Sticky waterfalls in Chiang Mai countryside. This full-day tour strings together Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls (Nam Phu Chet Si), a boat ride on the Mae Ngat reservoir, and a big provincial temple complex—so you get more than just photos and traffic. I also like the learning angle, especially the way the day connects day-to-day life with agriculture and water systems through the guide’s explanations.

One thing to plan for: meals are not included, so you’ll want lunch money or snacks ready for the long stretch between stops.

Key Points Worth Knowing Before You Go

• Small group size (up to 10) helps the schedule feel less chaotic, even for a full day out of town
• Boat time on Mae Ngat reservoir adds a slower, cooler pace after road travel
• Wat Ban Den is free and substantial, not just a quick temple photo stop
• Bua Thong / Nam Phu Chet Si is the headline for a reason: multi-tier limestone falls with that sticky reputation
• Chedi Mae Krua Market is the real local-life pause, not a tourist bazaar
• Long day rhythm (about 8 hours) means you should bring water and plan your energy

Leaving Chiang Mai: The Day-Trip Flow Starts With Wat Ban Den

This tour is built like a proper countryside circuit. You start early-ish (8:30 am) and head out from central Chiang Mai to a temple complex that’s big enough to feel like an experience, not a drive-by.

The first stop is Wat Ban Den, a major temple complex in Chiang Mai province. It’s also known as Wat Ribunrueang, and the key point for you is size and importance: this isn’t a tiny roadside chapel. Even with a shorter visit window, you’ll likely have time to orient yourself, spot the major areas, and get a feel for how temple life works beyond the typical tourist script.

A practical note: temples are where the day can either feel thoughtful or rushed, depending on your pace. If you prefer quiet time, treat the first two hours as your chance to slow down. If you want action, this is still a good early stop because you’re fresh and the light is usually better for photos.

Mae Ngat Dam and Reservoir: Why the Boat Stop Feels Different

Next comes the scenery shift. You’ll go from temple quiet to Mae Ngat Dam & Reservoir, located on the western side of Si Lanna National Park. This is where the tour stops trying to fit everything into a sprint and gives you a more restful, open-air break.

The dam and reservoir area is included with about an hour on-site, and there’s also a boat ride included as part of the tour: a boat trip at Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam. That boat segment is the one that changes the whole mood of the day, because it slows the travel pace and lets you experience the water system from a different angle.

What I like about this stop is that it adds variety without adding complexity. You’re not switching to a new transport type every few minutes. You’re just moving from road to boat to back to road, with a chance to cool down and reset.

Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls (Nam Phu Chet Si): The Main Event

Now for the reason most people book: Bua Thong Waterfalls, also called Nam Phu Chet Si. The tour schedules about three hours here, which is a healthy amount of time for a place like this. It gives you breathing room for the walkways, waiting for less crowded moments, and actually enjoying the falls instead of just doing a quick check-the-box stop.

These waterfalls are multi-tier limestone falls. The name sticky waterfalls isn’t just a catchy label—the limestone surface is the whole story—so expect a spot where your footing and pace matter. This is also the part of the day where you should assume you’ll get damp at some level. Bring footwear you trust and something you can dry later if you want to stay comfortable during the ride back.

A smart approach: spend your first chunk just looking and taking it in. Then, when you’ve got your bearings, move closer for the full effect. If you rush immediately, you’ll miss the way the tiers change as you move around the water.

The big win here is time. Three hours means you’re not constantly stuck in a rigid line. It feels like a real visit, not a photo sprint.

The Local Market Break at Mae Faek Mai and Chedi Mae Krua Market

After the waterfalls, you’ll head to Mae Faek Mai for a stop at Chedi Mae Krua Market. This is specifically described as an authentic local market, and the tour frames it as not being a tourist attraction. That matters, because your expectations should shift: don’t come here looking for souvenirs and scripted stalls. Come to observe everyday life—food, routines, and how people shop.

You’ll have about two hours here. For a day tour, that’s long enough to browse without feeling trapped. It also helps balance the intensity of temples and waterfalls with something more human-scale and ordinary.

