During my Christmas break, we decided (with Jerome) to go to Thailand’s peak, Doi Inthanon, where the mountains are at 2565 meters above the sea level. Apparently, Thai people go there when the heat in Chiang Mai is too much, but it was bearable there, and up it was around 25 degrees (very lovely!!!), so just for fun, I wear a hat with my tee-shirt and short.
There is no real interest in the place where the highest peak is: you don’t have any view.
But we went to visit the Doi Inthanon’s twin stupas of Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphapholphumisri. They were built by the Royal Thai Air Force to commemorate the king’s and queen’s 60th birthdays in 19898 and 1992, respectively. The view up there is beautiful but as usual, too many tourists!!!
We saw different waterfalls, and we stop in two villages, one with the long neck woman (but we decided not to stop there because this is so touristic that they are just using these women, and it is odd doing that ). Still, instead, I decided to buy a few gifs from the children of the village. Then we stopped in another village where we saw women doing scarfs or blanket. Their work is impressive, and the colors are just amazing!!!! To do one scarf, it took them three days, and for a blanket, it took three months.
The day was beautiful, but we didn’t like to be in a tourist group, actually as soon we were going the bus, we were going far away from the group. But in a way, it was easier to do it this way. When you traveled to Thailand, you have to think if you want to rent a motorbike (without insurance ) or a car and risk to meet some carry drivers.
Why is Doi Inthanon National Park famous?
Doi Inthanon is one of the most popular national parks in Thailand. It is famous for its waterfalls, few trails, remote villages, picturesque mountains farms, viewpoints, sunrise/sunset watching, birdwatching, and the year-round cold weather on higher elevations. The main park entrance is about 70 km southwest from Chiang Mai city center.
Also known as “The Roof of Thailand,” Doi Inthanon National Park covers an area of 482 km² in Chiang Mai province north of Thailand. The park is part of the Himalayan mountain range with elevations ranging between 800 and 2,565 meters asl. The highest peak at Doi Inthanon Mountain, which is the highest mountain in Thailand. The park has high humidity and cold weather all year round.
Why this name for the park?
The park is named in honor of the king Inthawichayanon, one of the last kings of Chiang Mai, who was concerned about the forests in the north of Thailand and wanted to preserve it. When he died, his remains were placed in the park as he ordered, and the forest was renamed to Doi Inthanon.
What can you see?
Doi Inthanon Summit
Located at kilometers 48 at the end of the road 1009, with an altitude of 2,565 meters asl, it peaked in Thailand.
If you are after a challenging hike up to the highest point in Thailand, forget about it. The summit is only accessible by car up, but you could hike a few hundred meters from the parking area to the actual summit.
What is the trail accessible?
Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail
It’s a shorter circular boardwalk nature trail slightly on the opposite side from the path to the summit. The habitat around the boardwalk is magical, very dense, mossy, lush forest all year round.
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
It is starting from the main road just a few hundred meters north of the two chedis. On this 2.5 km long circular trail, you must be accompanied by a Hmong Tribe guide. The hike is easy to moderate to walk, bright, and well maintained. Part of the trail is along a mountain ridge with a beautiful view over the west. The very rare Chinese gorals are relatively common along this trail, but a sighting is unique, a lot of attempts needed to see one eventually. It costs 200 Baht to hire a guide. There are always a few of them waiting at the trailhead on the main road, can only be employed on the spot.
This trail is closed from June to October, re-opens the 1st of November.
Two Chedis
Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Nophamethanidon ( in Thai), Two Chedis are on the main road 5 km south from the top of the main summit of Doi Inthanon.
The first of the chedis, Naphamethinidon, meaning by the strength of the land and air, was built in 1987 to honor the 60th birthday anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The second chedi, Naphaphonphumisiri, meaning being the strength of the air and the grace of the land, was built in 1992 to honor the 60th birthday anniversary of Queen Sirikit.
There is a viewpoint with a good view over the west side of the park, a popular place to see the sunset.
Watch the waterfalls:
Wachirathan Waterfall
This is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the park, the most popular one due to its location and easy access. As with most other waterfalls, the size of this waterfall is very exaggerated by park staff or guides, but still, with around 40 meters height and the impressive, extensive look, it is no doubt one of the best falls in the park.
Sirithan Waterfall
It is one of the most famous waterfalls, at km 22, accessible by a 200 meters long trail from the parking area on the main road. This waterfall can only be seen from a viewpoint not too far from the falls. It is not possible to get all the way down to the waterfall.
Siriphum Waterfall
1.5 km off the road 1284 north of headquarters, accessible by a trail on the west side of Ban Khun Klang village and the Royal Garden. The area around this waterfall gets sakura blooming in February.
Mae Klang Waterfall
It is the first waterfall on the main road into the national park, cascading nearly 100 meters high over several tiers with the most top tier approximately 25-30 meters high. It is located 600 meters south of the checkpoint in the southeast part of the park.
Mae Ya Waterfall
A cascading waterfall is plunging from several tiers over 250 meters. The leading accessible layer 40 to 50 meters high and around 100 meters wide, no doubt one of the most impressive falls in the country.
It is said to be the biggest waterfall in the country. The highest single-tier fall in Doi Inthanon National Park is Mae Pan. There are higher and much wider falls in the country.
Mae Ya is located in the southern parts of the park, around 17 km southwest from the main checkpoint into the park. Mae Ya has its checkpoint where the national park entrance fee must be paid for an entry. The same entrance fee is valid for the entire national park.
Mae Pan Waterfall & campsite
Mae Pan is a 100 meters high waterfall off from the other attractions of Doi Inthanon, situated at the end of a 2 km dirt road from Mae Chaem Road. It is the highest non-cascading waterfall in the park, due to its relatively remote location it is not visited much by the local tourists who prefer to stop by at first 4-5 waterfalls on the way to the HQ. The trail to the waterfall can be very slippery, but worth the effort to get there. Apart from the waterfall, there is a shorter loop trail that can be hiked in less than 2 hours.
Differents projects in the park:
Royal Project Inthanon
Established in 1979, Royal Project Inthanon is a nearly one km² flower garden. The primary purpose of starting this project was to eliminate opium-growing by educating the locals. The garden is located at the Khun Klang Hhong village 1.5 north from the headquarters.
There are several greenhouses in the garden for growing Rhododendron flowers, ferns, Hydroponics vegetables, and various other flowers.
Mae Klang Luang Village
It is a village around 5 km east of headquarters, right south of the main road. This village has rice fields nestled on mountain slopes, creating a lovely view during the rainy seasons.
What did I love in this park?
I loved the fact it was not so hot (and able to wear some hat). The high peak itself was not worth it; it was just a panel with High Peak written on it. But the Chedis are beautiful. I loved the garden around it, and the views on the mountains around are amazing. If you like to do some photography, it’s the perfect place!!!
