Chiang Mai Private Tour With Tea Plantation, Karen Village, Doi Suthep

We had an amazing experience with Tong as our tour guide. From the moment he arrived, he provided excellent service and made us feel completely taken care of. He was kind, professional, attentive, knowledgeable, and always willing to help with anything we needed. Everything was very well organized, and he made the entire experience easy, comfortable, and enjoyable from beginning to end. Honestly, absolutely everything about the service was excellent. Tong went above and beyond, and we truly appreciated his dedication and positive attitude. He made our experience even more special, and we would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an outstanding tour guide. Thank you, Tong, for taking such great care of us!

We had an absolutely wonderful tour with Tong! He was incredibly informative, knowledgeable, and pleasant from beginning to end. Tong did an amazing job explaining everything, answering all of our questions, and making the entire experience enjoyable and memorable. He was professional, friendly, patient, and genuinely made us feel welcome. You can tell that Tong truly enjoys what he does and takes pride in sharing his knowledge with others. We learned so much and had such a great time. I highly recommend Tong to anyone looking for an excellent tour guide—you will not be disappointed! Thank you, Tong, for making our experience so special! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Claudia

A wonderful, varied, day out. Our guide, Yut, did a great job as driver and guide. He was extremely knowledgable and we learnt a lot. He was also an amazing host with cold water, cold wipes and even snacks for us. Doi Sutep was stunning, although there are a lot of steps do not good if you have mobility restrictions. Our stop at the orchid and butterfly farm was brief as there is not much to see, but very nice. The tea plantation tour was excellent, and a real highlight. You get to pick the tea, see how it’s made by hand, and then there’s a tea tasting. We went to an authentic Thai place for lunch and the food was delicious. Finally we saw the Karen Long Neck people who were lovely, and patient about people taking photos. I would go prepared to buy souvenirs as a thank you for this. All in all a fantastic day out.

We loved our tour with Yut - his English was excellent and he was so kind and informative! Could not have asked for a better day!

Had a fantastic time with this tour! We visited the temple at Doi Suthep, as well as the Long Neck Karen tribe, and two gorgeous farms for tea and orchids. Our guide, Tong, was very knowledgeable and engaging! He made us feel welcome in Thailand and Chiang Mai. He kept us entertained with fun jokes while showing us the beauty around Chiang Mai. Definitely would recommend this tour, and suggest you request Tong as your guide. Also wanted to give a shout-out to our driver Em. He got us around the city very carefully and smoothly despite the busy rush hour traffic. He was always attentive to helping us and made us feel safe in the busy city.

This tour exceeded our expectation. Our guide, Yut, was engaging and very knowledgeable and pleasant. I highly recommend taking this tour!

Beautiful and informative tour! Yut was the best guide we could’ve asked for; he is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating! Thank you

Very interesting trip. Our guide Tong was very knowledgeable and kind and made the day great. The whole family really enjoyed it.

Fabulous tour, superb guide. We spent 8 hrs. learning about the culture and customs of Thailand on our tour. Our guide, Puma (nickname), started out the tour as we drove past the canal, explaining the history of the city, the canal, and remnants of what was once the wall surrounding the city. This was just an introduction to the breadth and depth of her knowledge. We spent the day talking about the educational system, political (past and present) events, social and welfare issues, and so on. It was obvious that she really understands her country and its issues, and was happy to share with us. Our first stop was Doi Suthep Temple. She gave us the option to climb 306 steps, or take the funicular-we selected the funicular. She dropped us at the base and said to wait for her while she parked. She was back in 10 min. and we continued up the mountainside via funicular. Once at the top, she told us the story that explains why the temple was built on this site, pointed out a lot of the artwork that is in the temple (in addition to the chedi and Buddhas), acted as our personal photographer, and made sure we had ample time to see everything. After the temple, we drove to one of the Karen Villages. We had done some research on the Karen people prior to the tour, but Puma was able to add to what we learned and her familiarity with and knowledge of the tribe gave us a much more in-depth idea of who these people are, why they are living in Thailand, and what the future holds for them. It was obvious that Puma has a relationship with many of the village residents and we were able to ask questions and converse with them through her. Our next stop was a very enjoyable buffet lunch highlighted by a butterfly garden and orchard garden. It is a facility that caters to large tour groups, but the food was good, and the two gardens were lovely. Our last stop was a tea plantation where we were given the opportunity to pick tea leaves, then observe the roasting process of the tea leaves we just picked. We learned the differences between white, green and black teas, and viewed the "factory" where the tea leaves are processed. Following the demonstration, we sampled a variety of black teas before returning to the restaurant area to enjoy a cup of the roasted green tea and some delicious locally-made rice crackers. Our drive back into Chaing Mai was filled with more conversation. Puma was an excellent guide, driver, photographer, and storyteller. She kept us engaged and entertained for the entire tour. We learned a lot, laughed a bit, and loved every minute of this tour!

