Chiang Dao and the Sticky Waterfall
Doi Chiang Dao
Prices are per vehicle.
Up to 7 people Hyundai H-1
From 4,000 THB
8 to 13 people Toyota Hiace Commuter
From 4,000 THB
- Driver
- Fuel
- Parking
- Drinking water
Chiang Dao Cave is 40 THB for a foreign adult. Its dark chambers need a local guide with a lantern, about 200 THB for up to five people, plus a tip, paid at the cave. Wat Tham Pha Plong and the Sticky Waterfall are free. Your lunch is paid on the day.
The final price is agreed with me before your trip.
Ask about this tripA day north of Chiang Mai under Doi Chiang Dao, with a van and a driver just for your group. You walk into Chiang Dao Cave, deep into the mountain with a local guide and a lantern, and climb the forest stairs to Wat Tham Pha Plong. On the way back you climb the Sticky Waterfall, Bua Tong, whose limestone grips under your feet.
About 10 hours from your hotel and back, from 4,000 THB per vehicle.
The day, step by step
Times are approximate. Traffic and weather can change them.
- about Pickup at your hotel in Chiang Mai
- about Chiang Dao Cave, its lit chambers, then the dark ones with a local guide and a lantern
- about Wat Tham Pha Plong, a quiet forest temple about 510 steps up the mountain
- about Lunch in Chiang Dao town
- about The Sticky Waterfall (Bua Tong), climbing its limestone cascades, and the Chet Si spring that feeds it
- about Back at your hotel
What the price includes
Included
- Driver
- Fuel
- Parking
- Drinking water
Not included
- Entry fees
- Meals
Which vehicle fits your group
| People, children included | Vehicle | Large suitcases |
|---|---|---|
| 1–7 | Hyundai H-1 | 4 |
| Toyota Hiace Commuter | 6 | |
| 8–13 | Toyota Hiace Commuter | 6 |
Trip facts
- Trip type
- Day trip
- Duration
- About 10 hours
- Pickup
- Chiang Mai
- Group size
- 1 to 13 people in one vehicle
- Vehicles
- Hyundai H-1 and Toyota Hiace Commuter
- Driver
- Your driver may be one of my network drivers.
What to bring
- Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, for the cave and the temple
- Shoes with good grip, and a torch for the cave
- Quick-dry clothes, a towel and a dry change for the ride home, as you get wet at the waterfall
- A waterproof pouch for your phone
- Cash: about 300 THB each, plus lunch
Photos
Questions
Is the price for the whole group?
Yes. From 4,000 THB per vehicle, for everyone in it, not per person. It includes driver, fuel, parking, and drinking water.
Do we climb the waterfall barefoot?
Most people do, because the rock grips well. Water shoes are fine too, but not smooth sandals. There are ropes on the steep parts, and the dark green patches are slippery.
Can we go into the dark part of the cave?
Yes, with a local guide who carries a gas lantern. You pay the guide at the cave, about 200 THB for up to five people, so a big group takes more than one guide. Some passages are low and narrow, and the floor is slippery. The first two chambers have lights, so if you don’t like tight spaces, you can stay there.
Is it hard on the legs?
Parts of it. The temple has about 510 steps, and the waterfall is a climb on wet rock. You can skip any stop and wait in the van.
Do you stop at elephant camps?
Not on this day. Some camps on this road still offer rides and shows, so I leave them out. For a day of feeding elephants and watching them bathe, see the elephant sanctuary day.
What if it rains?
We still go. From June to October, heavy rain can flood part of the cave. The Sticky Waterfall is fed by a spring, so it flows all year.
Who will drive us?
Your driver may be one of my network drivers. Every driver knows the road to Chiang Dao well, and doesn’t smoke or drink alcohol.
How do we pay?
In cash, in Thai baht, on the day of your trip. We agree the final price in chat before your trip.
