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CHIANG MAI Top Things To Do in 2026 | Perfect 5 Day Itinerary
This video is an honest Chiang Mai travel guide made by “locals” who have been living here for over 5 years ☺️⛰️
We share all the best things to do in Chiang Mai, but also the good, bad, and ugly sides of traveling here. No fake hype, no Instagram-only spots — just real advice from people who actually live in Northern Thailand and explore it every week.
This 5-day Chiang Mai itinerary covers both must-see highlights and hidden gems that most tourists never hear about.
In this Chiang Mai travel guide, we talk about:
• The top things to do in Chiang Mai
• Where to stay in Chiang Mai (best areas & what to avoid)
• Temples and markets that are actually worth visiting
• Best hiking trails, viewpoints & mountains around Chiang Mai
• Waterfalls, including the famous Sticky Waterfall
• Day trips to Doi Inthanon National Park & Chiang Dao
• Ethical elephant sanctuaries like Elephant Nature Park
• Hill tribe villages, rice terraces & coffee plantations
• Best cafes with views, local coffee & slow travel spots
• Thai food, local dishes & cooking classes
• Bamboo rafting, nature experiences & off-the-beaten-path places
• Burning season and Rainy season tips
We also share places we personally love, spots we think are overrated, and tips that will help you avoid crowds and experience the best of Chiang Mai.
📍SOME OF THE LOCATION WE VISITED:
Cooking class we took
https://gyg.me/BTe33p3C
Yoga in the park https://maps.app.goo.gl/DdpHrjzJEKMEho29A
Our fav temple in the city https://maps.app.goo.gl/k5eLTBsH7QMU7QKd7
Mae Mae village accomodation https://maps.app.goo.gl/qkCni5JFMCTHUz9r5
Ban Na Lao Mai, Chiang Dao https://maps.app.goo.gl/GkPgGz7LeeYrsXcu6
Huay Thueng Thao https://maps.app.goo.gl/FN9vEUN7NLnvaiXA9
Amazing local food in Old Town https://maps.app.goo.gl/8NPdQ453LBFBu7DR7
Fav Northern Thai restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/SpUownjAPMe5u1pX6
Good hidden coffee in the Old Town https://maps.app.goo.gl/V5qTgEA3j9WX5TjV6
Best vegan food https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wxnf3kkRaDQ9KWXg8
Best cafe by the lake https://maps.app.goo.gl/yURjTQDXrNDkmiCZ7
Best cafe by the river https://maps.app.goo.gl/xuJbtrYVFzqZbjuj8
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro – Living in Chiang Mai as locals
00:52 Day 1: Food, Temples, Walking Street
03:30 Day 2: Parks, Unique Markets, Nimman
09:13 Why Should You Visit Chiang Mai?
11:37 Day 3: Doi Suthep, Night Bazaar, Jazz
14:53 Day 4: Doi Inthanon, Pa Pong Piang, Mae Wang
17:19 Day 5: Sticky Waterfalls
18:01 Chiang Dao
19:33 Ethical elephant sanctuaries (Elephant Nature Park)
20:33 Other Things to Do in Chiang Mai
23:06 Burning Season in Chiang Mai
23:23 Rainy Season in Chiang Mai
23:36 Cooking Class Chiang Mai
__________________________________________________________________________
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🩺 NOMAD TRAVEL INSURANCE WE USE
https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance/?referenceID=26451951&utm_source=26451951&utm_medium=Ambassador
Did you guys get to visit the Karen village and smoke pure opium? Would love to see you show that on your channel.
Are there any tours of Doi inthanon that you have found incorporate some of the less touristy places. We will be there the last week in October and want to get out and explore without all the crowds or at least see stuff in not the typical tour order so we can miss the bulk of the crowds.
Hi, Nick. In Chiang Mai and around, also Chiang Dao. What would be your advice to plan for transportation?
23:22 where is this road? thanks for the help!
can you make a video on how you travel with a small dog
Your videos are amazing.
We are going in January. Planning on a stay at an elephant sanctuary hotel. This video was very helpful. Would love to chat. We are so excited!!
Chiang Mai has the best vegan food in all of Thailand hands down. It up there with Ubud in Bali, but even more unique with Burmese food a standout!
Also, have you found it easy to bring your dog between thailand and vietnam? Any tips?
Hi Friend what is the name of the rental where you can have your dog? I will be there in sept
Nice vid, but if you say Jing Mai one more time I'll have to punch my screen.
Your dog is cool! Instant like
I like your dog!
What’s it like in June and January? I’m debating which month to go there ?
Amazing video thank you. I'm thinking of visiting Chaing Mai in October for one month. Just how bad can the rain and flooding get in Oct. Is it daily and super disruptive or can one enjoy a few rain free days and be able visit places and enjoy the city. Would appreciate your insight on this.
I just found your videos and they're SO informative and I can tell that your vacation style is like my family's! Adventure, off the beaten path and away from crowds and tourist traps when possible. So it's going to come in handy. THANK YOU! Question, I have two young teens and I think doing one of the home stays you mentioned in the video would be such a great experience. Can you recommend the ones you showed in the video or others? We're coming in June. Thanks again! Can't wait to watch more of your content.
Great video thank you guys! Is the Doi Inthanon itinerrary still reccommended in late January? is it still green and waterfalls are powerfull? I saw the yellow rice fields and it doesn't seem that appealing, I like better green scenery, do you have other reccomendations in that case?
hello nick. your videos are amazing! i dont understand why there are not more views. which camera do you use to make this high quality?
greetings from switzerland
Love you video and subscribed. What homestay or place did you stay in Chiang Đao in the video? I would love to stay there a night or two in June.
This video was amazing. Thank you! I arrived to Chiang Mia yesterday and wasn’t sure what to do.
Lovely Vlog
Your presentation is wonderful
Subscribed to your YouTube channel
We are planning a family trip during flower show in Feb 2027. Will be thankful to you, if you can suggest RESORT STYLE HOTEL. Preferably in NIMMAN AREA
Thank you very much
Sunil Chawla
Thnks. Going cnx tomorrow.
I really watch your video making notes every sec! 😄
We are going there in the first half of March and we are hiker-brains, could you advice trails which are less burning these days and is it possible to see deep green jungle somewhere? Have so much luck with all you do 💫
Music in the background makes this wideo really hard to watch. I can barely focus on what you are saying
I'm going to Chiang Mai in 5 days and this is without doubt the most comprehensive and useful video I've watched. Thank you so much for sharing it, I can't wait to arrive!! 🤩🤩
Thank you for this great video! We are planning to go to Chiang Mai in early March but little scared about the burning season as we want to visit the surroundings too.. what do you think?
Nick, this is an excellent video – We are so happy that we are going there and you gave use many ideas..
Brilliant video
merci pour cette vidéo incroyable ! j'ai pu découvrir des lieux qu'on ne voit jamais en vidéo !
Je cherchais des informations sur les activités pour MAE KAMPONG, existe il une vidéo sur ce lieu ?
which month Is the best time to visit?