A temple climb and hot spring reset your day. I love the Wat Phrabat Pu Pha Daeng Buddha footprint stop, and I love how the day ends with the Chae Son Hot Spring ponds and a real waterfall walk. The main consideration is that the hill-top visits come with a lot of stairs, so plan for heavy legs.

From Chiang Mai, you get pickup and a small-group ride, then settle in for about 11 hours of temples, nature, and Thai food lunch. With round-trip transfer, cold bottle of water, all entrance fees, and travel insurance up to 1 million THB included, the day feels like a well-priced, low-stress way to see a quieter side of the north.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Chiang Mai Excursion

• Hilltop temple stops with meaningful religious details, including a Buddha footprint stone slab
• Chae Son hot springs with multiple pond temperatures, plus a moment for boiled eggs
• A Chae Son National Park waterfall break, including time to walk and cool off
• Small group size (max 15) and pickup for easier logistics
• Clear value in the inclusions, with lunch, water, entrance fees, and insurance handled

Where This Chiang Mai Day Trip Takes You (and What Makes It Worth the Drive)

This is a north-of-Chiang Mai style day trip where faith and nature share the schedule. You start with hill temples tied to real local practice and then shift to Chae Son, a national-park area known for hot springs and waterfalls.

What I like about this kind of route is the pacing. You do not just sit in a vehicle and tick off sights. You climb, you stop to look closely at temple details, then you earn the calmer part of the day with hot spring water and a waterfall walk.

Also, you get a wider sense of the region than you would from sticking only inside Chiang Mai city borders. The Chae Son area sits in high mountains and is part of the Phi Pan Nam western ridge, which matters when you want cooler air and dramatic scenery.

Getting Going at 7:30am: Pickup, Small Group, and What You Actually Pay For

This tour starts at 7:30am, which is early, but it also means you get more useful daylight for both temple time and the national park portion. The day runs about 11 hours total, so think of it as a full-day outing rather than a quick half-day escape.

The group is kept to a maximum of 15 travelers, which usually helps with smoother timing at viewpoints and reduces the feeling of being herded. Pickup is offered, and you should expect round-trip transfer rather than DIY transport.

Now the money question, $156.25 per person. For a day that includes round-trip transport, a Thai food lunch, a cold bottle of water, all entrance fees, and travel insurance up to 1 million THB, the value comes from the amount handled for you. The price does not just cover seats in a van, it also covers the friction points: tickets, entry lines, and meal planning.

You’ll also get a mobile ticket, which is convenient if you prefer not to juggle paper vouchers.

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat: The Buddha Footprint Moment Up on the Hill

The first temple stop is Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, also known as Wat Phra Phutthabat Sutthawat. Villagers call it Doi Pu Yak or Doi Phra Bat Pu Pha Daeng, so you may hear locals use those names on-site.

The headline detail here is specific: a Buddha footprint is inscribed on a large stone slab. Even if you are not a hardcore temple-photography person, that kind of landmark makes the visit more grounded. It is not just scenery, it is an object with clear religious meaning that gives your time there purpose.

The hill setting also adds atmosphere. The description ties the place to monks practicing meditation and a sanctuary-like feel. In practical terms, that means you should expect a more reflective pace than a typical quick photo stop. Take your time looking around, then let the higher elevation viewpoint do some of the work for the experience.

Time wise, you get about 3 hours 30 minutes at this first stop. That is enough time to explore respectfully, catch a view when the air is clear, and not feel rushed through the important parts.

Climbing to Wat Phra Bat Pupha Daeng: Stairs, Prayer, and a Test of Your Fitness

Next you visit Wat Phra Bat Pupha Daeng. This is where you walk up to the top of the hill, and the purpose is more active. You can pay respects and pray for prosperity, then keep moving toward the upper area for the best perspective.

There’s a practical note that matters: after improvements, there is a more comfortable stair path, but it still involves a climb. One of the clearest cautions from real feedback is that the number of steps can be significant, so you should not treat this as an easy stroll.

If you have knee issues or you get winded easily, wear supportive shoes and plan to take it slow. If you are fit and steady on your feet, this stop will likely feel rewarding because hill-top views tend to change how you experience the whole day.

You get about 2 hours 30 minutes here, which gives enough time to climb, pause, and return without feeling like you are racing the schedule.

Chae Son Hot Spring Onsen: Multiple Pond Temperatures and a Boiled-Egg Stop

After the temples, the day shifts from climbing to soaking, which is exactly what you want after hours of walking. The Chae Son Hot Spring Onsen is described as a hot spring rising from the ground with different temperatures in each pond.

