Doi Inthanon, at 2,565 meters, is Thailand's highest mountain, and the surrounding national park makes an ideal day trip from Chiang Mai. It lies approximately 100 km southwest of the city, with the journey taking about two hours each way. The final 48 km stretch from Chom Thong to the summit is along Route 1009. All the attractions are located directly on or near this road: impressive waterfalls on the lower slopes, a Hmong market and Karen coffee-growing villages in the middle, and near the summit, the two royal pagodas, the Kew Mae Pan ridge walk, and a boardwalk through the cloud forest.

Foreign adults pay an entrance fee of 300 baht. There is no public transportation within the park, so you will need a tour, a driver, or your own vehicle. The best time to visit is between November and February on a clear day. Bring a jacket, as average high temperatures in January are around 6°C.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai

This route ends in Chiang Mai. Search for hotels in Chiang Mai for your travel dates or narrow your search to the region you wish to visit. Filter for hotels with free cancellation if you'd like to book a room and decide later.

Open Booking.com with your travel dates · also on Expedia · Trip.com

My recommendations in every price category in Chiang Mai

  • Shangri-La Chiang MaiLuxury · 5 stars · 4.6 (4,289)
  • U Chiang Mai HotelMid-range · 4 stars · 4.8 (2,000)
  • Cross Chiang Mai Riverside · Budget · 3 stars · 4.8 (994)

    • Key facts

    Foreign adults pay 300 baht, cars 30 baht.

    Children aged 3 to 14 pay 150 Baht and motorcycles 20 Baht, payable in cash at the checkpoint at kilometer 8. The two royal pagodas are not operated by the park and cost a separate 100 Baht entrance fee.

    The gates are open from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

    Most waterfalls and hiking trails close around 4:00 to 5:00 pm, the visitor center is staffed from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

    Kew Mae Pan is open from November 1st to May 31st.

    The ridge trail is the recommended hiking route. A local Hmong guide is mandatory and costs approximately 200 baht per group. They can be booked at the trailhead.

    The summit is cold

    In January, average temperatures are around 6°C and have already dropped below freezing. Even on hot days in Chiang Mai, you should dress warmly.

    You need wheels for the mountain.

    Songthaews run from Chiang Mai to Chom Thong at the bottom of the road, but there is no public transport between the stops within the park.

    Bring cash and fill up your tank.

    There are no ATMs in the park, and fees, guides, and food vendors only accept cash. Fill up your tank before you begin the climb.

    Is a visit to Doi Inthanon worthwhile?

    Yes, on a clear day. It's the only trip from Chiang Mai that feels like a journey to another country: pine and cloud forests instead of rice paddies, cool air, and views across mountain ridges all the way to Myanmar. Three large waterfalls are located right by the road leading up to it, and the Kew Mae Pan Trail offers more views per hour of walking than any short hike near Chiang Mai.

    Two things determine whether you enjoy your visit. The weather, because clouds often hang over the summit, shrouding the pagodas and the peak in mist. So be sure to check the forecast and visit on a clear morning. And the time of year, because Kew Mae Pan is closed from June to October, and the view is obscured by bushfire smoke from March to April. The climb itself is very easy. You drive all the way to the top, and the summit marker is just a short walk from the car park.

    How to get from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon

    The tour prices are taken from our day trip guide and tour operator offers; private taxi rides with Thai National Parks (from 3,200 ฿) and The Stupid Bear (from 2,700 ฿ round trip); the mountain tour with The Blond Travels. Please check before booking whether the 300 ฿ park fee and the 100 ฿ pagoda entrance fee are included in the price.

    Tour, driver or scooter.

    The drive is approximately 100 km long and takes two hours. Follow Highway 108 south for 58 km to the Chom Thong junction and turn onto Route 1009, which leads 48 km up to the summit. The parking checkpoint is located at kilometer 8.

    For one or two people, I'd recommend a tour. It's the cheapest way to get up there per person, the guide takes care of the tickets, and you don't have to drive the 48 km mountain road twice. The catch is the order. Tours usually start at Wachirathan Waterfall and reach the summit midday along with everyone else, and most don't include Kew Mae Pan.

