Doi Inthanon National Park: A Local's Day Trip Guide
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand at 2,565 meters, about 70 to 100 km south-west of Chiang Mai. The drive takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Foreign adults pay 300 THB to enter the park, plus 100 THB for the Royal Twin Pagodas. You can see the summit, the pagodas, and the best waterfalls in one day if you leave early. Bring a warm jacket: the top is 10 to 15°C cooler than the city.
Quick Facts
- Park entry (foreigners)
- 300 THB adults, 150 THB children
- Park entry (Thais)
- 50 THB adults, 20 THB children
- Car
- 30 THB extra
- Royal Twin Pagodas
- 100 THB extra
- Kew Mae Pan guide
- 200 THB per group (compulsory)
- Drive from Chiang Mai
- 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Best season
- November to February
Keep your park ticket with you. It is checked at several points inside the park.
Top Things to See
Royal Twin Pagodas
Two pagodas built to honor King Rama IX and Queen Sirikit, surrounded by flower gardens that bloom all year. On early mornings you often see a sea of clouds below. The road up is open from 5:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Parking near the pagodas may be closed, so you may need to park further up and take the paid shuttle, or use the paths and elevator from the lower car park. Allow 45 to 60 minutes.
The Summit and Ang Ka Nature Trail
The highest point in Thailand is marked by a small sign and a chedi. The summit itself is in the forest, so there is no big view. Next to it, the Ang Ka Nature Trail is a short 360-meter boardwalk through mossy cloud forest. It is easy, cool, and good for all ages.
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
The best hike in the park, and one of the best in Thailand. The loop is about 3 to 4 km and takes 2 to 3 hours, through cloud forest and along open grassy ridges with huge views.
- Open
- 1 November to 31 May only. The trail is closed now and reopens on 1 November.
- Hours
- 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry)
- Guide
- a local Hmong guide is compulsory, 200 THB per group
- Where
- km 42 on the road up
- Highlight
- red rhododendrons bloom along the trail from January to March
No drones are allowed. Arrive early on weekends, because there can be a queue for guides.
Waterfalls
- Wachirathan (km 20): big, powerful, and easy to reach from the road. The best choice if you only see one.
- Mae Ya: wide, tiered falls, often called one of the most beautiful in Thailand. It is a separate side trip, so allow extra time.
- Siriphum: twin falls near the Royal Agricultural Station.
- Mae Klang: the first fall near the park entrance. Wider but less dramatic than Wachirathan.
Waterfalls are strongest from July to October, but some trails get slippery after rain.
Sample One-Day Plan
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | Leave Chiang Mai |
| 7:30 AM | Royal Twin Pagodas, before the tour buses |
| 9:00 AM | Summit and Ang Ka boardwalk |
| 10:00 AM | Kew Mae Pan hike (November to May) |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch at the Hmong market near park headquarters |
| 2:30 PM | Wachirathan Waterfall |
| 4:00 PM | Drive back to Chiang Mai |
In the rainy season, when Kew Mae Pan is closed, add Mae Ya or Siriphum waterfall instead.
Best Time to Visit
- November to February: cool, dry, and the clearest views. Early mornings can be near freezing at the top. This is also the busiest season.
- February to April: smoke from seasonal burning often hides the views. Not recommended.
- June to October: green forest, strong waterfalls, fewer people, and cheaper stays. Kew Mae Pan is closed.
How to Get There
- Self-drive: The route is well signposted. The mountain road is steep and winding, so take it slowly, especially coming down.
- Private driver: The most comfortable option for families and groups.
- Day tour: Easy, but check whether park fees are included. Foreigners often pay the park fee on top of the tour price.
Staying in Mae Hia? Doi Inthanon is south-west of Chiang Mai, so from Mae Hia you skip the city traffic and head straight out of town. It is a good base for an early start.
What to Pack
- A warm jacket, even in the hot season
- Closed shoes with good grip
- Cash for park fees, guides, and food stalls
- Motion sickness tablets for the winding road
- Water and snacks for the trails (no food is sold on Kew Mae Pan)
Staying Overnight
Stay a night if you want sunrise at the pagodas without leaving Chiang Mai in the dark. Ban Khun Klang near park headquarters (km 31) has campsites and glamping, and Ban Mae Klang Luang has rice-terrace homestays. Book early for November to February.
Note: The national park's online booking system has had long outages in 2026. You may need to call the park or the Department of National Parks to book park accommodation.
Also visiting the mountain above the city? See our Doi Suthep guide.
FAQ
How much is the Doi Inthanon entrance fee?
300 THB for foreign adults and 150 THB for foreign children. Thais pay 50 and 20 THB. The Royal Twin Pagodas cost 100 THB extra, and cars cost 30 THB.
Is Kew Mae Pan open now?
Kew Mae Pan is open from 1 November to 31 May every year and closed from June to October for forest recovery.
Can I do Doi Inthanon in one day?
Yes. Leave Chiang Mai early, around 5:30 AM, and you can see the Twin Pagodas, the summit, Kew Mae Pan (in season), and a waterfall.
How cold is Doi Inthanon?
The top is usually 10 to 15°C cooler than Chiang Mai. In December and January, early mornings can be close to freezing.
Do I need a guide for Doi Inthanon?
Only for the Kew Mae Pan trail, where a local Hmong guide is compulsory (200 THB per group). The rest of the park you can visit on your own.