Private Sticky Waterfall & Floating Srilanna National Park

Bua Tong, Chiang Mai’s Sticky Waterfall, is the star here. Mineral deposits give the rock a grippy surface, so you can climb sections of the falls instead of simply viewing them from a platform. I like the mix of active fun and calm water time, especially the short forest walk to Nam Phu Chet Si, a mineral fountain that rises from the ground.

I also like the private format, which gives you room to set the pace and ask questions. Lunch at a floating restaurant, followed by a longtail boat ride and free use of kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and paddleboards, makes this more than a standard waterfall stop. The main consideration is the long day and the physical nature of the climb. If you are not a confident adventurer, ask for help from your guide, as Eh did for one group, and be ready for wet clothes.

Key points to know before you book

• Sticky Waterfall is climbable: Mineral-coated rock provides traction, letting you walk up parts of the flowing falls.
• Nam Phu Chet Si adds a second natural feature: A short forest hike leads to a mineral geyser known as the seven-color fountain.
• The floating resort is reached by boat: A roughly 15-minute longtail boat trip crosses Mae Ngat Dam to Mountain Float Resort.
• Lunch and water sports are included: Your set meal, drinking water, canoe, kayak, pedal boat, and paddleboard use are covered.
• This is a private day for up to four people: A private car or van is provided for four persons up.
• Bring a full change of clothes: Water is central to the day, and sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes are listed as essentials.

Why this private day works so well

This outing links three very different settings in Chiang Mai Province. You begin with flowing water and forest, move to a mineral spring, then spend the second half of the day on a reservoir surrounded by mountains. That change of mood gives the tour a pleasant rhythm.

The first half is active. At Bua Tong, you can try climbing the waterfall itself, then walk through the forest toward Nam Phu Chet Si. The second half is slower: a boat ride, lunch, and free time on the water at a floating resort.

I like this arrangement because you are not asked to spend eight hours doing one thing. If the waterfall wakes you up, the reservoir gives you a peaceful place to rest. If you want more activity, the resort has several choices.

The private format matters here. You do not have to match the pace of a large group at the falls, and you can spend more time asking your English-speaking guide about the area. The tour has received a top rating from nine reviews, with particular praise for friendly guides, patient support, and the relaxed feel of the day.

Climbing Bua Tong, Chiang Mai’s Sticky Waterfall

Bua Tong is not a conventional waterfall viewing stop. The unusual feature is the surface beneath the water. Mineral deposits create a rough, grippy texture, allowing you to climb sections of the falls with care.

You should still treat it as a physical activity. The water runs over rock, and your shoes and clothes may get wet. Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended, and you should bring a towel and a change of clothes. The supplied advice does not promise a completely dry route, so plan as if you will be close to the water.

The waterfall is surrounded by forest, valley views, and mountain scenery. That setting gives you more than a quick photo stop. You can try the climb, look around the green surroundings, and take a short walk through the area before continuing.

Your guide can make a real difference here. Guide Eh was praised for encouraging and supporting a guest during the climb, while also sharing fun facts and keeping good company. That is useful if you are curious but unsure about stepping onto the falls. The private arrangement also means you can tell the guide if you want to climb less or take more time.

This stop may not suit everyone. If you dislike slippery or wet conditions, or if you want a purely scenic waterfall visit, the climb could feel demanding. The activity description does not give a difficulty rating or exact climbing route, so anyone with limited confidence should speak with the guide before attempting the steeper sections.

The short walk to Nam Phu Chet Si

After the waterfall, you 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 gushes from the ground before flowing into streams.

This is a valuable addition because it shows the natural process behind the area rather than giving you only a pretty water stop. You see water emerging from the earth, then feeding smaller channels through the forest. The walk is described as short, but you should still wear shoes suited to uneven outdoor paths.

The fountain also changes the pace. Bua Tong invites you to move and climb. Nam Phu Chet Si gives you time to observe. Your guide can explain what you are seeing and add local context in English, with an English audio guide also included.

Do not expect a long wilderness trek. The information describes a short hike, not a full-day walk. That makes it a good fit for people who want some forest time without giving up the floating resort later in the day.

Reaching Si Lanna National Park by road and boat

From the fountain area, the tour heads about 20 minutes to Si Lanna National Park, known locally through Mae Ngat Dam. The park covers 1,406 square meters as provided in the tour information and includes forest, freshwater sources, and wildlife habitat.

The important point for you is the setting around the dam. This is not simply a viewpoint beside a road. You board a longtail boat and travel for about 15 minutes to reach Mountain Float Resort. The boat ride gives you a different view of the park, with water and forested mountains around you.

The longtail boat is included in the price, including the return trip. That keeps the day simple and avoids the need to arrange a separate boat transfer. You should expect a traditional open boat rather than an enclosed vehicle, so sunglasses and sun protection are sensible items to pack.

The tour describes Mountain Float Resort as a peaceful place at the end of the dam, away from crowds. It is a floating house setting designed for privacy, with the mountains around the water. The claim that it is the only floating house in Chiang Mai is part of the experience description, but the practical value is clear even without that label: you get a rare chance to eat and play on the water rather than merely look at it.

Lunch at the floating restaurant

Around noon, you stop for a set lunch at the floating restaurant. Food is included, along with drinking water, so you do not need to arrange a separate meal during the tour.

