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Doi Inthanon is one of Thailand's largest national parks: forests, waterfalls, temples and a hill-tribe village, plus the highest point in Thailand. If you love nature, don't miss it.
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Getting there
About 1.5–2 hours from Chiang Mai. We hired a private car for the whole day for 1,500 baht total (our Grab driver from the day before). It's cheaper than group tours sold per person, and you stop wherever you like.
Entry fee
300 baht per foreign adult, plus 30 baht for the car. We went on a Monday: almost no crowds.
1. Mae Klang Waterfall
White water and no tourists. It took us straight back to the small waterfalls we grew up around.
2. Wachirathan Waterfall
Further inside, cooler and misty. The spray reaches you from far away. It's beautifully maintained and clean, with a café. You won't mind paying when a place is this well kept.
A farm-stall market on the road
Local farmers sell from their homes: strawberry and honey wines, tiny strawberries, golden apples, dried longan, sweet potatoes and a big bag of avocados for 50 baht.
3. The highest point in Thailand
The temperature dropped from about 25° in the city to 15°, then 12–13°, and we'd come dressed for summer. Pack a jacket. We survived on ginger tea. Next to the summit is a short nature trail (about 12 minutes) through ancient, mossy forest. It felt like the game Uncharted. The park has around 490 bird species, over 40% of Thailand's total.
4. The twin pagodas
Built in tribute to the King and Queen. Entry is 100 baht for foreigners, including a small shuttle up. Each pagoda is different, with gardens behind them and escalators if you don't want stairs. Allow 1–1.5 hours, and expect a queue for the shuttle back on weekends.
Verdict: it's beautiful and refreshing, a must-do from Chiang Mai.
Full plan: 5-day Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai itinerary.
FAQs
How much is the Doi Inthanon entry fee?
We paid 300 baht per foreign adult plus 30 baht for the car. The twin pagodas cost another 100 baht, including the shuttle up.
How cold is Doi Inthanon?
When we went in November it was about 25° in Chiang Mai but 12–15° at the top. Carry a jacket.
Should I book a tour?
We hired our Grab driver privately for the whole day for 1,500 baht in total, cheaper than group tours priced per person.
TAGS: DOI INTHANON · CHIANG MAI · NATIONAL PARK · WATERFALLS · THAILAND
💬 Questions & answers
NO QUESTIONS YET. ASK US ANYTHING ABOUT THIS TRIP.
Prashant & Sunaina
A travel couple from Pune with Kashmiri Pandit × Maharashtrian roots, 8+ countries and counting. Every rupee shared.
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