Depart the hotel at 08:00am for a one and a half hour drive to Doi Inthanon National Park. Along the way get a taste of local culture and community at a market that caters more to locals than tourists thanks to its location outside the city. After exploring vendors selling everything from fresh produce to household wares, enjoy some shopping for any fruits and snacks you may wish to enjoy during the trek.
Next stop is Doi Inthanon National Park. Home to Thailand’s highest mountain at 2,565 meters, the national park is also one of country’s most popular parks for both locals and tourists.
There are two trekking options available here. You may choose between Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail or Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail. Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is only available between Nov – May, and is recommended for more adventurous and active travellers due to it’s slightly higher intensity level (Between December and February, you may wish to bring a warm layer of clothing as the weather can be cold during that period.). Meanwhile, Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail can be enjoyed year round and is suitable for all ages (Travellers with knee complications or other health issues may still find it a challenge). The preferred option can be selected during the booking and reservation process.
Regardless of which trek you choose, the trekking portion of the day will take approximately one and half hours and will be led by a guide from one of the surrounding Karen villages. The Karen are an ethnolinguistic group who primarily live in south-eastern Myanmar and north-western Thailand. Although the Karen are often associated with the Paduang, or white Karen, this is just one sub-group of the Karen people. Along the trek, your guide will discuss the local ecology and explain how the indigenous communities live off the land. If opting for Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail, then along the way, you’ll be able to stop to rest and rejuvenate at a waterfall. At the end of the trek, stop at a local coffee shop to sample some of the local organic coffee.
Afterwards, you will visit the peak of Doi Inthanon, and Thailand’s highest point standing at 8,415 ft (2,565m) above sea level. While this is quite heavily trafficked by tourists in the peak season, it’s a great spot to take in the cold mountain air. In the winter, Doi Inthanon’s peak has been known to hit temperatures below 0 degrees centigrade, marking a significant difference from Thailand’s typically warmer climate. You will also visit the Royal Twin Pagoda’s of Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon. The site of the twin pagoda’s provides a spectacular viewpoint over the surrounding scenery, and beautifully manicured gardens to enjoy a short walk.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before visiting Wachiratan waterfall. Afterwards, return to Chiang Mai, arriving at your hotel around 16:00.
