Doi Inthanon National Park

Doi Inthanon National Park covers the areas of Sanpatong District, Chomthong District, Mae Chaem District, Mae Wang District, and Toi Lor Sub-district of Chiang Mai Province within an approximate area of 482 square kilometers or 301,500 rai. The National Park consists of high mountains, including Doi Inthanon, which is the highest mountaintop in Thailand and the source of many rivers such as Ping River, where the Bhumipol Dam is situated and generating the electrical power. The National Park has beautiful natural scenery such as waterfalls, particularly Mae Ya Waterfall, which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand.

Topography
The geographical features of the National Park consists of high mountains, including Doi Inthanon, which is the highest mountaintop in Thailand (2,565 meters above the sea level), followed by Doi Huamodluang (2,330 meters above the sea level). Doi Inthanon is the source of many rivers including Mae Klang, Mae Pakong, Mae Pon, Mae Hoi, Mae Ya, Mae Chaem, Mae Khan, and being part of Ping River, where the Bhumipol Dam is situated and generating the electrical power.

Climate
Since the National Park is located at 2,565 meters above the sea level, it has cold weather and high humidity throughout the year, particularly on the top of the National Park. In winter, the temperature at the National Park is below 0„ac. And in summer, despite hot weather in central Chiang Mai and nearby districts, it is still freezing on the top of Doi Inthanon and tourists should be prepared with thick clothes.

Flora and Fauna
In general, the National Park contains alternate areas of vast lands and forests since tribesmen opened up wasteland for cultivation. (It can be seen from both sides to the top of Doi Inthanon that the mountains are all reclaimed unlike other national parks).

Doi Inthanon National Park has varieties of forests, including virgin forests, pinery, timber forests, and mixed forests. Economic plants available in the National Park include teak, Malabar Ironwood, pine, timber, Dipterocarpus Intricatus (Hiang), ebony, Xylia Xylocarpa (redwood plants), Leguminosae (Pradoo), Terminalia Arjuna (Rokfa), Afzelia Bijuga (Maka), Black Wood, Michelia Alba, Lagerstroemia (Tabaek), etc. Moreover, there are varieties of beautiful wild flowers such as Fah-mui, Chang Daeng, Rongtao Naree (wild orchids), and wild roses. Meanwhile, moss, Kao Tok Ruesi, and Osmunda can be found everywhere.

The number of wild animals in the National Park is decreasing since tribesmen hunt them and forests are reclaimed for dwellings, as a result, some species of large animals become extinct. At present, some surviving animals include goral, deer, tigers, wild boars, bears, wild rabbits, and wild fowls.

Tourist Attractions

Borichinda Cave

This impressive limestone cave has a gigantic entrance camber and tower and a scene huge chamber with a skylight opening to the surface. This cave has a medium-size, which has beautiful stalagmite, is situated in the middle of deciduous forest. It takes about one hour walk from the main road.
Activities : - Nature trail study - Cave/Geological Touring

Doi Inthanon Mountain Peak

Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in the country. There is cold temperature all the year round and has stupa of Phra Chao Intharawichayanon, the king of ancient Chiangmai.
Activities : - flowers admiring - Bird Watching - Historical Sight Seeing - View - Nature trail study

Mae Klang Waterfall

Mae Klang Waterfall is located in the east of the National Park, approximately 8 kilometers away from Chom Thong - Doi Inthanon Road, then make a left hand turn for 1 kilometer until reaching the Waterfall. This waterfall is very popular among Thai and foreigners who come to swim, picnic and relax. The rapid stream and waterfall spill over the area produce cool and pleasant for visitors.
Activities : - View - Waterfall Traveling - Historical Sight Seeing

Mae Pang Waterfall Group

At Km. 6.6 on the Mae Chaem road is the turn-off to Mae Pang Waterfall. The laterite access road descends about two kilometers to the Mae Chaem Ranger Station and camp-ground, and is suitable for any vehicle although the road can be slippery on the uphill after a heavy rain. The area is quiet, of the beaten track, and can be described as the backcountry of Doi Inthanon Park. It offers a rewarding loop hike of 1 to 2 hours through untouched terrain with small waterfalls and tumbling creeks along most of the route. You can walk along the whole loop since it is largely un-marked, but any visitor can walk the 800 meters to Mae Pang waterfall and back again, as wall as the 200 meters to Huay Sai Luaeng waterall (just beyond the camp-ground).
Activities : - flowers admiring - Waterfall Traveling - Butterfly Watching - Nature trail study - Bird Watching

Mae Ya Waterfall

Mae Ya Waterfall is a large waterfall of 260 meters high, located in the south of the National Park. The Waterfall originated in Mae Ya Gully. Many tourists claimed that the Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand since the Waterfall is like a combination of different waterfalls. The Waterfall can be accessed from the right hand side of Chomthong-Hod Road, then, follow the guide posts.
Activities : - Waterfall Traveling - flowers admiring - Butterfly Watching

Phra Mahathat Chedi

At Km. 41.5 of Chomthong-Doi Inthanon Road, there are Phra Mahathat Chedi Nophamethanidol and Phra Mahathat Noppholbhumisiri built for presenting to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit by Thai Air Force.
Activities : - View - Historical Sight Seeing - flowers admiring

Siriphum Waterfall

The Waterfall was formerly called “Lao Lee Waterfall”, which was named after the headman of a nearby tribesman village. After that Mr.Ror.Vor. Jakthong Thongyai, a former Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, named the Waterfall “Siriphum” to enhance the prestige of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. The Waterfall is located near km 31, Chomthong-Doi Inthanon Raod
Activities : - flowers admiring - Butterfly Watching - Bird Watching - Waterfall Traveling - View

Siritan Waterfall

This waterfall is 81 km. from Chiang Mai. Take the route 108, Chiang Mai - Hod and turn left at 58 th km. and continue on Chomg Tong - Doi Intanon for 23 km. you will reach Siritan Waterfall. The 100 meters trail in the Montain Rainforest will brighten up your day.
Activities : - Bird Watching - View - Butterfly Watching - Waterfall Traveling

Vachiratharn Waterfall

Vachiratharn Waterfall (or “Muangyong Waterfall”) is a 70-meter-high waterfall, having originated in Mae Klang Gully and being located near km 22, Chomthong-Doi Inthanon Raod. At the Waterfall, there are many caves; and the most beautiful one is Borijinda Cave, a large cave with stalactite and stalagmite, located in the east of the National Park.
Activities : - View - Bird Watching - Waterfall Traveling

Wang Kwai Waterfall

This waterfall has cold pleasant water which is suitable for swimming. Visitors can take route 00, Chiang Mai - Hod, turn right to route 00, Chom Tong - Doi Inthanon at 58 km. and proceed for another 9.7 km.
Activities : - Bird Watching - Butterfly Watching - Nature trail study - Waterfall Traveling - View

Contact Address
Doi Inthanon National ParkAmphur Chom Thong Chiang Mai Thailand 50160

How to go?
By Car
From Chiang Mai, take route 108 towards Chomthong. At km.57 (1 kilometer before arrive to Amphur Chomthong) take a right on route 1009 (Chomthong-Doi Inthanon Road). At km.31 of this road is the Park Headquater.