Explore the highest peak in Thailand with guided trips to Doi Inthanon National Park. Choose from private treks, waterfall visits, and eco-friendly shared tours departing from Chiang Mai.
Free Cancellation Visit Doi Inthanon's summit, the Twin Pagodas, and waterfalls in a group of nine or fewer from Chiang Mai.
Free Cancellation Feed elephants at Living Green, stand on Thailand's highest peak, and hike to Pha Dok Siew Waterfall.
Free Cancellation Hike through cloud forests and hilltribe farms to reach Thailand’s 2,565-meter summit on this guided day trip.
Free Cancellation Visit the Ang Ka cloud forest, 60-meter waterfalls, and a Karen village on Thailand's highest mountain.
Free Cancellation Hike the summit trails of Thailand’s highest peak and visit the King and Queen Chedis above the clouds.
Free Cancellation Hike to Thailand’s 2,565-meter summit and visit Karen hill tribe villages on this sustainable day trip from Chiang Mai.
Free Cancellation Hike to Thailand's 2,565-meter summit and trek through cloud forests to hidden waterfalls and mountain ridges.
Free Cancellation Walk forest trails and visit hill tribe villages on a climb to Thailand’s 2,565-meter summit.
Free Cancellation Stand at Thailand’s highest point in Doi Inthanon before visiting the Wachiratharn falls and Sobhad’s Karen village.
Free Cancellation Reach Thailand's 2,565-meter summit on a 10-person tour of cloud forests, royal pagodas, and waterfalls.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Doi Inthanon National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Most tours to Doi Inthanon run as full-day trips from Chiang Mai, taking 8 to 11 hours. You'll ride in an air-conditioned minivan up winding mountain roads to reach Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 meters.
A paved road leads straight to the 2,565-meter summit. A short walk takes you to the official elevation marker and the small shrine of King Inthawichayanon.
This 360-meter wooden boardwalk loops through a high-altitude cloud forest. Thick moss covers the tree branches, and the air stays damp and cool year-round.
Two stupas built for King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit sit on a terraced ridge. The manicured gardens offer clear views over the surrounding valleys.
A local Hmong guide leads this 3-kilometer hike along an exposed ridgeline. The trail opens from November to May and takes about two hours to complete.
A powerful cascade drops 80 meters over a granite ledge right off the main park road. The mist regularly creates rainbows across the viewing platforms.
Booking a tour simplifies the 70-kilometer mountain drive from Chiang Mai. Pay close attention to what your specific ticket covers, as entrance fees are frequently excluded.
Many tour operators do not include the park entrance fee (300 Baht for foreign adults) or the Royal Twin Pagodas entry (100 Baht). You need to carry cash to pay these directly on the day.
Group tours use 9-passenger minivans and stick to a fixed schedule. Private tours cost significantly more but let you adjust the pace and spend extra time on the trails.
Free hotel pickup is usually limited to Chiang Mai's Old City, Nimman, and the Night Bazaar areas. If you stay outside a 2-kilometer radius of the center, operators will ask you to meet at Thapae Gate.
The Royal Twin Pagodas enforce a modest dress code. You need covered shoulders and knees, and closed-toe shoes rather than flip-flops.
Summit temperatures average 10-15°C and drop near freezing between November and February. A jacket is necessary even if Chiang Mai is sweltering.
Standard tours cover the summit, pagodas, and waterfalls. Extended options add a two-hour hike on the Kew Mae Pan trail or a morning stop at an elephant sanctuary.
Almost all operators offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Weather-related cancellations by the guest are not refunded.
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| Standard Group Tour | Private Tour | Trekking Combo Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8-10 hours | 8-9 hours | 10-11 hours |
| Group Size | Up to 9 people | Your group only | Up to 9 people |
| Includes Park Fees | Rarely | Usually | Sometimes |
| Starting Price | ~$28 - $48 | ~$125 - $145 | ~$45 - $50 |
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The national park gates open daily from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm. The main visitor center and headquarters operate from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm year-round.
Most individual attractions, including the waterfalls and the Royal Twin Pagodas, are accessible from early morning until around 5:00 pm.
Trail Closure: The popular Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail closes completely from June through October. This allows the forest to recover during the heavy rainy season. It reopens every November.
The park entrance sits roughly 70 kilometers southwest of Chiang Mai city center. Driving takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, with another 30 minutes required to reach the summit.
November to February offers the best conditions. The weather is cool and dry, and early mornings frequently produce a "sea of mist" rolling through the valleys below the ridges.
Late January to early February brings a brief bloom of pink Siamese sakura (wild Himalayan cherry) trees across the park.
March and April are the worst months to visit. Agricultural burning across northern Thailand fills the air with thick smoke, ruining the views and making breathing uncomfortable. July through September brings heavy rain that makes trails slippery and closes the Kew Mae Pan route entirely.
Wheelchair access is highly limited. The summit viewpoint and the terraced gardens at the Royal Twin Pagodas feature some paved, level paths suitable for mobility devices.
Natural sites are largely inaccessible. The Ang Ka Luang boardwalk has uneven steps and small stair sections. The main waterfalls, including Wachirathan and Mae Klang, require navigating rocky, unpaved ground from the parking areas.
For visitors with limited mobility, hiring a private driver is the best approach. This allows you to view the scenery from the vehicle and stop only at the flat, paved viewpoints.
Food stalls and small restaurants operate near the park headquarters and the Hmong village of Ban Khun Klang. Most full-day tours stop here for a set-menu Thai lunch.
Cash is required: There are no ATMs inside the park boundaries. You must bring small cash denominations from Chiang Mai or Chom Thong town to pay for entrance fees, local guides, and snacks.
Restrooms are available at the visitor center, the Royal Twin Pagodas, and the major waterfall parking lots.
Most group tours do not include the 300 Baht foreign adult entrance fee or the 100 Baht Royal Twin Pagodas fee. You will need to pay these in cash to your guide on the morning of the trip. Private tours are more likely to bundle these costs into the upfront price.
Summit temperatures average 10 to 15°C year-round. Between November and February, early morning temperatures frequently drop to freezing, and frost forms on the grass. You will need a jacket and long pants regardless of the season.
Operators typically offer free hotel pickups within the Old City, the Nimman area, and the Night Bazaar district. If you stay further out, you will receive instructions to meet the van at a central landmark like the Thapae Gate Burger King.
No. The trail closes annually from June through October to allow the forest to recover during the rainy season. Tours operating during these months substitute the hike with other waterfalls or the shorter Ang Ka boardwalk.
Pack warm layers for the summit and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes for walking on uneven trails. The Royal Twin Pagodas require modest dress, meaning no tank tops, no shorts, and no flip-flops.
Drone flights are completely banned inside the national park without prior written approval from the Department of National Parks. Unauthorized flying can result in equipment confiscation and fines up to 100,000 Baht.
Swimming is not allowed at major cascades like Wachirathan and Mae Klang. The rocks are extremely slippery, and the currents are dangerous, particularly during the rainy season.
The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the park entrance. Reaching the summit requires another 30 to 45 minutes of driving up steep, winding mountain roads.
Tours run rain or shine. You should bring a raincoat or poncho during the May to October wet season. Operators only cancel if severe weather makes the mountain roads unsafe.
Full-day tours almost always include a set-menu Thai lunch near the park headquarters. You should bring a reusable water bottle, as single-use plastic bags and styrofoam are banned inside the park.
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