Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai and Mae Ngat Boat Tour

Bua Thong’s Sticky Waterfalls are the headline: pale, multi-tiered limestone falls about an hour from Chiang Mai, set among the hills of Si Lanna National Park. This day trip also trades city streets for a reservoir boat ride, a large temple complex, and a working local market.

I like the contrast between the hands-on nature stop and the chance to see everyday rural life, and I like that the boat trip and air-conditioned transport are included in the $63.37 price. The main consideration is a full day on the road, with meals and drinks at your own expense.

The day at a glance

• Bua Thong Waterfalls: The multi-tiered falls are the main event, with a scheduled three-hour stop.
• Wat Ban Den: A large temple complex that gives the day a cultural counterpoint to its outdoor stops.
• Mae Ngat reservoir: The tour includes a boat trip on this tranquil reservoir beside Si Lanna National Park.
• Chedi Mae Krua Market: A local market stop offers a look at ordinary commerce beyond Chiang Mai’s tourist circuit.
• Small-group format: Groups are limited to 10 people, with air-conditioned transport and an English-speaking guide.
• Bring money for food and drinks: Meals, soft drinks, alcohol, personal expenses, and tips are not included.

Leaving Chiang Mai for Wat Ban Den

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. and is designed to get you out of the city and into Chiang Mai province. On the drive, you pass rural villages, rice paddies, farmland, and hills covered in jungle. That change of scenery is part of the point: the day is not just a transfer to a waterfall, but a chance to see how quickly the city gives way to a quieter, agricultural region.

You can be picked up at your hotel if it is within the operator’s regular service area. If it is not, the meeting point is in front of the Burger King at Tha Phae Gate, at 2-6 Rachadamnoen Road. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so plan your onward arrangements from there.

The first stop is Wat Ban Den, also known as Wat Ribunrueang. It is described as one of the largest temple complexes in Chiang Mai province. The two-hour stop gives you time to look around a substantial religious site rather than making a quick photo stop and rushing straight back to the van.

A temple visit is also a useful way to understand the region beyond its scenery. One person who took this tour particularly valued learning about Buddhism and the role it plays in people’s lives. The guide’s explanations can add context that you would miss by simply walking through the grounds, although the clarity of spoken English may vary. Guide names can vary too; Saman is one guide associated with the outing.

Wat Ban Den is a good fit if you want more than waterfalls, but it may be less compelling if your only goal is time outdoors. Keep your temple visit respectful and follow your guide’s directions on appropriate behavior. The supplied tour details do not specify a dress code, so check with the operator if you want to confirm what to wear.

A boat ride on Mae Ngat reservoir

From the temple, the tour continues to Mae Ngat Dam and Reservoir on the western side of Si Lanna National Park. The reservoir is presented as a peaceful break from the city, and a boat trip is included in the tour price. The scheduled stop is one hour, so think of this as a scenic interlude rather than an extended day on the water.

The boat ride gives the itinerary a different pace. After exploring temple grounds, you can take in the reservoir and its surrounding hills from the water. It is also one of the tour’s clearest value points: transport and the boat trip are included, so you do not need to arrange your own way out to the reservoir or pay separately for that activity.

The tour description notes that the dam was built, but the available information does not give further details about its construction or operation. If you are especially interested in Thailand’s water systems, ask your guide about the reservoir. Learning about agriculture and water management was a highlight for one participant, and the drive through farmland gives those subjects a natural place in the day’s conversation.

Do not expect a meal to be part of the stop. Food and drinks are excluded, and the schedule is a long one. Bring some money for snacks or a meal, and ask the operator or guide what food options are available along the route if you want to plan more precisely.

Bua Thong’s Sticky Waterfalls

Bua Thong Waterfalls, also called Nam Phu Chet Si, are the tour’s main draw for many people. The falls are about an hour from Chiang Mai and consist of multiple limestone tiers in Si Lanna National Park. The tour allocates three hours here, its longest listed stop, which gives you considerably more time than a brief roadside visit.