I had requested to visit the Wat Phra Lat as having been before I felt it was unlike any temple we had seen before so shouldn’t be missed. The visit to the Tea house was enjoyed immensely by both of us & although neither of us enjoyed the tea tasting very much (as we’re not tea drinkers) it was a very informative & interactive tour. Lunch was at the Orchid & butterfly farm which we both enjoyed. Unfortunately the visit to the Karen Village (Long Neck Tribe) was not what we were expecting & it didn’t sit morally with either my husband & I. I felt obliged to buy from the ladies & found it difficult to choose who from as they all appeared to be in need of help. We didn’t stay our allotted time here as we felt uncomfortable there. Overall the tour was good but I would not recommend going to the Karen Village but a visit to the Wat Phra Lat be on the itinerary instead. Puma, our guide, once again was very flexible with our day & gave us lots of information about all of our stops. Thanks Puma for 2 great days that we spent with you learning about Thai culture. I wouldn’t recommend this tour to others if it continues to visit the Karen Village.

This was an absolutely amazing tour! The tour guide, Teerayut, was so knowledgeable and kind! We were picked up from our hotel and drove to the temple near the top of Doi Suthep. Teerayut explained a lot about Thailand and Buddhism. The views over Chang Mai were breathtaking! We then went to an orchid and butterfly sanctuary that was also incredible! The Karen village was full of wonderful scarves and fiber-crafts made by the women. Teerayut took us to an amazing restaurant for lunch, and we had a great discussion about food! After lunch we drove to the tea plantation, and wow! It was so relaxing and peaceful! This tour has been a real highlight of our trip!

Top guide - chill, very well educated, adaptable to us,… Nice and interesting program - themple and especially Karen poeple village and tea plantation.

The tour and our tour guide, Tong was more than expected! We did not feel like tourists, but more like friends of Tong as we explore the sights around Chiang Mai. Tong was flexible with the schedule, a safe driver, and an excellent photographer! I highly recommend taking this tour and requesting Tong to be your tour guide.

What an adventurous day we had! My husband surprised me with a private tour of beautiful Chiang Mai! Our tour guide, Tong provided us with exceptional service as he offered historical information as well as commentary of his own knowledge of the local culture and traditions. Tong made us feel like we have been friends for a long time as we chatted about life. I could easily tell that Tong was well-liked and respected with each vender we met. I highly recommend this tour the Karen Village and the Tea plantation made this tour very unique experience.

Best experience in Thailand! We went on many tours in Chiang Mai but this trip with Mr. Tong was the best one! He brought us local snacks and drinks for the trip (which were so good) and was always making sure we were having fun and learning a lot about Thai culture. Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat, Hill tribes, and Tea farming were on our personal itinerary. The tour is flexible which is what we liked about our private tour. Mr. Tong taught us about the Lanna kingdom, Buddhism, and Thai history. His English is very good and his sense of humor entertained us for the entire day. He is so respectful to the Thai community and to the Hill Tribes. Book this tour with the sweetest man who will be dedicated to giving you the best time in Thailand. My daughter and I had the best time and would highly recommend him.

Mr. Tong is an absolute gem of a tour guide! From the moment he picked us up on time, he showered us with warm hospitality and delicious rice crackers and snacks for our journey. His knowledge about the Lanna culture and the history of Doi Suthep truly enriched our experience. The photos he took at Wat Pha Lat were breathtaking, capturing moments we'll cherish forever. Lunch at the local restaurant was a highlight, with mouthwatering Tom Yam and Khao Soi that left us craving more. And just when we thought it couldn't get any better, Mr. Tong surprised us with sticky rice and egg custard for dessert! The tea farming tour was informative and fun, with plenty of tea samples to enjoy. To top it all off, Mr. Tong's thoughtful gesture of a small gift at the end touched our hearts and left us feeling blessed. His warmth, hospitality, and sense of humor made the entire day unforgettable. Highly recommend Mr. Tong for an exceptional tour experience in Chiand Mai, Thailand!

