:: Southwestern Route (Highway No. 108)

Doi Inthanon National Park is Thailand's highest mountain and towers 2,565 metres above sea level.  Doi Inthanon is a part of the Himalayas, which ranges across Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and ends at Northern Thailand. Complex mountain ranges and a mild climate characterise an area with a moist and dense summit forest.   Doi Inthanon is very intersting for ornithologists.  The summit forest is the source of important tributaries of the Mae Ping River.  Meo and Karen hilltribes inhabit the park.

Visiting Doi Inthanon is possible throughout the year. The best period for viewing waterfalls is May through November.  The best period for viewing wild flowers is December through February.  The best period for ornithologists is November through March.


Getting There: Travel 58 kilometres west of Chiang Mai via Highway No. 107 to Chom Thong, then turn right into Highway No. 1009 and continue a further distance of 48 kilometres along Highway No. 1009 to the summit.  A good asphalt road takes visitors up but is rather steep, thus the vehicle must be in a good condition.  Visitors can pay the entrance fee at Km. 8.

Doi Inthanon can be reached by a local truck (Song Thaeo) from Phra That Chom Thong or Mae Klang Waterfall.  The Song Thaeo runs to Doi Inthanon National Park Office (Km. 31) and neighbouring villages. The fare costs 20 baht each.  A chartered Song Thaeo costing around 800 baht can make stops at other attractions around the area.  Accommodation, restaurants, and camping sites are available at the park headquarters at Km. 31.

Attractions in Doi Inthanon National Park :
Namtok Mae Ya is one of the most beautiful cascades in Chiang Mai.  Water flows from a 280-metre steep cliff onto different rock formations in a lower basin like drapes. The well-managed waterfall is teeming with verdant forests and is best for recreation. It is located 1 kilometre from Highway No. 1009 junction, turn left for 14 kilometres and then take a 200-metre walk.

Namtok Mae Klang is a 100-metre one-level waterfall located 8 kilometres from Highway No. 1009 junction, where you turn left onto an asphalt road for 500 metres.

Tham Bori Chinda is a large cave located near Namtok Mae Klang at Km. 8.5 of Highway No. 1009. The road sign to Tham Bori Chinda can be seen at the junction on the right. The deep cave has stalactite and stalagmite formations, Buddha images and a rocky stream.  The surface of the water glitters like diamond flakes when light reflects the stream. Sunlight in the cave allows visitors to see the entire cave. The Tourist Centre at Km. 9 has exhibits on nature and animals that inhabit the area.

Namtok Wachirathan is a large waterfall which plummets over the edge of a high cliff into a deep pool below.  When there is a large amount of water, there are large splashes in the basin, creating a cool and refreshing environment. The delightful ambience can be felt by walking on a slippery bridge that leads to the waterfall.  To get there, turn right off Highway No.1009 at Km. 21, then follw the signpost to the waterfall a further 350 metres on foot.  At Km.20 a new road has been built to reduce the walk to the waterfall.

Namtok Siriphum is a splendid waterfall that falls from a steep cliff in two cascades and can be seen en route to Doi Inthanon.  The attractive waterfall is located at Km. 31 of Highway No. 1009, where you take a right turn for 2 kilometres and approach is by foot only to the base of the waterfall.

:: Southwestern Route (Highway No. 109)

Doi Inthanon Royal Project is in Khun Klang village close to the park headquarters.   The project was initiated in 1979 to help the hill tribes to cultivate cash crops other than opium and train them on modern agricultural practices.  Most products are temperate-zone plants.  Flower plantations, a plant breeding research lab and flower plantations cultivated by hill tribes (Hmong) are open to visitors.

Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri, twin pagodas located at Km. 41.5, were built to commemorate the fifth cycle birthdays of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit.  Both pagodas share similar bases as well as a two-level walking path that surrounds them. The pagodas enshrine Lord Buddha's ashes and Buddha images, and overlook the magnificent scenery of Doi Inthanon.

Doi Inthanon Peak has a cool climate all year round. The Air Force Radar Station as well as King Inthawichayanon's stupa is located on the mountaintop.  King Inthawichayanon, the last king of Chiang Mai, was concerned about the importance of forests and wanted to preserve the forests for future generations.  He was so attached to the area that he asked that part of his ashes be kept here.  The Tourist Information Centre near the top of Doi Inthanon exhibits a chronological background of the mountain, including its geography, biology, forests, and animals.

Namtok Mae Pan is the longest waterfall in Chiang Mai, which flows from a 100-metre cliff.  It's charm can be enjoyed by standing some distance from the falls.  From afar, the white water and the green forests around the falls make for a lovely picture.  From Km. 38 of Highway No. 1009, drive along the Doi Inthanon-Mae Chaem road (Highway No. 1192) for 6 kilometres and a sign to the waterfall can be seen. Then drive on an unpaved road for 9 kilometres, after which the waterfall can be reached by a ten-minute walk from a parking lot.  In the rainy season, the road to Namtok Mae Phan is in a poor condition; and only a four-wheel vehicle can make the journey.

Namtok Huai Sai Lueang  is beyond Namtok Mae Pan, about 21 kilometres from Doi Inthanon-Mae Chaem Road. Turn left to an unpaved road, where only a four-wheel vehicle can make a trip in the rainy season. The medium-sized cascade has water all year round and flows from a cliff to each level.