The whole lot it is advisable learn about a Doi Inthanon day journey, together with the way to get there, what to see and do, and most significantly, is it value it!
Thailand’s tallest mountain, Doi Inthanon, is dwelling to a number of the most spectacular waterfalls, landscapes and cultures in all the nation.
Located only a 90 minutes from Chiang Mai, the Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park is a well-liked place for locals to enterprise for the day or to camp up within the mountains.
With sensational temples, hovering cascades, mountain climbing trails and a welcoming Karen hill tribe village serving up locally-grown espresso and fruits, it’s simply among the finest locations to go to in Thailand.
But for some purpose it’s usually skipped by guests in to Chiang Mai province, who are inclined to focus extra on the superior issues to do within the metropolis, or different well-known spots in northern Thailand resembling Pai and Chiang Rai.
And we’ll be trustworthy. We did precisely that, regardless that we spent 3 months dwelling in Chiang Mai.
On our most up-to-date journey although we wished to make the journey to the highest of Thailand’s highest mountain, so booked on for a Doi Inthanon day journey.
After the day spent exploring the nationwide park we have been blown away, and couldn’t imagine we hadn’t visited sooner.
READ MORE: Take a look at our professional information to travelling in Thailand!
Doi Inthanon Day Journey – The Full Information
When you’re questioning whether or not or not it’s value occurring a day journey to Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park, this weblog put up won’t solely persuade you however show you how to benefit from your time up there!
Let’s dive into it.
About Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park
Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park is a lush, mountainous area of northern Thailand, and is most well-known for being dwelling to the best mountain within the nation, Doi Inthanon at 2565m above sea degree.
Referred to as the ‘Roof of Thailand’, this huge protected space of round 482 sq. kilometres in measurement was formally designated as a nationwide park in 1972, and is well accessed from close by Chiang Mai.
The flora present in Doi Inthanon is kind of distinctive, with cloud forests, deciduous teak bushes and sphagnum lavatory.
Components of the park are inhabited, and there are small Karen and Meo Hmong hill tribe villages discovered all through Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park. Most of those villages aren’t open to the general public, however it’s potential to go to and keep in a single Karen hill tribe village.
There may be an abundance of wildlife discovered round Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park, resembling gibbons, deer and wild boar.
The birdlife particularly is spectacular, making it highly regarded for chook watchers.
Is Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park Value Visiting?
When you love lovely waterfalls, sprawling landscapes, distinctive cultures and natural meals, then sure, Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park is 100% value visiting!
Even should you solely have a few days in Chiang Mai, you gained’t remorse a visit to Doi Inthanon.
What’s the Greatest Time to Go to Doi Inthanon?
Doi Inthanon is gorgeous at any time of yr, so it actually doesn’t matter if you come. However in case you are questioning what it will likely be like in numerous seasons it will assist out:
Dry Season – December to April
That is when most travellers go to Thailand, because the climate is gentle, there’s much less likelihood of rain and humidity is low.
It’s a beautiful time of yr to go on a Doi Inthanon day journey, however remember the fact that that is winter and the excessive altitudes imply temperatures can, and do, drop to shut to zero.
Moist Season – Might to November
The moist season means the waterfalls are at their strongest, and in our opinion makes travelling within the ‘off season’ one of the best time to go to Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park.
That is additionally the most well liked time of yr although, which may make trekking a bit extra uncomfortable. The upper you get into the park the temperature will drop, and it’s not unusual to wish a sweater or jacket on the summit and Royal Pagodas.
Be sure to pack heat garments whatever the time of yr.
Smoky Season
Burn-offs occur within the space across the finish of February into March, and this ends in quite a lot of smoke air pollution within the air.
This may make trekking fairly tough and views could also be restricted, so hold this in thoughts and verify air high quality if planning on travelling to the nationwide park throughout this time.
The way to Get to Doi Inthanon
Positioned within the Chom Thong District of the Chiang Mai Province, this nationwide park is a 90km drive, which is able to take 1.5 hours to get there from the Outdated City.
From Chiang Mai the simplest manner if driving your self by automobile or bike is to take route 108 in direction of Chomthong for 57km.
Flip proper onto Route 1009, Chomtong-Doi Inthanon Street, the drive one other 31km till you get to the nationwide park gate.
The highway continues to climb steeply as much as Thailand’s highest peak.
