Chiang Dao Cave
Chiang Dao Cave
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- KLworker122 contributionsA worthwhile experienceVery good experience and well worth the visit. Tours are by local guide with lamp who will take you through the initial section of unlit cave. Then last section you can walk through alone since electric lights are installed. They ask for an obligatory tip to the guide after they've taken you through which we didn't mind and were happy to give.Visited December 2023Traveled with friendsWritten December 26, 2023
- waranya o4 contributionsA natural wonderMy extended family and i went to the caves hoping to cool off. Note: the caves are out of the sun, but still muggy. We paid the entrance fee (i forget how much it was, but it was quite reasonable), which lets you into the small section of the the caves. We then paid another fee (still reasonable) to have a lantern-led tour of the caves. This worth the money. The guides literally use kerosene lanterns to lead you through the caves. There was so much to see, and it's quite adventurous. We were a group of 14 (ranging from 15-54) and were able to maneuver the tight spots, dark corridors, steep steps, etc. Well worth the trip!!Visited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten January 24, 2024
- May NashHamilton & Waikato Region, New Zealand77 contributionsStill beautiful as everRevisted after many years and almost same same only different seasons. Last time we visited was 18yrs ago and we were much smaller and fit as heck and also we visited then in December when temperatures are way more cooler then the now 30's. Yesterday was hot, extremely hot. We fell in love with the area back then and all though the cave area has barely changed the area around has definitely grown with new development. We did not venture into the cave this time round as we'd done years before. Back then when the weather was cooler and temps low the cave was hot and humid therefore I wasn't keen to test how hot it would be while temps were high. We happily wandered the area in the shade and had some amazing ice teas. We reminisced on how amazing and serene Chiang Dao area was and still is and how little the immediate vicinity has changed, thank goodness. I would recommend doing the cave and if you dont want to, you can wander aimlessly in the little shopping square; small and charming, zero touts, ice drinks, hot drinks, food, clothes etc. Prices are reasonable here.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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457 reviews
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Gavi
Bangkok, Thailand349 contributions
Dec 2021
Great to see and experience this place in both geographical and religious perspective; we love seeing the different formations, interpreted in numerous novel meanings from the locals - as well as letting our imagination do its thing at times. The cave consisted of numerous shrines and praying areas to pray, make merit and reflect. Some ways throughout the cave require some squeeze, and I found that a little fun exercise. The loop isn't long so the entire journey was not exhausting. Also, it requires a qualified guide to bring you in to explore the caves; you cannot enter on your own. Beyond this was the absolutely beautiful scenery outside the cave; the mountains and the clear stream of water at the entrance of the cave.
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
waranya o
4 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
My extended family and i went to the caves hoping to cool off. Note: the caves are out of the sun, but still muggy. We paid the entrance fee (i forget how much it was, but it was quite reasonable), which lets you into the small section of the the caves. We then paid another fee (still reasonable) to have a lantern-led tour of the caves. This worth the money. The guides literally use kerosene lanterns to lead you through the caves. There was so much to see, and it's quite adventurous. We were a group of 14 (ranging from 15-54) and were able to maneuver the tight spots, dark corridors, steep steps, etc. Well worth the trip!!
Written January 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rbrech
Silver Spring, MD504 contributions
Oct 2022
Interesting cave complex. Bring a flashlight or you will have to hire a local guide to take you through with a kerosene lantern. Supporting the local guides may be a good thing to do regardless. Some very large caverns and a few tight passageways. I am not particularly large, but I still had a bit of trouble navigating a few points. Worthwhile excursion if you are in the area as Doi Chiang Dao is awesome.
Written October 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ValOz
Australia117 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Large cave system with many caverns. Stalagmites and stalactites throughout, many of which can look like animals. The guide will point those ones out. Shrines and buddhas everywhere. Inc one to a hermit who lived inside for many years.
You have to squeeze through an initial entry hole to do the tour. I had to crawl. After that entry it all is very accessible. I think they make you do that squeeze to see if you will handle the rest, and to get all visitors going round the loop in the same direction, as our guide brought us back into the starter via cavern a different way.
