Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 195 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages worth booking?
Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages is a 8-hour experience in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from $1500 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 195 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (195)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $1500 per person
Visit five different hill tribe villages - Akha, Meo, Lisu , Palong and Karen village, see the different way of life, culture, and beliefs. You will learn how all these tribes are different in their living styles and li
What you get
About this experience
Visit five different hill tribe villages - Akha, Meo, Lisu , Palong and Karen village, see the different way of life, culture, and beliefs. You will learn how all these tribes are different in their living styles and lifestyles. Explore the Chiang Dao Cave and Temple, the biggest and full of stories cave of Chiang Mai. Visit an orchid farm and butterfly farm where you can see Thai orchids and bring the beautiful orchids home.
What's included
Included
- Pick up and drop off (Chiang Mai Old City Area)
- Local tour guide at Chiang Dao Cave
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Local tour guide from the villages
- Licensed English speaking tour guide
- Entrance fee at Chiang Dao Cave
What you'll see and do
Chiang Dao
Ban Huai I-Ko display the way of life and cultures of five different hill tribe groups which typically reside in the north of Thailand. At Ban Huai I-Ko you will find, Akha, Meo, Lisu, Karen and Palong. Explore the variety of culture, how they live, and different of beliefs. Get an unforgettable experience, visiting real local hill tribe villages guided by local people from the village. Explore their house, garden and school. The duration included traveling time from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao
180 minutes here
Chiang Dao Cave
Explore the cave with the local guides with a lantern. Chiang Dao cave is an attractive and biggest cave in Chiang Mai. A giant cave with beautiful stalagmite and the stalactite inside that form spontaneously. The cave is also fascinating with an astonishing stories about the past which has been told for many generations.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm
Cozy greenhouse housing a variety of butterflies, plants & flowers, including orchids. Get to experience the beauty of nature as the butterflies flutter over the orchids. The exotic setup, nestled in a natural setting, gives visitors a glimpse into the life cycle of these insects and the plants that they love so dearly. The duration included traveling time from Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Chiang Mai
The meeting point is in front of the Burger King at the Thapae Gate (eastern city gate) in Chiang Mai. Pick up time from Burger King can be between 8:00-9:00 hrs depending on the number of participants on your travel date.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
The meeting point is in front of the Burger King at the Thapae Gate (eastern city gate) in Chiang Mai. Pick up time from Burger King can be between 8:00-9:00 hrs depending on the number of participants on your travel date.
Options you can book
Small Group With Entrance Fees
Pickup included
Private: Ticket & Transfers
Private Car or Van Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- WanderSiam
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The exact meeting/departure time will be informed in a private message via the booking platform the day before before the tour. Departure time can be between 8:00-9:00 hrs depending on the number of participants on your travel date. Please carefully check your message/email the day before the tour (including junk mail).
- For the hike in Chiang Dao Cave, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes (please avoid flip-flops for your safety and comfort).
- As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available day, though a rescheduling fee will apply. No refund will be provided in case of late arrival.
- Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund. For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
- Our tours operate rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand usually don’t last long. If it rains heavily, we try to seek shelter and will continue as soon as the weather improves. During the rainy season, it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho. Please note cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
- Two passages inside the cave are quite narrow and you will need to crawl through them. This hike through the cave is not recommended for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia.
- We only pick up from hotels and accommodations located within the Old City of Chiang Mai or directly next to the Old City walls. If your hotel or accommodation is outside this area, you are required to meet the group in front of the Burger King at Thapae Gate (the eastern gate of the Old City) in Chiang Mai.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 195 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
195 verified traveler reviews for Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fabulous Experience with Saman!!
My Dad and I had an incredible time on the Cave and Hill Tribe tour with Saman as our guide. He was fantastic and so knowledgeable especially about everything agricultural! We both learned a lot and would highly recommend this experience for anyone wanting to experience a bit more of Thailand out of the bigger cities. We came in the off season so there were not many people at all in the caves and were the only two people on the tours that made for a very personal experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you and your dad had such a memorable experience with Saman. He'll be thrilled to know his knowledge and passion, especially for local agriculture, made the tour even more meaningful. We're so glad you enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the personal experience of visiting during the off-season. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you both back to discover even more of Thailand together!
via Tripadvisor
Off the beaten track tour
I had a great experience with my tour guide Tik. Tik is well spoken and knowledgeable. We first visited the tribes and strolled around their villages. The caves were impressive. Overall, I would definitely recommend to those who want to have a quieter excursion and immerse in nature.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the lovely review. We are pleased to hear guide Tikky made your experience enjoyable and we will be sure to pass on your compliments.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience
Really fun, 10/10. I learned allot on the village tour, Jane taught us about plants, cooking, village life and seemed to get along well with the locals. The restaurant we stopped at had really good food and the cave was also amazing. Thankyou Jane :)
via Tripadvisor
5 tribes and cave
It was really great. I highly recommend and love my guide how kind they are and pay attention to everything. They even gave us some fresh fruits on the way to go!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your positive feedback! We appreciate your kind words and are so glad that you had a great experience with us.
via Tripadvisor
Not worth it
The tour is geared to give money to the villages. Tour would usually show how village people would work hard and need support. Since ut was Easter, no one was out doing anything so tour guide was disappointed. The cave tour was a hoax. Looked like they created statues throughout for purposes of tour. Totally opposite of what we thought. It was a wasted day. Would not recommend unless you want to feel sorry for the villages and give money or buy things.
Response from the operator: Sawadee kha Latany, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations. We would like to clarify that the hill tribe visits are intended to offer an insight into local life, not to stage activities. Daily routines can vary, and unlike in some countries, Easter is not observed in Thailand, so it would not affect village life. Regarding Chiang Dao Cave, this is a natural cave with a long history. It has been used for centuries as a place of worship and meditation, and the statues you saw are part of its religious significance for Thai people, not created for tourism purposes. We appreciate your feedback, even if your experience was not as expected.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $1500 to $12800
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 68
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chiang Mai.
How much does Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages cost?
+
Prices start at $1500 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chiang Mai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages take?
+
Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chiang Mai is not rushed.
Is Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 195 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chiang Mai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages?
+
Around 68 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chiang Mai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chiang Mai and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chiang Mai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chiang Mai?
+
On Outty we rank every Chiang Mai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai, Full Day Thai Cooking at Farm (Chiang Mai), Thai and Akha Cooking Class in Chiang Mai. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Chiang Dao Cave & 5 Hill Tribe villages.
Pick your date
