Top of Thailand - Doi Inthanon National Park

Mae Ya Waterfall

Want to see one of Thailand’s prettiest waterfalls? You can visit one right here in Doi (Mt) Inthanon National Park, only about 90 min drive from Chiang Mai city. My photo of Mae Ya Waterfall does not do it justice, but here’s one from another angle. Mae Ya waterfall, being 280m high, is said to be the highest waterfall in Thailand. It’s a little out of the way from the main route to other attractions on Doi Inthanon (allow another couple of hours or so to get there and back to the main route), but it’s well worth the effort. Being a bit out of the way, it’s also less crowded. From the car park, the waterfall is an easy 600m walk. There are food stalls at the car park where you can order your grilled chicken or pork and they’ll deliver it to the waterfall - a perfect place to relax and have a picnic.

There are also many waterfalls along the main route to the summit of Doi Inthanon, the most popular amongst the Thais being Mae Klang Waterfall. This waterfall can get quite crowded on the weekends, but if you’d like to take a dip, this is the place to do it. Remember, though to do what the locals do and keep covered whilst swimming. 

Locals taking a dip at Mae Klang Waterfall

Vachirathan Waterfall is also quite impressive with powerful water plummeting down. No swimming here! They do also have a nice little coffee shop and a couple of eateries. 

Vachirathan Waterfall

Along the way to the top, there are many places of interest to visit: 

• Inthanon Royal Project - an agricultural research station established by the King to improve living standards of the hill tribes. You can visit the lovely gardens of the Royal Project to see cold-climate flowers, not usually seen in other parts of Thailand. 
• Siriphum Waterfall - twin waterfall near the royal project, there is also a lovely garden there.
• Various hill tribe villages
• The twin Royal Chedis (Pagodas), built by the Air-force to honour the King and Queen for their 60th birthdays respectively. It can get quite cool here, especially in the colder months, so be prepared and bring a jumper or jacket. You’ll be able to climb the stairs to visit the pagodas, or take an escalator up. There is also a wonderful garden and fantastic views of the surrounding mountains from the top.
•  If you would like to do a bit of hiking, there is a 2.5km Gew Mae Pan Trail near the twin Chedis. Gew Mae Pan Trail is one of the most beautiful nature trails on Doi Inthanon. Allow around 2 hours for this walk. You’ll need to register at the Park Headquarters first. The trail is closed for reforestation from June 1 to October 30 each year.

Queen's Chedi

From the Twin Chedis, the summit of Doi Inthanon is just about 8 km away. There’s a radar station, which is off limits (no photos allowed) and to the side, a little nature trail to the “Highest Point of Thailand” through a magnificent forest that is often shrouded in mist. The trail also leads to a stupa containing the ashes of the last king of Chiang Mai, King Inthawichayanon. The name “Inthanon” is the shortened version of the late King’s name. King Inthawichayanon realised the importance of protecting the forests in the mountains of Northern Thailand as a watershed for all of Thailand, and for future generations.

Nature Trail at the summit of Doi Inthanon

Across the road, there’s also another beautiful nature trail called “Angka Nature Trail”, also known as “Michael’s Trail”, named after Michael Walsh, a Canadian biologist who volunteered as a Park Interpreter and Conservation Officer at Doi Inthanon National Park. He surveyed and designed the Angka boardwalk. The 360m trail passes through a lush valley of moss cover tress, wild orchids and rare bird species. 

Doi Inthanon Interesting facts:

• At 2565m above sea level, Doi (Mt) Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, and is at the foothills of the himalayas. 
• Doi Inthanon is the best place for bird watching in Thailand.  Due to the large variation in altitude, 382 bird species have been found so far. 
• It is the only place where Red rhododendrons can be found Thailand. The plants flower between December and February each year, and can be seen on the the Gew Mae Pan and Angka Trails.

Best time to visit:

Doi Inthanon can be visited all year round. 

Birdwatching: November-March

Waterfalls: Best time to visit is May-November

Wildflowers: December-February

Tours to Doi Inthanon: