It can be overwhelming for some as they arrive at Chiang Mai International airport between the months of November – January to find swarms of people dashing around, long queues at the taxi rank and people bumping into you as they look to disembark as quickly as possible. For many people, the thought of Chiang Mai evokes images of a peaceful laid-back destination with a small town atmosphere, when in fact when they arrive they quickly realize that Chiang Mai is a large city consisting of 1.2million people with all the problems associated with large municipal areas such as traffic congestion and crowds of people. The population swells during the peak season as people from all over the world and indeed other areas of Thailand visit the region to enjoy the cool temperatures and amazing outdoor attractions.
Whilst Chiang Mai is indeed very busy during these months, it is possible to escape the crowds and even have an attraction all to yourself – if you know where to look! So how do you avoid the crowds in Chiang Mai during peak season? Take a look at our blog below.
Book a private tour
Certain attractions are simply a must-see when visiting Chiang Mai. Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand is one of these with good reason and is close to the top of everyone’s to do list. Aside from being noteworthy as the highest mountain, it is breathtakingly beautiful at the summit with flora and fauna found nowhere else. Dozens of waterfalls have their own unique characteristics and there are several hikes in the area accessible for most people. Because of it’s appeal, Doi Inthanon can be jammed with people during peak season so booking a private tour is a good option for those looking to escape some of the crowds. A private tour of Doi Inthanon will allow you to visit lesser seen waterfalls or visit highlights at a different time to other tours and whilst you won’t escape tourists completely you’ll have a much better chance of taking in the tranquility of this national park. Check out our private Doi Inthanon tour and get the most out of the most visited region in Chiang Mai!
Use an App for Hiking
Chiang Mai is surrounded by beautiful mountains, but you don’t need to venture far to get off the beaten track and find a trail all to yourself. You don’t even need a tour guide for many as trails such as the Monk’s Trail is well trodden and marked and can be found on apps such as maps.me or osmand. It is likely this particular trail will be relatively quiet but if you’re feeling really adventurous then there are dozens of trails on Doi Suthep-Pui that are relatively easy to navigate with an app and chances are you’ll be alone all day. Be sure to prepare for any eventuality, take plenty of water and plan ahead and you can enjoy trekking in Chiang Mai in peak season all by yourself. If you want any advice you can use our live chat and we’ll do our best to assist!
Book a Car and Driver Service
A car and driver service in Chiang Mai is the perfect way to explore several attractions in one day, designed around a bespoke itinerary. Our team can give advice on the best places to visit, whether it be hidden gems, the best coffee shops or lesser explored areas. A car and driver service gives you the opportunity to visit more off the beaten track areas and even neighboring provinces, so to truly avoid the crowds in Chiang Mai during peak season this is a great option. Find out more about our private car and driver in Chiang Mai.
Book a Mountain Biking Tour in Chiang Mai
Despite having some of the best trails in Asia, mountain biking in Chiang Mai is not as popular as other established activities such as a visit to an elephant sanctuary or trekking due to the challenging nature of the sport. For anyone experienced in mountain biking, you’re in for a treat as there are literally thousands of trails just waiting to be explored and due to their accessibility you’re basically guaranteed to have them to yourself. Whether you have your own mountain bike, or looking to rent, Eco Tours Chiang Mai has been riding the trails of Chiang Mai for years and competed internationally so we can show you the best the region has to offer. Find out more about mountain biking in Chiang Mai.