    For three or four people, a driver for the day costs less than four seats on a tour and allows you to go directly to the summit. A scooter is the cheapest and most fun option if you're a skilled rider. However, the climb is long and steep, the police in Chiang Mai check driver's licenses, and most travel insurance policies exclude motorcycles. Therefore, this isn't the right route for practicing. Without a car or tour, yellow songthaews run from Chiang Mai Gate and Chang Phueak to Chom Thong. From there, you can charter a 4x4 for the mountain journey.

    Entrance fees and prices for Doi Inthanon

    The park fees correspond to the information provided by the Thai National Parks Administration (valid since June 2022) and our park and waterfall records; the prices for campsites and bungalows are also from the Thai National Parks Administration (as of May 2026); please refer to our hiking records for the fees for hiking guides. Older blog posts mention 40 baht for the pagodas and 50 baht for a car, but the Thai National Parks Administration lists 220 baht for the Kew Mae Pan guidebook, so we recommend budgeting a little more.

    Activities on Doi Inthanon, from Chom Thong to the summit

    In the order you encounter them on the road. If you're driving yourself, I would first go all the way up while it's still quiet and before clouds form, and then back down. If you only have one day, you should definitely include the pagodas, Kew Mae Pan, the Ang Ka Promenade, Wachirathan, and a coffee stop.

