Doi Inthanon National Park is one of the best day trips you can take from Chiang Mai if you want a break from temples, markets and busy city streets. Instead, you will spend the day surrounded by mountain scenery, cloud forests, waterfalls, rice terraces and some surprisingly cooler weather.
The park is home to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand at 2,565 metres above sea level. There are plenty of things to do in Doi Inthanon, it is not just a mountain peak. In fact I would say the peak is the most underwhelming thing about it.
A normal day trip to Doi Inthanon also includes the Twin Royal Pagodas, the short Ang Ka Nature Trail, Wachirathan Waterfall and a local hill tribe community. Trekking tours add either the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail or the seasonal Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail which I would recommend
In this guide, I will explain what to see during a day trip to Doi Inthanon, how much tours from Chiang Mai and how to pace your day if you are going privately or on your own
Table of Contents
- Doi Inthanon Day Trip Overview
- How to Visit Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai
- Things to See and Do in Doi Inthanon
- A Realistic Doi Inthanon Day Trip Itinerary
- Doi Inthanon Entrance Fees and Extra Costs
- Best Time to Visit Doi Inthanon
- What to Wear and Bring
- Conclusion – Is a Day Trip to Doi Inthanon Worth It?
- Doi Inthanon Frequently Asked Questions
Doi Inthanon Day Trip Overview
Doi Inthanon is around 90 kilometres southwest of Chiang Mai. The drive normally takes between one hour and 45 minutes and two hours each way, depending on traffic and where you are staying. It is one of the easier day trips you can do from Chiang Mai and it is less of a drive than the day trip to Chiang Rai
Most organised tours collect passengers between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. You will normally return to Chiang Mai between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, making this a full-day excursion.
Here is a quick overview:
- Distance from Chiang Mai: Around 90 kilometres
- Driving time: Around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours each way
- Standard tour duration: Around 9 hours
- Tour with trekking: Around 10–11 hours
- National park entrance fee: 300 THB per foreign adult
- Twin Pagodas entrance: An additional 100 THB
- Best time to visit: November to February
- Best tour for hiking: Pha Dok Siew or Kew Mae Pan trekking tour
- What to bring: Comfortable shoes, a jacket, raincoat and cash
Even when Chiang Mai is hot, the summit can be cold, wet and misty. Bringing a jacket may feel ridiculous when leaving your hotel in 30-degree heat, but you will probably be glad you have it once you reach the top.
How to Visit Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai
There is no practical public transport that takes you around all the main attractions inside Doi Inthanon National Park.
The park is huge, and the summit, waterfalls, pagodas and villages are spread along different mountain roads. Even once you have reached the entrance, it is not realistic to walk between the attractions.
Your main options are therefore an organised group tour, a private driver or driving yourself.
GetYourGuide Standard Doi Inthanon Tour
A normal shared tour is the cheapest and easiest way to visit Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai.
The most popular GetYourGuide sightseeing tours currently start from around US$38 per person. Prices change depending on the date, pickup option and whether the park entrance fees are included.
These tours normally last around nine hours and include:
- Transport from Chiang Mai
- An English-speaking guide
- Doi Inthanon summit
- Ang Ka Nature Trail
- Twin Royal Pagodas
- Wachirathan Waterfall
- Hmong market or local village
- Drinking water
Some packages include lunch and all entrance fees, while cheaper versions require you to pay the 300 THB park fee and 100 THB pagoda fee separately.
Always open the full list of inclusions before choosing the cheapest option. A tour that appears 400 THB cheaper can quickly become almost the same price once you add the entrance fees and lunch.
A standard sightseeing tour is best for anyone who does not want a proper hike. The Ang Ka Nature Trail is only around 360 metres long, so it is more of a gentle forest walk than a trek.
You can compare current Doi Inthanon tours on GetYourGuide below
Hiring a Private Driver to Doi Inthanon
A private driver is the best option for couples, families and small groups who want more control over the day. This is the option I went with and honestly I did not remember the price but I haggled a bit as I stuck with the same driver for Doi Inthanon and my other day trip to Chiang Rai.
Current full-day private taxi prices start from around:
- SUV for one to four passengers: 3,200–3,300 THB per vehicle
- Minivan for five to ten passengers: 3,800–4,000 THB per vehicle
A temporary fuel surcharge may also be added. These prices usually include the car, fuel and driver, but not your entrance fees, meals or local hiking guide.
