Chiang Mai ATV & White Water Rafting & Trekking to Waterfall

Three adventures, one long day outdoors. This Chiang Mai trip packs waterfall trekking, white water rafting, and ATV riding into a single outing near the Maetang River. I like the variety and the small-group limit of 10 people, but you should expect a long day with a fair amount of road time.

I also like that transport, lunch, water, equipment, admission, insurance, and an English-speaking guide are included. The main caution is physical: the trail can include steep or awkward climbing, the rafting is active, and the ATV pace may feel gentle if you want a high-speed ride.

At a glance

• The waterfall walk takes about two hours, with some rough sections where proper sports shoes matter.
• The rafting route covers about 5 kilometers and lasts roughly one hour on the Maetang River.
• The ATV session uses 200cc machines for about one hour, with a course that some riders may find cautious rather than wild.
• The day begins with hotel pickup around 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. and usually returns to Chiang Mai between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
• Lunch is Thai food, including Pad Thai, served between the trek and river activities.
• The price is listed at $87 for one person, with the displayed booking rate described as a group up to one participant, so confirm the final price before paying.

A full day in the Maetang countryside

This is not a quick activity squeezed between temple visits. You leave Chiang Mai in the morning, spend the middle of the day in the countryside, and return in the late afternoon.

That length works in the tour’s favor. You get three different types of outdoor activity rather than one short ride followed by a long wait. It also means you need to pace yourself. The trek comes first, before the heat and the rafting have taken energy from your legs.

Pickup is scheduled from about 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. A minivan collects people in order, so the exact pickup time can vary. If you are meeting at Imm Hotel Tha Pae, allow extra time for morning traffic. Navigation apps may give a shorter estimate than the actual drive.

The journey to the activity area takes about an hour. That is useful context when judging the value of the day. You are not simply paying for three activities back to back. You are also paying for transport into the Maetang area, where the combination of river, jungle trail, and ATV course is possible.

Your hotel must be within the free pickup area, and you need to provide the hotel’s actual name and location. A general Chiang Mai address is not enough for the operator to find you easily. Be in the lobby or at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early. The guide waits no more than 10 minutes before moving on.

The two-hour trek to the waterfall

After arrival, the guide gives a briefing lasting about 30 minutes. This is a good time to ask about the route, footwear, swimming, and the order of the activities.

The walk to the waterfall takes about two hours. The distance is described in one account as roughly 2 kilometers, but the time matters more than the number. This is not a flat stroll through a city park. The trail may include uneven ground and sections where you need to climb.

Bring sports shoes or trekking shoes with a useful grip. Sandals are also requested for the day, but they are not a substitute for proper footwear on the hike. One useful tip from the experience is simple: sneakers are important because some passages can become adventurous. You may also want sandals for the wet parts after the walk.

The waterfall is the scenic reward. You have time to see it and swim, so pack swimwear and a towel rather than treating this as a viewpoint-only stop. Biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent are sensible choices for the jungle setting.

I like the order here. The walk gives you time to see the countryside at a slower pace before the louder, more structured activities begin. The drawback is that the trail may feel demanding if you have back, heart, blood pressure, or other medical concerns. The tour is not suitable for people with recent surgery, pregnant women, wheelchair users, children under 10, babies under one, or people over 70.

Thai lunch before the river

Lunch arrives around 12:30 or 1:00 p.m., after the trek. Thai food, including Pad Thai, is included, along with drinking water.

That timing is practical. You have worked up an appetite, and a meal gives you a break before the river. Still, this is an active day, so avoid bringing alcohol or expecting a long restaurant stop. The activity rules do not allow alcohol in the vehicle.

The lunch is part of the value. You do not need to arrange another meal in the countryside, and the included water reduces the need to carry a large supply from Chiang Mai. Other personal expenses are not included, so bring money only for anything extra you may choose to buy.

One hour on the Maetang River

The white water rafting section covers about 5 kilometers and takes around one hour. Equipment is provided, and professional staff handle the river activity.

This is the part most likely to deliver the day’s adrenaline. You should expect to get wet, which is why swimwear, a towel, sandals, and a change-friendly attitude are useful. The river route is long enough to feel like a real activity, but do not assume that the full five kilometers means nonstop extreme rapids.

The pace can vary with river conditions. One account found the rafting enjoyable but felt that the run did not seem to last a full hour or cover the full 5 kilometers. That is worth keeping in mind if you are booking mainly for a major white water challenge.

For most people, the rafting works best as part of the three-part day. You get excitement without committing the entire outing to river time. The staff and guide explain what to do, making this a reasonable choice for a first rafting experience, provided you are comfortable with water and active movement.

The 200cc ATV ride

The ATV session lasts about an hour and uses 200cc machines. The course is described as fun and scenic, but the pace may be controlled.

That last point matters. One participant felt the ATV was extremely slow, while another found the course very enjoyable. I would view this as a guided recreational ride, not a racing session. The operator appears to put control and group safety ahead of speed.

That approach suits beginners and people who want to see the area without taking large risks. It may disappoint experienced ATV riders who want fast turns or a rough technical course. You should also expect the exact feel of the ride to depend on the group and the guide.

