere that feels both sacred and lived-in at the same time. The gold statues caught the last bit of sun, but mostly it was shadows and birdsong.

The drive up to Doi Suthep got steeper, and by then dusk had started to settle in — that blue hour where everything softens. We could’ve taken the funicular but decided (maybe foolishly) to climb those 306 steps lined with Naga serpents. My legs complained but honestly, it felt right after all that van time. At the top, there was scaffolding around parts of the temple (Noi explained a storm had damaged some of it), but it didn’t take away from hearing monks chanting as night fell over Chiang Mai below. The city lights looked like tiny fires from up there — I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening Temple Tour in Chiang Mai

• Visit Wat Pha Lat (Hidden Temple)
• Explore Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and city views

Top questions

How long does the evening tour to Doi Suthep & Wat Pha Lat take?

The tour starts around 4:30–5:00 p.m. and returns later in the evening after visiting both temples.

Is hotel pickup included for this Chiang Mai temple tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in your booking.

Can I visit both Wat Pha Lat and Doi Suthep on this tour?

Yes, you will visit both Wat Pha Lat and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep during the evening tour.

Are there any renovations happening at Doi Suthep?

Yes, parts of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep are currently under renovation due to recent storm damage.

Do I have to climb stairs at Doi Suthep or is there another option?

You can climb the 306-step staircase or take the funicular railway instead.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

Yes, a local guide will accompany you throughout your visit.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup by air-conditioned vehicle, entry to both Wat Pha Lat and Doi Suthep temples with a knowledgeable local guide sharing stories along the way before returning you comfortably back to your hotel after dark.