The name Sticky Waterfalls is a good clue to what makes this stop unusual. Rather than looking at a waterfall from a distant viewpoint, you come to a series of falls where the limestone forms the setting for the experience. The supplied details do not specify facilities, water conditions, or what footwear is best, so do not assume that every part of the site will suit every visitor. If you have mobility concerns or want to know what the visit involves physically, ask the operator before booking.

Three hours is generous compared with the one-hour reservoir stop, but it is still a shared tour schedule. You will need to follow the group’s timing and return to the vehicle when the guide calls. That structure is helpful if you want transport arranged, but it will not suit you if you prefer to linger without a set departure time.

If the falls are your main reason for booking, this tour gives them the largest block of time in the itinerary. One participant described the falls as incredible, while also valuing the chance to see places outside the city. That combination captures the tour’s strength: you get a major natural stop, but the day does not revolve around it alone.

Chedi Mae Krua Market and rural life

The itinerary also includes Mae Faek Mai, where the tour stops at Chedi Mae Krua Market. It is presented as a real local market, not a purpose-built attraction for visitors. That distinction matters. A market can offer a brief, ordinary glimpse of daily life that feels quite different from a temple visit or a national park stop.

The schedule lists two hours for this final stop, but that figure should not be taken to mean you will spend two hours browsing market stalls. The exact division of time at the market and on the route is not specified. Treat the stop as a chance to look around and observe local commerce, rather than expecting a guided food tour or a long shopping session.

The market is a useful addition if you like seeing places that are not organized around sightseeing. It may be less interesting if you want every stop to be a major landmark. There is no meal included, so do not count on the market visit as a guaranteed lunch break. Ask the guide about food options and timing during the day.

What the $63.37 price covers

At $63.37 per person, the price includes an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off within the regular service area, and the Mae Ngat boat trip. For a full day that reaches several sites outside Chiang Mai, those inclusions make the fare easier to assess than a transport-only price. You are paying for a planned route and the convenience of connecting places that would otherwise require separate arrangements.

You will need extra money for meals, personal expenses, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Gratuities for the driver and guide are not mandatory. The cost of the temple, reservoir, waterfalls, and market is listed as free admission, but that does not mean your food or other personal costs are covered.

The group limit is 10 people, which can make it easier to hear the guide and keep the day moving than a very large coach outing. The activity information also gives a maximum of 100 travelers, so the small-group limit applies to an individual group rather than necessarily to every departure or group running at once.

The experience is booked, on average, 21 days in advance. That is a useful planning signal if your dates are fixed, though availability can change. Confirmation is received at booking. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time; cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Chiang Mai day trip

I would consider this tour if you want a full day outside Chiang Mai and like mixing nature with culture. It suits people who want the Sticky Waterfalls but would also enjoy a temple, a boat ride, and a look at a local market. The guided transport is especially useful if you would rather not coordinate several out-of-town stops yourself.

It is also a good match if you are curious about rural life, agriculture, or Buddhism. The day gives the guide room to connect the places you see with subjects beyond sightseeing, though you should be prepared to ask follow-up questions if you want more detail. English is part of the service, but precise communication can vary.

I would think twice if you want a leisurely day with long, unstructured stops, or if you expect meals and drinks to be included. The schedule covers several locations in about eight hours, and the tour returns to its starting point. You trade some independence for a convenient route and a lot of variety.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off within the regular service area, and a boat trip at Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam.

Are meals included?

No. Meals, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, and gratuities are not included.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Burger King at 2-6 Rachadamnoen Road. If your hotel is outside the regular pickup area, meet in front of the Burger King at Tha Phae Gate.

How large is the group?

The group limit is 10 people. The activity information also states a maximum of 100 travelers.

Is the boat trip included?

Yes. The Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam boat trip is included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.