The 15 Best Chiang Mai Kayak Tours

1.No.1 Full-Day Chiang Mai Caving & Jungle Kayaking: Chiang Dao

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 206 reviews · from $81Our pick

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao for a guided cave walk, a riverside Thai lunch, and about two hours of kayaking on the Mae Ping River. Guides such as Jane, Golf, and Tony lead the day, with instruction for beginners, headlamps for the cave, and support on the river. Expect some tight cave passages and a long drive.

“Our guides Jeni and A were humorous and entertaining. There is a small bit of crawling in the cave so you do need good mobility for this activity. It was an interesting walk looking at Buddhist statues, bats and natural formations in the cave. The kayaking was easy as the river is very calm. Do note that you'll get wet during the kayaking so be ready with a change of clothes. Lunch was very basic: stir fried noodles with chicken and fruits. The drive to the cave and back is about 90 minutes to 120 minutes long. Not the most comfortable ride as it's very similar to riding in a…”

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2.Ping River Night Kayaking into City Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 144 reviews · 2 hours · from $50

Start near Wat Taa-Luk at dusk and follow the Ping River toward Nawarat Bridge on a gentle, 6-kilometer night paddle. A guide gives a safety briefing and escorts you in a single or double kayak. Expect a quiet, dark opening stretch, then restaurant lights, music, and city views. Pickup is included; guides speak English, German, and Thai.

“W had a lovely, relaxing evening kayaking along the River Ping! Lovely, friendly guide.”

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3.Kayak the Jungle Rivers of Chiang Dao Valley!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · from $74Top rated

Head north from Chiang Mai for a guided kayak outing in the Chiang Dao area. You’ll get paddling instruction, then follow creeks and bamboo-lined waterways in a single or double kayak, with wildlife spotting and lunch by the river. Pickup, water, and a support vehicle are included. The group is capped at eight; ask ahead whether a cave visit is part of your date’s plan.

“Had a fantastic jungle kayak adventure with guide Aidan today - a wonderful mix of drifting along and navigating some rapids! I was new to using a one-person kayak but Aidan took the time to explain what to do both before we got in the wRead more”

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4.Explore kayaking through Mae Ping River on sunset

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 76 reviews · 3 hours · from $24

Set out from Chiang Mai in the late afternoon for a guided paddle on the Ping River, passing Warorot Market, bridges, riverside homes, and illuminated restaurants. The outing covers about 5 to 6 kilometers, with single and double kayaks, hotel transfers, and guides such as Son, Koh, or Tiger, depending on the day.

“Son was an excellent guide the pickup was smooth and easy at my hotel everyone was very nice Especially Son our guide on the river a really sweet and helpful person would recommend this trip to anyone!!”

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5.Kayak Under the Stars – 6 km to the Heart of the City

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · from $48

Start at 6 pm for a guided evening paddle on the Ping River. The route is about 6 km and takes roughly two hours, moving from quiet, dark riverbanks toward illuminated bridges and riverside businesses. Kayaks, lights, life jackets, water and a support truck are provided. Pickup is offered, and guide names can vary.

“Really lovely mozy down the river. Pace is set by the group so you’re with. Guide was kind. Recommend”

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6.Chiang Mai Biking & River Kayak : Gentle Thrills in a Lush Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · from $81

Leave Chiang Mai by van for Ban Den Temple and the Mae Ngat Valley. Ride through villages and rice fields, pause for a snack, then paddle the Ping River in a single or double kayak. Guides share local context, and the outing includes transport, safety gear, water and lunch. The river is peaceful, so expect to paddle rather than simply drift.

“This is such a peaceful day out. Cycling through the countryside, stopping for snacks at a local market. We finished our bike ride by the river & transitioned to kayaks. We were given a choice of single or double kayaks. We loved watching the Read more”

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7.No.1 Chiang Mai: Leisure River Kayaking: Mae Taeng forest Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $74

Set out from Chiang Mai for a guided paddle on the Mae Ping River, where water buffalo, local fishers and native birds share the riverbanks. You’ll get a kayak briefing, gear, transport and lunch, then paddle toward the shaded Mae Taeng Forest Reserve. Choose a single kayak or request a stable double. A guide named Twee has been associated with the trip, but guide assignments may vary.

“If you are looking for a serene trip to experience north Thailand nature, this is the tour to go! Kayaking was really beautiful and great view of mountains, definitely recommend in December. Also the Chiang Dao is the perfect cherry on top. Shoutout to Twee and the tour guides 🔥”

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8.15 km Leisure River Kayaking at Mae Ngat forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 24 reviews · 1 day · from $62

From Chiang Mai, ride to Chur Lare Bridge for a guided kayak trip through Mae Taeng forest. Choose a single or double hard-shell kayak, learn the basics from an English-, German- or Thai-speaking guide, and paddle past rural riverbanks, with lunch and hotel pickup included. The advertised route is 15 km, though the distance may vary.

