Doi Inthanon National Park: A Day Trip from Chiang Mai
The Doi Inthanon National Park is located in the north of Thailand, in the province of Chiang Mai. Located within the park is the 2,565-meter high Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. Locals and tourists from all over the world are fascinated by the beautiful landscape, the giant waterfalls, the deep jungle, but also by the cool temperatures and the great hiking possibilities in the national park. A special highlight of every tour to Doi Inthanon is the imposing temple on the mountain with the two royal pagodas, which should not be missed on the way to the summit. Whether on your own by scooter, rental car or guided tour, a trip to Doi Inthanon is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai and should be therefore high up on any bucket list.
This travel guide is a comprehensive report about Doi Inthanon National Park in Thailand. We show you great pictures, give you all the important information and tips about the best attractions of the national park, how to get there, guided tours and where to stay.
Good to know!
In general, most people visit Doi Inthanon National Park on a guided tour from Chiang Mai. However, some also choose to come on their own by rental car or scooter.
The opening hours of Doi Inthanon National Park are currently from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm. That makes it possible to watch the sunrise at 6:00 a.m.
Warm clothes and closed shoes are recommended for the low temperatures of up to 5 degrees. Rain protection is also recommended at Doi Inthanon.
The entrance fee to the park is 300 Baht per person. If you come with your own vehicle, i.e. scooter or rental car, you have to pay an extra 30 Baht.
Things to Do at Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Thailand, and no other has so many sights and activities. On our tour we had the opportunity to experience extremely exciting and discover great highlights. We’ve summarized the best spots of our tour and the best things to do in Doi Inthanon.
Wachirathan Waterfall
An absolute highlight and one of the top things to do in the Doi Inthanon National Park is a visit to the Wachirathan Waterfall. It is located almost directly on the main road and can be reached from the parking lot via a short trail. This thunderous waterfall plunges 70 meters into the depths of the jungle and provides a fantastic photo opportunity. The entrance fee to the Wachirathan waterfall is included in the national park fee. Even in the dry season this waterfall carries a huge amount of water and is definitely one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Doi Inthanon National Park.
Wachirathan Waterfall and the famous Mae Ya Waterfall are not the only waterfalls you can visit. Siriphum Waterfall, Pha Khun Na Waterfall, Wang Khwai Waterfall and Sirithan Waterfall are also beautiful waterfalls that you can see during your tour.
Doi Inthanon Temple
The Doi Inthanon Temple with its two modern royal pagodas is located on the way to the mountaintop at an altitude of about 2,100 meters and is another top attraction of the national park. Nestled in the beautiful natural landscape, they serve as landmarks of Doi Inthanon. The temple is located only a short distance from the top of the mountain and is an absolute must-see because of its 2 modern chedis Phra Maha Dhatu Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri and the impressive flower garden. Escalators take you up to the temples, which are also nice to look at from the inside. From the top, you have a breathtaking view over the temple complex and the deep jungle of the Doi Inthanon National Park.
Tip: Doi Inthanon Temple is open daily from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. The entrance fee is currently 100 Baht per person and is not included in the National Park ticket.
Kaew Mae Pan Nature Trail
A little more challenging, but still quite easy, is the hike on the Kaew Mae Pan Nature Trail. This 3 kilometer long loop trail starts off the main road at the parking lot of the Kew Mae Viewpoint, which we visited early in the morning at sunrise. This circular walk takes you through dense forest, past a beautiful waterfall and, as a highlight, you reach a viewing platform from where you have a magnificent view over the mountains. The hike must be accompanied by a Hmong guide, who can tell you many interesting things about the national park, flora and fauna. The guide costs 220 baht and can be shared by several people.
Highest Peak of Thailand
The summit of Doi Inthanon, at 2,565 meters, is the highest point in Thailand and a visit is definitely the best thing you can do at the national park. Up here is also the coolest point of the country, where locals like to be photographed for a souvenir photo. Without any effort, you can reach the top by car, which is located about 50 kilometers from the main entrance. Once up here, you can also take a short round-trip hike through the jungle. While hiking you can enjoy the fresh cool air and a pretty fairytale forest with its small temple.
Sunrise at Doi Inthanon
Watching the sunrise on Thailand’s highest mountain is probably one of the most beautiful experiences at Doi Inthanon near Chiang Mai. The best way to do this is to stop at the parking lot of the Kew Mae Pan Viewpoint, which is located on the way between the temple complex and the highest point of Thailand. Hot soup, hats, and gloves are sold at the parking lot. No wonder, the temperatures at Doi Inthanon are much cooler than the rest of Thailand, often dropping to 5 degrees at night. Even if it’s blistering hot in Chiang Mai, be sure to pack warm clothes for a trip to Doi Inthanon.
