Doi Inthanon National Park is one of the most important and visiting national parks in Thailand. Here is Mount Inthanon, with 2565 meters of altitude, it is the highest in the country.
If you are thinking of visiting northern Thailand, the Doi Inthanon National Park is an essential stop to make. In this post I tell you about how to visit Doi Inthanon National Park and how to get there from Chiang Mai.
DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK
HOW TO GET TO DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK FROM CHIANG MAI
You can arrive by rental car or with an excursion; If you decide to do it on your own and go with your car, it will take almost 2 hours to get there from Chiang Mai, but the roads are in good condition. The signs are in Thai, so ask for a map at the rental shop and it will not be difficult to follow the directions.
The entrance to the park costs 300 Baht for foreigners and 50 for locals. If you are a foreigner already residing in Thailand, they let you pay Thai price if you show your tax payment card or if you explain and convince them that you live in the country.
Once you pass the entrance you will have to drive a little more until you reach the main offices of the park (National Park Headquarters) where you can pick up a map of the area. This park is huge, 482 km2 and several roads so if you don't want to get lost, don't forget the map.
WHAT TO SEE IN DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK
In the park there are several hiking trails, each route is marked and it is not difficult to follow the trails (at least the easiest ones, since there are various difficulties). There are several waterfalls, rice fields, forests, jungles and some viewpoints.
The highlight of the park is the top, and its two pagodas. (Although I personally really liked getting lost on the trails and finding the waterfalls).
The top of the park and the 2 Pagodas
At the top of Mount Inthanon, there is a viewpoint with beautiful views. In it are also the two pagodas of the park. They are a very popular stamp, and much photographed.
Wachirathan Waterfall
This waterfall is accessible by car (like almost all the ones in the park) and you have it marked on the map. This is perhaps one of the most photogenic since the waterfall is quite high and noisy. Although if what you are looking for is a bath, this waterfall is not the best option.
Mae Klang Waterfall
This waterfall is located before the entrance to the park and even has a ticket office if you want to buy a ticket here.
Go trekking
There are tons of trails you can follow. If you want from the office at the entrance, when you buy the access tickets, it is possible to reserve a hiking route. They are agreed hours and are quite cheap, about 30 baths.
The most popular tour is the Gew Mae Pan (or Kio Mae Pan). Starting near the two pagodas, it is the most requested option. It requires a guide, and it is an excursion of about 2 hours, in which you will go through areas of the jungle, you will go through small bridges, you will enjoy a natural environment without equal and you will know some hidden waterfalls with small lagoons at your feet where if you want, you can bathe.
The park is huge, and going through it all is impossible in a single day. All the points on the list can be done on a free excursion in one day. If you decide to look for an organized excursion, make sure to see what it includes. Since some cheaper, only include a viewpoint, a waterfall and pagodas. And in case you want to seize the day and do something else, he will buy all the options.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Thailand very much and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!