You have to squeeze through an initial entry hole to do the tour. I had to crawl. After that entry it all is very accessible. I think they make you do that squeeze to see if you will handle the rest, and to get all visitors going round the loop in the same direction, as our guide brought us back into the starter via cavern a different way.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KLworker
Kuala Lumpur122 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Very good experience and well worth the visit. Tours are by local guide with lamp who will take you through the initial section of unlit cave. Then last section you can walk through alone since electric lights are installed. They ask for an obligatory tip to the guide after they've taken you through which we didn't mind and were happy to give.
Written December 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S&O
Zurich, Switzerland28,993 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Exciting, very natural height. There is a short path that you can walk alone to the reclining Buddha - takes 10 minutes one way. And there is a path that goes deeper into the cave and is adventurous - with a guide and oil lamp. There were small bats and we met a snake, but that seems to be unusual ;-).
Written November 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jukka-San
55 contributions
Ok, so I read all of the reviews on the cave before visiting. Frankly, the confused me and I did not know what to expect. So here is the bottom line: the cost is 40 bath for tourists and 20 bath for thais. If you wish to walk along the lit path you do not need a guide; however, if you want to go into the unlit areas you are required to "hire" a guide. The cost is 100 bath, with tips expected. There is a sign in thai and english which suggests a 100 bath tip per person. This is not a requirement and you can choose to tip as you like. I would recommend bringing some flash lights as the path in the unlit areas is a bit slippery in places. The cave itself is larger than others I have seen in Thailand, but is very developed and does not give one a true sense of adventure. If you do visit, take the guide and go through the entire cave open to visitors. On a side note, if you are claustrophobic or are not comfortable bending or climbing steep steps, just stay on the lit path.
Written July 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul_CNX
Chiang Mai, Thailand363 contributions
Nov 2011 • Couples
Well worth a visit to these caves if you are in the Chiang Dao area.
Pay your entrance fee, and then politely say "NO" when offered a guide or a lantern.
They are totally unnecessary, and even though the guides will tell you it is unsafe to go in alone, the paths are well lit and well signposted, and can easily be navigated alone, and without the use of a lantern or torch.
Pay your entrance fee, and then politely say "NO" when offered a guide or a lantern.
They are totally unnecessary, and even though the guides will tell you it is unsafe to go in alone, the paths are well lit and well signposted, and can easily be navigated alone, and without the use of a lantern or torch.
Written March 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Notshy
Singapore, Singapore2,726 contributions
We got to the cave quite late and it was pretty dark by the time we got there.
There was a lady guide sitting there and we hired her to take us round. She had a kerosene lantern which she charged up. She spoke minimal English but pointed out the highlights of the cave to us. She was extremely friendly too.
The cutest part was having her dog following us around and just wondering through the cave blindly knowing every crook and crany.
Overall it was good fun especially with the guide!
There was a lady guide sitting there and we hired her to take us round. She had a kerosene lantern which she charged up. She spoke minimal English but pointed out the highlights of the cave to us. She was extremely friendly too.
The cutest part was having her dog following us around and just wondering through the cave blindly knowing every crook and crany.
Overall it was good fun especially with the guide!
Written January 16, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GreenFong
Massachusetts44 contributions
Nov 2019
Chiang Dao also offers a number of activities. In addition to the famous caves there are two different hot springs, a beautiful temple you can hike up to, a much larger hike up the limestone mountain, a Tuesday market, an animal sanctuary, and great roads to get lost on.
Written June 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are the caves open? Thanks.
Written November 24, 2021
Hi, how did you get there from Chiang Mai?
Thanks,
Vincent
Written September 7, 2019
Hi, we just caught the local bus to Chiang Dao from Chiang Mai, really cheap and doesn’t take long. We stayed overnight in Chiang Dao and then arranged a driver to take us to the caves, natural hot springs and a few other sights in the area. Was a good day.
Sorry I can’t remember exact costs. Hope this helps!