One especially well-liked detail was the green curry, described as excellent. The meal gives you a proper break after the waterfall and forest walk, and the floating setting makes lunch feel like part of the outing rather than a routine stop in town.

The information does not provide a full menu or say how dietary requests are handled. If you have allergies or strict food needs, ask the provider before booking. The meal is described as a set lunch, so you should not assume unlimited choice.

You also have time to rest around the floating house. That matters because the morning includes climbing and walking, while the afternoon can be as active or quiet as you choose. I would treat lunch as the natural dividing line of the day: adventure first, open-water relaxation second.

Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards on Mae Ngat Dam

After lunch, complimentary activities include canoeing, kayaking, pedal boats, paddleboards, a water boxing stage, and other facilities at Mountain Float Resort. You can choose how much effort you want to spend.

Kayaking and canoeing offer a quiet way to see the water and surrounding mountains. Paddle boarding requires more balance and may feel more active. Pedal boats suit anyone who wants movement without handling a paddle. The water boxing stage adds a playful option for people who want something less peaceful.

The tour does not give exact rental time limits or say which activities are available at every moment. It does state that use of these activities is included, so you should confirm the day’s conditions with your guide or the resort.

This is where the private format again helps. One person in your group can rest while another uses a kayak. You are not tied to a group-wide activity schedule. One guest described the final kayaking period as peaceful, with wonderful scenery, which is exactly the sort of contrast that makes the day appealing.

Bring your change of clothes. Even if you skip the waterfall climb, water sports can leave you wet. A towel and sunscreen belong in your day bag, not buried in the vehicle.

Timing, transport, and what the $120 price covers

The experience lasts eight hours and includes pickup and drop-off in Chiang Mai. The exact starting time depends on availability, and the day ends with a return boat ride, transport back to land, and a transfer to your hotel.

The description says the tour ends around 2:30 pm before the return transfer. Since the total duration is eight hours, confirm the pickup time when you reserve. This is particularly important if you have an evening train, flight, or another booked activity.

A private car or van is provided for up to four people. The price is $120 per person. For one person, that is a considerable day-trip cost, but the fee includes private transport, an English-speaking guide, entrance to Si Lanna National Park, round-trip longtail boat transport, set lunch, drinking water, and the resort’s listed water activities.

For a group of four, the value improves because you are sharing a private vehicle and guide while keeping the flexible pace. You also avoid paying separately for the boat, lunch, and park entry. The best value comes when you want a full private day rather than a short waterfall visit.

The price is less attractive if you plan to skip the climb, ignore the water sports, and mainly sit at the resort. In that case, part of what you are paying for goes unused. I would book this as an active nature day, not simply as transport to a floating restaurant.

Who should book this Chiang Mai outing

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a break from the city and like combining several outdoor experiences. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value privacy and want to choose their own pace.

It is also a good match for people who enjoy trying unusual natural features. Bua Tong is not just a waterfall to photograph, and Nam Phu Chet Si gives you a second water-related stop with a different character.

You should think twice if you dislike getting wet, have difficulty walking on uneven ground, or want a short and effortless excursion. The day includes a waterfall climb, a forest walk, boat transfers, and optional water sports. You can take it gently, but the basic structure is still active.

The guide’s role is important if you are uncertain about the climb. Eh’s patient encouragement is a useful sign that the experience can work for less-adventurous people, provided you communicate clearly and do not push yourself beyond your comfort level.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but they do not change the need to check the starting time and prepare for water.

What to pack for the day

Keep your packing simple. You need comfortable shoes for the waterfall and forest path, sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and a complete change of clothes.

Drinking water is included. Your most useful extra item is a small bag that can keep dry clothes and personal items separate from wet gear. The supplied information does not mention lockers or waterproof storage, so carry only what you need near the water.

Wear clothes that can handle spray and activity. You should also be prepared for sun on the boat and at the floating resort, even though the morning includes shaded forest.

Should you book this private waterfall and floating house tour?

Book it if you want an active, varied day with private transport and a calm finish. The strongest parts are the climbable Sticky Waterfall, the unusual mineral fountain, the longtail boat ride, and the chance to use several water sports without paying extra at the resort.

The $120 price makes the most sense for a group of up to four, especially when you value a private guide, included lunch, park entry, boat transfers, and hotel pickup. It is less suitable for a strict budget or for anyone who wants a dry, low-effort sightseeing day.

Bring the right clothes, tell the guide how adventurous you feel, and leave room in your schedule for the eight-hour outing. If that sounds like your kind of Chiang Mai day, this is a strong choice for getting beyond the city without giving up comfort or support.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts eight hours. Starting times vary, so you should check availability when booking.

Where does pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are provided at your hotel in Chiang Mai. You should wait in the hotel lobby five minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private group experience, with a private car or van provided for up to four persons.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English. An English audio guide is also included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A set lunch at the floating restaurant is included, along with drinking water.

Is the longtail boat ride included?

Yes. Round-trip longtail boat transport to Mountain Float Resort is included. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way.

What activities are included at the floating resort?

Included activities listed for the resort include canoeing, kayaking, pedal boats, paddleboards, and use of the water boxing stage, along with other resort facilities.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a change of clothes, a towel, and sunscreen.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.