You will therefore still need to budget for:
- 300 THB national park entrance per adult
- 100 THB Twin Pagodas entrance per person
- Around 220 THB per group for a local trekking guide
- Lunch and drinks
- Any extra detours
A private driver is not necessarily a tour guide. They will take you between the attractions and may suggest a route, but you should not expect a detailed explanation at every stop unless the package specifically includes a licensed guide.
I would definitely recommend Chiang Mai Driver from facebook. Very professional services and his van was extremely comfortable with lay down seats.
The biggest advantage is flexibility. You can leave Chiang Mai earlier, spend longer at the waterfalls and skip stops such as the market if they do not interest you.
Private drivers are also a better option if you want to visit Mae Ya Waterfall, which is missed by almost every normal group tour because it requires a separate detour. The waterfall is really impressive so try and find a tour that includes it as it should be a quick stop.
Is a Private Doi Inthanon Tour Worth the Extra Cost?
For one person, a shared tour will nearly always be cheaper.
For two people, a group trekking tour normally costs less than hiring a private driver once you add entrance fees and lunch. However, the price difference may not be huge if you only want transport and do not need a full guide.
For three or four people, a private SUV becomes much better value. A car costing around 3,300 THB split between four people works out at only 825 THB each before entrance fees.
I would choose the shared trekking tour when travelling alone or as a couple. For a group of three or four, I would seriously consider the private driver, especially if you want to add Mae Ya Waterfall or avoid being rushed.
Things to See and Do in Doi Inthanon
A Doi Inthanon day trip is littered with different attractions from the peak to temples to treks to waterfalls. You see a little bit of everything and here I am listing all the highlights there are to do in and around Doi Inthanon.
Visit the Doi Inthanon Summit
The summit of Doi Inthanon is the highest point in Thailand at 2,565 metres above sea level.
However, reaching the summit is not like you have to hike for hours. In fact it requires almost 0 physical effort at all. Your driver will take you almost straight to the top, and the official highest point is only a short walk from the parking area.
The summit itself is surrounded by dense forest. Do not expect a wide-open viewpoint looking across Northern Thailand. The area is frequently misty, and the views are often blocked by clouds. While I was lucky enough that there weren’t any clouds, I was still disappointed as the highest point in Thailand does not offer any views!
You will find a large sign marking the highest point in Thailand, a small shrine and a memorial containing the ashes of King Inthawichayanon, one of the former rulers of Chiang Mai.
Most tours allow around 20–30 minutes here.
The summit is still worth visiting because of the cooler climate and the novelty of standing at the highest point in the country. Just do not come here expecting a difficult mountain climb or a guaranteed panoramic view.
Walk the Ang Ka Nature Trail
The Ang Ka Nature Trail is located close to the summit and is included in most standard tours.
The wooden boardwalk is only around 360 metres long and normally takes between 20 and 30 minutes to complete. It passes through a damp cloud forest covered in moss, ferns and thick vegetation.
When the mist settles between the trees, the forest feels completely different from the dry and hot areas surrounding Chiang Mai.
The trail is mostly flat and accessible to anyone with basic mobility. You will not need hiking equipment, although the boardwalk can become wet and slippery during rainy weather.
Ang Ka is ideal if you want to experience the forest without committing to a longer trek. However, it is not a full hike but rather a short walk. Anyone specifically booking a trekking tour should make sure that either Pha Dok Siew or Kew Mae Pan is included.
Visit the Twin Royal Pagodas
In my opinion this is one of the main highlights when coming here. The twin pagodas are beautiful but when combined with the surrounding scenery is what makes them truly unique and picturesque.
The two pagodas were built in honour of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. They stand opposite one another, surrounded by landscaped gardens, flower beds and mountain viewpoints.
The brown pagoda was built for the King, while the purple pagoda was built for the Queen.
On a clear day, the gardens have some of the best views in the park. During the rainy season, the pagodas can disappear almost completely into the mist. The atmosphere can still be beautiful, but you should not expect clear photographs every day. Once again I was really lucky to have perfect weather as I seen plenty of tiktoks where you basically see nothing.
The entrance fee is 100 THB per person and is separate from the main national park ticket. You will be required to board a shared jeep from the drop off point regardless if you’re on a private or shared tour.
Most tours spend around 45 minutes to one hour here. This is usually enough time to walk through the gardens, enter both pagodas and stop at the viewpoints. The site has escalators alongside some of the stairs, making it much easier to visit than it first appears.
