Private Sticky Waterfall & Floating Srilanna National Park

Water, forests, and a floating lunch make a fine day.

This private Chiang Mai trip joins two very different outings in one day: the mineral-fed Bua Tong Waterfall, better known as Sticky Waterfall, and a floating house in Sri Lanna National Park. I like the way the day balances active exploring with relaxed time on the water. I also like that the price includes lunch, park entrances, air-conditioned transport, an English-speaking guide, and several water activities.

The main consideration is the long eight-hour schedule. You will spend much of the day moving between stops, and Sticky Waterfall involves forest walking and climbing on wet rock. If you want a slow morning or a quiet boat trip with no scheduled activities, this program may feel too busy.

Key points to know before booking

• Climb a waterfall instead of simply viewing it: Sticky Waterfall has mineral-coated rock that gives you grip as you walk and climb beside the flowing water.

• See the seven-colors fountain: A short forest walk leads to Nam Phu Chet Si, a mineral geyser whose name means seven colors fountain.

• Reach Sri Lanna by private long-tail boat: The floating house is accessed by boat, adding a genuine water journey before lunch.

• Lunch comes with a full activity menu: Canoeing, kayaking, pedal boating, paddle boarding, snooker, and water boxing are included at the floating restaurant.

• Enjoy a private day out: Only your own group participates, with pickup offered and a return to the starting point at the end.

Why this two-stop day works so well

Many Chiang Mai excursions focus on one type of scenery. This one gives you forest, a mineral spring, a waterfall, a reservoir, a boat ride, and a meal on the water. That variety is the reason I see real value in the itinerary.

The morning has a physical side. At Sticky Waterfall, you are not just standing at a viewpoint and taking a quick picture. You can walk through the forest, approach the falling water, and climb on sections of the rock. Later, the pace changes at Sri Lanna National Park, where you can eat, sit, paddle, and enjoy the water.

The combination received the strongest praise in the available feedback. The appeal is easy to understand: Sticky Waterfall fills the first part of the day with movement, while the floating house gives you a comfortable place to slow down. You get two popular Chiang Mai experiences without arranging separate transport or meals.

This is also a private tour, which matters more than it may seem. You do not need to match the pace of a large mixed group. Your party can spend more time at the waterfall or move on when you have had enough, although the total schedule still depends on the planned eight-hour outing.

Starting at 8:30 in Chiang Mai

The tour begins at 8:30 am from Imm Hotel Tha Phae, at 17/1 Kotchasarn Road in the Chang Khlan area. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied details identify Imm Hotel Tha Phae as the start point. Check the exact pickup arrangement when you book, especially if you are staying somewhere else in Chiang Mai. The point is easy to keep in mind: you start in the city, travel out toward the natural areas, and return to the same place.

Air-conditioned transportation is included. That is a useful comfort on a full day that combines road travel, walking, and water activities. You will want a dry change of clothes and a way to protect your phone, but the transport itself is designed to keep the day comfortable between stops.

An English-speaking guide is included as well. Since this is a private tour, the guide can explain the sites directly to your group rather than delivering general commentary to a coach full of people.

Climbing the unusual rock at Sticky Waterfall

Bua Tong Waterfall is known locally and among tourists as Sticky Waterfall. Its main attraction is the texture of the rock. Instead of making the usual slippery scramble beside a waterfall, you can use the rough surface for grip while walking or climbing near the flowing water.

That makes the stop feel more active than a standard waterfall visit. You can take a short hike through the forest, reach the water, and explore at close range. The setting is described as a peaceful place surrounded by forest, valleys, and mountain views, so the appeal is not only the climb itself.

Still, you should treat the waterfall as an outdoor activity, not a simple sightseeing stop. Wet rock, flowing water, and uneven paths require care. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not promise a completely effortless route. If you have trouble with walking or balancing, ask the operator for practical details before booking.

The waterfall is also a good place to bring shoes with a secure grip. The name suggests dependable traction, not a guarantee that every surface will feel safe in every condition. Water levels and conditions can affect how comfortable the climb feels.

You will likely want to leave time for pictures, but do not plan on treating this as only a photo stop. The fun comes from seeing how the rock lets you move closer to the water. That physical element is what gives Sticky Waterfall its character.

The short forest walk to Nam Phu Chet Si

The waterfall visit includes a short hike through the forest to Nam Phu Chet Si. The name means seven colors fountain, and the feature is described as a mineral geyser that rises from the ground before flowing into streams.

This is a worthwhile addition because it gives the morning a second natural feature. You see water in two forms: falling over the rock at the waterfall, then emerging from the earth at the fountain. The forest setting also provides a quieter contrast to the more active waterfall area.

Do not expect a major expedition. The information describes the walk as short, making it suitable for fitting into a half-day visit to the park. Even so, the route is part of an outdoor program, so comfortable clothing and footwear make sense.

The fountain is a reminder that the park is shaped by natural water sources, not just built for sightseeing. That detail adds interest to the visit. You are not simply looking at a pretty stream. You are seeing mineral water come from the ground and feed the surrounding waterways.

Driving onward to Sri Lanna National Park

After the waterfall and fountain, the tour continues to Sri Lanna National Park. The drive from the waterfall is described as about 20 minutes, so this transition does not consume a large portion of the day.

Sri Lanna is described as Thailand’s eighth-largest national park, covering an area listed as 1,406 square meters. The area includes forests, wildlife habitat, and headwater sources. Those details help explain why the floating experience feels connected to a broader natural setting rather than being only a restaurant outing.

