Chiang Mai: Sticky Waterfall Climbing & Half-Day Tour Pickup

Climb chiang mai’s sticky waterfall, feel the grip under your feet and laugh with locals on a half-day escape

You’ll climb Chiang Mai’s famous Sticky Waterfall with bare feet (it’s really grippy!), splash in clear pools, and share laughs with locals and travelers alike. The tour includes pickup by air-conditioned van and a friendly driver who makes everything easy. Expect cool water on your skin, cheerful guides, and memories that stick with you long after you’ve dried off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Adventure at Chiang Mai Sticky Waterfall

• Travel to Sticky Waterfalls
• Climb and explore waterfalls
• Slide and splash in pools
• Take photos on natural rocks
• Return by air-conditioned vehicle

What’s included

Your half-day adventure includes pickup in Chiang Mai by an air-conditioned vehicle with seatbelts for everyone, plus a friendly local driver who gets you safely to Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall and back again, so all you need to do is show up ready to climb and splash around.

Times

• Every day 08:30 13:30

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 21 2 private ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Book up to 1h before

Ages Adult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems

Operated by Journey D Travel

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Traveler reviews

4.74 ★★★★★ Excellent 303 verified traveler reviews 85% rated it 5 stars

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The experience

I’ll be honest, I almost missed the van because I’d underestimated Chiang Mai’s morning traffic: ended up jogging the last block with my flip-flops slapping. Our driver grinned when I arrived, a little out of breath, and just waved me into the air-conditioned van like it was no big deal. The drive out to Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall took about an hour, but it didn’t feel long. We passed rice paddies and little roadside stalls selling fruit that looked like tiny green lanterns. Someone in the back asked if the “sticky” part was real or just a name. Our guide (I think her name was May?) laughed and said, “You’ll see: don’t worry about slipping.”

The first thing that hit me at the waterfall wasn’t the view. It was this cool, mineral smell mixed with wet leaves. There were families picnicking nearby and kids shouting in Thai. The rocks looked almost chalky white under all that rushing water. When I stepped on them, they really did grip my feet? Not slippery at all, kind of weirdly gritty? We started climbing up together, water splashing everywhere. At one point I lost my balance and grabbed a root sticking out of the side. May called out something encouraging but I only caught half of it over the sound of water. It felt silly but also sort of freeing to just scramble up like that without shoes.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much: every time someone slipped (not far, just a little), everyone else would cheer or clap. There was this old uncle from Bangkok who kept joking he was “the mountain goat now.” I still think about how cold that spring water felt on my arms after we made it to one of the higher tiers. You could look down through the trees and see sunlight flickering off all those pools below. We hung around for a while before heading back to Chiang Mai: legs tired but in that good way.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How do you get to Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall from Chiang Mai?

The tour includes transportation by air-conditioned vehicle from Chiang Mai directly to Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall.

Is it safe to climb the Sticky Waterfall?

Yes, the mineral-rich rocks are naturally grippy and suitable for most fitness levels. However, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.

How long is the drive from Chiang Mai to Sticky Waterfall?

The drive takes about an hour each way.

Is there a guide included on this day trip?

A local driver is included. Sometimes there is also a guide who helps explain things at the waterfall.

What should I wear for climbing Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall?

Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting wet and bring shoes you can remove easily: most people climb barefoot for better grip.