Trek the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail
The Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail is the best option if you want to combine a manageable hike with waterfalls, rice fields and a local village.
The route is approximately 2.6 kilometres long and usually takes between one and a half and two hours. It is mainly downhill and passes through forest, farmland and several sections of waterfall.
A local guide is required. If you are visiting independently, guides wait at the trailhead and currently charge around 220 THB per group of up to ten people.
The main highlight is Pha Dok Siew Waterfall, sometimes also called Rak Jung Waterfall. Depending on the weather and water levels, some tours allow time to enter the water. Never assume swimming will be possible, particularly after heavy rain.
The final section opens onto rice terraces and ends near Mae Klang Luang village.
Pha Dok Siew is often the trekking route used during the rainy season when Kew Mae Pan is closed. The forest and rice terraces are extremely green at this time, but the path can also become muddy and slippery.
Wear proper trainers or hiking shoes. Flip-flops are not a good idea even if a tour description calls this an easy trek.
Trek the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
Kew Mae Pan is the better trail for mountain views.
The route is around 2.5–3 kilometres long and normally takes between one and a half and two and a half hours. It passes through cloud forest before reaching an exposed mountain ridge overlooking the western side of the park.
A local Hmong guide is compulsory and currently costs around 220 THB per group.
Kew Mae Pan normally closes from June until the end of October to protect the forest and because of unsafe rainy-season conditions. It usually reopens on 1 November.
This makes it a seasonal alternative to Pha Dok Siew rather than something you can visit throughout the year.
Choose Kew Mae Pan if you are visiting between November and February and want open viewpoints. Choose Pha Dok Siew if you are more interested in waterfalls, rice terraces and the Karen village.
A normal day trip will rarely include both trails because there is not enough time.
Visit Mae Klang Luang Karen Village
Many Doi Inthanon tours describe this stop simply as a Karen hill tribe village.
Mae Klang Luang is home to a White Karen or Pa-Ka-Yaw community known for rice farming and locally grown coffee. Tours that complete the Pha Dok Siew trek normally finish in or close to the village.
You may walk past rice terraces, small farms and traditional wooden houses before stopping for a cup of locally produced coffee.
The rice fields are at their greenest during the rainy season and early autumn. Outside the growing season, the landscape will look much drier, so do not expect bright green terraces throughout the entire year.
It is also important to understand that this is not a Karen long-neck village. The Kayan communities known for wearing brass neck coils are separate ethnic communities and are not part of normal Doi Inthanon tours.
Some tour listings make this distinction clear, while others use vague wording such as “Karen tribe”. Book the tour for the nature and local coffee experience, not because you expect to visit a long-neck village.
Visit Wachirathan Waterfall
Wachirathan Waterfall is the most famous and most frequently visited waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park.
It is easily accessible from the main road, with only a short walk required from the car park. The wide waterfall drops over a rocky cliff and creates a huge amount of spray, especially during the rainy season.
You are likely to get wet when standing close to the main viewpoint. Keep cameras and phones protected and be careful on the slippery steps.
The waterfall is impressive throughout the year, but it is most powerful between May and November. During periods of heavy rain, the amount of water and spray can make it difficult to get a clear photograph.
There are cafés, food stalls and toilets close to the parking area, so many tours use this as one of the final stops before returning to Chiang Mai.
Most group tours allow around 30 minutes here.
Stop at Sirithan Waterfall
Sirithan Waterfall is another common stop on Doi Inthanon sightseeing tours, although not every itinerary includes it.
A short trail of approximately 200 metres leads from the car park to a viewpoint. You cannot walk directly to the bottom of the waterfall, so the experience is less dramatic than Wachirathan.
The main advantage is that it does not require much time. A stop of around 15–20 minutes is enough.
Add Mae Ya Waterfall to a Private Tour
Mae Ya Waterfall is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Doi Inthanon National Park, but it is left out of most standard day tours.
The waterfall sits in the southern part of the park, around 17 kilometres from the main entrance checkpoint. Visiting it requires a detour away from the normal road towards the summit.
Private taxi services may charge around 500 THB extra to add Mae Ya to the route.
The waterfall cascades across several wide tiers and looks completely different from Wachirathan. From the parking area, you will need to walk around 10–20 minutes to reach the main viewing area.
Adding Mae Ya makes the day much tighter. I would only include it if you have a private driver, leave Chiang Mai early and are willing to skip one of the smaller stops.