That detail is useful because it changes how you approach your relaxation. If you want gentler heat, you can choose a pond that matches your comfort level. If you want deeper warmth, you can move to a hotter one, but you can do it gradually rather than committing to one intense soak.

The tour time here is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the hot spring admission is listed as free as part of the experience. There’s also mention of boiling eggs, which usually fits the hot spring setting well. It is the kind of small food moment that feels like a local ritual rather than a staged snack.

The biggest practical tip is towel management. You’ll want a plan for where to dry off quickly and how to keep your belongings dry. If the weather is humid, switching from soaking to walking can feel cooler than you expect, so keep layers in mind.

Chae Son Waterfall in Chae Son National Park: Nature Shower Time

Next comes Chae Son Waterfall in Chae Son National Park. The setting is described as high mountains with rocky terrain and the area being part of the Phi Pan Nam western ridge. In other words, you get more than just a single point view. The waterfall walk fits into a larger mountain environment.

The experience includes time to take a nature shower, which means you can expect mist and splashes if you get close. This is the moment when you usually feel the day shift again, from quiet temple energy to a more physical reset where your senses wake up.

You have about 3 hours 30 minutes for this part, so it’s not a blink-and-you-miss-it stop. It gives time to move along paths, find a good angle, and enjoy the fresh air without feeling stressed.

Practical advice: wear shoes you trust on uneven ground, and assume rocks can be slippery near water. Bring something for your phone and keep valuables secured.

Guide and Driver: Why Good People Matter on a Harder Day

A full-day trip succeeds or fails based on how the guide handles timing. One name that stands out in this experience is Ms. Kat, described as thoughtful and very professional, going above and beyond to make the day memorable.

Even if you love every sight on paper, the day includes real movement: hill stairs, national park walking, and hot spring transitions. A good guide helps you stay oriented, keeps the group moving at a reasonable pace, and can steer you toward a better experience rather than just getting everyone through the checklist.

Also, small-group size makes a difference here. With up to 15 people, your guide can often adjust pacing to what the group needs, especially when the steps or trails feel longer than expected.

Price and Value Check for $156.25

Let’s talk value in a grounded way. At $156.25 per person, you are not just paying for access to one attraction. You are paying for a full chain: round-trip transfer, a Thai food lunch, a cold bottle of water, entrance fees, and travel insurance up to 1 million THB.

When you compare that to building your own day, the costs add up quickly. Transport around northern areas, temple entry fees, and a reliable lunch plan usually take time and coordination. Here, those elements are already assembled, which is a big deal if you want to spend your energy on the sights instead of planning the logistics.

One more value detail: the schedule is long enough to feel complete. About 11 hours means you actually get time at each place to look around, rather than treating everything as a quick drive-by.

So, if you are the kind of traveler who wants a packed day without the stress, this price can make sense. If you only want one or two highlights, you might feel it is more than you need, but for the full faith-and-nature mix, it’s easier to justify.

Best Fit for Your Trip: Who This Tour Suits

This is best for you if you want a single day that combines three things:

1) temple culture with a distinctive Buddha footprint detail and hill-top prayer atmosphere

2) hot spring downtime with multiple pond temperatures

3) a national park waterfall walk for a real nature break

You should also consider it if you like guided days where you can show up, follow the plan, and let someone else handle entrance fees and timing.

Skip it, or at least think twice, if you do not handle stairs well. The hill-top temple climb involves a significant number of steps, even with improved stair paths. You will still want to be comfortable on uneven ground during the waterfall part as well.

Finally, this experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the tour may be canceled and you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Should You Book This Chiang Mai Excursion?

I’d book it if you want a well-rounded day that actually changes pace, from hill temples to hot springs to Chae Son Waterfall in the national park. The included lunch, entrance fees, water, and insurance make it a practical option when you want less planning and more time enjoying the place.

I would pause before booking if stairs and walking are a problem for you, because the hill-top temple portion is a real workout. If you are steady on your feet and you can dress for a full day outdoors, this tour looks like a strong match.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

The experience runs for approximately 11 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:30am.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and the tour includes round-trip transfer.

What is the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

What is included in the price?

The price includes round-trip transfer, a Thai food lunch, a cold bottle of water, all entrance fees, and travel insurance (1 million THB), plus a mobile ticket.

Is the Chae Son hot spring admission included?

Yes, the hot spring ticket is listed as free as part of the experience.

Is there hiking or stairs during the temple visits?

Yes. You walk up to the top of the hill at the temple stops, and the stair climbing can be considerable.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

No. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.