Chiang Rai Day Trip: Golden Triangle, White Temple, Long Neck Tribe

Twelve hours, four landmarks, one guide: Mae Kachan Hot Spring, White Temple, Golden Triangle, and a Karen tribal village

A full-day guided tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai covers the White Temple's distinctive white architecture, the Golden Triangle at the Thailand-Laos-Myanmar border, Mae Kachan Hot Spring, and the Karen Long Neck tribal village, with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, Thai lunch and all entrance fees included. A boat ride across the Mekong to the Laos border costs extra (300 THB). Bring your passport if you want to take it. The return to Chiang Mai takes around three hours and arrives between 8 and 9 p.m.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Mae Kachan Hot Spring1h
2. White Temple1h · entry included

Full-day Chiang Rai sightseeing tour

• Pick up from Chiang Mai hotel
• Drive to Mae Khachan Hot Spring
• View highest geyser at hot spring
• Visit White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
• Travel to Golden Triangle, Chiang Saen
• Explore Golden Triangle area
• Optional boat ride on Mae Khong River
• Visit Laos border and boat ride
• Visit Karen Long Neck tribal village
• Return drive to Chiang Mai
• Drop off at Chiang Mai hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Chiang Mai hotel between 7 and 7:15 a.m., then a one-hour drive north to Mae Kachan Hot Spring. The stop gives you a chance to see Thailand's highest geyser and use the facilities before the main sightseeing begins. From there, the route heads to Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, where the architecture is the draw: a gleaming white building adorned with glass, sculptural pieces and murals all designed by a single Thai artist. The temple's distinctive look makes it one of the most photographed sites in northern Thailand.

Next comes the Golden Triangle, the northernmost point where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong Rivers. The guide takes you to Chiang Saen to see the panoramic views over the Mekong, and you can add a boat ride across the river to the Laos border for an extra fee (around 20 minutes on the water, passport required). Wat Prathat Phu Khao sits in this area as well. After the Golden Triangle, the tour moves to the Karen Long Neck tribal village, where you see the community and its traditions. Lunch happens at a local restaurant partway through the day.

The return journey to Chiang Mai takes roughly three hours, with arrival between 8 and 9 p.m. The vehicle is air-conditioned throughout, and your guide speaks English and handles the route, timing and all entrance fees so you don't have to coordinate any of it yourself. Small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants sit on an adult's lap.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Chiang Mai.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• entrance fees to all four main sites.
• Thai lunch at a local restaurant.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• boat trip fees to the Laos border (the boat ride itself is optional and costs 300 THB extra if you choose to take it).

Options for this experience

2 options

Private TourGuide in English · 07:00Private tour, includes pickup

Join TourGuide in English · 07:00Join tour, pickup is included

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (2 to 8 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 1.52

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunleisure World

Is this one for you?Pick the shared group tour to meet other travelers and share costs. Choose private if you want your own guide and vehicle to move at your pace and linger at stops without coordinating with others.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 8 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What is the White Temple and why is it on this tour?

Wat Rong Khun, known as the White Temple, is a working Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai designed by a contemporary Thai artist and built entirely in white with intricate glass and sculptural details. Its unusual modern aesthetic and striking appearance make it one of northern Thailand's most distinctive landmarks and a key stop on any Chiang Rai itinerary.

Can I cross into Laos on this tour?

Yes, the tour includes a boat ride across the Mekong River to the Laos border as part of the Golden Triangle visit, though it costs an extra 300 THB. The boat ride takes around 20 minutes, and you must bring a valid passport to cross.

What time does the tour end and how do I get back to my hotel?

The tour arrives back in Chiang Mai between 8 and 9 p.m., and your hotel drop-off is included, so the driver takes you directly to your accommodation at the end of the day.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will it be?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour price. The meal is Thai cuisine, eaten partway through the day to break up the sightseeing.

Do I need to bring anything special for this tour?

Bring a valid passport if you plan to take the optional boat ride to the Laos border. Bottled water is provided throughout the day, and the vehicle is air-conditioned, so you don't need to arrange your own transport or refreshments.

What is the Karen Long Neck tribal village, and what will I see there?

The Karen Long Neck village is home to the Karen people, an ethnic minority in northern Thailand known for their cultural traditions. The tour includes a visit to the community where you can see and learn about their way of life and customs.