Tip: There are even guided sunrise tours to Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai. The departure is very early in the morning, but the experience is spectacular.
Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail
The Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail is one of the absolute insider tips and, on top, one of the most beautiful attractions at the Doi Inthanon. It is opposite the summit trail, but nevertheless it’s missed by most tourists. As you walk along the wood trails, you will discover a different world, a mystical and moose-clad jungle, just like out of a fairy-tale. This jungle is a true natural paradise, and we can strongly recommend a stopover for visiting this evergreen forest. The short hike through the jungle takes just 20 minutes and can be optimally integrated to a visit to your national park tour.
Ban Mae Klang Luang
If you are looking for rice fields in Doi Inthanon National Park, you should visit the small village of Ban Mae Klang Luang. These rice fields are especially beautiful during the rainy season from September to early November. Then the terraces glow in lush green and make for great photo opportunities! But also in the harvest time, a visit is an interesting experience. The idyll in the village of Ban Mae Klang Luang is unique, and you have the opportunity to explore a piece of northern Thailand in its traditional way.
Rice fields of Chom Thong
A highlight of a trip to Doi Inthanon National Park is an overnight stay in the middle of the rice fields of Chom Thong. For this experience, the Nok Chan Mee Na bungalows are a real insider tip. A beautiful facility with camping facilities, far away from the hustle and bustle, in the middle of fascinating rice terraces. Here you can relax by the pool, eat delicious food and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Especially if you want to spend a few days in the Doi Inthanon area, this is a great place to stay.
Tip: The Nok Chan Mee Na Guesthouse is located between Mae Ya Waterfall and Doi Inthanon Mountain, making it a great starting point for exploring the National Park.
Mae Ya Waterfall
The Mae Ya Waterfall is probably one of the most impressive places to visit in Doi Inthanon. Located in the National Park, but off the beaten tourist track, this waterfall is one of the absolute most beautiful natural wonders of the region. It is still an absolute insider tip for travelers to northern Thailand and Chiang Mai. Definitely, you will be amazed by the natural beauty. The Mae Ya Waterfall plunges more than 250 meters into the depths and is one of the largest waterfalls in Thailand. If you like, you can take a refreshing bath in the river or just enjoy the wonderful ambience.
Mae Ya Waterfall is located in the south of the national park, about 17 kilometers from the main entrance. You can reach the waterfall via a short 20-minute hike from the parking lot through a beautiful deciduous forest.
Tip: A visit in the morning is recommended because in the early hours of the morning you will have this thundering force of nature all to yourself.
How to get there from Chiang Mai
The mountain is located about 100 kilometers from the city of Chiang Mai, and for traveling to Doi Inthanon we can give you the following tips:
Guided tour: Probably the most popular way to get to Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai is on a guided day tour. Great excursions, often including trekking, are also offered online at GetYourGuide.
Getting there by scooter: Getting to Doi Inthanon by scooter is the most elaborate option. Despite the long travel time of almost 3 hours, big temperature differences and sometimes a lot of traffic, some people dare the adventure.
Arrival by rental car: A much more comfortable way to get to Doi Inthanon National Park is to rent a car. Good and cheap rental cars with insurance can be found here.
Tours from Chiang Mai
If you are staying in Chiang Mai, you can also join a guided tour to Doi Inthanon. These group tours usually include hotel pickup, meals, and entrance fees. No matter if trekking, waterfalls or private tours, on GetYourGuide you will find a wide range of excursions.
Where to Stay at Doi Inthanon
There are many places to stay around the national park, perfect if you want to spend one or more days in Doi Inthanon National Park. Most of the accommodations are located in Chom Thong, not far from the park. The following are some recommendations and accommodation tips we can give you along the way…It’s worth a look!
- Bungalows with Pool: The Doi Inthanon Riverside Resort is a really nice bungalow resort with large rooms, a nice pool and a view of the river.
- Charming Guesthouse: The Suan Sook Homestay is a really charming guesthouse, not far from Doi Inthanon and a great base for trips to the national park.
- Accommodation in Rice Fields: The Nok Chan Mee Na Nok Chan Mee Na is located in the rice fields near Chom Thong. The bungalows and the pool are very nice.
Find the best accommodation at Doi Inthanon:
More about Chiang Mai:
-
20 Unique Things to do in Chiang Mai
-
20 Best things to do in Chiang Rai
-
Chiang Mai Tours: Top 10 Day Trips & Excursions
-
Top 12 Must-Visit Temples in Chiang Mai
-
Travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train
Keep Exploring
More about Thailand
Bangkok | Koh Samui | Krabi | Koh Lanta | Koh Phangan | Ayutthaya | Sukhotai | Koh Lipe | Khao Sok Nationalpark| Koh Samet | Koh Larn | Koh Similian | Thailand
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Meaning that if you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Comments are closed.