Miracles, steam, and waterfalls in one long day. What I like most is the Buddha footprint you’ll find at Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat and the calm reset at Chae Son hot springs, with multiple steaming ponds to unwind. One thing to plan for: this is a hill-and-stairs day, so your legs need to be ready.

I also appreciate the small-group feel, with a maximum of 15 people, and how the guide and driver can keep the day moving without turning it into a rushed checklist. On one day I looked at closely, Ms. Kat stood out as thoughtful and professional, which makes a big difference when you’re juggling temples, a National Park trail, and soaking time in the same schedule.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Buddha’s footprint on a stone slab at Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat
• Prayers for prosperity during your ascent to Wat Phra Bat Pupha Daeng
• Different-temperature hot spring ponds at Chae Son
• Boiling eggs as part of the hot-spring experience
• A National Park waterfall hike at Chae Son, in the Phi Pan Nam western ridge area
• A long, guided day with transfers starting at 7:30 am and running about 11 hours

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat: the Hill Temple with the Buddha Footprint

This day starts by heading to Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, also tied to the longer name Wat Phra Phutthabat Sutthawat. The signature detail is a footprint of Lord Buddha inscribed on a large stone slab, which gives the temple a very clear, memorable focal point as soon as you arrive.

A fun local angle here is how the villagers refer to it: Doi Pu Yak or Doi Phra Bat Pu Pha Daeng. I like places where you can feel the community naming the site, not just a travel label. Plan to take your time around the main features and soak in the slower temple pace, because the time on-site is substantial.

How it feels in practice: you’re not just passing through photos. You’re spending around 3.5 hours at this first stop, which is enough time to settle, wander, and follow the usual respectful behavior around a religious site. The only real drawback is that it’s an early start and your day builds momentum quickly, so treat this as the beginning of your stamina marathon rather than an easy warm-up.

Wat Phra Bat Pupha Daeng: Stairs, Calm Focus, and a Chance to Pray

Next comes Wat Phra Bat Pupha Daeng, with time set aside for both paying respects and climbing up toward the top of the hill. Here, you’re invited to pray for prosperity, and the atmosphere is more about focused ritual and quiet attention than sightseeing-style wandering.

You’ll be walking upward, and the good news is that the temple has improved the path over time. The stairs are described as more comfortable than they used to be, which matters on a day like this where your legs will be doing more work than you’d expect from a “tour description.”

The trade-off: even with improved steps, you should assume you’ll be climbing steadily. If stairs make you uncomfortable or you prefer very minimal walking, this may not be your kind of day. But if you’re okay with a gradual climb and you enjoy temple spaces that feel local, the hill-top payoff is the whole point of this stop.

Chae Son Hot Springs: Relax in Different-Temperature Ponds

After the temple climbs, the schedule gives you a real reset at Chae Son Hot Spring. This stop is about 1.5 hours, and it’s one of the reasons the overall day feels balanced instead of exhausting.

What makes the hot springs worth your attention is that the ponds come with different temperatures. So you can choose your comfort level—start with one pond, switch to another, then find the spot that feels just right. This “pick your heat” approach turns the soaking time into something you can tailor instead of just enduring one setting.

And yes, the day includes the playful hot-spring food moment: eating boiling eggs. It’s a small detail, but it’s exactly the kind of simple, Northern Thailand flavor-and-ritual experience that makes guided days memorable without being overcomplicated.

My practical tip: if you’re going to soak, wear shoes you can slip off easily and bring something to dry off. Even if you don’t plan to stay in the water the whole time, a towel and a change of clothes help you transition cleanly back into the waterfall portion.

Chae Son Waterfall in Chae Son National Park: Nature Shower Time

Then it’s outdoors and more energetic: Chae Son Waterfall. You’ll have around 3.5 hours for this part, which is helpful because waterfall time isn’t just about arriving at one view. It’s about moving through a trail environment and spending time at the falls without feeling you’re on a three-minute stop.

The description frames this as a waterfall in Chae Son National Park, surrounded by high mountains and ridges. It’s also linked to the Phi Pan Nam western ridge area, so you’re in a northern mountain zone where the air and the terrain can feel quite different from the city.

There’s even a nice, literal framing in how it’s described: you can take a nature shower. That’s a good heads-up for what to expect. Waterfalls create mist, and trails can get slick. If you’re the type who likes to get close for that full effect, go carefully and protect your footing.

What you’ll likely enjoy most: this is where the day’s pacing relaxes into real nature time. After temples and soaking, it feels like you’re letting your mind unclench. The only consideration is that weather matters. The tour requires good weather overall, so you want clear conditions for both the trail and the waterfall time.

