There are a lot of incredible sites to see when visiting Thailand, but a trip to the Northern part of the country may be where you find one of the most breathtaking sites that Thailand has to offer. Visitors to Chiang Mai have a special trip awaiting them, although getting there takes a little bit of planning. We are talking about the Doi Inthanon National Park, which sits about 115 km from the city of Chiang Mai. That usually means renting a car or finding a tour bus to take you there, but we can tell you that the effort is well worth it.
What you may find once you arrive at the park and start exploring is that you will need more than a single trip to see all that it has to offer. If you are planning on taking the trip, we suggest that you do a little research to see what points of interest are the ones you most want to visit. You can also check out our tours. They come with an English guide, and will hit some of the most commonly visited spots. This will include a trip to the peak of Doi Inthanon, which is part of the Himalayas, as well as being the highest mountain in Thailand.
Trips to the Doi Inthanon National Park are available year round, but if your goal is to get a look at the stunning waterfalls found in the park, your best bet would be to go between May and November. The park is also very well known for its flora and fauna, which is at its brightest and best between December and February. No matter when you go, it is always a good idea to pack a sweater or jacket, as temperatures really start to dip as you begin to near the summit.
Besides the peak of the mountain, which offers stunning views, and the beautiful flowers, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the park. This includes a number of amazing waterfalls. Some of which are only accessible using 4-wheel drive vehicles (do not hesitate to contact us so we can arrange an off road tour for you) during certain times of the year. Namtok Mae Ya may well be the most spectacular of all the falls, as the 280 meter drop is surrounded by a beautifully lush forest.
The twin pagodas known as Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphonphumisiri are also a must see. There are some great walking paths around the pagodas, with great views and scenery at every turn. The sunlight dappled Tham Borichinda cave is also a joy to behold. There are amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations on display, as well as a number of Buddha images.
Most of these places can be seen via a guided tour, but if you want to go your own way, the park is home to numerous nature trails that are home to some wonderful sights. If you plan on traveling to Thailand, a visit to Doi Inthanon National Park is something that has to be added to your “To Do” list.
