Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai transfer: Scenic stops included

A transfer that doubles as a sightseeing tour, with stops you choose along the way.

A private scenic transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai that combines transportation with sightseeing stops at Mae Kachan Hot Springs, Doi Chang sheep farm, Wat Saeng Kaew Phothiyan temple, Mae Suai Dam Viewpoint, and Pang Fan Rock & River café. The route takes around ten hours and can be customized to match your interests and schedule. A professional local driver speaks basic English and handles the vehicle while you relax in air-conditioned comfort. Fuel and drinking water are included, and you can stop for lunch at restaurants along the way at your own cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scenic transfer with cultural stops

• Depart from Chiang Rai
• Stop at Mae Suai Dam Viewpoint
• Visit Akha Farmville sheep farm
• Explore Wat Saeng Kaew Phothiyan temple
• Relax at Mae Kachan Hot Springs
• Unwind at Pang Fan Rock & River café
• Arrive at Chiang Mai hotel

The experience

You arrive in Chiang Rai and need to reach Chiang Mai, but a straight transfer feels like wasted time. This tour solves that by turning the drive into the day itself. Instead of sitting in a car for hours, you stop at five carefully chosen spots that show the region's natural and cultural character: each one chosen because it breaks up the journey without adding a separate booking or guide fee.

The stops unfold at your pace. Mae Suai Dam Viewpoint gives you a quiet overlook of the reservoir and mountains, good for photos and a short walk. Akha Farmville, a sheep farm in Doi Chang surrounded by mountain scenery, lets you sit with coffee and take pictures. It's the kind of place you'd miss if you drove straight through. Wat Saeng Kaew Phothiyan is a colorful temple with detailed Buddhist art and statues that stand out from the standard roadside shrine. Mae Kachan Hot Springs are natural thermal pools where you can soak and stretch during the journey. Pang Fan Rock & River is a riverside café tucked into nature (rocks, trees, flowing water), where you can sit and decompress before the final stretch to Chiang Mai.

Your driver is a local who speaks basic English and knows which stops matter and how long to linger at each one. The vehicle is air-conditioned and clean. You can ask to stop at a restaurant for lunch along the way and pay directly there, or bring your own food. The itinerary can shift based on what interests you and how much daylight you have left, so no two trips are identical.

What’s included

• Fuel and drinking water.
• transportation in a clean, air-conditioned private vehicle with a professional local driver.
• sightseeing stops at Mae Suai Dam Viewpoint, Akha Farmville sheep farm, Wat Saeng Kaew Phothiyan temple, Mae Kachan Hot Springs, and Pang Fan Rock & River café.

Options for this experience

3 options

Sedan (1-2 passengers)Up to 2 per booking · 36 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Scenic sightseeing route from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, pickup is included

Suv (3-4 passengers)Up to 4 per booking · 36 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Scenic route from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, includes pickup

Van (5-8 passengers)Up to 8 per booking · 36 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Scenic drive from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day36 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Theal hai Tour Chiang Rai Private Car with Driver

Is this one for you?Book the sedan or SUV if you're traveling solo or as a couple and want the flexibility to stop whenever something catches your eye. The van works for families or small groups who want to split the cost and keep everyone's luggage in one vehicle.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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.

Can I choose which stops to visit, or is the route fixed?

The itinerary can be customized based on your interests and available time. You work with your driver to decide which stops matter most to you and how long to spend at each one.

What is Mae Kachan Hot Springs like?

Mae Kachan Hot Springs are natural thermal pools where you can relax, soak, and stretch during the journey. It's a refreshing stop in the middle of the drive, not a crowded tourist facility.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. Your driver can stop at restaurants along the route, and you pay directly at the restaurant for whatever you order.

How long does the whole transfer take?

The journey takes around ten hours from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, including all five stops. The exact timing depends on how long you spend at each site and where you choose to eat.

What size vehicle can I book?

You can choose a sedan for one to two passengers, an SUV for three to four passengers, or a van for five to eight passengers. Pricing is per vehicle, not per person.

Does the driver speak English?

Yes, your driver speaks basic English and is a local who knows the region and can answer questions about the stops along the way.