Review · TEMPLE TOURS
Visit Dantewada(Angel Land), Blue Temple, and Sticky Waterfall
The real star here is Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall, where mineral deposits give the wet rock surprising grip. You can climb through the flowing water with a guide nearby, or stay in the pools and enjoy the park at ground level. Before that adventure, Dantewada Angel Land supplies colorful photo stops and Wat Ban Den offers a calm cultural pause.
I like the way three very different places fit into one day, and I like the small group size, capped at nine. Guides such as Mongkol and Maddy are praised for patient help, clear English, temple explanations, and taking photos. The main drawback is the long road time, roughly 1.5 hours each way, plus a fair amount of walking and climbing.
In This Review
- Quick takeaways for this Chiang Mai day trip
- Three stops, one active day outside Chiang Mai
- Dantewada Angel Land is built for photographs
- Wat Ban Den brings the cultural balance
- Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall is the main event
- What the $39.12 price really covers
- The road time and daily rhythm
- Who will enjoy this tour most
- Practical packing advice
- Booking, weather, and cancellation terms
- Should you book this Chiang Mai tour?
- FAQ
- How long does the tour last?
- What places does the tour visit?
- Is the group size limited?
- Are admission fees included?
- Is lunch included?
- Do I need to be physically fit?
- What should I wear to the waterfall?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Quick takeaways for this Chiang Mai day trip

- Climb a real waterfall: Bua Thong is wet, steep, and much more hands-on than a normal sightseeing stop.
- See three very different sights: You get a man-made garden park, an ornate Buddhist temple, and a forest waterfall.
- Small groups matter: With no more than nine people, your guide can offer personal help at the falls.
- Bring the right clothes: Shorts, swimwear, or quick-drying clothes and secure water footwear are far better than ordinary street shoes.
- Plan for a full day: The tour lasts about 7 to 8 hours, with much of the time spent on the road between Chiang Mai and the northern sights.
Three stops, one active day outside Chiang Mai

This tour works because it does not ask one attraction to carry the whole day. Dantewada is made for photos, Wat Ban Den gives you a cultural visit, and Sticky Waterfall supplies the action.
That mix suits you if you want more than temples but do not want to arrange several taxis or negotiate transport between rural sights. Your guide and driver handle the route, admissions, and timing. You can explore each place, then return to the vehicle without sorting out the next ride.
The day is not a quick city excursion. Expect about 7 to 8 hours in total, and allow for a long drive in each direction. The road time is the price of reaching Bua Thong and Wat Ban Den, which sit well beyond central Chiang Mai.
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Dantewada Angel Land is built for photographs
The first stop, Dan Tewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park, is a man-made waterfall and flower garden. It is not a wild national park experience, and you should know that before you go. Its appeal is the careful display of flowers, water features, statues, and colorful corners that make it easy to find attractive photo backgrounds.
You get about an hour here, with admission included. That is enough time to walk around without turning the stop into a rushed photo sprint. It also gives you a gentle start before the more physical waterfall visit later in the day.
I would treat Dantewada as a visual set rather than a major natural attraction. It is polished and tourist-friendly, with plenty to photograph. Some areas can feel staged, but that is also the point. If you enjoy taking pictures, you will likely find this stop worthwhile. Some of the park’s animal areas may include bunnies and goats, adding a small family-friendly touch.
The contrast with Bua Thong is useful. At Dantewada, you look, walk, and take pictures. At Sticky Waterfall, you get wet and use your hands and feet.
Wat Ban Den brings the cultural balance

On the way to the waterfall, the tour stops at Wat Ban Den, described here as Chiang Mai’s Blue Temple. You get about 30 minutes, with entry included.
This is the most culturally focused part of the day. The temple grounds are large, ornate, and peaceful, with statues and buildings that reward a slower look. A good guide can explain Buddhist ideas, the meaning of different Buddha figures, and the stories connected with the temple rather than leaving you to wander without context.
Guides named Mongkol and Maddy receive especially strong praise for this part of the experience. Mongkol is described as attentive and informative, while Maddy is noted for explaining the temple and helping a solo participant feel included. Your guide on the date you book may be different, but the tour is designed around guided visits rather than simple transport.
Dress respectfully. Your shoulders and knees should be covered inside the temple area. A sarong may be available to hire if your clothing is not suitable, but carrying a light cover-up is the simpler plan. The temple stop is short, so do not expect a long religious tour. Instead, think of it as a focused introduction to a beautiful complex before the outdoor adventure.
Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall is the main event

Bua Thong Waterfalls, also called Nam Phu Chet Si, is why most people will choose this tour. The water runs over pale, mineral-coated rock, creating unusual traction. Instead of sliding helplessly down a normal slick waterfall, you can often walk upward on the rock with careful foot placement.
You get around two hours at the national park. That time allows you to try the climb, cool off in the water, rest, and take the short nature trail to see the spring. You do not have to climb every level. There are wading areas for anyone who prefers a gentler experience, and one person can stay below while others go up.
The climb is still physical. It includes wet surfaces, uneven rock, flowing water, and steep sections. The mineral grip helps, but it does not remove the risk. Sharp rocks can be present in the pools, and the falls may become crowded, especially later in the day. Follow your guide’s instructions, use your hands where advised, and do not treat the name Sticky Waterfall as a promise that every step is effortless.
This is where the guide adds real value. Guides have helped people move up the falls, stayed with participants who decided to stop climbing, and taken photos and short videos. A careful guide can show you how to place your feet and where to hold on. That matters more here than a long speech about the site.
You can climb barefoot, but proper water shoes are a better choice if you have them. One person specifically found the rocks sharp and considered the climb dangerous without suitable footwear. Another used waterproof shoes to walk in the water rather than go barefoot. Avoid loose sandals and smooth-soled shoes.
Wear shorts or clothing that can get wet. Even if you plan only to watch, spray and splashing are part of the setting. Bring a change of clothes if you dislike sitting in damp clothing during the drive back.
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What the $39.12 price really covers