It would be difficult to combine Mae Ya, the summit, pagodas, both main waterfalls and a two-hour trek without rushing through everything.
A Realistic Doi Inthanon Day Trip Itinerary
The exact order depends on the tour operator, weather and traffic. Some tours visit the summit first, while others start with the lower waterfalls.
A typical trekking tour might look like this:
7:00–7:30 AM: Hotel pickup in Chiang Mai
9:00 AM: Arrive near the summit and visit the highest point in Thailand
9:30 AM: Walk the Ang Ka Nature Trail
10:15 AM: Visit the Twin Royal Pagodas and gardens
11:30 AM: Stop at the Hmong market or have lunch
12:30 PM: Begin the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail
2:30–3:00 PM: Reach Mae Klang Luang Karen village and try local coffee
4:00 PM: Visit Wachirathan Waterfall
6:00–6:30 PM: Return to Chiang Mai
Tours using Kew Mae Pan will normally replace the Pha Dok Siew trek and village section with the Kew Mae Pan loop.
A standard sightseeing tour without trekking may leave slightly later and return at around 5:00–6:00 PM.
Do not plan an important dinner reservation immediately after the tour. Mountain traffic, passenger pickups and bad weather can easily delay the return journey.
Doi Inthanon Entrance Fees and Extra Costs
The current main entrance fees are:
- Foreign adult: 300 THB
- Foreign child aged 3–14: 150 THB
- Car: 30 THB
- Motorbike: 20 THB
- Twin Royal Pagodas: 100 THB per person
- Pha Dok Siew local guide: Around 220 THB per group
- Kew Mae Pan local guide: Around 220 THB per group
- Royal Agricultural Station: Around 20 THB
These fees can change, and tour operators package them differently.
Some GetYourGuide tours include every entrance fee. Others include transport and a guide but require another 400 THB in cash for the park and pagodas.
Best Time to Visit Doi Inthanon
The best overall period for a day trip to Doi Inthanon is between November and February.
Temperatures are cooler, rainfall is lower and you have a better chance of seeing clear mountain views. Kew Mae Pan is also normally open during this period.
December and January can become extremely busy, particularly during Thai public holidays and around New Year.
From March to May, the weather becomes hotter and Northern Thailand can experience smoke and poor air quality from the burning season. The mountain may still be cooler than Chiang Mai, but distant views can be affected by haze.
From June to October, the park is at its greenest and the waterfalls are at their most powerful. However, you should expect rain, cloud and occasional changes to trekking routes.
Kew Mae Pan is closed during most of this period, but Pha Dok Siew tours normally continue when conditions are safe.
There is no perfect month. Visit in winter for clearer views and Kew Mae Pan. Visit during the rainy season for stronger waterfalls, greener rice fields and fewer expectations of clear weather.
What to Wear and Bring
Pack for different weather from what you experience in Chiang Mai.
Bring:
- A light jacket or jumper
- A raincoat or poncho
- Comfortable trainers or hiking shoes
- Cash for entrance fees and markets
- Water
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- A waterproof cover for your phone or camera
The temperature can change significantly during the drive from the lower park entrance to the summit.
During the rainy season, avoid wearing shoes that you do not want to get muddy. During winter, bring an extra layer for the summit even if Chiang Mai feels warm.
Conclusion – Is a Day Trip to Doi Inthanon Worth It?
A day trip to Doi Inthanon is worth it if you enjoy nature, waterfalls and easy hiking.
It is also one of the most varied excursions from Chiang Mai. Within one day, you can stand at Thailand’s highest point, walk through a cloud forest, visit two pagodas, trek past waterfalls and finish in a local coffee-growing village.
If you only have three days in Chiang Mai, you may have to choose between Doi Inthanon, an elephant sanctuary and a Chiang Rai day trip. I would choose Doi Inthanon over Chiang Rai if you prefer nature and want a slightly shorter day. Choose Chiang Rai if the White Temple, Blue Temple and other unusual architecture interest you more.
For the cheapest and simplest option, book a standard shared sightseeing tour. However, I would pay slightly more for a trekking tour that includes Pha Dok Siew or Kew Mae Pan. You will spend more time experiencing the national park and less time simply moving between viewpoints in a minivan.
I would still personally hire a private driver as there isn’t a lot of difference in price unless you’re solo travelling.
That’s it for Doi Inthanon, check out my other posts for Northern Thailand such as the day trip to Chiang Rai and my Chiang Mai 3 day itinerary!
