Explore the Jungles and Waterfalls of Doi Inthanon

 

Price per person in THB
2 persons3 persons4 persons5 persons6 persons7 persons8 persons
12,6009,8007,9007,2006,3005,9005,300
Difficulty
75%

This is a private tour. “Explore the Jungles and Waterfalls of Doi Inthanon” is a four-day adventure in the magnificent Doi Inthanon National Park, one of the best national parks in Thailand. Enjoy hiking the mountain trails and staying overnight in Karen villages. Doi Inthanon has the best waterfalls in North Thailand. This is a trip for nature lovers and hikers. **This tour is on request**

Explore the Jungles and Waterfalls of Doi Inthanon

Day 1: Chiang Mai – Doi Inthanon – Mae Wang – Karen village

The thundering Vachirathan Waterfall

This is a private tour. Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel at 0800 for your four-day Classic Trekking “Explore the Jungles and Waterfalls of Doi Inthanon.” Our first destination is the Doi Inthanon National Park, named after the highest mountain Doi Inthanon (“doi” means “mountain” in Thai). Doi Inthanon is 2,565 meters above sea level, the highest mountain in Thailand. The mountain is the source of many rivers and is an important watershed area. Forest types include moist, evergreen, pine, and mixed deciduous forests. This park supports the highest number of bird species of any protected area in Thailand. We will visit the spectacular Vachirathan Waterfall on the way to the summit.

The summit of Doi Inthanon

After a brief but exciting nature trail, we will descend and stop at the two pagodas erected in honor of the King and Queen of Thailand. Then it is time for lunch before we drive to the start point of trekking. We will trek through dense forests on trails that villagers use. Your guide will explain the different forest types in Northern Thailand. We will continue our trek today to a Karen Village called Khun Puay, which will take approximately three hours. Here we will spend the first night of our Classic Trekking “Explore the Jungles and Waterfalls of Doi Inthanon.” After arrival, you can relax, explore the village or help your guide prepare dinner. After dinner, it is time for stories and friendship. For more information on the Green Trails village Homestays, please have a look here.

Day 2: Karen village – Karen village

Full-day trekking through the jungles of Doi Inthanon

The day starts early in these mountain villages. We hope you have slept well. You will find your guide already busy preparing a delicious breakfast for you. After breakfast, we will continue our trek. Enjoy the natural surroundings and the lovely views. You will appreciate the hike through the forest. Today we will walk for four to five hours, so there is enough time to take pictures and a break. We are not in a hurry. In the morning, we will walk mainly downhill to another Karen village. Evidence shows that the Karen people moved into this area at least 120 years ago.

You will have time to look around the community and practice your language skills while your guide prepares lunch. “Tablu” is the greeting the Sgaw Karen people use. After lunch, we will walk up and down a lovely trail through the forest until we reach the Karen village of Huay Hoi. This is a small and quiet village. Your guide will ask you to assist you with the preparation of dinner tonight. He will explain the herbs and ingredients he uses. After dinner, you will visit a village house to get to know some of the villagers. Overnight in the village.

plates of food
Dinner at the Karen village

Day 3: Karen village – Karen village

Exploring waterfalls and jungles 

After breakfast, we will continue our trek. Today we will walk for between five and six hours. If you want to walk less, we can adjust the route, but this is real “Classic Trekking”. Enjoy the natural surroundings, the fresh mountain air, and the magnificent views.  We will stop at the Karen Village of Baan Huay Khao Lip and explore the village before proceeding to a waterfall where we can relax and enjoy a picnic lunch.

After lunch, we will walk up and down through the forest until we reach another Karen village Mae Sapok where we will spend the night. After dinner, you will visit a village house to get to know some of the villagers. The Karen people have their customs and traditional dress. Your guide will ask villagers to show some of the lovely typical dresses of the Sgaw Karen people.

Then it is time for our last overnight in the village. Sleep well!

 

View of rice terraces and mountains Doi Inthanon trekking
View from the homestay in the Karen village

Day 4: Baan Mae Sapok – Chiang Mai

Morning trekking to a waterfall

Wake up to the sound of roosters and of other animals in the village. After early morning breakfast, we will say goodbye to the village and trek uphill for almost one hour. Then it is another hour downhill to a pretty waterfall where we will spend some time relaxing, swimming, and enjoying nature. After this, we will continue to the main road. From there we will drive to a local house where we will have lunch. Enjoy your lunch with Thai specialties.