Started off the day by meeting Mr. Tong at our hotel. He greeted us with handmade snacks from his village; rice cakes, egg custard cakes, and egg custard sticky rice, as well as drinks for the day. We started the day at Wat Phra That where we learned about Buddhism and about how the temple was created. We next went to an orchid/butterfly farm where we saw many beautiful flowers. Next we went to the long neck Karen village where we walked around and learned about all of the tribes that call that area home. Mr. Tong was very knowledgeable about the tribes and was very kind and respectful to the elders of the tribe. We even got our picture taken with her. Mr. Tong took us to get lunch at a very traditional northern Thai restaurant. We tried three different dishes as well as Thai tea and coffee. Everything was sooo delicious. Nice and spicy if you like spicy food. Lastly, we visited a tea plantation where we donned our baskets and helped pick leaves for green tea. Thank you again Tong for answering our questions, being a great photographer and teaching us all about Thailand!

My wife and I did the Doi Suthrep, Long neck village, and tea plantation tour with Mr. Tong. It was wonderful. Mr. Tong is a knowledgeable Chang Mai local who speaks excellent english (he was very funny and kept a great conversation the entire time while answering all of our questions). Mr. Tong gave us food and beverages for the ride, and when we stopped for lunch he helped my wife and I order authentic northern Thai food. His explanations about Thai history, culture, and food was thorough and informative. 10/10 would recommend.

We had an excellent tour yesterday with a very nice experienced Guide / driver. His name was Tang. He provided us m with cold drinks, local snacks and refreshing wipes. To aide our comfort. We thoroughly enjoyed the half day tour, it was very different and interesting. Tang proved him self not only a good driver and guide but, an expert photographer and bag carrier. A very pleasant and thoughtful man. Thank you again Tang for making our trip special

We've had an excellent day, private tour just me and hubby. Visited a mountain temple, butterfly and orchid garden, tea plantation, and a village with Karen people. Our driver Tong was brilliant, spoke very good and understandable English and was the perfect host, interpreter and great driver. He gave us cold drinks, local snacks and took us for a very tasty Chang Mai noodle curry. So yummy 10/10

Great tour! Would highly recommend for anyone looking to see the best that Chiang Mai has to offer. Local snacks and cold drinks were provided.

Mr. Tong was a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the different sites we visited and was very thoughtful with providing drinks/snacks and ordering food for us.

Our guide, Puma, was amazing. She was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating to our needs. She spent extra time with us at tue temple to answer our many questions and allowed us to take photos without rushing us out. She explained many of the Buddhist symbols amd rituals so that could understand better. Next, we traveled to a coffee plantation, where we hiked up the hill with beautiful views and learned how to harvest tea leaves. They then showed us how to roast the leaves and we drank coffee with a great view. We stopped to eat at a butterfly and Orchid garden. Lastly, we traveled to the Karen Village. Puma discussed the controversy surrounding visiting the village, listing the pros and cons and allowed us ti decide whether we wanted to visit. We elected to visit in order to help support the tribes people. We met many kind women, who showed us their beautiful hand crafts. We purchased a lot of souvenirs and they were very happy. I would buy such things at home, but would be paying a corporation most of the money. It was nice to be able to give it to the source who actually made the sculpture or fabric. All in all, it was a wonderful tour and I'm so grateful to Puma- She was an awesome guide!

Our guide for the day was Tong. He was beyond amazing. His English was very good and his knowledge of the area and the people was 5star. We were very comfortable in his vehicle and he came prepared with ice cold drinks and local homemade snacks that were delicious. He took us to lunch to experience Chiang Mai noodle soup. It was very good. I highly recommend Tong if you want to thoroughly enjoy the experience. He even had ice cold wipes for our face and hands after each experience. This was 5 star all the way.

Great trip! Loved our tour guide Tong, he speaks excellent English and is very knowledgeable! We really enjoyed learning more about the Karen people.