The change in scenery is one of the day’s strengths. The morning centers on a forest waterfall and spring. The afternoon shifts to open water, boats, and a floating restaurant. If you enjoy variety, this is a smart pairing.

The park portion is not presented as a wildlife safari or a long trek. You should book this for the reservoir and floating house experience, with the park providing the setting. Wildlife may be part of the wider area, but no animal sightings are promised.

Taking a long-tail boat to the floating house

The floating house is reached by private long-tail boat. This boat transfer gives the second half of the tour a clear sense of occasion. You do not simply arrive by road at a restaurant beside the water. You cross to a floating venue as part of the experience.

The long-tail boat is also a practical link between the national park and the restaurant. The supplied details describe this as the only floating house in Chiang Mai, which makes the setting unusual for a city-based day tour.

Once you arrive, lunch is served at the floating restaurant. The meal is included in the price, so you are not left arranging food in the middle of a busy schedule. The available information does not provide a menu, so you should not book expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement without checking first.

The setting is likely the main pleasure of the meal. You can eat surrounded by water and forest rather than in a standard roadside restaurant. It is the kind of pause that helps the day avoid feeling like a string of rushed stops.

Water sports after lunch

The floating house includes several complimentary activities. You can choose from canoeing, kayaking, a pedal boat, paddle boarding, and a water boxing stage. There is also a snooker area for a change of pace.

This range is useful because not everyone in a private group wants the same afternoon. One person can paddle, another can use the pedal boat, and someone else can relax or play snooker. The choices make the stop work for families, couples, and groups with mixed energy levels.

The water sports are a major part of the tour’s value. If you paid separately for lunch, a boat transfer, and several activities, the total cost could quickly rise. Here, they are part of a single package priced at $119.56 per person.

The price is not the lowest way to visit a waterfall and reservoir. You are paying for a private day, transport, a guide, park entrances, a long-tail boat, lunch, and access to the activity area. For a group that wants convenience and privacy, that package is easier to justify than for someone traveling alone on a strict budget.

You should also be realistic about the word complimentary. It means the listed activities are included, not that the tour promises unlimited time on every item. The exact order and length of each activity may depend on the day’s schedule and local conditions.

What the private format changes

A private activity is a strong fit if you value control over your day. You can enjoy the waterfall with only your own group, then share the floating-house experience with the same people rather than a large tour crowd.

The private format also suits groups with different interests. Some may want to climb at Sticky Waterfall, while others may prefer a gentler forest walk. At Sri Lanna, the active members can kayak or paddle board while others sit down for lunch or use the other facilities.

There is a tradeoff. A private tour often costs more per person than a large group outing. At $119.56, this is a mid-to-higher priced full-day experience for Chiang Mai, but it includes several pieces that would otherwise need separate planning.

The duration is about eight hours, beginning at 8:30 am and ending back at the meeting point. That makes this a full day rather than a quick morning activity. Plan the rest of your evening with some breathing room.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a mix of light adventure and comfort. It works especially well for people who are happy to walk through a forest, climb around a waterfall, and then spend the afternoon doing water activities.

It is also a good choice for a private family or friend group. The activity list is broad enough to keep different ages and interests occupied, although the waterfall section may not suit everyone equally.

Couples who want more than a standard sightseeing drive may enjoy the unusual floating lunch and boat ride. The setting gives you a memorable middle section without requiring an overnight stay outside Chiang Mai.

I would be more cautious if your priority is a slow, quiet day. The itinerary includes two major areas, road transport, a forest walk, a waterfall visit, lunch, and several activities. That is a lot to fit into eight hours.

I would also check ahead if you have mobility concerns, medical restrictions, or a specific food requirement. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed route, meal, or accessibility information.

Price, timing, and cancellation advice

The cost is $119.56 per person. Its value comes from the number of included elements: private transportation, air conditioning, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, lunch, the long-tail boat, and access to the floating house activities.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Chiang Mai time.

The tour is often booked about 25 days ahead. That is a useful planning clue, especially if you are visiting during a busy period and want a private departure. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Practical things I would bring

The tour information does not provide a packing list, but the activities make a few items sensible. Bring comfortable clothes for walking, footwear suitable for wet outdoor surfaces, sun protection, and a small bag for personal items.

A dry change of clothes could be useful after kayaking, paddle boarding, or other water activities. Keep your phone protected around the waterfall, long-tail boat, and floating facilities.

I would also bring patience. Water levels, road conditions, and the pace of your group can affect the day. The private format gives you more flexibility than a large group, but it does not remove the normal uncertainty of outdoor activities.

Should you book the Sticky Waterfall and Sri Lanna day?

Book this tour if you want Chiang Mai nature with a full schedule and plenty of variety. The best feature is the pairing: you get the unusual experience of climbing Sticky Waterfall and seeing Nam Phu Chet Si, then move to a floating house for lunch and water sports.

The price makes the most sense for two or more people who value private transport and convenience. It is less compelling if you are happy to arrange your own transport, skip the guide, and spend the day at only one site.

My main advice is to judge your energy level honestly. This is not a passive sightseeing loop. It is an active morning followed by a flexible water-based afternoon. If that sounds like your kind of Chiang Mai day, the combination offers plenty for the time and cost.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Imm Hotel Tha Phae, 17/1 Kotchasarn Road, Tambon Chang Khlan, Chiang Mai.

What time does the experience begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours and ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Air-conditioned transportation is included, and pickup is offered.

What is included at Sri Lanna National Park?

The tour includes access by long-tail boat to the floating house, lunch, and complimentary activities such as canoeing, kayaking, pedal boating, paddle boarding, water boxing, and snooker.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.