Hike the tallest mountain in Thailand in Doi Inathon National Park

If you’re in the mood for some adventure, tranquillity and inner peace all at once, The Doi Inathon National Park might just be your favourite spot in all of Thailand. Located 57 km south of Chiang Mai, this National Park is home to the country’s tallest mountain. This spectacular natural wonder is home to more than 400 species of birds, Barking Deer, Flying Squirrels, Assamese Macau, and more. Given its perfect location and unique flora and fauna, this National Park is one of the most celebrated natural retreats in the world.

This area is filled with a plethora of natural trails that are for all kinds of people. If you’re not in the mood for too much hiking, you can choose the shorter trails that lead up to the Mae Klang waterfall and have a peaceful day amidst cascading waters or If you feel like you could do some intense hiking and make it to the top, this wonderland has you covered. With a variety of trails such as the Ang- Ga- Luang and Kew Mae Pan, this park will make you fall in love with nature all over again.

A brief history of Doi Inathon

This region was previously called Doi Luang or Doi Ang Ka by the local tribes which translate to ‘the big mountain’. Doi Inathon gets its name from the last emperor of Chiang Mai– Inthayawichayananon who absolutely loved all things nature so it was only fair to name this beautiful park after His Majesty. This surreal retreat was established in the year 1972 and has become a favourite spot for tourists ever since.

Best time to visit Doi Inathon

Given this region is at a very high altitude, hiking here in winter is not such a good idea as it can get freezing cold. The temperature during December is typically anywhere between 4-8 degrees celsius so unless you are sure of managing in such weather, it is not advisable. The visibility is poor as well during winters so it is not the safest thing to do.

The weather in summer is absolutely stunning in this area so if you’re feeling the heat in Chiang Mai city and desperately want to catch a break, you know where to go. The skies are bright and the clouds will follow you as you spot unique animals in their habitat so you’d be doing yourself a favour by checking this out.

How to get here

The best way to get here would be to hire a car with a driver for the entire day. This is a very economical option but if you’re in the mood for a road trip, this could be the perfect opportunity to make that happen. The roads are fairly wide and the drive is not hard so you can easily find your way around as long as you are good with GPS. You could also hire a motorcycle and ride all the way up here if that sounds better. It would take you about an hour and a half to get there by road.

Nearby attractions to spot or visit

This beautiful park is not only surrounded by misty mountains and lush green forests but also offers the best views of a few nearby attractions

While you’re making you’re way up to the top, you might want to keep an eye out for:

• Chiang Mai Grand Canyon– This man-made canyon was later turned into a water park and the view of this architectural masterpiece from the top is stunning
• Pha Chor canyon– You can actually go to this majestic place and spend some time if you don’t mind hiking a couple of more stairs. The rock formations and views from this place will hit all the right notes on your mood-o-meter
• Pagodas- You can see some of the Pagoda’s tops peeking through the trees as you find your way around the park so be sure to keep your camera ready for those much-awaited postcard photos

Timings

The park is open from 6:00 to 16:00 on all days of the week

Entry fee

The entry fee for adults is INR 644 while the fee for children below the age of 13 is INR 334

A few tips

• The park starts getting crowded after 9 am so you might want to leave Chiang Mai a little early in the morning to skip the crowds
• Always have sunscreen on you especially if you are planning to hike because sunburns are the worst
• Wear comfortable clothing and proper hiking shoes for uninterrupted fun
• Do carry some Thai Baht to buy food and water at the stores in the park

Doi Inathon is definitely a must-visit if you’re in Chiang Mai. It’s a wonderful sanctuary to unwind and relax. The natural trails and the animals you get to spot here make it a fun experience for people of all ages.

Plan your trip to Thailand with us by picking your favourite Thailand package or create your own on pickyourtrail.com. Sometimes, catching a break from our everyday lives and just experiencing the beauty of nature is all that we need and Doi Inathon unapologetically offers it to you. Happy planning!