Yut is best guide on my stay in Thailand.. tour was so amazing .. lot of new experiences.. 5 stars service..

It was a private tour so full freedom and flexibility , adjusted to our specific needs. Our guide Pop was a great, interesting man and provided a lot of useful details about the temple and life in Thailand in general. We felt really well served. Tea plantation was quite exquisite and luxurious and we collected green tea leaves to make a proper bio tea. A visit to Karen tribe was also great and we were happy to be able to contribute to this refugee tribe while admiring their local habits. In general, the trip was nice, relaxing and informative, and nicely complemented our earlier visit to Chang Rai and sailing on spectacular Mekong river.

Our tour today was excellent. I highly recommend this tour if you want to see a lot in one day. Puma was an excellent driver and guide. All 3 parts of the tour were very interesting. As an added bonus, the lunch was surprisingly good and the butterfly farm at the restaurant was really fun.

Our tour guide Austin was excellent. This was the highlight of our entire trip! The long necked ladies and tea plantation were both excellent! Great pictures and education! The temples were peaceful and having a one time monk for a tour guide really added to the experience! My peacefulness after this day was notable.

We had a wonderful two days with Pagoda View Tours in Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai. We did the Chiang Rai Temples tour as well as the Doi Suthep & Karen Tribe Tour and couldn't be happier. We also did the Elephant Sacntuary, which was a highlight of the trip! Our guide May was right on time to pick us up both days and had an amazing amount of knowledge about everything we saw. His English was spot on and he was happy to answer any questions we had. We ate wonderful food and rode around in a comfortable SUV for both days. I honestly can't recommend him as a tour guide enough. If we make it back to Chiang Mai, we will definitely be using Pagoda View Tours again. Everything about the trip was just perfect!

This was a great tour. Our guide Taew was amazing. She was very kind and helpful and knowladgeable. We enjoyed every part of this private tour a lot. Thanks a lot to Taew and Pagoda Tours.

Our guide Kai was fabulous. The tea plantation was for sure a highlight, the buffet lunch was incredible and the guide was so perfect for everything we needed. If you book, definitely inquire about getting Kai as a guide because he was amazing!

We very much enjoyed this tour. I booked though Viator however it can be booked directly through Pagoda Tours. We received immediate confirmation and a reminder 24 hours before the tour. Our guide Nui was excellent, extremely knowledgeable and helpful. He was very professional and knew so much about the local area and customs. I have travelled extensively in Thailand over the years but still learned new things. It was a very interesting tour, we loved the beautiful tea plantation and the visit to the Karen Village and Doi Suthep was also very good. Nui was obviously very well educated and gave us interesting insights and lessons in Northern Thai culture and history, he is an excellent guide. A wonderful experience, I highly recommend.

This was so great! Our guide, Puma, picked us up at the hotel and whisked us away through Chiang Mai and up into the mountains. She patiently answered all of our questions and explained so much about what we were seeing as well as showing us around. I learned more about temples and culture in a few hours with her than I would have in a week trying to put information together myself. I will book with Pagoda View Tours again next time we visit!

We had a great day with our guide, Puma. She was very organized and informative. We were traveling with our 17-month old son, and he did very well during each activity. We enjoyed having the variety of activities during the day, and lunch was a nice buffet at the Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm. Highly recommend to get out and about Chiang Mai!!

Nui was our guide and we loved our day with him. This 8 hour tour was very informative, fun, and a great way to experience the mountains of Thailand. Nui let us know from the beginning of the trip that we should ask him anything we were curious about. He is a solid English speaker and very knowledgeable about all things Thailand. At the end of our day we felt we had a much better understanding of his culture and country. The lunch buffet was extensive and surprisingly tasty for buffet food. The restaurant was located on a beautiful site with orchid displays and a butterfly room. This tour was a good value and great way to spend a day in the mountains outside of Chiang Mi. Thanks so much, Nui!

<p>While waiting at hotel to be picked up I did not know what to expect, however I was completely blown away by Mia my travel guide she was made for that job. Courtesy and attentive to everything that I had questions about knew all there was about there culture...I will return next year just to have her as our tour guide.</p>

<p>Very good private tour, tour guide is very friendly</p>