  • 1. Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong, Chom Thong, at the bottom of the road – A stop on the way home. The royal temple in Chom Thong is located about 58 km south of Chiang Mai, a few kilometers past the turnoff for Route 1009. On the return journey, a 20-minute visit to the gilded shrines is worthwhile. Those seeking a more tranquil experience can also participate in longer meditation retreats here. Directions: On the road from Chiang Mai to Chom Thong. Opening hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong, Worawihan 4,7 (4.754). Daily 8:00 am–5:00 pm. Directions
  • 2. Mae Klang Waterfall, just below the checkpoint at kilometer 8. The first waterfall with food stalls. A wide, cascading waterfall, 600 m from the checkpoint. It is the easiest of the major waterfalls to reach and quieter than Wachirathan. The waterside food stalls make it an ideal spot for a late lunch on the way down. Directions: Turn off Route 1009 just before the checkpoint. Best time to visit: May to October. Mae Klang Waterfall: 4.6 (1,028 m) Directions
  • 3. Mae Ya Waterfall (side trip), about 14 km from Chom Thong, off the main road. The largest waterfall in the park. A 40-50 m high and approximately 100 m wide curtain of water with pools at its base. It lies off the main road and is therefore easy to miss. If you have time, you should definitely visit it. There is a separate checkpoint where you can buy or show the same park map for 300 baht. Allow about an hour, including the short walk from the parking area. Directions: Turn off Route 1009, about 1 km from the main road. Best time to visit: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Most beautiful during and shortly after the rainy season. Mae Ya Waterfall: 4.8 (2,169), daily 8:00 am–6:00 pm. Directions.
  • 4. Wachirathan Waterfall, Km 21 – The famous waterfall everyone remembers: a long, white drop that pours spray across the entire clearing, creating rainbows in the morning light. Stairs lead down to two viewpoints – you decide how wet you want to get. Swimming is prohibited. There are restaurants and cafes at the parking area. This is the first stop for most tours, so it gets busiest from late morning onward. Access: A 500 m side road off Route 1009, 13 km past the checkpoint. Best time to visit: 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is noisiest from July to October. Wachirathan Waterfall: 4.7 (10,752 m), open daily 6:00 am–5:00 pm. Directions.
  • 5. Sirithan Waterfall, Km 22A (2-minute stop). A smaller waterfall one kilometer past Wachirathan, visible from a viewing platform at the end of a short paved path. The base of the waterfall is not accessible. A quick stop is worthwhile as it's right on your doorstep, but not an extra drive. Getting there: Parking is available along the side of Route 1009. Best time to visit: June to October. Sirithan Waterfall: 4.4 (628) Directions
  • 6. Pha Dok Siew Trail to Mae Klang Luang, near the park headquarters, approximately km 30. A forest walk to a coffee-growing village. A 2.6 km trail leads past a series of waterfalls to Ban Mae Klang Luang, a Karen village where coffee is grown and roasted, and rice terraces climb the valley. A local guide is mandatory (220 baht per group of up to ten people), and a car will take you back to the starting point for 150 baht. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. This trail is open from June to October when Kew Mae Pan National Park is closed. However, check in advance if the trail is open, as it can be muddy during the wet season. The terraces are greenest towards the end of the wet season. Getting there: The trailhead is approximately 1 km east of the park headquarters; an overflow parking area is 500 m away. Best time to walk: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Start in the morning. Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail 4.6 (538) Daily 8:00 AM–4:00 PM Directions
  • 7. The Hmong Market, Km 31, near Headquarters: Fruit, snacks, and souvenirs. A series of Hmong roadside stalls offer fruit, fried bananas, cherry tomatoes, and fruit liqueurs. This is one of the few places to eat near the campsite. The first few stalls are the most touristy, so continue on to the second section. Directions: On Route 1009 at the turnoff to Headquarters. Best time to visit: Daytime. Doi Inthanon Hmong Market, 4.2 km (1,319 km), daily 8:00 AM–7:00 PM. Directions
  • 8. Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station, Ban Khun Klang, 1.5 km north of Headquarters. Flower gardens on the way to Siriphum. A royal project launched in 1979 to replace opium with useful plants, the station now covers a large area with flower gardens and greenhouses featuring rhododendrons, ferns, and hydroponically grown vegetables. Entry costs 20 baht. The station is run separately from the park and complements Siriphum Waterfall, located a little further away. Siamese cherry blossoms (sakura) bloom there for several weeks in late January and early February. Directions: From Headquarters, turn north towards Ban Khun Klang. Best time to visit: Late January and February during the flowering season. Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station, 4.5 km (£1,668), open daily 8:00 am–5:00 pm. Directions.
  • 9. Siriphum Waterfall, turnoff from Route 1284, north of the headquarters (cherry blossom season). A waterfall behind Ban Khun Klang and the Royal Project Gardens, quieter than the waterfalls on the main road. Ideal to combine with a visit to the gardens. Directions: Behind Ban Khun Klang, 1.5 km off Route 1284. Best time to visit: May to October (water level), late January (blossom season). Siriphum Waterfall: 4.5 (183) Directions
  • 10. The Royal Twin Pagodas, Km 41.5. View: Two chedis on a ridge below the summit, built in 1987 to commemorate King Bhumibol's 60th birthday and in 1992 to celebrate Queen Sirikit's 60th birthday, surrounded by flower gardens. The buildings are lovely, but the main reason to visit is the view across the highlands from the gardens, so clear skies are recommended. The west-facing terraces are the best spot in the park to watch the sunset. Entry costs 100 baht and is not included in the park ticket. An escalator leads to the base of the terrace, from where stairs lead up to the chedis. Getting there: Park on Route 1009, a few kilometers below the summit. Best time to visit: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Early morning or late afternoon is best for the best light. Royal Twin Pagodas (Doi Inthanon) 4.6 (4,471 m) Daily 7:00–17:00 Directions
  • 11. Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail, Km 42 – The most beautiful hike on the mountain. A roughly 2.5 to 3 km circular trail that begins in a moss-covered cloud forest, leads to an open, grassy ridge with views across the mountains and down to the pagodas, and then descends back into the forest. Allow two to three hours. There are steps and some steep sections, but nothing technically challenging. Rhododendrons grow along the ridge. The trail is only open from November 1st to May 31st and is closed even then in case of heavy rain. A local Hmong guide is mandatory and costs about 200 baht per group. You can book one at the stand in the parking lot. Most group tours skip the trail. If it's important to you, choose a tour that mentions it or go with a driver. How to get there: Park on the side of Route 1009, a few hundred meters above the pagodas. Best time to travel: From 6:00 AM, last departure around 3:00 PM. Get there early for the clouds below. Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail 4.7 (7,153) Directions
  • 12. The summit and Ang Ka Walkway, kilometer 48, end of the road. The highest point in Thailand. There is no view from the summit. There is a signpost, a shrine containing the ashes of King Inthawichayanon, the last king of Chiang Mai, after whom the mountain is named, and a café—all just a few minutes from the parking area. Opposite, the Ang Ka Walkway winds for about 360 meters through a dripping, moss-covered cloud forest that grows almost nowhere else in Thailand. The birds around the summit café are an attraction in themselves. Allow at least 30 minutes. Some 500 bird species have been recorded in Doi Inthanon, more than in any other park in Thailand. As a result, you will often encounter birdwatchers with telephoto lenses up here. Getting there: Drive to the end of Route 1009. Best time to go: Anytime when open. Colder than expected. Ang Ka Nature Trail 4.6 (857) Directions

    • Doi Inthanon in one day

    Leave Chiang Mai by 7:00 AM and drive directly to the summit and the Ang Ka Bridge. Hike to Kew Mae Pan, provided the ridge is snow-free (November to May), and then visit the pagodas. On the way back, stop for lunch and coffee at the Hmong market or the Wachirathan stalls. Visit Wachirathan and Sirithan, and if there is still daylight, finish your hike at Mae Ya or Mae Klang. Stop at Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong on the return journey. The drive takes approximately two hours each way, and the hike on the mountain takes five to six hours.

