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.

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!

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.