Timing and Transfers: What a 7:30 am Start Really Means

The meeting time is 7:30 am, and the full day runs about 11 hours. That means this is not a quick half-day. It’s a full day tour where the schedule changes gears several times: hillside faith sites, hot spring ponds, then a National Park waterfall environment.

The good news is that the day includes round trip transfer and pickup offered, so you’re not managing your own transport. You also get a mobile ticket, which reduces friction when you’re moving from stop to stop.

The structure is also built to keep energy in check:

• You’ll get a Thai food lunch that’s meant to re-energize you.
• You’ll also receive a cold bottle of water.
• Entrance fees are included, so you won’t be worrying about payment at each site.

If you like tours that handle the practical parts well—transport, entry costs, and the main “what happens when”—this format makes the day feel easier. You can focus on the places instead of logistics.

Price and Value: Is $156.25 a Good Deal?

At $156.25 per person, this isn’t a bargain-basement option. But the value picture looks healthier once you list what’s included: round-trip transfer, Thai lunch, cold water, entrance fees, and travel insurance listed at 1 million THB.

In Thailand, a “driver plus maybe lunch” day can turn expensive once you add up entry fees, transport time, and the extra items that pop up during a full itinerary. Here, the package includes the key items that most travelers end up paying for anyway. That’s why the price can make sense—especially if you don’t want to spend your vacation time coordinating between multiple sites on your own.

The other value lever is the group size. With a maximum of 15 travelers, you’re less likely to feel swallowed by a huge bus crowd. That helps when you’re moving through temples and nature trails where people naturally take slightly different paces.

One more reality check: this trip needs good weather. If conditions are poor, the experience may be canceled and you may be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s not a flaw in your planning—just a reminder that nature trips are weather-dependent by nature.

Who This Excursion Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This excursion fits best if you want a Northern Thailand day that mixes faith, calm soaking, and outdoor scenery without switching plans every hour. If you enjoy temple details—especially Buddha-related sacred markers—and you’re curious about how people pray in everyday village context, the hill temples are the headline.

You’ll also likely enjoy this if you’re a nature person who doesn’t mind a walk on a trail to reach a waterfall moment. The hot springs add variety, and the boiling-egg tradition keeps it playful rather than purely relaxing.

Consider skipping if:

• You struggle with stairs or long climbs. The temple portion includes a hill walk and multiple stair sections.
• You need an easy day with minimal walking. This is a long schedule and it’s designed to keep moving.

On the other hand, if you’re comfortable with moderate walking and you treat steps as part of the sightseeing package, this trip can feel like a full-day highlight.

Smart Packing for a Faith-and-Nature Day

You’ll be switching environments fast: temple stone areas, hot spring conditions, then a National Park trail. Pack for all three.

I’d bring:

• Shoes with good grip for stairs and waterfall mist
• A light layer for early morning (then something breathable for the hotter parts)
• A small rain layer in case you get mist or light showers
• A towel and change of clothes if you plan to soak
• Sun protection, because the day starts at 7:30 am and you’ll be outdoors

Also remember that temple visits often come with unspoken norms around dress. If you show up too casually, you might feel uncomfortable. Aim for clothing that covers shoulders and knees when possible, just to keep things respectful and stress-free.

Should You Book Chiang Mai’s Exotic Excursion?

I’d recommend booking this tour if you want a single, guided day that hits three themes with real time at each: hill temple faith (with that Buddha footprint detail), a relaxing hot-spring break with different-temperature ponds, and a meaningful waterfall outing in Chae Son National Park.

I would hesitate if you’re sensitive to stairs or you want a low-walking itinerary. The temple portion is the main physical challenge, and the day is long enough that you’ll feel it if you’re not ready.

If you do book, go in with the right mindset: this is not a speed-run of landmarks. It’s a structured day where the pace is part of the experience—first quiet reverence, then warm water comfort, then nature shower mist.

FAQ

How long is the Chiang Mai Exotic Excursion?

It runs for about 11 hours.

What stops are included in the tour?

The day includes Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, Wat Phra Bat Pupha Daeng, Chae Son Hot Spring, and Chae Son Waterfall.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and the tour includes round-trip transfer.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You get Thai food lunch as part of the tour.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees are included for the stops listed in the itinerary.

Does the tour include hot spring activities or food?

You’ll visit the hot spring ponds and the day includes boiling eggs as part of the hot-spring experience.

Does the tour require good weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the group size?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Final note

If you want one day in Chiang Mai that balances faith sites, warm-water recovery, and a National Park waterfall, this itinerary is a strong pick. Just respect the steps, pack for mist, and you’ll be set for a day that feels full without being chaotic.