    On a tour, you will visit roughly the same stops in reverse order, starting with the waterfalls.

    The best-rated hotels in Chiang Mai

    Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Chiang Mai. Each button will take you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you can enter your travel dates.

  • #2 Anantara Chiang Mai Resort 4.7 (2,377 reviews) A luxurious riverside resort in the heart of Chiang Mai, blending colonial elegance with Thai heritage. Check prices
  • #4 Meliá Chiang Mai 4.7 (2,054 reviews) A premium hotel on Charoen Prathet Road with elegant rooms, a spa, and a rooftop bar with city views. Check prices
  • #5 Mad Monkey Chiang Mai 4.8 (1,595 reviews) A sociable party hostel in the center of Chiang Mai with a pool, bar, organized events, and a lively backpacker scene. Check prices

    • Weather on Doi Inthanon and what to wear

    The mountain's summit is significantly colder than Chiang Mai. In January, the average temperature there is around 6°C, while nights in the city average 16°C. Mornings in December and January drop to almost zero degrees, with the record low being -5°C, measured on December 21, 2017, at kilometer 44.4. Even during the hottest months, it remains cool and often foggy up there.

    The best time to visit is from November to February: cool and dry, with the clearest visibility and Kew Mae Pan open. March and April are hot and hazy, as smoke from the bushfire season obscures the view. From May to October, the rains fill the waterfalls and make everything vibrant green. July to September is the wettest period, and Kew Mae Pan is closed from June onwards.

    Dress in layers. A fleece jacket or a light down jacket is ideal, along with long trousers and shoes with good tread for wet paths and steps. Protect your shoulders and knees from the pagodas. During the rainy season, a rain jacket and a protective case for your camera are recommended in Wachirathan.

    Sunrise on Doi Inthanon

    The summit is the most obvious spot, but it's often shrouded in clouds. The most beautiful sunrise can be experienced from the viewpoint on the main road next to the Kew Mae Pan car park. This viewpoint faces east and offers a breathtaking view over a sea of ​​clouds on clear mornings. The pagodas, on the other hand, face west, so it's best to save them for sunset.

    The gates open at 5:00 AM, and the summit is about a two-hour hike from Chiang Mai. Anyone wanting to experience the sunrise must therefore set off in the middle of the night or spend the night on the mountain. December and January are the months with the highest probability of cloud cover and the coldest temperatures.

    Camping and overnight stay

    Spending a night in the mountains is the best way to experience the sunrise and Kew Mae Pan before the tourist crowds arrive. The campsite is located less than a kilometer north of the park headquarters, around kilometer 31, and is only open during the cooler season, from October 1st to February 15th (corresponding to the regular park opening times). Camping costs 30 baht per person per night, a tent for up to three people costs 225 baht, and a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and pillow cost 60 baht. There is no restaurant at the campsite, so it's best to eat at the park headquarters or the Hmong market and bring your warmest clothing.

    The park also rents bungalows from 1,000 to 6,500 baht per night, with a 30% discount from Monday to Thursday. The national parks' online booking system was out of service until the end of the 2026 season, so book by phone at +27 53 286 729, ideally through a Thai-speaking representative. The mountain is very crowded on weekends, New Year's Day, and Songkran, and the road into the park is heavily trafficked. Around 12,000 people visit the mountain on New Year's Day alone, so avoid these days if possible. Alternatively, consider staying with host families in Karen villages or in guesthouses near the park entrance.

    DOI Inthanon Tours

    The standard group tour lasts nine to ten hours and starts in Chiang Mai. Including hotel pick-up, lunch, and a tour guide, it costs approximately 1,200 to 1,800 baht. The tour includes a visit to Wachirathan Peak, Ang Ka with its pagodas, and a coffee stop in a Karen or Hmong village. Before booking, you should clarify two things: Are the 300 baht parking fee and the 100 baht pagoda entrance fee included in the price? And does the tour include an actual hike – from November to May to Kew Mae Pan or the rest of the year to Pha Dok Siew? The cheapest tours only offer transfers between viewpoints.