Becoming a member of a Group Tour
When you’d choose to go away the driving to another person and love the thought of getting a information to discover Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park with, then there are many choices for becoming a member of a small group tour.
On these you’ll be picked up and dropped off at your resort in Chiang Mai and will probably be taken to probably the most lovely components of the nationwide park.
This specific tour contains all of your admission charges, lunch, water, an English-speaking information and transport in a contemporary, air-conditioned van.
Becoming a member of a Non-public Tour
We personally went on a non-public tour as we wished a bit extra flexibility by way of timing to discover the Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park.
Ultimately we’re so glad we did, as a result of we ended up spending much more time than we anticipated on the waterfalls, which blew our minds, and the private expertise we had with our information was incredible.
We booked by means of the native firm Tour East, and our information’s identify was Peo.
You possibly can contact them right here:
How A lot is the Nationwide Park Charge?
Being a nationwide park there’s a small entrance payment required to enter, and that is put in direction of native conservation and infrastructure.
The Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park entrance charges are:
- Adults: 300THB
- Youngsters: 150 THB
- Vehicles: 30 THB
- Motorbikes: 20THB
You pay the doorway charges instantly on the nationwide park gate and also you’ll be given your entrance ticket. Maintain onto this, as you might be required to point out it if stopped by any nationwide park rangers or police.
The Greatest Issues to Do in Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park
Now that you realize all of the historical past, the way to get right here, and when to go to, it’s time to dive into our listing of one of the best issues to do in Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park!
Most of those will be accomplished on a single Doi Inthanon day journey, though there actually is a lot to try this you would simply fill a number of days on totally different visits or by tenting up within the nationwide park.
READ MORE: See the place else makes our listing of the high locations to go to in Thailand!
1) Be Amazed at Wachirathan Waterfall
One of many first locations you’ll go to on a day journey to Doi Inthanon is the Wachirathan Waterfall, and should you’re something like us you’ll be shocked on the energy of this towering cascade.
The tiered waterfall tumbles 250m down a collection of rocky outcrops, with probably the most spectacular part being an 80m torrent that’s simply seen from the path.
Beforehand a protracted hike was required to get to the falls, however now a highway and automobile park has been constructed to offer entry to the most important a part of Wachirathan Waterfall, making it accessible for anybody with a brief stroll.
Bear in mind that the trail will be very slippery and muddy, so watch your footing and put on enclosed sneakers.
When you’re right here with your individual transport or on a non-public tour you possibly can hike to the opposite tiers. This isn’t a properly overwhelmed path although so ensure you’re snug with path bashing.
2) Hike to Mae Klang Luang Village on the Pha Dok Siew Nature Path
Trekking in Doi Inthanon is among the greatest actions you are able to do right here, however should you’re not planning on doing a full day journey on the paths you possibly can nonetheless get pleasure from a incredible hike to the Mae Klang Luang Village.
When you’re on a small group tour or non-public tour, your driver will drop off the passengers on the path head and gather you on the finish.
Firstly of the path you’ll meet an area tribe elder from the Karen village, who will probably be your information on this pretty 4km hike, navigating by means of forests, rice fields and rivers.
Mountaineering the path with an area information from the Karen hill tribes is obligatory, however the small price is properly value it.
The path is all downhill, and your native information will level out a number of attention-grabbing sights alongside the way in which.
The surroundings is spectacular, particularly across the Sirithan Waterfall and the sprawling rice fields as you get nearer to the Mae Klang Luang Village.
You’ll end within the Karen hill tribe village, the place you possibly can get pleasure from a espresso or chunk to eat earlier than being picked up by your driver.
3) Take a look at a Espresso Plantation in a Karen Hill Tribe Village
When the previous King of Thailand visited Doi Inthanon he was shocked and saddened to see the prominence of the opium commerce rising within the area.
Farmers have been utilizing their land to develop poppies because of the excessive worth of the crop, thus additional fuelling the drug disaster.
Wanting to offer a greater, safer life for his individuals, the King launched a Royal Undertaking to encourage farmers to maneuver into different industries.
He promised them that in the event that they grew different, authorized vegetation, the Thai royal household would buy them at premium charges.
With love and respect for his or her King, the farmers did simply that, and began rising fruits, greens, flowers and low.
And as promised, the King and his companies assured a excessive supply of revenue for everybody who joined the Royal Undertaking, serving to raise many of those individuals out of poverty and away from harmful industries.
