Doi Suthep and Wat Umong Evening Tour Chiang Mai
- Duration5 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This evening tour takes you from Chiang Mai to two of northern Thailand's best-loved Buddhist temples once the day-trippers have gone. You explore the tunnels and forest grounds of Wat Umong, then climb to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, where a golden chedi glows above the city lights. An English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned vehicle and both temple entry fees are included, with hotel pickup on the default shared group option. It suits couples, families and anyone who wants a calm, atmospheric half day.
Highlights
- Wander the old brick tunnels and forest paths of Wat Umong in the calm of the evening
- Climb the 309-step naga staircase to the golden chedi at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
- See the lights of Chiang Mai spread out below the mountain after dark
- A chance to witness monks chanting during the evening ceremony, when one is held
- Entry fees for both temples and a bottle of drinking water included
- Air-conditioned transport and an English-speaking guide throughout
- Choose a shared group with hotel pickup, or a small group from a meeting point
Full Description
Wat Umong and its forest tunnels
Wat Umong is one of the most unusual temples in Chiang Mai. It was founded in the late thirteenth century in a shady forest at the foot of Doi Suthep, and its name means the tunnel temple: brick-lined passages beneath the main chedi still shelter Buddha images and faded murals. At midday the grounds are busy, but on an evening Wat Umong tour they become far quieter.
Plan on about an hour here. Walk through the tunnels, follow the forest paths past the old chedi and the pond, and read the short Dhamma sayings hung on signs in the trees. If you are wondering whether Wat Umong is worth visiting, this soft, contemplative hour is why most travellers say yes.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at night
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep stands roughly 1,000 metres above sea level on the mountain west of the city. Legend says it was founded in 1383, when a white elephant carrying a relic of the Buddha stopped on the slope. The gilded chedi, the shrines around it and the staircase of 309 steps guarded by naga serpents make it the temple most people picture when they think of Chiang Mai.
Our Doi Suthep evening tour times the climb for after the day crowds, so you can walk around the golden pagoda, listen for chanting if a ceremony is under way and look down on the city lights. It is also a good answer to the question of the best time to visit Doi Suthep: the light is softer and the terraces are calmer.
Getting to Doi Suthep and Wat Umong from Chiang Mai
Both temples lie on the western edge of Chiang Mai, and the drive from the old city takes around half an hour, so many visitors ask how to get to Doi Suthep without juggling songthaews and taxis. On this tour the transport is handled for you in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the guide keeps a comfortable order: Wat Umong first, Doi Suthep second.
Allow about five hours in total, with roughly an hour at each temple plus the drives. Both sites are working places of worship, so shoulders and knees must be covered; sleeveless tops and shorts are not allowed. Comfortable shoes help on the stairs and the forest paths.
Itinerary
- Pickup or meeting pointHotel pickup in the pickup area on the default option, or meet the guide at the meeting point on the small group option.
- Drive to Wat UmongAbout 30 minutes in an air-conditioned vehicle while the guide gives a short introduction.
- Wat UmongAbout one hour exploring the tunnels, the chedi and the forest paths in the quiet evening.
- Wat Phra That Doi SuthepAbout one hour: climb the 309 steps, walk around the golden chedi and enjoy the night view over Chiang Mai.
- ReturnAbout 30 minutes back to your hotel or the meeting point.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking guide
- Doi Suthep entry fee
- Wat Umong entry fee
- Bottle of drinking water
Not included
- Food and other drinks
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 4–11
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- A half-day plan — about 5 hours
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Travellers with mobility impairments, because both temples involve many steps
- Guests who cannot walk on uneven forest paths and long staircases
- Anyone unable to dress with shoulders and knees covered
Meeting point
On the default shared group option we collect you from your hotel in the Chiang Mai pickup area. Your confirmation gives the pickup time, so please wait in the lobby about ten minutes early. On the small group option you meet the guide at the meeting point shown on your voucher, and last-minute booking is available for that option. The tour lasts around five hours and ends back at your hotel or the meeting point.
Important information
- Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees; sleeveless shirts and shorts are not allowed in the temples.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, insect repellent and a camera.
- Carry a little cash for personal purchases or temple donations; the entry fees are already covered.
- Remove your shoes before entering temple halls and keep your voice low, especially if monks are chanting.
- A monk ceremony is not guaranteed, so treat it as a bonus rather than a promise.
- The route involves stairs and uneven ground, so it is not suitable for travellers with mobility impairments.
- Starting times depend on availability; the booking panel shows the times you can choose.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Doi Suthep and Wat Umong evening tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, so pick your date and option to see it.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes on the default shared group option, which includes hotel pickup and drop-off in the pickup area. The small group option starts from a meeting point instead.
How long is the tour?
Plan on about five hours, including roughly an hour at each temple and the drives in between.
Are the temple entry fees included?
Yes, the entry fees for Wat Umong and Doi Suthep are included, together with a bottle of drinking water.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children who can manage stairs and follow temple etiquette are welcome. It is not suitable for travellers with mobility impairments.
What should I wear and bring?
Cover your shoulders and knees, wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection, insect repellent, a camera and a little cash.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, subject to availability. The booking panel shows the dates and times you can choose, and last-minute booking is available for the meeting point option.
What is the difference between the options?
The default option is a shared group with hotel pickup. The other is a small group that starts from a meeting point. Choose the one that suits your hotel location and budget.
Is Wat Umong worth visiting?
Yes. Its tunnels, forest setting and quiet evening atmosphere make it a very different experience from the busier city temples.
How many steps are there at Doi Suthep?
The staircase to the chedi has 309 steps, and the climb takes most visitors a few minutes at a relaxed pace.
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