At $39.12 per person, this is a strong value if you want all three stops and do not have your own transport. The price includes bottled water, admission fees, taxes, the guide, and the driver. Those inclusions remove several small costs that can otherwise complicate a rural day trip.
The value is less obvious if your only goal is to climb Sticky Waterfall. In that case, a private ride or a simpler transport option might give you more control over timing, though the tour’s cost includes the temple and Angel Land as well.
Lunch is not included. You should budget for food separately, but no lunch arrangement is specified, so do not assume a meal is part of the day. Refreshments may be sold at the waterfall area, and cash is useful for small purchases such as ice cream, drinks, or souvenirs.
A group discount may be available, and the maximum group size is nine. That is a useful middle ground: cheaper than a private tour, but more personal than a large coach. A small group also makes it easier for the guide to help with photographs and waterfall safety.
The road time and daily rhythm

The schedule has a clear pattern: travel, explore, return to the vehicle, then travel again. The reported drive is about 1.5 hours each way, so bring patience and something to occupy you during the longer road sections.
The day begins at an easy-to-locate meeting point in Chiang Mai, and pickup is offered. Confirm the exact pickup or meeting instructions when booking, since the practical details depend on your location.
The stops are paced with time to explore. You are not simply stepping out for ten minutes at each attraction. Dantewada allows about an hour, Wat Ban Den about 30 minutes, and Bua Thong about two hours. The waterfall receives the longest visit because it is the most active stop.
The final stop can be the busiest. If you want a quieter feel, a weekday may help, though no day guarantees an empty waterfall. Bathroom conditions at the falls may be basic, so use the facilities before leaving the temple if needed.
Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this day to active couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a ready-made route through several northern Chiang Mai sights. Children around the early teen years can enjoy the waterfall, provided they are comfortable in moving water and supervised closely.
You need a strong level of physical fitness for the full experience. The tour includes walking, uneven ground, and optional climbing. It is not suitable for people with limited mobility, and it may be tiring for anyone who has trouble standing or walking for extended periods.
You do not need to be an expert climber. The guide can help you, and you can choose the wading areas instead of going all the way up. Still, you should be comfortable getting wet, using your hands for balance, and turning back if the rock feels unsafe.
This is not the best fit if you want a slow, purely cultural day. Wat Ban Den receives only about 30 minutes, while the waterfall requires active participation for the full effect. It is also not ideal if you dislike long drives or staged photo parks.
Practical packing advice

Keep your packing simple, but get the important items right:
- Water shoes or secure footwear with good grip
- Shorts or quick-drying clothes for the waterfall
- A change of clothes
- A cover-up for shoulders and knees at Wat Ban Den
- Cash for refreshments and souvenirs
- A phone or camera with a secure strap or waterproof protection
Bottled water is included, and guides may offer fruit during the day. Lunch is not included, so ask how the day handles the meal break or carry a snack if you need one.
Your guide may help with photographs, a particularly useful service for solo visitors and couples. Still, protect your phone around the falls. Wet rock, rushing water, and a loose device are a poor combination.
Booking, weather, and cancellation terms
You receive confirmation at booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.
The tour depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the provider offers another date or experience, or a full refund.
Wonderful Eco Tours operates the experience. The tour has a 4.9 rating from 120 ratings and a 98 percent recommendation rate, which supports the strongest parts of the package: helpful guides, smooth transport, and the unusual waterfall climb. Those figures do not change the practical limits, especially the long drive and physical demands.
Should you book this Chiang Mai tour?
Book it if you want three varied sights in one organized day, especially if Sticky Waterfall is high on your list and you would rather not arrange rural transport. The price is fair for a small group with entry fees, bottled water, a driver, and a guide who can assist at the falls.
Skip it if you want a short outing, dislike getting wet, or need an accessible route. Also think twice if a man-made photo park feels unappealing, since Dantewada is a full part of the itinerary.
For most active visitors, the best reason to book is the combination: a colorful opening stop, a beautiful temple with useful cultural explanation, and a hands-on waterfall finish. Pack proper footwear, cover up for the temple, leave room in your schedule for the road, and you will be ready for one of Chiang Mai’s more unusual day trips.
FAQ
How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.
What places does the tour visit?
It visits Dan Tewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park, Wat Ban Den, and Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls, also called Nam Phu Chet Si.
Is the group size limited?
Yes. The tour has a maximum of nine participants.
Are admission fees included?
Yes. All fees and taxes, including admission tickets listed for the three stops, are included.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.
Do I need to be physically fit?
Yes. The activity requires a strong level of physical fitness because it includes walking and climbing at the waterfall.
What should I wear to the waterfall?
Wear clothing that can get wet, such as shorts or quick-drying clothes. Secure water shoes or other footwear with good grip are recommended.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.
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