Within the Mae Klang Luang village a big portion of land has been became a espresso plantation, rising and roasting scrumptious, natural beans proper there within the valley.
After our all the way down to the village we sat down and discovered all in regards to the espresso business right here in Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park, and naturally, tucked right into a scrumptious brew.
Apart from roasting and serving the beans proper there within the village, the farmers now export throughout Southeast Asia. A incredible instance of how the previous King’s Royal Tasks have improved lives all through Thailand.
4) Go to the Twin Royal Pagodas
Close to the best level of Doi Inthanon is the Twin Royal Pagodas of Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Naphapholphumisiri, two chedis which were constructed on the sting of the mountain and surrounded by spectacular gardens.
They have been constructed to commemorate the sixtieth birthdays of the previous King and Queen, and no Doi Inthanon tour is full with out stopping by to admire the beautiful views over the encircling mountains.
They’re fairly fashionable in comparison with the normal temples you get round different components in Thailand, however that doesn’t make them any much less magnificent.
Spend half-hour or so trying out the inside of the King and Queen Pagodas, and ensure you save a while to stroll by means of the gardens and absorb the recent air.
Your entrance charges to Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park embody a go to to the King and Queen Pagoda.
5) Seize a Selfie at Thailand’s Highest Level
When you’ve made it to the best level in Thailand it’s nearly obligatory to snap a selfie on the high!
There’s an indication to mark the Doi Inthanon summit, so seize your shot at 2565m above sea degree then hold exploring.
6) Hike the Kew Mae Pan Nature Path
You’ll be getting up your step rely for the day with all these superior out of doors actions in Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park, and one other stroll you shouldn’t miss if the climate is sweet is the Kew Mae Pan Nature Path.
Coming in at just below 3km, it’s value setting apart a couple of hours to really respect the mountain views you’ll discover alongside the way in which.
Kew Mae Pan boasts probably the most lovely panoramic view in all the nation, gazing out over the valley and is an ideal spot for dawn.
When you’re not up right here early although don’t stress. The hike is nice at any time of day, particularly within the late afternoon when the solar begins to dip and forged its golden rays throughout the mountains.
The Kew Mae Pan nature path is closed from June to October within the wet season. You don’t want a tour information to stroll the monitor.
7) Stroll Round Ang Ka Luang Nature Path
From the Doi Inthanon summit you’ll discover a sensational boardwalk referred to as the Ang Ka Luang Nature Path, which cuts by means of a moss-covered forest and over sphagnum lavatory.
Regardless of solely being 400m in size the properly overwhelmed monitor feels such as you’ve stepped into one other world, and this part alone makes it straightforward to grasp why Doi Inthanon is among the greatest nationwide parks within the nation.
Most day journeys and excursions provides you with a brief period of time to take a look at the path, so ensure you don’t miss it.
8) {Photograph} the Sirithan Waterfall
There are quite a lot of epic waterfalls you possibly can come throughout on a Doi Inthanon day journey, however certainly one of our favourites was the Sirithan Waterfall on the way in which to the small village of Mae Klang Luang.
We got here throughout this on our day tour of Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park, and couldn’t imagine that a spot like this exists just some hours from Chiang Mai previous metropolis.
A bamboo bridge stretches throughout the river on the base of Sirithan Waterfall, which towers above the forest and tumbles from the cliffs in a raging torrent.
When you’re into waterfall pictures an important spot to snap a shot is to wander downstream and look again on the bridge and falls. Inserting somebody on the bridge on the similar time provides an superior perspective to simply how excessive it truly is.
9) Eat Lunch at a Native Restaurant
Simply because it’s a nationwide park doesn’t imply you must pack your individual lunch to go to. There are a selection of nice native eating places round which you can seize a meal at.
When you’re on a tour, your information and drive will drop off the tour group at an area restaurant the place you’ll have the ability to tuck into some scrumptious Thai delicacies.
10) Brichinda Cave
Lastly on our listing of one of the best issues to do in Doi Inthanon Nationwide Park in Thailand is to take a look at the Brichinda Cave.
Whereas it’s not precisely huge like a number of the others you get in Southeast Asia, it greater than makes up for its measurement with the unimaginable stalactites and stalagmites discovered all through the limestone cavern.
A go to to the cave is included in your entrance payment, and should you get there early sufficient you’ll miss the tour teams, leaving the entire place to your self.
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