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Cross Sirilanna National Park reservoir by kayak on a full-day expedition north of Chiang Mai. Paddle 18 kilometres across open water and along jungle shorelines to floating restaurants, with hotel pickup, lunch, kayak hire and guide support on a route built for confident paddlers.
A thorough paddle briefing and gear check at our adventure base follows morning hotel pickup. The shuttle to Mae Ngat dam put-in sets up a long crossing toward distant houseboats where lunch is served on the water.
You'll paddle steadily across open reservoir water with forested shorelines and floating villages along the route. Adventurous guests can jump from a diving tower into the cool lake during the lunch stop at the floating restaurants.
After a well-earned break, you paddle on to the west end with views of Mae Ngat Valley and Sirilanna National Park forest before take-out and return to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.
Mae Ngat reservoir spans 18 kilometres across Sirilanna National Park, about 60 kilometres north of Chiang Mai. Calm conditions and lush jungle shorelines make it ideal for a long exploratory paddle past floating villages and wide open water. The east-to-west crossing is a classic northern Thailand kayak day, combining distance, scenery and a unique floating lunch stop in the middle of the lake.
Houseboats and diving platforms give the reservoir a lived-in character unlike any river trip. Sirilanna National Park forest frames the western shore, and on clear days the sense of scale across open water is genuinely impressive for a day trip from Chiang Mai.
Previous kayaking experience and good fitness help for 18 kilometres and four hours on the water. Sit-in touring kayaks are standard; sit-on-top doubles are available if you prefer them.
Children from 14 can join when accompanied by an adult. Sun protection, swimwear and a change of clothes are essential for a comfortable full day on the reservoir. Bring water and snacks for between stops if you like to nibble while paddling.
Our Chiang Mai team runs river and lake kayaking year round, with hotel pickup, quality boats and guides who read northern Thailand's water levels every week. You'll get a thorough on-water briefing and coaching before we launch, so beginners feel supported and experienced paddlers still get a proper day out.
We keep groups small, choose put-ins for the season and handle lunch and transfers as part of the day. We're local specialists who've been sharing these rivers and reservoirs with guests for years.
Hotel pickup around 8:30am brings you to the shop for sign-in and briefing. Staff confirm kayak type preferences and answer questions before the drive north toward Mae Ngat Valley and the east-side put-in at Mae Ngat Dam.
A roughly 90-minute drive reaches Mae Ngat Dam kayak put-in on the east side of Sirilanna reservoir. Boats are unloaded and guides run a final paddle stroke check before launching across the open water toward the floating houseboats.
Morning paddling crosses calm open water and jungle-lined inlets toward floating houseboat restaurants for lunch. The crossing passes clusters of lake dwellings and wide views across one of northern Thailand's largest reservoirs.
Lunch and refreshments at a floating restaurant give you time to relax, swim or jump from the diving tower into the cool reservoir. Guides monitor the group before the afternoon paddle continues toward the west take-out.
Afternoon paddling continues to the west-side take-out with views of Mae Ngat Valley and Sirilanna National Park forest along the shore. Roughly four hours total on the water covers the full 18 km east-to-west crossing.
Return transfer to your Chiang Mai hotel is included after boats are loaded, typically arriving around 5:00pm to 5:30pm. You can freshen up after a full exploratory day on Sirilanna reservoir.
This full-day crossing suits paddlers with previous kayaking experience and good general fitness. You will cover roughly 18 kilometres across open water and sheltered jungle inlets on the Mae Ngat reservoir in Sirilanna National Park, with about four hours of paddling time.
Sit-in touring kayaks are standard, with sit-on-top doubles available if preferred. Calm lake conditions make it approachable for confident improvers, though the distance and duration make it a proper full-day expedition rather than a short taster paddle.
A minimum group size of four paddlers applies for this trip to run efficiently with guide support across the open reservoir. Solo travellers or pairs can often join existing departures or combine with other bookings on the same date.
Message us through Adventuro chat if you are fewer than four; they may be able to match you with other paddlers or suggest alternative dates when a crossing is already scheduled.
Yes. Hotel pickup from Chiang Mai city centre around 8:30am brings you to the shop for sign-in before the drive north to Mae Ngat Dam on the east side of the reservoir. Return to your hotel is included around 5:00pm to 5:30pm. The drive to the put-in takes roughly 90 minutes.
You will have a paddle stroke check at the water before setting off across the lake toward floating houseboat restaurants for lunch. Share your accommodation details ahead of the trip so the driver can find you easily. Allow a few minutes either side of the stated pickup window.
Touring kayaks (sit-in) are provided as standard, with sit-on-top doubles available on request. Paddles and basic safety equipment are included; guides run a final stroke check before launching across the open water. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sarong or long sleeve for sun protection, swimwear, a change of clothes and a favourite snack for between lunch and the afternoon paddle to the west take-out.
Quick-dry clothing works best on the water. Secure glasses with a strap and keep valuables in a dry bag provided or brought from your hotel.
Yes. Lunch and refreshments are served at a floating restaurant on houseboats mid-lake. This is a highlight of the crossing, with time to relax, eat and optionally jump from a diving tower into the cool reservoir water.
After lunch you paddle on toward the west end of the lake with views of Mae Ngat Valley and Sirilanna National Park forest along the shore. Dietary preferences can usually be accommodated with advance notice. Bring a small snack if you like extra energy between scheduled meal stops.
The best season is July through November when water levels and calm conditions suit the 18 km east-to-west crossing. Outside this window the trip may not run or routes may change depending on reservoir conditions.
Visit during the recommended months for the full crossing experience with floating lunch stop and west-side take-out as described.
Expect roughly four hours of paddling covering 18 kilometres across calm open water and jungle-lined sections. The full day runs 8:30am to 5:30pm including hotel pickup, drive to put-in, lunch stop and return transfer.
Good upper-body endurance and comfort in a sit-in kayak for several hours matter more than white water skills. Take breaks at the floating restaurant and pace the afternoon section to the west take-out.
Strong wind can make open sections of the reservoir more challenging, so guides monitor conditions and may adjust timing or route on the day. Calm mornings are typical, which is why stroke checks happen before the main crossing begins.
Sun protection is important on exposed water even when conditions are calm.
Mae Ngat reservoir spans Sirilanna National Park about 60 kilometres north of Chiang Mai. Paddling east to west crosses lush jungle inlets, open water and clusters of floating houseboats rarely seen from the road.
Views of Mae Ngat Valley and the national park forest line the afternoon section toward the west take-out. It is one of the largest reservoir crossings available as a guided day trip from Chiang Mai.
Arrive with sunscreen, plenty of water and comfortable clothing suited to the activity. Wear closed shoes with good grip, and pack a light rain layer if showers are possible during your visit to northern Thailand.
Leave bulky luggage at your hotel and bring only a small day pack for personal essentials. Share your accommodation name and contact number ahead of the trip so morning pickup runs smoothly on the day of your adventure.
About the centre
Chiang Mai
From hotel pickup in Chiang Mai, you'll head into northern Thailand's forests, rivers and mountain trails on guided biking, kayaking and hiking adventures. Routes range from gentle rice-field rides and temple tours to advanced downhill runs in Doi Suthep National Park and white-water kayaking on the Mae Wang.
Every trip includes the equipment you need — bikes, helmets, kayaks, paddles and safety gear — sized on the day. Small groups and daily departures mean you can explore at your own pace, whether you're trying mountain biking for the first time or chasing technical singletrack through the jungle.
Operated by Chiang Mai Mountain Biking & Kayaks, a partner of adventuro.
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