If you like markets, this stop is one of the reasons the day feels more grounded. You’re seeing the province the way locals experience it, not just a curated list of landmarks.

If you’re not into markets, you’ll still get value by using the time strategically: pick up a snack, hydrate, and give yourself a mental break before heading back.

Price and Value: Is $63.37 a Good Deal?

At $63.37 per person, you’re not just paying for a sightseeing ticket—you’re paying for a full day of transport, guide support, and a couple of key inclusions that would cost you time (and usually extra money) if you tried to piece it together yourself.

Here’s what the price covers:

• English-speaking tour guide
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Hotel pickup and drop-off within the regular service area
• Boat trip on the Mae Ngat reservoir (Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam)
• Mobile ticket

And importantly, the stop admissions are listed as free for the major sites in the day:

• Wat Ban Den (free ticket noted)
• Mae Ngat Dam & Reservoir (free)
• Bua Thong Waterfalls (free)
• The market stop is also presented as part of the itinerary without an admission fee listed

So where is the value? It’s in the combination: getting out to multiple locations efficiently, plus the boat ride. Transport and guided interpretation can be the difference between seeing a waterfall and actually understanding what you’re looking at.

One more value point: group size. The tour caps groups at 10 persons per group, which typically means easier logistics and less time stuck waiting for large crowds.

Timing, Pickup, and How to Prepare for the 8-Hour Rhythm

This tour starts at 8:30 am from Burger King at Tha Phae Gate (Burger King – Thapae, 2-6 Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum). Your day ends back at the meeting point, and the total duration is listed as about 8 hours.

Pickup is included only within the provider’s regular service area. If your hotel is outside that area, you’ll meet at the Burger King instead. The tour also notes that it’s near public transportation, so you’re not totally stuck if pickup doesn’t work.

What you should do to make the day smoother:

• Plan to eat before you go, since meals aren’t included
• Bring water (especially for the waterfall segment)
• Wear comfortable shoes for limestone and walkways
• Keep your towel and dry layer idea ready if you tend to get chilly after water time

Also check your expectations on pacing. Three hours at the falls is great, but it’s still part of a packed schedule. You’ll likely be traveling between stops, so don’t treat this as a slow, flexible day. Think of it as a well-run circuit that balances temples, water, and local market life.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This tour is a good fit if you want a countryside day without doing DIY logistics. You’ll like it if you care about:

• seeing Wat Ban Den as more than a quick photo
• getting real variety with dam + reservoir + boat
• spending actual time at Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls
• finishing with an everyday-life stop at Chedi Mae Krua Market

It’s also a strong choice if you enjoy explanations. One of the best-reviewed angles is learning—especially connections between daily life, agriculture, water systems, and Buddhist context. If that kind of context makes your trips feel richer, this will likely land well for you.

You might skip it if you hate full-day schedules. With about 8 hours of movement and three hours at the falls, there’s not a lot of room to slow down on your own. And if you need meals included, you’ll have to budget or plan snacks because lunch is not provided.

Should You Book the Sticky Waterfall + Mae Ngat Boat Tour?

I’d book this tour if you want a single day that mixes the big Chiang Mai headline (sticky waterfalls) with two very useful “less city” layers: a major temple visit and a reservoir boat ride. The price makes sense because transport, guide help, and the included boat trip do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.

Book it with a small plan: eat first, bring a little water/snack flexibility, and dress for getting damp. If you do that, you’ll get a day that feels like you left the city on purpose, not just for a few photos.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 am.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Burger King – Thapae (2-6 Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand). If your hotel is outside the regular service area, you meet there.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as approximately 8 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only within the provider’s regular service area. If you’re outside that area, you’ll meet at the Burger King at Tha Phae Gate.

What’s included in the price?

Included are an English-speaking tour guide, air-conditioned transportation, hotel pickup/drop-off where available, and a boat trip at Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam.

Are the attractions admission fees included?

Wat Ban Den, Mae Ngat Dam & Reservoir, and Bua Thong Waterfalls are listed with admission ticket free in the itinerary.

Is lunch or a meal included?

No. Meals are not included, so you’ll want to plan for food during the day.

How big are the groups?

The tour notes a maximum of 10 persons per group.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.