Doi Inthanon: Hiking the Nature Trails on the Roof of Thailand 

Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail

We will pick you up from your hotel at 0800 for your trip to Doi Inthanon National Park. Today you will hike the famous Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail. Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain of Thailand (2,565 m). It became a national park in 1972. The park has the highest diversity of forest types and bird species found in any single park in the country. There are many beautiful waterfalls as well.

We will drive up to the summit of Doi Inthanon. Here we will first visit the Shrine of King Inthawichayanon after who the mountain has been named. Very close to the shrine is the short but beautiful Angka Nature trail. We hike this trail after which we will continue to the nearby Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail. This trail is only open in the dry season. It is a lovely walk partly through moist evergreen cloud forest along a very steep ridge with fantastic views over Mae Chaem and the Mae Pan river valley. Let’s hope for sunny weather. There will be enough time to take pictures. A local guide of the Hmong tribe will accompany us. Here we walk for a couple of hours through unspoilt cloud forest.  When the skies are clear, the views are magnificent.

Royal Chedis and Vachirathan Waterfall

After that, we will visit the two chedis, one called Naphamethinidon, meaning “by the strength of the land and air”, and the other, Naphaphonphumisiri, meaning “being the strength of the air and the grace of the land”. These temples were built to honour the 60th birthday anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1987, and the 60th birthday anniversary of Queen Sirikit in 1992, respectively. Enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant.

We will continue to the Vachirathan waterfall. Along the way, we will stop at the Hmong market where products from the Royal Project are for sale. The Royal Project (1969) is a non-profit organisation which was founded by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It aimed to solve the problems of deforestation, poverty and opium production by promoting alternative crops in Thailand. We will also briefly stop at the Karen village Ban Mae Klang Luang to taste their delicious coffee. The Karen and the Hmong have been living in this area for a long time.

Last but not least is the thundering Vachirathan Waterfall. It is the most famous waterfall in the park. Admire the force of nature. Drive back to Chiang Mai. We will drop you off at the hotel.

• Transportation by AC minibus
• English speaking guide
• Lunch
• Drinking water during meals
• Entrance fees
• Limited medical insurance

• All drinks except drinking water during meals
• Personal expenses
• Tips

• T-shirt and shorts for daytime
• Long sleeves/Jacket during winter time (Nov – Feb)
• Hiking shoes with good grip
• Flip flops
• Sunscreen
• Hat or cap
• Insect repellent (DEET medicated)
• Sunglasses
• Small backpack