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Explore Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 meters with a dedicated local guide on a private day trip from Chiang Mai. Enjoy personalized itineraries featuring the King and Queen pagodas, Wachiratharn waterfall, and scenic hikes along the Angkha or Pha Dok Siew trails.
Free Cancellation Hike to Thailand’s highest point on a two-hour guided trail through cloud forests and hilltribe farms.
Free Cancellation Reach Thailand's highest point at Doi Inthanon and visit the waterfalls and Karen weavers of Sobhad Village.
Free Cancellation Trek the Kew Mae Pan and Pha Dok Siew trails on this private 9-hour tour of Doi Inthanon National Park.
Free Cancellation Climb 2,565 meters to Thailand’s highest peak for twin pagodas, mountain coffee farms, and massive waterfalls.
Free Cancellation Hike the Pha Dok Siew Trail and stand on Thailand's highest peak on this private day trip from Chiang Mai.
Free Cancellation Reach Thailand’s 2,565-meter summit to see the King and Queen pagodas, hill tribe villages, waterfalls, and trails.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Doi Inthanon National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Private tours to Doi Inthanon cover 60 to 70 kilometers of mountain road from Chiang Mai to reach Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 meters. You dictate the pace at the waterfalls, trails, and pagodas while a driver handles the steep, often foggy roads. Most itineraries take 8 to 10 hours and include hotel pickup, lunch, and a local guide.
The paved road ends near the 2,565-meter summit marker. A short wooden boardwalk loops through a sphagnum bog cloud forest where temperatures hover around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius year-round.
A mandatory local Hmong guide leads this 3-kilometer ridge loop between November and May. The trail cuts through pine forest before opening to panoramic valley views above the cloud line.
Two stone stupas sit on landscaped terraces near the summit. They honor the 60th birthdays of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit and offer clear western views at sunset.
Water drops 40 meters over a granite ledge just off the main park road. The heavy spray often creates rainbows and makes the surrounding rocky paths slippery.
Private itineraries often stop at Mae Klang Luang or the Hmong Market near Ban Khun Klang. You can buy organic coffee grown on the surrounding slopes or walk through terraced rice paddies.
Wild Himalayan cherry trees bloom briefly from late January to early February. The pink flowers cover sections of the upper mountain and draw heavy local crowds.
Booking a private vehicle solves the logistical problem of navigating 90 kilometers of steep mountain roads from Chiang Mai. Drivers handle the hairpin turns while guides manage local trail requirements.
Operators run full-day private trips lasting 8 to 10 hours. Standard itineraries focus on sightseeing at the pagodas and waterfalls, while trekking variants add the 2-hour Kew Mae Pan or Pha Dok Siew trails.
Most private tours cover the 300 Baht foreign adult park entry fee and the 100 Baht Royal Pagodas ticket. Lunch and bottled water are almost always standard, but check your specific listing to see if the 200 Baht local trekking guide fee is included.
Free hotel pickup typically covers a 5-kilometer radius around Chiang Mai's Old City and Tha Pae Gate. Staying further out usually incurs a 1,000 Baht surcharge.
Reserve a few days ahead during the cool season from November to February. Traffic jams stretch deep into the park on Thai public holidays like Songkran and New Year, so avoid booking on those dates.
Wheelchair users face significant limitations. The summit viewpoint and pagoda gardens have some paved paths, but boardwalks feature uneven stairs, and waterfall viewpoints sit on rocky terrain.
Operators on platforms like Viator allow full refunds if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Weather-related cancellations by the operator are rare, as tours run during tropical rain showers.
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| Standard Private Sightseeing | Private Trekking Tour (Kew Mae Pan) | Private Tour with Royal Station | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8 hours | 9 hours | 10 hours |
| Best for | Families and elderly visitors | Active hikers | Photography and agriculture interest |
| Includes | Transport, guide, lunch, park & pagoda fees | Transport, guide, lunch, trail fees, water | Transport, guide, lunch, all entry fees including agricultural station |
| Price from | $125 | $144 | $167 |
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Park gates open daily from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm. The visitor center operates from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Individual attractions follow similar daylight hours, usually closing around 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm. The Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail closes completely from June through October to allow the forest to recover during the rainy season. It reopens every November.
