From one mountain to another. Doi Suthep was chockful of beautiful temples. This time, we will visit “The Roof of Thailand” at Doi Inthanon National Park, home to the highest mountain in Thailand.

Doi Inthanon National Park is part of the Himalayan mountain range. It has a diverse landscape of evergreen forests, waterfalls, bogs, and villages. It also boasts a rich biodiversity of plants and animals.

The park is about 85 km southwest of Chiang Mai and can be easily reached by car or motorbike. You can also join a guided tour, like we did, that will take you to the most popular attractions in the park. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Doi Inthanon National Park from Chiang Mai Old Town.

Be Informed

We availed of the group tour offered on Klook. The Doi Inthanon National Park Tour includes Sirithan Waterfall, Hmong Village, Hmong Community Market, Wachiratan Waterfall, Doi Inthanon Summit, Ang Ka Nature Trail and the King and Queen’s Pagoda.

Tour Inclusions:

• Admission to attractions
• English/Chinese-speaking professional driver/guide
• Lunch
• Bottled drinking water
• Round-trip transfers to and from hotel (Old Town area)
• Insurance provided by the operator

There is no dress code in any of the places on the itinerary. If you easily get cold, bringing a jacket or sweater might be a good idea. With most attractions high up in the mountains, temperature can easily reach close to 0°C.

The tour takes one whole day. We were picked up from our hotel a little past 8:00 in the morning and dropped off before 5:00 in the afternoon.

Get a discount when you sign up on Klook with code AB553

Sirithan Waterfall

Sirithan Waterfall has a beautiful cascade that plunges 40 meters into a pool surrounded by lush greenery. The waterfall is easily accessible by a short walk from the parking lot. We admired the view from a wooden platform. Some blogs say there is a trail that leads closer to the waterfall.

Hmong Village

Next, we visited a Hmong village, where you can learn about the culture and lifestyle of one of the ethnic minority groups that live in the park. The Hmong people are originally from southern China and migrated to Thailand over a century ago. They are known for their colorful clothing, intricate embroidery, and silver jewelry. Coffee and souvenirs are on sale.

I have always felt conflicted about visiting these types of places. It makes me feel like an intruder.

Wachiratan Waterfall

After the village, we headed to Wachiratan Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the park. It is also known as “the rainbow waterfall” because of the colorful mist that forms when the sun shines on the water. The waterfall is about 80 meters high and 40 meters wide, creating a thunderous roar as it crashes into the rocks below. There is a bridge that crosses the stream where you can enjoy the view of the waterfall. Be prepared to get wet.

Lunch

We had lunch at a restaurant within the Wachiratan Waterfall compound. It consisted of typical home-cooked Thai dishes. Lunch is a family-style affair. If you are uncomfortable with this setting (getting food from serving plates), you may want to make arrangements with your tour operator beforehand.

Doi Inthanon Summit

After lunch, we drove up to the summit of Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand at 2,565 meters above sea level. The temperature here is much colder than in the lowlands, it was 16°C during our visit. We walked around the summit area and saw a monument dedicated to King Inthawichayanon, one of the last kings of Chiang Mai and a forest protector. There is also a small museum that displays information about the history and ecology of the park.

Ang Ka Nature Trail

We were able to experience the unique ecosystem of the summit by walking along the Ang Ka Nature Trail, a 360-meter loop that takes you through a mossy forest and a sphagnum bog. The trail is easy, well-marked and lined with wooden planks. It offers a chance to see some rare plants and animals in this high-altitude habitat.

King and Queen’s Pagoda

The last stop on our tour is the King and Queen’s Pagoda, two stunning structures built to commemorate the 60th birthday of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit in 1987 and 1992, respectively. The pagodas are located on two adjacent hills and are connected by a walkway. They are decorated with exquisite carvings and paintings depicting Buddha’s life and teachings. Beautiful, well-kept gardens surround the pagodas. They also offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

On our way back, we had a quick stop at the Hmong Community Market. The market is a perfect place to buy snacks on the drive back to the hotel and souvenirs to take home.

Final Thoughts

Doi Inthanon National Park is a must-see destination for anyone who loves nature and culture. It offers a variety of attractions that will suit any taste and preference. Whether you want to admire the waterfalls, learn about the local people, hike through the forest, or enjoy the views, you will find something to make your day trip memorable and enjoyable. So don’t hesitate to include Doi Inthanon National Park on your itinerary!