Bamboo rafting on the Wang River

After lunch, we will drive to a small rafting camp in the forest on the Wang River. Our bamboo rafts will be waiting for us. Enjoy a relaxing and, at times, exciting bamboo raft trip for about 45 minutes on the Wang River. Don’t worry: the rafts are not discarded but used again. We will ask you to wear a lifejacket even though that might not seem necessary. Enjoy the ride! After this, we board our trekking truck to drive back to Chiang Mai. There we will drop you off at your hotel or other accommodation. We hope you enjoyed trekking and exploring the jungles and waterfalls of Doi Inthanon.

People sitting on a bamboo raft
Bamboo rafting on the Wang River

HIghlights

Summit of Doi Inthanon

Royal Chedis

Hmong Royal Project Market

Jungle trekking

Doi Inthanon National Park

Waterfalls of Mae Wang

Great food

Vachirathan Waterfall

Hmong Royal Project

Karen tribal culture

Three overnights in homestays in villages

In-depth experience

Bamboo rafting on the Wang River

Inclusions

Inclusions

What is included?

English speaking guide
Transportation by A/C vehicle
Accommodation in a local house
Two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners
Drinking water during meals
Coffee and tea
Entrance fees
Limited medical insurance
Use of sheet bag or sleeping bag
Use of Mosquito net
Use of Backpack (on request)
Toilet paper & Soap
Towel
A flashlight is provided in the village

What is not included?

Other drinks except for water during meals
Personal expenses
Tips

Inclusions

What is included?

English speaking guide
Transportation by A/C vehicle
Accommodation in a local house
Two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners
Drinking water during meals
Coffee and tea
Entrance fees
Limited medical insurance
Use of sheet bag or sleeping bag
Use of Mosquito net
Use of Backpack (on request)
Toilet paper & Soap
Towel
A flashlight is provided in the village

What is not included?

Other drinks except for water during meals
Personal expenses
Tips

What is included?

English speaking guide
Transportation by A/C vehicle
Accommodation in a local house
Two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners
Drinking water during meals
Coffee and tea
Entrance fees
Limited medical insurance
Use of sheet bag or sleeping bag
Use of Mosquito net
Use of Backpack (on request)
Toilet paper & Soap
Towel
A flashlight is provided in the village

What is not included?

Other drinks except for water during meals
Personal expenses
Tips

Timeline

Day 1
08.00 – Departure from the hotel
08.30 – Short stop at a local market
09.30 – Arrival at Doi Inthanon National Park
10.00 – Visit the Wachirathan waterfall
11.00 – Visit the summit of Doi Inthanon
11.30 – Visit the two Royal Chedis
12.00 – Lunch at a local restaurant
12.30 – Drive to the starting point of the trek
13.00 – Start trekking approximately three hours
16.00 – Arrival at a Karen village where we stay overnight, relax at the village
17.00 – Help your guide cook dinner
18.00 – Dinner at the village before free at leisure

Day 2
09.00 – Visit around the village
09.30 – Start hiking about five hours to another Karen village
12.00 – Picnic lunch in the jungle
14.30 – Arrival at the village, rest and relax
15.00 – Visit around the village, meet local people, and join activities at the village
17.00 – Help your guide cook dinner
18.00 – Dinner at the village before free at leisure

Day 3
09.00 – Visit and walk around the village
10.00 – Start hiking for about two and a half hours
12.30 – Lunch
13.30 – Hiking for another two hours
15.30 – Visit around the village, meet local people
17.00 – Help your guide cook dinner
18.00 – Dinner at the village before free at leisure

Day 4
08.00 – Breakfast
09.00 – Start hiking for about one hour
10.00 – Stop and relax at the waterfall
11.00 – Hike to the main road
12.00 – End of the trekking and meet the driver
12.30 – Lunch at a local restaurant
13.30 – Bamboo rafting on the Wang River
14.15 – End of the rafting trip
14.30 – Drive back to Chiang Mai
16.00 – Drop off at the hotel

What to bring

During this trip, you will have to carry your luggage yourself, so it is essential to pack as lightly as possible. You can leave your big luggage in the storage room of the hotel. If you stay in a different hotel after the trip than the one before, you can leave your big luggage in our office for the duration of the trip. Porterage during the trip is available for 300THB per day.

Four or five short sleeve shirts for the daytime
A warm shirt with long sleeves for the evening (in the winter Nov – Feb, it can be a bit cold)
Comfortable shoes with good grip (especially in the rainy season from May until November)
Swimwear
A hat or cap
Light raincoat
Sunscreen
Flip flops for in the village
Sunglasses
Your toiletries
Personal medication
Fully charged batteries or even an extra battery or power bank for your camera or phone. Most villages have electricity, but it is not always available.
Some money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips. 1500-2000 Thai Baht per person in small notes (not bigger than 500 Thai Baht and plenty of 100 Thai Baht notes).