Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai

Doi Inthanon National Park is a must-see destination for nature enthusiasts visiting Thailand. Known as “The Roof of Thailand,” the park spans 482 km² in Chiang Mai province and is part of the Himalayan mountain range. The park offers a diverse range of activities such as hiking on the few trails, birdwatching, and enjoying the stunning views from the many viewpoints, including the summit of Doi Inthanon Mountain, the highest peak in Thailand.

The park is also home to a variety of flora, including moist evergreen cloud forests, sphagnum bog, and mixed deciduous forests. Wildlife sightings are rare, but visitors may catch a glimpse of wild boar, gibbons, deer and serow. The park is also home to over 500-510 bird species, the highest number in Thailand, including ashy-throated leaf warblers, dark-breasted rosefinches, and collared grosbeaks.

Visitors should note that the park is busiest on weekends and it is best to avoid visiting during major holidays such as New Year’s Day, Songkran, and other long holidays when traffic jams are common. Private tours and taxi services can be booked on the park’s website, and the park is open daily from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm. Two Chedis is the only attraction in the park that requires an additional entrance fee. The park’s headquarters area offers a spacious campsite and is located near the Sirithan Waterfall, the only waterfall easily accessible by foot.