Doi Inthanon National Park

About this Place

Doi Inthanon National Park crowns the summit of Thailand's highest mountain at 2,565 metres above sea level — a world apart from the tropical lowlands below. The park's cool, misty climate supports an entirely different ecosystem: dense cloud forests thick with mosses and ferns, highland meadows, and an extraordinary diversity of bird life. Over 380 bird species have been recorded here, including numerous rare highland endemics, making it one of Southeast Asia's top birdwatching destinations. The twin royal chedis — Napha Methanidon and Noppha Phon Phum Siri — stand near the summit and were built in the 1980s to honour the King and Queen. Surrounded by immaculate terraced gardens against a backdrop of forested ridges and misty valleys, they offer some of the most striking views in northern Thailand. Nearby, the summit viewpoint on clear mornings reveals ridgeline after ridgeline fading into the horizon. The park also features several spectacular waterfalls. Wachirathan Waterfall — the largest — crashes 80 metres down a granite cliff and is powerful enough to be felt as spray from 30 metres away. Sirithan Waterfall offers a gentler curtain of water in a forest setting. Karen hill tribe villages within the park boundaries are accessible by road and offer insight into the traditional highland way of life. The park is a 2-hour drive from Chiang Mai. The cool season (November to February) is the ideal time to visit, when the summit temperature can drop near freezing and wildflowers bloom. Bring a jacket regardless of the month.