Gibbon Spotting & Hiking Tour from Chiang Mai: Mae Kampong

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (48 reviews) 98% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/13

Duration7h

GroupUp to 8

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

The gibbons here were released as part of a rehabilitation project and now live in a secluded area known only to locals.

This 7-hour tour from Chiang Mai takes you into the rainforest east of the city to hike a seldom-visited 3km trail through Mae Kampong, spot wild gibbons in their habitat, and explore a mountain village nestled among towering peaks. A local guide leads the hike, explains the flora and fauna, and takes you past one of Chiang Mai's oldest trees; lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Mae Kampong village and jungle hike

Drive one hour to Mae Kampong village
Explore village alleys
Hike seldom visited jungle trail
Visit Mae Kampong waterfall
Cool off in waterfall pools
Enjoy coffee overlooking village

The Experience

After an hour's drive from Chiang Mai, you arrive in Mae Kampong village and wander through its intricate network of alleys before the main hike begins. The trail itself is a 3km route through the forest that sees few visitors outside the locals who know it—you'll pass streams, ancient trees, and dense jungle canopy while your guide points out the plants and animals along the way. The oldest tree in Chiang Mai stands somewhere on this path, a detail your guide will explain as you walk.

Before the village hike, there's a shorter trek to try spotting the resident gibbons. These majestic creatures were released years ago as part of a rehabilitation project and now live in a secluded area that only a handful of people know about. It's not a guarantee—wildlife spotting never is—but the guide knows where they're most likely to be. After the main hike, you'll climb up to Mae Kampong waterfall, cool off in the refreshing pools, and sit in a local coffee shop with views over the village before heading back to the city.

Lunch is included, as is the donation to the gibbon caretaker program. The guide speaks English and will walk the whole day with you; the vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive and the pace is built for moderate fitness.

What’s included

Local guide in English.
lunch.
air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup from Chiang Mai.
donation to the gibbon caretaker program.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Eco Tours Chiang Mai

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout the day, so you follow the commentary on the gibbons, the forest ecology and the village history without translation delays. Book this tour if you want to hike a genuine backcountry trail and have a real chance at spotting wild gibbons, not a staged animal encounter.