Written September 7, 2019
Are the caves open daily now? I heard that they are closed after the the incident when the boys were trapped inside the caves.
Written June 28, 2019
this is not the caves the boys were trapped in, we were there in January 2019 and there is no threat of flooding. Do pay for the guide which is an additional cost to the small entrance fee, you get to areas that are confined space so if you don't like climbing through small spaces don't go.
Written July 4, 2019
If coming to the caves from Chiang Mai for a day visit, how much time should we set aside to visit the caves, including travel time?
Written April 14, 2019
It’s an hour drive one way to Chiang day, for visit 1-2 hours. It’s also very nice to stay overnight in Chiang dao too.
Written April 14, 2019
I would like to know if the guided part is really worth it?
Where are the best formation? On the illuminated caverns or on the ones you need a guide?
Written August 4, 2017
Hi, for us it was worth it. it was a kind of adventure, wondering around in the pitch black cave, with no lights but the lanterns. With the guides, you get to see the hidden places deep in the cave, where you normally can't get to. You can even chose between the long and short tour... we chose to take the short one.
The only annoying thing is that they want to take pictures from you in front of some strange looking formation for money... while explaining their holy meanings... This is not really necessary. And they do expect you to give them a tip after the tour.
If you go to see the illuminated caverns, you will get to the end of the guided tour with the laying Buddah and giant, there you get to see some nice formations as well. All together it was a nice experience...
Written August 25, 2017
I would like to do the Bua Tong waterfall and Chiang Dao Cave in a day trip. Is this feasible? What would be the best way to arrange transportation?
Thanks.
Written December 10, 2015
yes it is possible it is almost on the same way.
Written December 11, 2015
Hi. What is suggested option to reach Chiang Dao from Chiang Mai Town? More specifically, how to get to the location of the caves, if one has to rely on Songthaew or Buses. Thank you.
Written June 9, 2015
To get to Chiang Dao town from Chiang Mai, it's very easy and cheap to get the Thaton/Fang bus from Chang Phuak bus station - north of the Old City. The buses go from 6 am to around 7:30 pm daily, about every half an hour, for 50 Thai baht. The route passes Mae Rim and Mae Taeng. There is a checkpoint through the way, where you must show your passport or ID card, so don't forget this!
The more difficult part is getting to the caves and Wat Tham Chiang Dao, since they are located quite a distance out of Chiang Dao town. The turn-off to the caves is posted in the town - also with signposts to Malee's Nature Bungalow and The Nest. From there, a bicycle, motorcycle, or motorcycle taxi is the best option (easy to rent in the town). Songtaews also go there regularly. The songtaews and motorcycle taxis charge high prices to foreigners, up to 150 Thai baht. If you are really on a budget, as I was, you can walk the 5 km there from the turn-off - it's a pleasant forested route with many things to see. But I wouldn't advise another lone female to do this during the low season, when there are fewer tourists, and you also get really tired!I got a car ride part of the way with a lady who sells soap there! If you walk, it's important to start early in the morning and start early going back.
Probably the best idea would be to stay at one of the guesthouses on the route to the caves, since it's an easy walk or bicycle ride from most of the guesthouses to the caves. Get a songtaew or moto taxi to take you to drop you at the guesthouse with your luggage, and then when you go from there to the caves, you can bicycle or walk.
If you're not on a budget, and you really don't want to stay overnight in Chiang Dao, then hiring a car and driver or other vehicle from Chiang Mai directly to the caves would be the best idea.
Written June 25, 2015
How can I gire a Guide? Is There an email ir site? Is it dar asas from Chiang Mai?
Written February 18, 2015
If you stay at or just go to any of the guesthouses in Chiang Dao near the caves or in the town, they can easily arrange a guide for you to the Chiang Dao Caves or other local attractions. Otherwise, when you get to the Chiang Dao Caves, there are plenty of local guides onsite right there that you can hire (ladies with lanterns). It's not something normally arranged from Chiang Mai, as it's the local people in Chiang Dao who know the area and have the expertise.
Written June 25, 2015
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