A day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park was one of our guided tours we were most excited for. We left the Old City Chiang Mai behind and headed into the mountains for a full-day adventure at one of the most famous natural destinations in northern Thailand.
Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall
This was not actually the default tour selected for us by our travel agent at Goway Travel. Originally, we were scheduled to visit the Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall. This waterfall is known for its unique limestone deposits that create a naturally rough, gripping surface, making it easy for visitors to climb directly up the waterfall without slipping. That actually did sound pretty cool, but reviews of the place made it seem like there wasn’t much else to do there. Since we were traveling halfway around the world and had limited time, we wanted to make the best use of it. When we learned that Doi Inthanon was an alternative choice, it sounded more like our kind of thing.
I suspect Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall may have been the default choice because it’s an easy outing – less driving to get there, and not as physically demanding.
However, despite it being a full day commitment and covering more ground, we did not find Doi Inthanon to be particularly challenging. It was a big adventure, and we enjoyed its pacing.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Known as the highest point in Thailand, Doi Inthanon rises more than 8,000 feet above sea level and is often called “The Roof of Thailand.” It’s famous for its waterfalls, cooler temperatures, scenic viewpoints, and hiking trails through lush mountain forests.
It is a bit of a drive at 1.5-2 hours each way. But the scenery along the way makes it part of the experience.
Hiking the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail
Upon arrival, we got right to business starting the hike along the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail.
This trail is well known for its beautiful scenery and moderate difficulty level. It winds through forest, farmland, and rice terraces before ending near a village.
We started the hike around mid-morning, and the trail quickly delivered some memorable moments. We passed some greenhouses growing chrysanthemums as part of the Doi Inthanon Royal Project, and we got to climb some really fun stairs and spend some time at the Pha Dok Siew Waterfall.
Pha Dok Siew Waterfall
The waterfall sits along the trail and provides a peaceful stop to take photos and enjoy the scenery. And you know I love a good bridge! The wooden staircases and bridges along this hillside helped navigate the terrain while also allowing us to feel adventurous.
Rice Terraces and Mountain Views
As we continued along the trail, the landscape opened up to reveal some of the iconic rice terraces of northern Thailand.
These stepped fields follow the contours of the mountain slopes and are carefully maintained by local farming communities. Depending on the season, they can appear bright green, golden, or freshly planted.
Ban Luang Viewpoint
From this vantage point, we were able to see sweeping views of the valley and surrounding mountains.
There is something I just love about wooden stairs and pathways in a park. I think it’s similar to how much I love the boardwalks at Yellowstone National Park. I think it’s because even though you are in a wild and natural environment, standing on a wooden walkway bridges the gap between wild and tame and makes you feel more connected to the landscape. It’s like when a fish loves a bird, but where would they live? The walkway provides that meeting place.
Visiting a Karen Hill Tribe Village
One part of this tour we were especially curious about was the visit to a Karen hill tribe village.
We thought we’d be visiting the Longneck Karen hill tribe, famous for the women with elongated neck rings. Though they also live in Northern Thailand, the Karen hill tribe we were visiting was a traditional farming community and did not practice the custom of wearing elongated neck rings. It would have been pretty cool to see that, though we enjoyed our visit with them.
The people we met were kind, welcoming, and genuinely hospitable.
As part of the tour, we were supposed to sample coffee made from crops grown on the land we had just passed through. Since we don’t drink coffee, they were at a bit of a loss as to what to give us instead. We told them we were happy to just visit and enjoy their beautiful land.
Instead, they brought out a generous assortment of fresh fruit.
As religious people themselves, they understood the idea of refraining from certain things for personal or religious reasons. Even though we didn’t drink the coffee, they still wanted to show their hospitality.
Lunch in the Mountains
Around midday, we stopped for lunch as part of the tour.
Like many meals arranged during guided excursions, it was simple, filling, and convenient.
It gave us a chance to rest and enjoy the cooler mountain air before continuing on to the next stop.
Wachirathan Waterfall
Our final major stop of the day was one of the most powerful and impressive waterfalls we saw in Thailand – Wachirathan Waterfall.
This waterfall is massive, loud, and dramatic. The water crashes down with enough force to create a constant mist in the air, and depending on the sunlight, you can often see a rainbow forming at the base.
Spending time in front of this huge waterfall was the perfect ending to the day’s adventure.
Up Next
Our next adventure took us from the mountains to one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of the entire trip:
A full day spent with rescued elephants at the Elephant Nature Park!
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