Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep Temple Hike & Wat Pha Lat by Songthaew

Summary

Forest trails, secret temples, and city views from Doi Suthep

You’ll hike Chiang Mai’s Monk’s Trail through cool jungle to Wat Pha Lat, ride in an open-sided songthaew with your local guide, and climb Doi Suthep’s dragon stairs for city views. Expect laughter, quiet moments among ancient statues, and time to soak up temple life — all with pickup included.

What’s the experience like?

“You sure this is the right truck?” I asked our guide, grinning as we squeezed into the back of a red songthaew with two wooden benches and no windows — just open air and the scent of morning street food drifting in. The ride up out of Chiang Mai was loud (in a friendly way), everyone clutching their water bottles and laughing when the breeze whipped through. Our guide, Nok, pointed out shrines tucked between trees as we rattled along. I didn’t expect to feel so awake before 9am.

The Monk’s Trail started quietly — just birds and that leafy smell you only get in northern Thailand after rain. It’s not a hard hike, maybe half an hour if you don’t stop too much (we did). Nok told us monks still walk this path at sunrise. When we reached Wat Pha Lat, it felt like stumbling into someone else’s dream: mossy statues half-hidden in ferns, orange robes drying on a railing, soft chanting echoing somewhere I couldn’t see. I tried to pronounce the temple’s name right; Nok smiled politely but I’m pretty sure I got it wrong.

After a quick rest (and a shared bag of sticky rice), we bumped back into the songthaew for the final push up to Doi Suthep Temple. The dragon staircase looked longer than I’d imagined — over 300 steps, with kids selling flowers at the bottom and bells clanging above. Some folks took the cable car but I wanted to climb. At the top, gold everywhere, incense smoke curling around tourists and locals alike. Nok explained the murals about Buddha’s life while a monk tapped his bell in slow rhythm. The city view was hazy but you could still make out Chiang Mai sprawled below; I stood there longer than I meant to. Still think about that silence up there sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hike to Wat Pha Lat and visit Doi Suthep

• Travel by songthaew to hike start
• Hike Monk's Trail to Wat Pha Lat
• Explore Wat Pha Lat temple grounds
• Travel to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
• Climb dragon staircase or take cable car
• Visit temple statues and shrines
• Enjoy panoramic city views
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long does it take to hike from Chiang Mai to Wat Pha Lat?

The hike along the Monk's Trail takes about 30–40 minutes from the starting point to Wat Pha Lat.

Is hotel pickup included for this Doi Suthep tour?

Yes, free pickup and drop off are included inside Chiang Mai’s old walled city area.

What is a songthaew?

A songthaew is a converted pick-up truck with two benches in the back and open sides; it’s how locals travel around Chiang Mai.

Can I skip hiking and still visit Doi Suthep Temple?

Yes, if you can’t do the hike you can go up with the songthaew instead.

Are there any dress codes for visiting temples?

Yes, shoulders and knees must be covered as temples are sacred places in Thailand.

How many people are on each tour group?

The maximum number of participants per group is 10 persons.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No lunch is included; only bottled water is provided during the tour.

Can infants join this day trip from Chiang Mai?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off within Chiang Mai’s old city walls, all rides in a classic red songthaew truck with open sides for fresh air (and local color), bottled drinking water along the way, plus guidance from an English-speaking local who knows every shortcut — so you can just focus on walking those trails and taking it all in.