bird's-eye view of white temple surround by trees
Chiang Mai, Thailand · 5 days itinerary

Chiang Mai in 5 Days

Photo by Bharath Mohan on Unsplash

This five-day trip covers temples in the old city, sites around Doi Suthep, markets in Nimman and Chang Klan, an elephant park, and Doi Inthanon National Park. The order begins with central locations and moves outward to day trips. It groups nearby sites together and reserves travel time for later days.

5 daysOld City templesDoi SuthepMarketsNational parkBy travli· Checked by the travli team, September 2026

Day by day

Day 1

The old city temples

  1. 9:00Old CitySight
  2. 11:00Old CitySight
  3. 14:00Old CitySight
  4. 16:30Old CityWalk
Day 2

Doi Suthep

  1. 8:30Doi SuthepSight
  2. 11:00Doi SuthepSight
  3. 14:30SuthepSight
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Day 3

Nimman and the markets

  1. 9:30SuthepSight
  2. 11:30NimmanWalk
  3. 15:00Chang MoiSight
  4. 18:30Chang KlanWalk
Day 4

Elephants

  1. 8:00Mae TaengDay trip
Day 5

Doi Inthanon

  1. 7:30Chom ThongDay trip
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Chiang Mai questions

Is 5 days enough for Chiang Mai?

Five days covers the Old City temples and two rural day trips. Book transport to Doi Inthanon and Elephant Nature Park one week ahead to secure spots and avoid peak-hour crowds.

Do I need to book Elephant Nature Park ahead?

Book Elephant Nature Park tickets at least seven days in advance. Daily visitor limits fill quickly and same-day entry is rarely available.

How do I get to Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai?

Join a shared minivan tour from Tha Phae Gate or rent a private driver for 2,500 baht round trip. The drive takes two hours each way and starts early to beat afternoon rain.

Do I need a guide for temples in Chiang Mai Old City?

No guide is required for Wat Phra Singh or Wat Chedi Luang. A 300-baht day pass for songthaew transport between sites saves time over walking in the midday heat.

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