    Private tours with car and guide cost from about 1,950 Baht per person and are suitable for families or anyone who wants to start at the very top.

    What I would skip

    It's not possible in fog or smoke, as the pagodas and the summit primarily offer breathtaking views. It's a hike where you don't actually walk anywhere – provided you're fit enough for Kew Mae Pan. The hike is recommended on weekends, New Year's Day, and Songkran, as it tends to get crowded. And the summit is ideal for sunrise, unless you're camping and it's on the way.

    Plan the rest of your time in and around Chiang Mai.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently asked questions about the Doi Inthanon National Park travel guide.

    Yes, on a clear day. It's Thailand's highest mountain, two hours from Chiang Mai, with impressive waterfalls, the two royal pagodas, cloud forest at the summit, and, from November to May, the Kew Mae Pan ridge walk. Visibility is limited by cloud cover or smoke during the forest fire season, so choose your day carefully.

    Yes. You can drive the 100 km yourself or hire a driver for the day for about 2,700–3,200 baht. Yellow songthaews run from Chiang Mai to Chom Thong at the foot of the mountain, but there are no buses or shared taxis within the park, so you would need to charter a truck from there.

    300 baht for foreign adults and 150 baht for children aged 3 to 14, plus 30 baht for a car or 20 baht for a motorbike (payable in cash). The two royal pagodas each cost 100 baht to enter, and a guide is required for the Kew Mae Pan walking trail, costing approximately 200 baht per group.

    No. A road leads to the summit, and the summit marker is just a short walk from the car park. The actual hike takes place on the trails. The Kew Mae Pan Circular Trail is 2.5 to 3 km long and takes two to three hours. It includes some steep steps. The Ang Ka Boardwalk is a 30-minute circular route.

    Drive 58 km south on Highway 108 to Chom Thong, then continue 48 km on Route 1009 to the summit. The journey takes approximately two hours. Alternatively, you can join a group tour (1,200–1,800 baht), hire a driver, or take a songthaew to Chom Thong and charter a truck from there to the summit.

    The hiking trail is open every year from November 1st to May 31st and closed from June to October due to the rainy season. It also remains closed during heavy rain. A Hmong guide is mandatory and can be booked at the trailhead.

    The average temperature at the summit in January is around 6°C, while in December and January it is almost frosty in the mornings, with a record low of -5°C in December 2017. Bring a fleece jacket or light jacket every month.

    Dress in layers: a warm jacket for the summit, long trousers and shoes with good tread for wet paths and steps. Protect your shoulders and knees from the pagodas and pack a rain jacket from May to October.

    From November to February, when it's cool and dry, the visibility is clearest and Kew Mae Pan is open. In March and April, it's smoky. From May to October, the waterfalls are at their most impressive, but the ridge walk is closed.

    Yes, at the campsite near headquarters, which is open during the cooler months, usually from October 1st to February 15th. Overnight stays cost 30 baht per person. Tents can be rented for 225 baht and bedding for 60 baht. Park bungalows cost between 1,000 and 6,500 baht per night and are booked by phone.

    Compare prices on the major booking portals and filter for rooms with free cancellation if you want to book now and decide later.

  • Compare prices on different websites.
  • Filter for free cancellation
  • Secure checkout on the partner site

    • Compare prices on Booking.com

    Compare prices on Trip.com

    We may receive a commission for bookings made through these links – this will not incur any additional costs for you. Learn more.

    You might also like this

    Bangkok travel guide

    A city with three zones and a river – once you understand the structure, everything else falls into place.

    Chiang Mai City Guide

    A walled square, a mountain, and the best value for money for good living in Thailand – if you know the calendar.

    Things to do in Bangkok

    Ten experiences worth traveling to – sorted by rank, price and time, so you can experience each one at the best time.

    Things to do in Chiang Mai

    Twenty-five things worth a trip to the north, ranked by rank, price and time of year to visit, centered around the mountain, the markets and the smoke-free months.

    Best time to travel to Thailand

    The best time to travel is from November to February; the rest of the year is best on the east coast.

    I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.

    Ready to create your travel itinerary?

    Use our free trip planner to save places, organize days, and share your trip.