Doi Inthanon National Park Small Group Tour Chiang Mai
- Duration9 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This small-group day tour takes you from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon National Park, which holds Thailand's highest peak. You visit the summit area, walk the Angka Nature Trail boardwalk, see the Twin Pagodas with their views over the mountains, stop at a hill-tribe village, and finish at a tall waterfall. Our default option includes hotel pickup from select areas, an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, water, insurance and the park and Twin Pagodas entrance fees.
Highlights
- Stand at the top of Thailand's highest peak and photograph the summit sign
- Walk the short Angka Nature Trail boardwalk through misty cloud forest
- Visit the Twin Pagodas built for the King and Queen, with views of the park
- Meet a hill-tribe village and learn about traditional coffee brewing
- See Wachirathan Waterfall, often with a rainbow in its spray
- Small group with hotel pickup and entrance fees included in the default option
Full Description
Doi Inthanon National Park and the summit
Doi Inthanon National Park lies about one and a half hours from Chiang Mai and covers forested mountains, streams and villages. Its summit, at about 2,565 metres, is the highest point in Thailand, and the air at the top is noticeably cooler than in the city.
A day trip to Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai is popular because the mountain has several attractions on one road. Here you can photograph the summit sign and enjoy a cool break from the heat. The best time to visit Doi Inthanon is the cool season from November to February, when views are clearest.
Angka Nature Trail
The Angka Nature Trail is a short boardwalk of about 360 metres that loops through the cloud forest near the summit. Moss, ferns and twisted trees are covered in mist, and small signs explain the plants and animals of the mountain.
Please note that it is a gentle boardwalk and not a full hiking trail, so it is easy for most visitors, including families. Bring a light rain jacket, as the top of the mountain is often damp and cool. It suits most ages and takes only about half an hour, so it is a relaxed break between drives.
The Twin Pagodas
The Twin Pagodas stand on a ridge below the summit, each built to honour the sixtieth birthday of a Thai royal, one for the late King and one for the late Queen. Their pale green and gold designs are surrounded by landscaped gardens and flowers.
Visitors search for Twin Pagodas Doi Inthanon tickets because the pagodas charge an entrance fee. In our default option the fee is included, while in the options that exclude the entrance fees you pay in cash on the day. The terrace gives some of the widest views on the mountain.
A hill-tribe village and Wachirathan Waterfall
After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit a hill-tribe village on the mountain, where you learn about local customs and see how coffee is traditionally brewed. It is a chance to meet the communities that live and farm here.
The last main stop is Wachirathan Waterfall, a tall, thundering fall that often makes a rainbow in the spray and is at its fullest in the rainy season. From here the drive back to Chiang Mai takes about two hours. Expect some spray, so keep your camera dry, and take care on the wet stone steps.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup or meeting pointPickup from select areas of Chiang Mai in the default option, at around 8:30 a.m.
- Drive to Doi InthanonAbout one and a half hours by air-conditioned van.
- Summit area and Angka Nature TrailPhoto stop at the highest point and a walk along the boardwalk.
- Twin PagodasVisit the two pagodas and enjoy the views over the national park.
- LunchStop at a local restaurant; lunch is not included.
- Hill-tribe villageLearn about local customs and traditional coffee brewing.
- Wachirathan WaterfallWalk to the falls and take photos.
- Return to Chiang MaiAbout two hours back, ending in the early evening after about nine hours.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from select areas
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Tour guide
- A bottle of drinking water
- Insurance
Not included
- Doi Inthanon National Park entrance fee
- Twin Pagodas entrance fee
- Food and extra drinks
- Personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Guests who feel sick easily on winding mountain roads
- Guests who cannot walk short distances on boardwalks and steps
Meeting point
In the default option we collect you from your hotel in select areas of Chiang Mai at around 8:30 a.m., and the exact pickup time is confirmed after booking. If your hotel is outside the pickup area, choose a meeting-point option, where you meet the group at Thapae Gate in the Old City of Chiang Mai. Please check the option description before booking.
Important information
- Bring a light jacket, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, an umbrella, sunscreen, insect repellent and a camera; the summit is much cooler than the city.
- Bring cash for lunch, drinks, snacks and any entrance fees that are not included in your option.
- The Angka Nature Trail is a short boardwalk of about 360 metres, not a full hiking trail.
- Entrance fees to the national park and Twin Pagodas are included in the default option; in the options without fees you pay them in cash on the day.
- Lunch and personal expenses are not included; the tour includes a bottle of drinking water.
- Same-day booking may be possible for the meeting-point option, subject to availability.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Doi Inthanon small-group tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, whether hotel pickup or a meeting point and whether the entrance fees are included. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
In the default option, yes, from select areas of Chiang Mai. If your hotel is outside those areas, choose a meeting-point option instead.
How long is the Doi Inthanon tour?
The tour takes about nine hours, including roughly one and a half hours of driving to the park and about two hours back.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children up to eleven years old use the child fare. The day is long with mountain roads, so bring snacks and something warm.
What should I wear or bring?
A light jacket, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent and cash. The summit can be around ten degrees cooler than Chiang Mai.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Same-day booking may be possible for the meeting-point option, subject to availability. The booking panel shows which dates can still be booked.
What is the difference between the options?
The options differ by hotel pickup or a meeting point at Thapae Gate, and by whether the park and Twin Pagodas entrance fees are included. The route and guide are the same.
Are the entrance fees included?
They are included in the default option and in the other options marked as included. In the options that exclude them, you pay the fees in cash on the day.
Is Doi Inthanon worth visiting on a day trip from Chiang Mai?
Yes, if you like mountains, waterfalls and cooler weather. It gives a mix of nature, temples and village life in one day, and is easier in a small group than by yourself.
Is lunch included?
No, lunch is not included. We stop at a local restaurant where you can order and pay for your own meal.
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