The activity has been made possible even when only one person registered for the ATV portion, which suggests some flexibility in arranging that part of the day. Do not bring expensive personal items, though. The operator does not accept responsibility for lost or damaged belongings.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the day

The group is limited to 10 participants, a useful middle ground. You avoid the scale of a large coach excursion, but you may still share the day with several different people.

The English-speaking guide handles the briefing, transfers, activity explanations, and jungle walk. Guides named by participants include Tata and Tony, both praised for being friendly and helpful. Another guide was described as explaining the trip clearly and leading a wonderful jungle hike.

That personal contact matters on a day with three separate activities. You want clear instructions before the raft and ATV, plus someone who can keep the schedule moving. The guide also helps turn the trek from a simple walk into a closer look at the route and waterfall.

Pickup is shared and runs in sequence. Be patient if the minivan does not arrive exactly at the earliest stated time. If the wait becomes unusually long, contact the operator rather than leaving the hotel.

What the $87 price really covers

The listed price is $87 per group up to one person. Because that wording is unusual, I would confirm the final amount and how the booking system handles additional participants before you commit.

At the stated price, the package includes round-trip minivan transport, an English-speaking guide, professional activity staff, insurance under Thai law, Thai lunch, drinking water, admission fees, and equipment for the included activities. Those inclusions make the price easier to justify than a simple ATV-only outing.

You are also getting a full day away from Chiang Mai without arranging separate transport to the river area. If you paid for a private vehicle, meals, entry, rafting, and an ATV ride separately, the costs and planning would rise quickly.

The value is strongest for someone who wants variety. If you only care about fast ATVs, the one-hour ride may not satisfy you. If you want a relaxed waterfall visit, the rafting and ATV sections may feel like extra activity. For an active visitor who wants several experiences in one booking, the package makes more sense.

What to pack and what to leave behind

Pack light. You will be moving between a trail, a waterfall, a river, and an ATV course.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sports shoes or trekking shoes
• Sandals for wet conditions
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Biodegradable insect repellent
• A small amount of cash for other expenses

Do not bring high-value items. The operator does not accept responsibility for loss or damage. Pets, baby strollers, baby carriages, alcohol, drugs, and alcohol in the vehicle are not allowed. Bachelor and bachelorette party groups are also excluded.

A phone may be tempting for waterfall photos, but protect it carefully and follow the guide’s instructions. The supplied information does not promise secure storage, so assume anything you bring must stay with you.

Who will enjoy this Chiang Mai adventure

I would recommend this day to an active adult or older teenager who wants several outdoor activities and does not mind spending time in a minivan.

It suits you especially well if:

• You want a waterfall, raft, and ATV in one day
• You are comfortable walking on uneven jungle trails
• You prefer a small shared group to a large coach
• You are new to rafting or ATV riding
• You value transport and lunch being arranged
• You have only one free day for countryside activities

I would hesitate if you need a wheelchair-accessible outing, have a condition affected by strenuous activity, or want a fast and technically demanding ATV course. The tour also has a firm age and health profile, so do not treat the restrictions as minor fine print.

The schedule is active but not frantic. The two-hour trek is the biggest physical commitment, while the rafting and ATV sessions each last about an hour. You should be ready to get wet, dusty, sweaty, and pleasantly tired.

Cancellation and practical flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. The operator may cancel in rare circumstances and offer another date, an alternative tour, or a full refund.

That flexibility is useful in Chiang Mai, where weather can affect outdoor plans. It does not remove the need to check your pickup details carefully. The free pickup applies only to listed areas, and the driver will not wait indefinitely.

The tour is scheduled to return between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. That leaves part of the evening free, but I would avoid booking a tight dinner reservation or an evening activity across town. Pickup delays and traffic can change the final arrival time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a busy, varied day in the Maetang countryside and you are happy with guided, moderate adventure rather than extreme sports. The best features are the combination of activities, included transport and lunch, small-group size, and guides such as Tata and Tony who bring a friendly tone to the day.

Think twice if your priority is speed, silence, or a long, serious rafting run. The ATV can be slow, the rafting may feel shorter than expected, and the trail requires real shoes and steady footing.

For the right person, this is a convenient way to turn one Chiang Mai day into three distinct outdoor experiences. Pack footwear that can handle mud and rocks, arrive early for pickup, and judge the $87 price by the full package rather than by the one-hour ATV ride alone.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The full activity takes one day. Pickup is around 8:00 to 8:30 a.m., and return to your Chiang Mai hotel is expected between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.

How long is the waterfall trek?

The trek takes about two hours. The route may include uneven sections and climbing, so sports shoes or trekking shoes are required.

How long are the rafting and ATV activities?

White water rafting takes about one hour over a route of roughly 5 kilometers. The ATV ride also lasts about one hour and uses 200cc vehicles.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Thai lunch, including Pad Thai, is included, along with drinking water.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals, sports shoes, biodegradable sunscreen, and biodegradable insect repellent.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, round-trip minivan transport and pickup are included for hotels within the free pickup area. Provide the exact hotel name and location, and wait in the lobby at least 15 minutes before pickup.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, people with pre-existing medical conditions, people with high blood pressure, people with recent surgeries, babies under one year, or people over 70.