Doi Inthanon National Park Tour from Chiang Mai
Doi Inthanon National Park Tour from Chiang Mai (Full Day with Lunch)
Stand on the highest point in Thailand. Doi Inthanon rises 2,565 metres (8,415 ft) above sea level, about 60 km south-west of Chiang Mai, and this full-day tour takes you from the warm city up into cool cloud forest in a single morning. The mountain is the tail end of the Himalayan range, and the change in climate as you climb is dramatic — bring a light jacket even in the hot season.
Along the way you will visit the twin royal pagodas built to honour King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, walk the boardwalk nature trail near the summit, cool off at two of northern Thailand's most photogenic waterfalls, browse a Hmong hill tribe market, and meet a White Karen village family who still weave by hand. Lunch, entrance fees, transport and an English-speaking guide are all included. Choose the join-in group tour for the best value, or a private tour if you prefer your own vehicle, guide and flexible pace — and there is no minimum group size, so we depart even for a single traveller.
💰 Tour Prices
Price Per Person – No Minimum Group Size
Join-In Group
Adult 1,500 THB
Child 1,200 THB
Shared minibus or van with other travellers. Includes hotel transfer, transport, national park entrance fees, English-speaking guide, lunch and travel accident insurance.
Private Tour
Adult 4,000 THB
Child 3,500 THB
Same itinerary with a private vehicle, private English-speaking guide and a flexible pace. Ideal for families, couples and photographers. Same inclusions as the join-in tour.
✨ Tour Highlights
- ✨ Stand on the highest spot in Thailand at 2,565 metres above sea level
- ✨ Visit the King's and Queen's Pagodas, the twin royal chedis with their terraced flower gardens
- ✨ Walk the cool cloud-forest boardwalk nature trail near the summit
- ✨ Feel the spray at Wachirathan Waterfall, one of the most powerful falls in northern Thailand
- ✨ Photograph the tiered cascades of Sirithan Waterfall
- ✨ Browse the Hmong hill tribe market for coffee, dried fruit and highland produce
- ✨ Meet a White Karen village family and see traditional hand-weaving
- ✨ A birdwatcher's paradise with close to 400 recorded species
- ✨ Lunch, entrance tickets, guide and insurance all included – no hidden costs
📅 Detailed Itinerary
📍 Hotel Pick-up in Chiang Mai
Your guide and air-conditioned vehicle collect you from your hotel in Chiang Mai city centre between 08:00 and 08:30. We then drive south-west towards Chom Thong district and begin the climb into Doi Inthanon National Park, a protected reserve famous for its cool moist forest, wild orchids and almost 400 bird species.
📍 Summit, Nature Trail & the King's and Queen's Pagodas
After the final steep climb you reach the summit — flat, misty, cool and breezy — and the marker for the highest spot in Thailand. A short walk on the boardwalk nature trail takes you through moss-covered cloud forest. Nearby stand the twin pagodas built by the Royal Thai Air Force to honour Their Majesties the King and Queen, surrounded by terraced gardens with sweeping mountain views. A small chedi above the visitor centre holds the remains of Chao Inthawichayanon, the last independent ruler of Chiang Mai, after whom the mountain is named.
📍 Lunch
Enjoy a set Thai lunch at a local restaurant. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be arranged if you tell us at the time of booking.
📍 Wachirathan & Sirithan Waterfalls
Cool off in the spray of Wachirathan Waterfall, a wide and powerful cascade that often throws a rainbow across the pool on sunny afternoons. A short drive away, Sirithan Waterfall drops through the forest in photogenic tiers — an easy walk from the car park.
📍 Hmong Market & White Karen Village
Browse the Hmong hill tribe market, where highland families sell locally grown coffee, dried fruit, handicrafts and fresh produce. Then visit a White Karen village and watch traditional weaving on wooden looms — a good chance to buy a scarf or shawl directly from the family who made it.
📍 Return Journey to Chiang Mai
We leave the mountain and drive back down towards the city, with a comfort stop along the way if needed.
📍 Arrive at Your Hotel
Drop-off at your hotel in Chiang Mai city centre. End of service.
✅ Tour Includes
- Round-trip hotel transfer (Chiang Mai city hotels only)
- Air-conditioned transportation throughout the tour
- National park entrance fees and admission tickets
- English-speaking tour guide
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Travel accident insurance
- Drinking water
❌ Tour Excludes
- Meals, drinks and optional activities not mentioned in the programme
- Personal expenses and souvenir shopping
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for the guide and driver (optional)
- Pick-up or drop-off outside Chiang Mai city centre (extra charge applies)
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How high is Doi Inthanon and how cold does it get?
A: The summit sits at 2,565 metres, the highest point in Thailand. Temperatures at the top are usually 10–15°C cooler than Chiang Mai and can drop close to freezing on winter mornings.
Q: Is there a minimum number of people for this tour?
A: No. There is no minimum group size — we operate the tour even for a single traveller, and you can book any date without waiting for other guests to join.
Q: What is the difference between the join-in and private tour?
A: The itinerary is identical. On the join-in tour you share a vehicle and guide with other travellers. The private tour gives you your own vehicle, your own guide and a flexible pace.
Q: What should I wear on Doi Inthanon?
A: Comfortable walking shoes and a sweater or light jacket. The summit is cold, misty and breezy all year round, even when Chiang Mai is hot.
Q: Does the price include the national park entrance fee?
A: Yes. All admission and national park entrance fees are already included in the tour price, so there is nothing extra to pay at the gate.
Q: How long is the drive from Chiang Mai?
A: Roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way, depending on traffic and weather. The road is paved but winding, so take motion sickness tablets if you are sensitive.
ℹ️ Important Information
👶 Child Policy
- Free: under 2 years old (0–90 cm height) — no seat provided
- Child rate: ages 3–12 years old (91–140 cm height)
- Adult rate: over 140 cm height
🎒 What to Bring
- Sweater, fleece or light jacket — the summit is cold all year round
- Comfortable walking shoes for the nature trail and waterfall paths
- Camera or smartphone
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Light rain jacket during the rainy season
- Cash in Thai Baht for souvenirs at the market and village
⚠️ Booking & Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation: 24 hours or more before the tour departure — full refund.
- No refund: less than 24 hours before the tour departure.
- For any last-minute change, please contact our reservation team as early as possible.
🚫 Out of Route Area
The following areas are considered out of area for pick up and drop off: Mae Rim area, Sa Moeng area, Hang Dong area, San Kampang area, Veranda High Resort and some others outside of the city center. We will suggest the hotel in the city center as a meeting point at the time of confirmation.
A request for pick up and drop off at an out of area hotel is possible at an extra charge of 700 Baht per transfer per way (not per person). For Hmong Lodge and Panviman Resort & Spa: extra charge 1,100 Baht per transfer per way. We will send separate payment link upon request.
📋 General Terms and Conditions
The given time frame is an estimate only and may deviate due to traffic, road conditions, weather, the pace of the group and/or any unforeseen circumstances.
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