Doi Inthanon National Park & Waterfall Tour from Chiang Mai

This is a 10-hour day trip from Chiang Mai up to Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest point at 2,565 metres. It suits travellers who want the summit, a waterfall, a hill-tribe village and a highland market in one day, with a guide and transport arranged for them. The group is capped at 15.

What the day looks like

The first stop is the summit area, where a 15 to 20 minute walk along the Ang Ka Nature Trail leads through cool, misty evergreen forest. Next come the Royal Twin Pagodas, dedicated to King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, with flower gardens and views across the surrounding mountains.

A highland market run by Hmong vendors follows, selling seasonal fruit, vegetables, handmade crafts and dried flowers. Lunch is a Thai set menu at a local restaurant, chosen to suit the day’s route. After that the tour calls at Ban Mae Klang Luang, a Karen hill tribe village, for freshly brewed Arabica coffee and a look at village life. The last main stop is one of the park’s larger waterfalls, with a viewing area where you feel the spray.

Two options add to this. The Full Day option includes Mae Klang Waterfall, and the Doi Inthanon + Pha Dok Siew option adds a trek of about two hours along the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail through rainforest, waterfalls, coffee plantations and seasonal rice terraces.

Good to know

Round-trip transport by air-conditioned car or minivan from Chiang Mai’s Old Town and Nimman area is included, along with the set lunch, drinking water, a guide and insurance. The national park fee is included only if you select that option. Otherwise it is paid separately, as are tickets for the King and Queen pagodas.

Watch out: The pagodas have a dress code. No flip-flops, tank tops or shorts. Sneakers, sports shoes, T-shirts and long jeans are fine.

The tour is described as suitable for all fitness levels, but it is not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Child tickets cover ages 3 to 6. The operator is Oh-Hoo.