The park entrance sits 60 to 70 kilometers southwest of Chiang Mai city. Private drivers take about 1.5 hours to reach the headquarters and another 30 minutes to navigate the steep, winding road to the summit.
Public songthaews require multiple transfers and cannot reach the upper mountain. Renting a motorbike is an option, but the hairpin turns and steep grades require significant riding experience.
November to February brings clear skies and a morning "sea of mist" at the viewpoints. Temperatures drop near freezing at the summit during these months, occasionally falling below 0°C on the grass.
Late January to early February offers a brief window to see the Siamese sakura bloom. March and April bring heavy agricultural smoke. July to September sees heavy rain that creates slippery trails and closes the Kew Mae Pan route.
Independent wheelchair access is not realistic for most natural sites. Staff can assist visitors at the paved summit viewpoint and the landscaped Royal Twin Pagodas.
Waterfalls like Mae Klang and Wachirathan require short walks over uneven ground from the parking lots. The Ang Ka Luang boardwalk has uneven steps, and the Kew Mae Pan trail includes steep dirt sections and stairs.
Bring small cash notes. There are no ATMs inside the park, and card payments fail at ticket booths and food stalls. The nearest reliable cashpoint is in Chom Thong town before the entrance.
Basic Thai food stalls operate near the headquarters and the Hmong market. Restrooms are available at the visitor center, major waterfalls, and the Royal Twin Pagodas.
Yes, private trekking itineraries cover the mandatory 200 Baht local Hmong guide fee. Standard sightseeing tours might skip this trail entirely, so check your specific booking.
Summit temperatures average 10 to 15 degrees Celsius year-round. During the cool season from November to February, morning temperatures often drop near freezing. You need a jacket even if Chiang Mai is hot.
Most private operators include the 300 Baht national park fee and the 100 Baht pagoda fee. A few budget options exclude these, requiring you to pay cash at the gate.
No. Waterfalls like Wachirathan and Mae Klang have strong currents and slippery rocks. Park authorities prohibit swimming for safety reasons.
Free pickup usually applies within a 5-kilometer radius of the Old City. Hotels outside this zone require a surcharge of about 1,000 Baht for the private transfer.
No. The trail closes from June to October to allow the forest to recover during the rainy season. Tours booked during these months substitute this hike with the Pha Dok Siew trail or extra waterfall stops.
No. Drone flights are banned in Doi Inthanon without prior written permission from the national park department. Unauthorized flying carries fines up to 100,000 Baht and equipment confiscation.
Wear closed-toe shoes for trail walking and bring warm layers for the summit. You need clothing that covers your shoulders and knees to enter the Royal Twin Pagodas.
The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the park entrance. Reaching the summit takes another 30 to 45 minutes of driving up steep, winding mountain roads.
Yes, operators run tours rain or shine. Tropical showers usually pass quickly. If heavy rain persists, guides will adjust the itinerary to spend more time at sheltered spots.