“This is the second time I've used this company and it was great both times. Everything is super organized. Our guide was so kind and helpful and we had a blast. Pick up is prompt from you hotel. You have to do a quick check in at the office. Then you drive in a van to the starting spot and learn how to kayak! We opted for the longer kayaking as we had already done the caves. It was just me, my partner and the guide for this part. Our guide was so patient and friendly. We stopped off for a delicious lunch before heading back to Chiang Mai. Thank…”

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9.10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $97

Start at 8:00 am for a roughly seven-hour Chiang Mai outing to the Mae Taeng River. Paddle 10 km of whitewater in a two-person inflatable kayak, with safety equipment, an air-conditioned ride, lunch, coffee and tea included. Hotel pickup is offered within Chiang Mai city, and groups are limited to eight.

“Every second and every minute was full of joy. It was such a great pleasure. I’m looking forward to the next time! I’m grateful for all the joyful moments we spent together.”

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10.Jungle Kayak Adventure with Rapids & Elephants

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · from $81

Set out from Chiang Mai with Chiang Mai Mountain Biking & Kayaks for a guided Mae Wang River trip. After a 45-minute drive and a safety briefing, choose a river kayak or sit-on-top boat for Class I and II rapids, jungle scenery, and elephant camps along the bank. More experienced paddlers can tackle a lower section with Class III and IV rapids. Lunch and hotel return transport are included.

“Just a great day White water Kayaking, in a very scenic place, with lovely people, But be prepared for lots of horse fly attacks”

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11.10KM Inflatable Kayaking and 3HR Trekking Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $113

Leave Chiang Mai for a guided 3.2 km jungle trek to a 10-meter waterfall, with time for a swim, then enjoy lunch before a 10 km inflatable kayak trip on the Mae Taeng River. Guides explain local plants and sights, and provide a safety briefing and practice. Pickup is offered; groups are limited to eight.

“fantastic tour, they were very good, both the trekking to reach the waterfalls and the part with the inflatable kayak they were exciting.”

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12.Inflatable Kayaking and ATV Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $191

Leave Chiang Mai for a three-hour ATV ride over roughly 40 km of road and jungle tracks, followed by a guided inflatable kayak trip. No kayak experience is needed, and ATV routes suit beginners to intermediate drivers. Expect safety gear, lunch, hotel pickup, and a small group of no more than 10. ATV guide Tin has earned a reputation for keeping the ride lively.

“I did the ATV tour and 10km rafting. both tours were extremely well organised. safety first and more than enough instructors available. enjoyed a good lunch in between. And at the end you can shower in a clean shower.”

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13.Kayak the Jungle River of Chiang Dao Valley!

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 1 day · from $64

Spend a day kayaking the Ping River near Chiang Dao, beneath the Chiang Dao mountain range and past jungle growth and farmland. Guides including Aidan help beginners build confidence, while a support vehicle carries valuables and can assist. The group is limited to 10, and lunch is included.

“Great guides. Chatty and informative. A wonderful experience on the river Ping. Just about the right length of time. The simple food was at the end. Maybe would have been better ½ way through. Had to get out of the river twice to get kayaks past the 2 weirs. Luckily the guides did the boat dragging as I would have found it hard. The getting out was not easy especially the second place which was muddy and sharp stones. I hurt my foot.”

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14.Explore Kayaking Through Mae Ping River on Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $17Best value

Join a small-group, guided kayak trip along Chiang Mai’s Mae Ping River, covering about 5 to 6 km as afternoon turns to evening. You’ll pass Warorot Market, busy bridges, birds’ nests and riverside restaurants, with a guide such as Tono, lifejacket, snacks, water and hotel pickup included.

“Kayaking on the river was enjoyable. We were stuck in traffic for sunset, which would have been nice to see while on the river, but it was a good experience and very peaceful. The guide, Tono, was kind. Pick up and drop off made it all quite easy. A good time.”

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15.No1. Chiang Mai City Hiking, Biking & Kayaking Triathalon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $100

Start with an 8:30 am hotel pickup, then hike in Suthep National Park, visit forest temple Wat Pha Lat, bike 12 km to Huay Tueng Thao Lake for lunch, and kayak the Ping River toward central Chiang Mai. Bikes, kayaks, safety gear, transport, and a guide are included.

“Did a little bit of everything in one day. The guides were great and the scenery along the way was nice. I would recommend it if you are up to the task.”

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