Doi Inthanon National Park
Thailand's highest mountain, 2,565 metres, with cloud forest, two royal chedis and the Wachirathan waterfall.
Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest mountain at 2,565 metres, two hours south-west of Chiang Mai. A full day covers the summit, the two royal chedis, the cloud forest boardwalk and one waterfall. It is 15°C colder than the city — bring a jacket.
Open Doi Inthanon National Park in Google Maps18.5875, 98.4867
Park fee THB 300 + THB 30 per vehicle; twin chedis extra
Entry fee checked against operator or park publication, October 2026. Hours can change without notice — confirm on the day.
Thailand's highest mountain, 2,565 metres, with cloud forest, two royal chedis and the Wachirathan waterfall.
The mountain is named after King Inthawichayanon, the last ruler of Chiang Mai, who asked that his ashes be scattered here because he loved the forest. The two chedis at the summit — one for King Bhumibol, one for Queen Sirikit — were built in 1987 and 1992 and are surrounded by one of the last stands of Thai montane cloud forest, a moss-draped dwarf forest that exists nowhere else at this latitude.
A full day out of Chiang Mai and a completely different landscape: moss, mist and hill-tribe villages. The twin chedis at the summit are the most photographed site in the north after Doi Suthep.
What you’ll actually see
- The summit marker at 2,565m and the cloud forest boardwalk behind it
- The twin royal chedis with their terraced alpine flower gardens
- Wachirathan Falls, a 70-metre curtain right beside the road
- The Karen hill-tribe market at Ban Mae Klang Luang on the way down
How to visit it well
- Bring a jacket — the summit is 10–15°C colder than the city.
- Start at 7am to reach the summit before the mist burns off.
- The Kew Mae Pan nature trail (Nov–May) is the best short hike in the park.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Wearing shorts — the summit is 10–15°C in December and January
- Skipping the chedis to 'save time'; they are the best part
- Driving yourself if you are not used to mountain switchbacks and mist
Is it worth it?
The best single day trip from Chiang Mai if you want landscape rather than temples. In November and December the summit is above the clouds at dawn, which is the reason to leave the city at 5am. In the green season it is lush but often socked in.
Common questions
A full day — seven to nine hours door to door. The drive one way is two hours on a winding road.
November to January, arriving at the summit before 7am. Outside those months you get mist but rarely a full inversion.
Not strictly, but a driver who knows the one-way system and the waterfall stops saves two hours. Park entrance is 300 baht for foreigners plus 30 baht per vehicle.
Yes — Ban Mae Klang Luang and the Ban Somdet market are on the main road and used to coffee and visitors. Buy coffee; it is genuinely good.
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Last updated: October 2026 · Prices and hours checked by Kanya Pongsak