Private excursion to Doi Inthanon

Day 1

• Pick-up at your hotel at 7:00 a.m.
• Drive to Doi Inthanon National Park (about 1.5 hours).
• Entry into the national park (km). Arrival at the Karen Pakanio village of Ban Mae Klang Luang, famous for its terraced rice fields (a scene from the movie Rambo 4 was filmed here in 2007). Enjoy a tasting of local coffee prepared by the Karen.
• Drive to checkpoint No. 2 at km 38 (access to the mountain summit).
• Hike on the Kew Ma Pan nature trail (2.5 km): this magnificent walk of about 1.5 hours, also accessible to children in good physical condition, allows you to discover the high-altitude rainforest, splendid alpine savanna areas, and the most beautiful panoramas in Thailand (including the famous sea of clouds when the weather permits). It offers the chance to observe numerous high-altitude plant species, wild orchids (the park has 90 species), remarkable endemic giant rhododendrons (Rhododendron arboretum), several bird species (the park has around 500 of Thailand’s 1,071 species), and, on lucky days, the famous Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus), a type of Asian chamois. Doi Inthanon National Park is home to 65 mammal species, more than 500 bird species, 48 reptile species including 3 turtle species, 14 lizard species, 31 snake species, 21 amphibian species, and countless insects, arthropods, and worms.
• Thai lunch at the end of the hike.
• Drive to the summit of Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand (2,565 meters). Stop at the Thai National Observatory (TNO) and at the moss-covered chedi of Princess Dararassami.
• Hike on the Ang Ka Nature Trail (about 400 meters at 2500 meters altitude): this stunning walk of about 30 minutes lets you discover a type of high-altitude moist rainforest, also called Himalayan forest, which is truly exceptional. The humidity and coolness enable incredible vegetation to develop, consisting of numerous ferns (20 species, including the endemic Araiostegia fuberiana known as the "Ang Kha fern"), mosses (including amazing sphagnum mats), and epiphyte plants which give the area a slightly mystical aspect. Many birds can be seen here, in particular the unique green-tailed sunbird (the only recorded population in the world lives here in Doi Inthanon!) and the very rare grey-faced warbler (the only population in Thailand lives in Doi Inthanon!), along with many passerines, woodcock, rusty-throated barwing, etc.
• Visit to the famous 2 chedis of the King and Queen (km 41). The first chedi (Phra Mahathat Naphamethinidon, meaning "by the strength of the earth and air") was built in 1987 to honor the 60th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). The second chedi (Naphaphone Phumi Siri, meaning "to be the strength of air and the grace of the earth") was built in 1992 to celebrate the 60th birthday of Queen Sirikit.
• Visit to a market set up by the White Hmong people. The Hmong sell fruits and vegetables there, as well as all their traditional products: mountain honey, fruit wines, candied fruits, bamboo worms, etc.
• Visit the most impressive waterfall in the national park, the famous Wachiratan Waterfall (literally "the stream of diamond"), which stands 40 meters high. Return to your hotel in Chiang Mai between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

• Note:
  For those who prefer to avoid or reduce walking, please note that our hiking trails are optional. You are free to choose not to take one or both trails. Doi Inthanon National Park is open to the public all year round. The Kew Ma Pan trail is closed from May to October. When the Kew Ma Pan trail is closed, it is possible to take a beautiful walk through the jungle and rice fields, lasting about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This scenic route starts from the Karen village of Ban Mae Klang Luang, offering an immersive experience in the heart of the surrounding nature.