Chiang Mai Almsgiving Tour

Chiang Mai Almsgiving Tour

Participate in the almsgiving ceremony

Our guide will meet you at the hotel at 0530 for your Chiang Mai almsgiving tour. We will drive to the Kruba Srivichai shrine at the food of Suthep mountain. We will join the daily almsgiving to Buddhist monks. In Theravada Buddhism this is an opportunity for lay people to make merit. Monks and nuns are not allowed to receive money. Therefor people donate food and every day items. The daily almsround is a very important part of Buddhism.  Monks leave their temples on this daily almsround and walk the streets of Chiang Mai to collect alms. You will participate in this solemn ceremony. After that we will visit the shrine of Kruba Srivichai briefly. He is the patron-saint of North Thailand. His followers constructed the road leading to the temple in 1935.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Then we drive up to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most famous temple of Chiang Mai. Walk up the famous Naga staircase or take the elevator to the temple. We recommend to take the staircase of more than 300 steps. It is a good workout but take your time. We have all the time in the world. From the temple you have a magnificent view of Chiang Mai. At this time of day there will be few other visitors which makes it very special. We will spend time at the temple during which your guide will explain about the tenets of Buddhism. If you are interested we can arrange a meeting with a local monk. After our visit to the temple we will drive back to Chiang Mai.

Wat Palad, the “jungle temple”

On the way down we will stop at Wat Palad aka the “jungle temple” of Chiang Mai. This pretty temple complex receives far less visitors than Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. We will take some time to admire the central chedi, overgrown with moss, and centuries-old Buddha statues. After this we will drive back to Chiang Mai and drop you off at the hotel for your late breakfast.

We can also add the Chiang Mai Almsgiving Tour to any Chiang Mai day tour. Hotels can arrange a packed breakfast or we can include breakfast at a local restaurant near Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Please have a look at the longer version of this program.