Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand height about 2,565m and its surrounding areas are designated as the Doi Inthanon national park.. The mountain was also known in the past as Doi Lang (meaning big mountain) or Doi Lang Ka, meaning the crow's pond top. Near the mountain's base was a pond where many crows gathered. The name Doi Inthanon was given in honor of the king Unthaw, one of the last kings of Chiang Mali, who was concerned about the forests in the north and tried to preserve them. He ordered that after his death his remains shall be placed at Doi Lang, which was then renamed.
The park itself lies roughly 90 minutes' drive southwest of Chiang Mali and is popular for its magnificent waterfalls, flora and excellent views. You can drive all the way to the top, where stately heeds have been erected in honor of the present King and Queen of Thailand. The climate up at the top is almost alpine and cool always of the year, with sub-zero (Celsius) temperatures in winter.
Geography
Doi Inthanon, is part of a mountain range separating Burma from Thailand also known as Lori Lara Mountain Range or Dean Lao Range. This range, the westernmost of the Shan Highland system, separates the Sateen watershed from the Mekong watershed. Other high peaks of the Lori Lara Mountain Range are Doi Lang Chiang DOA (2,175 km), Doi UPI (1,685 km), and Doi Step (1,601 km.
In 1954 the forests around Doi Inthanon were preserved as one of the original 14 National parks of Thailand. In 1972 and 1975 its area was increased, so it now covers 482.40 km². The park spreads from the lowlands at 800 km altitude up to the peak in 2565 km, thus covering many climatic and ecological different parts, thus with a total of 362 it has the second highest number of bird species of any national park in Thailand. The park is often called The roof of Thailand.
On the lower slope of Doi Inthanon, near the Karen hill tribe village Ban Sop Had, are the Achier waterfalls, where the river Achier tumbles over a granite escarpment.
Napalm Ached
On the main road to the summit of Doi Inthanon stand the two Napalm Ached. These temples were built to honor the 60th birthday of the King and Queen in 1987 and 1992 respectively.
Geology
Geologically the mountain is a granite batholithic in a north-south oriented mountain range. The second-highest peak of this range is Doi Hula Mod Lang at 2,340 km.
How to get there
The best way to explore Doi Inthanon national park is by rental car or bike. If you don't want to drive yourself, you can hire a minivan to drive you there, but this option only makes sense if you have a group of people to defray the cost. The low budget option and an adventurous one, would be to take a songster (red pick-up truck) from Chiang Mali to Choom Thong and then catch another songster up to Doi Inthanon. Many songsters ply the roads through the national park and it shouldn't be difficult to get a ride in either direction.
Weather
The temperature has been known to drop as low as -8 degrees BC. and frosts are not unusual during the cool, dry season. January is the coldest month: an average nighttime temperature is 5.5 degrees BC. At any season, Doi Inthanon is a comfortable reprieve from the heat of the lowlands. At altitudes above 1000 meters, rainfall exceeds 2500 mm, considerably more than at nearby Chiang Mali. Even in the dry season, November to April, there is rare but occasional rain or the summit may be shrouded in cloud for a part of the day; persistent mist is an important factor in the maintenance of moist forest there.
What to eat
Food stalls serving meals and snacks are located at several places in the park. Stalls at Mae Klan Waterfall and in the Headquarters area are open during daylight hours every day. Bottled water is widely available in the park, along with other drinks.
What to see
Mae Klan Waterfall
Mae Klan Waterfall is located 66 km southwest of Chiang Mali. From Chiang Mali, take Highway 108 to Km 57 (just 1 km before the village of Choom Thong. Turn right onto Highway 1009 and continue 8 km to where the road forks. Mae Klan is 300 meters straight ahead. The summit road forks to the right, reaching Park Headquarters near Km 31 and the summit of Doi Inthanon at Km 48.
The rapids and waterfall spill over a wide exposure of granite and can be approached closely. Visitors are asked to exercise caution around the waterfall area and while swimming either above or below the falls.
Trichina Cave (Km 9)
This impressive limestone cave has a gigantic entrance chamber and tower and a second huge chamber with a skylight opening to the surface. It can be reached in about one hour from the main road, or in less time if the beginning portion of the route is cycled.
Achier Waterfall (Km. 20.8)
The falls are reached by a short, easy trail from the parking area. Achier waters tumble down granite escarpment, creating a misty veil of great beauty. Visitors should be very cautious: three people have fallen to their deaths while taking photographs. Just a short distance on the main road beyond Achier is the small Karen hill tribe village, Ban Sop Had. Turn right just past the bridge and you will find the village a few hundred meters up the dirt access road.
