Doi Inthanon National Park — Attraction in Chiang Mai Province

Doi Inthanon National Park, located in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, is a renowned destination celebrated for its natural beauty, diverse ecosystems, and cultural significance. It is home to Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand, which stands at 2,565 meters above sea level. Here's a detailed review of the park:

Key Highlights

Scenic Landscapes: The park boasts breathtaking landscapes, including lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and mist-covered mountains. Visitors are often treated to panoramic views, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Waterfalls: The park features numerous waterfalls, including the majestic Wachirathan Waterfall, the serene Mae Klang Waterfall, and the photogenic Siriphum Waterfall. These are must-visit spots for nature lovers.

Flora and Fauna: Doi Inthanon is part of the Himalayan mountain range and features diverse ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to pine forests. It is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 400 bird species recorded. Rare plants and flowers, such as rhododendrons, also thrive here.

Cultural Significance: The park is home to the King and Queen Pagodas, which were built to honor the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. These pagodas are surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.

Local Communities: The area is inhabited by Karen and Hmong hill tribes who offer a glimpse into their unique way of life. Visitors can explore local villages and purchase handmade crafts and textiles.

Trekking and Trails: Nature trails like the Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail and the Kew Mae Pan Trail provide opportunities for hiking and exploring the park's biodiversity. Guided treks are available for those looking for an immersive experience.

Cool Climate: Due to its high altitude, the park enjoys a cool climate year-round, with temperatures dropping to near freezing during the winter months (December to February).

Tips for Visiting

Best Time to Visit: November to February is ideal for clear skies, blooming flowers, and cool weather.

Entrance Fee: There is an admission fee for the park (typically around 300 THB for adults and 150 THB for children, with additional charges for vehicles).

Accessibility: The park is about 90 kilometers from Chiang Mai city. Visitors can rent a car, join a tour, or hire a private driver.

What to Bring: Warm clothing, comfortable hiking shoes, water, sunscreen, and a camera.

Sustainability: Visitors are encouraged to respect the environment by adhering to park regulations and minimizing waste.

Overall Experience

Doi Inthanon National Park is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to experience Thailand’s natural and cultural heritage. Its mix of natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural landmarks makes it a versatile destination suitable...

I was really disappointed with our visit to the national park and it's the only place in northern Thailand where I also felt ripped off.

If you go with a tour you will probably have a nice time, but if you're the type that likes to have more freedom about the hikes you do you will find this frustrating. This is nothing like American or UK national parks where once you pay for/gain entry, you have a variety of hiking routes, with various difficulties and lengths to explore at your leisure.

Nearly every route requires you to pay an additional 200 baht for a 'guide'. The mandatory guide didn't speak English, so we had to follow them around a perfectly laid out and fenced path. This meant you had to somewhat go at their pace, since they are on the clock. As a result you feel pressure to complete the hike pretty quickly. Honestly needing a "guide" was an absolute joke. The routes were so easy to follow my grandma could manage it with a few breathers. Even for casual hikers you won't find it much of a challenge, which for us is part of the fun.

Out of 3 waterfalls one of them has been closed. The waterfalls that were open were cool but it wasn't a walk, just a stop and look situation.

Out of frustration we decided to follow a trail recommended by a Thai person on Google reviews starting in Mae Klang Luang. However once finding the trail head there was a huge sign saying it was the exit of another route so you couldn't enter. Also doing it without a guide was a 1000 baht fine. It was interesting only foreigners seemed to need a guide, we didn't see any Thai people with guides.

We tried to do a lot of research online beforehand but it really wasn't clear how restrictive park access would be if you didn't go with a guide or tour group, despite having paid for entry. We were annoyed that we couldn't enjoy the park on our own terms.

The park itself looks stunning but if you want to do any hiking better to come as part of a tour. Alternatively go somewhere else and spend the money on a proper overnight trek which is...

Everything you need to know about doi Inthanon:

Best stuff to experience in my opinion:

Kew mae pan nature trail - for sure the number 1 spot. super beautiful. The trail isn't just one Instagram photo spot, the beautiful view accompanies you throughout a major chunk of the trail. Worth the money, worth the guide. Come in sunrise to see the view from the trailhead then start the trail. The beauty of the trail is seeing the clouds from above, and the views of the mountains nearby.

King and queen pagodas. Also beautiful, well taken care of gardens, and the same beautiful view you can see from the kew mae pan trail. Worth the visit.

Mae ya waterfall. Quite far from the rest of the attractions, but a really big waterfall. Great place to chill in my opinion.

Wachirathan waterfall. Really nice waterfall. Makes some beautiful rainbows with the sun shining on it. Getting close to it means getting a bit wet.

In my opinion "the highest point in Thailand" is overrated. Not much to do there except take a photo with the sign that says it's the highest point. You can skip it.

Notice!

There are many different entrance fees. 2 park entrance fees, parking fees, and guide fees. Take that into account. In general i spent around 900 bhat in fees. There is double pricing between foreigners and locals. Don't be salty about it, make your own decision if it's worth it for you.

The park is big! It takes time to get from one place to the other. Take that into consideration. The roads are really slippery when it's raining! Especially for motorcycles! Plan according to weather.

If you want to sleep there, find a place to book in advance or come early in the morning to the doi Inthanon headquarters and book your night in the park's campground. I came at 1pm, and there were no places left. Had to search for 2 hours nearby for a place to sleep the night for a reasonable price.

In general i had a good time here! Highly...