Thailand

Are you planning a trip to Chiang Mai soon? Dedicate a day to exploring Doi Inthanon National Park. A must-stop for hiking enthusiasts, birdwatchers, or extreme sports lovers.

The magnificent Doi Inthanon Forest Park has earned its nickname. Climbing the eponymous mountain, which peaks at 2,575 meters, is an adventure every respectable hiker must undertake. What pride to tread on the "roof of Thailand"! This does not exclude the possibility of a peaceful or moderately sporty hike. Framed by the Thanon Thong Chai mountain range, Doi Inthanon Park hides colorful landscapes: the turquoise blue of the waterfalls, the green of the terraced rice fields on the hills, the scarlet red of the cherry trees, and the clear whiteness of the rivers. And let’s not forget the festival of beaks, throats, and feathers presented by the avifauna. Undoubtedly, you will return happy from this expedition.

History of the nature reserve

The park was inaugurated in 1972. Was it the desire to promote tourism or the growing environmental awareness that prompted the government to declare the Doi Inthanon region a protected area? Deforestation continues at an alarming rate due to human activities. The Karen and Hmong people have inhabited the area for centuries, intensively exploiting the woods. But even if the declaration remains on paper, the 48,200 hectares of the park offer truly paradisiacal sites. Four grand waterfalls run through the jungle from all sides, permanently irrigating the rice fields and plantations on the high hills.

Doi Inthanon Park boasts two flattering assets that make it one of Thailand’s most beautiful ecotourism destinations. On the one hand, the Doi Inthanon summit, a meeting place for climbers, rises higher than any other mountain in the country. On the other hand, 306 bird species reside in the park, making it the second-ranked natural reserve in Thailand for bird concentration.

Fauna and Flora of Doi Inthanon Park

Doi Inthanon Park is an open-air biology book just a hundred kilometers from Chiang Mai! The plant kingdom is made up of evergreen forests and dipterocarps, such as pines, oaks, and bamboos. The wildlife inventory includes 9 species of reptiles, 7 species of amphibians, and some large mammals like zebras, buffaloes, and elephants. However, the park's stars are to be found elsewhere.

Main attractions of Doi Inthanon Park

What makes the park so popular is that it offers an immense playground for the study and observation of birds. Given the density of birds, enthusiasts can film countless species in a short period of time.

• Doi Inthanon: The long road leading to the summit has many stops where hikers will enjoy a pleasant view of the canopy. At higher altitudes, the forest is covered in moss. Rising 2,575 meters above sea level, Doi Inthanon, nicknamed the roof of Thailand, is home to birds adapted to the cold and windy mountain climate. The striated yuhina and the green-tailed sunbird are very common in this area, along with other colorful feathers like the rufous-throated partridge, the golden babbler, and the yellow-cheeked tit. They readily feed on crumbs of bread or biscuits thrown by visitors. The undergrowth is the domain of the white-rumped falcon, the Burmese nuthatch, and the black-headed woodpecker, which sing endlessly in the deciduous tree foliage. The black-backed forktail is also visible there.
• Jeep Trail: This trail totals 37.5 km. A troop of birdwatchers stands ready to spot the birds. On busy days, it is difficult and even dangerous to take this pass. But when it is deserted or calm, consider taking a tour in a 4x4. Many specimens will elicit cheers, such as the striped-headed yuhina, the spot-winged tit, the brown-cheeked fulvetta, Blyth’s shrike-babbler, or the clicking shrike-babbler.
• The Couple of Pagodas: About 2 kilometers from the mountain summit, two elegant pagodas stand before you: Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphonphumisiri. The temples are dedicated to the ninth heir to the throne of Siam and his wife, respectively. Connoisseurs will see a fine example of contemporary Thai art. Wanderers will love getting lost in the garden planted with ornamental trees and flowers. On clear days, the site offers breathtaking views of the mountain and surroundings. Some cheeky birds venture here, such as the buff-throated warbler and the green-tailed sunbird.
• Ang Ka Trail: This popular hiking trail is known for its abundant flora. Hikers will feel like they are playing a scene from Game of Thrones. The rufous-throated partridge and the pygmy babbler will accompany you with their songs.
• Gaew Mae Pan Trail: On this winding route, landscapes change hues, from rivers to torrential waterfalls, from valleys to deep ravines. The hike must be accompanied by a forest ranger. The Himalayan goral, a very rare mammal, will captivate tourists’ attention. Aquatic birds are present along the waterways. Don’t miss the slate-backed forktail and the plumbous water redstart exploring the rocks for mollusks or small reptiles. The small kingfisher ventures into shallow waters. For elegance, the white-capped redstart takes the prize. Besides the Mae Pan waterfall, the park has three other waterfalls—Sri Phum, Wachirathan, and Mae Klang—that allow for trekking, swimming, and rafting. However, Mae Pan is by far the most interesting, with its 280-meter drop.
• Baan Pa Pong Piang Hamlet: Lost in the mountains, the village of Baan Pa Pong Piang is the stronghold of the Karen people. It is essential to stay there overnight to soak up the folkloric atmosphere. Bamboo huts with thatched roofs serve as accommodations. The hamlet is known for its sloping rice fields with whimsical curves, an example of farmers adapting to nature’s constraints.

Where is Doi Inthanon National Park?

The reserve is part of Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai province. It is located 100 km from Chiang Mai, the most developed city in northern Thailand. An entrance fee of 300 baht (8.4 euros) is charged to visitors, both national and foreign. Children pay only half, 4.2 €.

Best time to visit

Although very quiet in the summer, Doi Inthanon Park is lively with winter tourism. From November to February, the drop in temperatures in the northern mountainous regions attracts many tourists. City dwellers from Bangkok, Phuket, and other provinces rush there for a breath of fresh air. The beginning and end of the year are the best times to visit the park under favorable weather conditions. However, some tourists venture there in July or October, ignoring the rain. At this time of year, the hills turn green, the canopy is denser, the waterfalls swell after the rain, and the Karen tribe’s terraced rice fields are spectacular.

How to get there?

The park is a 90-minute drive from downtown Chiang Mai. Tourists can choose between a public bus, taxi, or rental vehicle.

Private transport

From Chiang Mai, drive on the airport road and continue to Chom Thong. From there, follow the signs to Doi Inthanon National Park. The vehicle rental rate is 1,000 baht per day, equivalent to 28 euros.

Even though it is relatively easy to reach the park without a personal vehicle, renting one is advisable. Observation points are very far from the entrance gate, and without a motorcycle or car, you will have to hitchhike, walk for hours, or wait for a songthaew to see something interesting.

To travel with confidence, your SawaDiscovery agency provides a vehicle with a driver.