Doi Inthanon National Park encompasses the summit and surrounding slopes of Thailand's highest mountain (2,565 metres) and is one of the country's most biodiverse protected areas. Within a single park, visitors move from lowland rice paddies through hill tribe villages to temperate cloud forest near the summit — an altitudinal range that produces extraordinary ecological variety.
The park's signature attraction is the pair of royal twin chedis (Naphamethanidon and Naphaphonphumisiri) built near the summit in honour of the king and queen. But the waterfalls arguably offer equal spectacle: Wachirathan Falls plunges 80 metres into a pool accessible by a short walk, while Mae Klang Falls near the park entrance is broader and gentler, popular with Thai families who wade in the pools.
Birdwatching is outstanding — over 380 species have been recorded, including species found nowhere else in Thailand. The summit area harbours species typically found at high elevations in the Himalayas. The Ang Ka Nature Trail near the peak is a short boardwalk through a moss-draped bog forest that feels otherworldly.
Highlights
- Thailand's highest point at 2,565 metres
- Twin royal chedis with cosmological murals and mountain gardens
- Wachirathan Waterfall — 80-metre plunge into accessible pool
- Ang Ka Nature Trail — moss forest boardwalk near the summit
- Exceptional birdwatching (380+ species including highland endemics)
- Hill tribe Karen and Hmong villages accessible from park roads
How to Get There
Doi Inthanon is 80 km from Chiang Mai, accessed via Route 108 and Highway 1009. Day tours from Chiang Mai are the most convenient option (700–1,000 THB). Self-drive takes about 1.5 hours each way. The road is paved to the summit.
Visitor Tips
Start early — leave Chiang Mai by 7 am to reach the summit before the clouds roll in (usually by 11 am).
Bring a jacket regardless of season — at summit level temperatures can be 10–15°C cooler than Chiang Mai.
The Ang Ka Nature Trail near the summit is 360 metres of boardwalk through extraordinary cloud forest — don't skip it.
Stop at Wachirathan Falls on the way up or down — the swimming pool at the base is refreshing.
Full day tours from Chiang Mai covering chedis, waterfalls, and a hill tribe village cost 700–1,000 THB including transport.
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