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Doi Inthanon National Park reaches 2,565 meters at its peak. December to February brings temperatures near 10°C and blooming Siamese sakura—the local version of cherry blossoms—that cover the slopes in pink. Pack a jacket. It's often 15 degrees colder here than in Chiang Mai. The main nature trail takes two hours with a local guide. You'll walk past reforestation projects, hilltribe vegetable plots, limestone cave openings, and moss-covered cloud forest. While bird watchers come for the Green-tailed Sunbird near the summit, most people focus on the changing vegetation as the altitude climbs. The path gets slick. Wear shoes with actual grip, not sandals.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Doi Inthanon's summit sits at 2,565 meters above sea level, about a two-hour drive from Chiang Mai. It's often 15 degrees cooler than the city—sometimes dropping below freezing in winter—so bring a jacket even if the lowlands are sweltering. Wachiratharn Waterfall has a 40-meter drop that usually soaks the main viewing platform with mist. Sirithan is quieter and viewed from a wooden deck set back in the forest. That's the one for photos. Sobhad Village is home to the White Karen people, who still use traditional floor looms to weave cotton. You can buy scarves directly from the families here. The village is a residential community where families live and work year-round. If you're visiting during the monsoon in August or September, the paths between the houses get slick and muddy. Wear shoes with actual grip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
German, English
This nine-hour private trip covers the two main hiking routes in Doi Inthanon National Park south of Chiang Mai. You'll start at Wachiratharn waterfall. Here, water falls 80 meters into a pool that creates a constant mist. The morning trek is the Kew Mae Pan Trail, a 2.7-kilometer loop at 2,200 meters elevation. Bring a jacket. Even when Chiang Mai is sweltering, it stays cool on the ridge. A local lunch is included. The afternoon is for the Pha Dok Siew Trail. It takes about two hours to walk past organic coffee plantations and tiered rice terraces. You'll finish the walk at a Karen hill tribe village for a cup of local Arabica coffee. Kew Mae Pan closes from June to October for forest recovery—book the Pha Dok Siew-only option during those months instead. It's a long day. The private car makes the two-hour drive from the city manageable.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The summit of Doi Inthanon sits at 2,565 meters, making it the highest point in Thailand. It’s often 10 degrees cooler up here than in Chiang Mai. Bring a jacket. The Angkha Nature Trail is a short boardwalk through a mossy cloud forest where red rhododendrons bloom from January to March. Just below the peak, the Royal Thai Air Force built two pagodas to honor the 60th birthdays of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. The gardens between them have the best views of the valley when the mist lifts. The Hmong market sells dried fruit and winter vegetables grown on the mountain. It’s a busy roadside stop. Later, at a Karen village, the locals roast Arabica coffee over open fires. You’ll get a cup to drink while watching the sorting process. Lunch is a basic set meal at a local restaurant near the park entrance. Wachirathan Waterfall drops 80 meters over a granite ledge. The spray is heavy enough to soak your camera if you stand on the lower bridge. Check the weather before booking; if it’s raining hard, the view from the pagodas disappears entirely. Skip this trip on Thai public holidays unless you enjoy sitting in three-hour traffic jams on a steep mountain road.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This private day trip reaches the 2,565-meter summit of Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand. You'll walk the Pha Dok Siew Trail for two hours, passing the tiered rice paddies of a Karen hill tribe village and the 40-meter drop of the Wachirathan Waterfall. Joe & Boy Travel has run this route for 11 years under license 24/01277. It's a long day in the car. But the 15-degree temperature at the top is a relief from the city heat. The Twin Pagodas sit just below the summit, surrounded by flower gardens that often disappear into the mountain mist. Wear a jacket, even in April. The trail is mostly downhill and shaded, though the wooden bridges over the stream get slick after a downpour. Buy the local coffee at the Karen village—they grow and roast it right there. If you have bad knees, skip the full hike and ask to see the shorter Ang Ka boardwalk instead.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Doi Inthanon is the highest point in Thailand at 2,565 meters. Temperatures at the summit stay roughly 15 degrees cooler than in Chiang Mai. The King and Queen pagodas are two stone towers built for royal birthdays. Gardens around them grow temperate flowers that don’t survive in the valley heat. It's a steep climb. Wachirathan Waterfall drops 80 meters over a granite ledge. Mist from the fall coats the viewing decks and makes the wooden planks slippery. Karen hill tribe villagers grow high-altitude coffee and work hand-looms nearby. Try the local drip coffee; it's better than the city stuff. The Ang Ka nature trail is a 360-meter boardwalk through a high-altitude peat swamp. If you visit between June and October, the longer Kew Mae Pan trail is closed. The drive from Chiang Mai takes about two hours in a private vehicle. Pack a light sweater for the summit.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English