Doi Inthanon National Park

At 2,565 metres, Doi Inthanon is the top of Thailand — literally. The summit sits 70 km southwest of Chiang Mai in Chom Thong district, where the altitude pushes temperatures down to single digits in January and keeps the forest permanently mist-draped. It’s a jarring contrast to the lowland heat most visitors know.

The Twin Royal Chedis

The most photographed spot in the park isn’t the summit — it’s the two chedis a short walk from the peak car park. Phra Mahathat Naphamethinidon, completed in 1987 by the Royal Thai Air Force, was built to mark King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60th birthday. Its companion, Phra Mahathat Noppholbhumsiri, followed in 1992 for Queen Sirikit’s own 60th. The king’s chedi has a warm brown tint; the queen’s a softer lilac. Between them, manicured gardens hold orchids and ferns that thrive only at this elevation. The separation of five years shows in the stonework — Naphamethinidon is slightly more austere, Noppholbhumsiri more ornate. Entry to the chedis is included in the park ticket.

Wachirathan Waterfall

About halfway between the park entrance and the summit, Wachirathan drops roughly 70-80 metres down a granite escarpment into the Mae Klang creek. It’s one of the most powerful falls in northern Thailand — during the rainy season the roar carries well before the viewpoint comes into view. A short level path leads to a mist-soaked platform close enough that you’ll want to protect your camera. Most day tours stop here on the way up, before the crowds build at the summit.

Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail

The 3-kilometre loop trail near the summit is open 1 November to 31 May only — park management closes it during the rainy season to protect the delicate cloud-forest floor. A mandatory ranger guide accompanies every group; pay around 200 THB per person at the trailhead and factor in 1.5 to 2 hours of walking. The trail cuts through rhododen­dron thickets, mossy ridges, and open viewpoints looking west toward Myanmar. November through February gives the clearest sightlines; March and April bring crop-burning haze that can obscure them entirely.

Insider Tip: The trail opens at 06:00. The first group in — usually the early-rising tour vans — has the path almost to itself. By 09:00 it gets genuinely busy at the narrow ridge sections.

Birding

Over 380 bird species have been recorded in the park, including montane specialities found nowhere else in Thailand: the green-tailed sunbird, the Doi Inthanon fulvetta, and several species of laughingthrush that descend to the trail edges at dawn. Serious birders hire local guides from Chiang Mai who know exactly where to position before first light near the summit car park.

Getting There from Chiang Mai

The most straightforward option is a private car or tour — Route 108 to Chom Thong, then Highway 1009 winding up through the park. A rented car gives the flexibility to stop at each waterfall in sequence rather than being moved along by a group itinerary. Tours from Chiang Mai typically include the summit, both chedis, Wachirathan, and one or two additional waterfalls (Mae Klang and Sirithan are common) for 1,200-1,800 THB per person. Most depart around 06:00 to hit the summit before midday cloud cover rolls in.

Watch out: The park road is narrow and heavily trafficked on weekends — especially between 08:00 and 10:00 on the way up. Going on a weekday noticeably reduces congestion at the main viewpoints.