Napalm Ached (Km 41)
Continuing north of the main summit road, turn left at km 41.8 over a bridge on a paved road which leads to a magnificent ached completed in 1989 to honor the 60th birthday of King Bumpily.
On the top of Doi Inthanon are the Royal Heeds, from where you can have sweeping views of the valley below, especially Mae Chem. However, cloud cover is the norm and visibility may be poor. The heeds commemorate the 60th birthday of the King and Queen and contain Buddha images and tiled murals. There is a good photo opportunity at the peak as a giant sign proclaiming "The highest point in Thailand".
Grew Mae Pan Trail
One of the most beautiful and rewarding walks in the park is a new trail which begins a short distance up the main summit road from Napalm. The path leads for a kilometer or more through dense, moist evergreen forest, then emerges and follows the top of a steep slope bordering the canyon headwaters of the Mae Pan River. Dotted with red rhododendron, the trail proceeds southward for another kilometer with fine, open views to the west, then re-enters the forest and eventually ends at Napalm Ached. Two hours would allow a leisurely walk with camera stops.
Summit of Doi Inthanon (Km 48)
The drive to the summit offers some fine views, especially during November and December, before the dry season haze has become well established. On your visit to the summit setup containing the remains of King Unthawed, be sure to read the English translation on the back of the marble plaque nearby. Photographing any part of the radar station is forbidden, but visitors may take pictures freely of any other subject.
Mae Yak Waterfall (14 km from Choom Thong)
The 14 kilometer route to Mae Yak Waterfall begins in Choom Thong village. A minibus could be hired in Choom Thong for about 500 bat for the return trip. Mini-buses labeled in English Doi Inthanon Park can be hired at either Choom Thong or Mae Klan for the trip to the summit; the cost is about 500 bat for the return trip. These mini-buses have a regular touring route which includes the main points of interest along the summit road. Per-person costs will be lower it you can share the tour with others. Unmarked mini-buses also leave Choom Thong frequently for Mae Chem (decreasing in mid-afternoon). The fare is 20 bat to the point where the Mae Chem road intersects with the summit road at Km 38, or 30baht to Mae Chem. If you request it, this mini-bus route will drop you at Park Headquarters, Km 31. If you arrive at Km 31 or 38 in the morning hours, you may be able to flag down another vehicle to reach the summit.
Park officials estimate that the Mae Yak River plunges more than 250 meters at this point. It is a beautiful, fanning cascade, dropping down an ever-widening series of steps -- without a doubt, a photographic favorite.
The Mae Chem road
A scenic pleasure. From the start at Km 38 on the main summit road, the first kilometers travel through some of the most lush forest on the mountain. Then the road comes out into the open and follows a descending ridge with fine views.
Acierate waterfall
Halfway up is Acierate waterfall which plunges over a 40m drop and cascades down through some suitable swimming pools. The final waterfall, Isarithm, can be seen from the road near the ranger station and campsite and is also a tall wisp of white water and usually less busy. However, the water level varies greatly from dry to rainy season.
Hong market
Just up the road from the ranger station is a Hong market, which sells produce from the Royal Project and Hong villages around Mae Chem. Actual Hong hill tribe people live there and it is worth a stopover to see and photograph their colorfully embroidered clothing.
Accommodation in Doi Inthanon National Park
119 Moo 7, Tumbon Ban Luang, Amphoe Chom Thong, Changwat Chiang Mai 50160
Tel: 0 5328 6730, 0 5328 6728-9
Website : http://www.dnp.go.th
Email : inthanon_np@hotmail.com
Price Rates : 1,000 - 6,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 11 rooms
Cheammuang House
41 Moo 4, Tumbon Tha Pla, Amphoe Mae Chaem, Changwat Chiang Mai 50270
Tel: 0 5348 5058, 08 1992 3242, 08 1960 4901
Email : oomsupachai@yahoo.com
Price Rates : 1,000 - 1,200 THB
Number of Rooms : 4 rooms
Inthanon Highland Resort
297 Moo 10 Chom Thong-Doi Inthanon Rd., Tumbon Ban Luang, Amphoe Chom Thong, Changwat Chiang Mai 50160
Tel: 0 5380 2222-4, 08 1961 0361, 08 1882 6409
Website : http://www.inthanon-highland.com
Email : inthanonhighland@hotmail.com
Price Rates : 1,000 - 6,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 26 rooms
Mae Klang Ing Doi Guesthouse
180 Moo 10, Tumbon Ban Luang, Amphoe Chom Thong, Changwat Chiang Mai 50160
Tel: 08 6192 8460, 08 1024 2712, 0 5326 7349
Email : pao_suwit@hotmail.com
Price Rates : 350 - 2,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 9 rooms
Mea Klang Luang Homestay
68 Moo 17 Mea Klang Luang Village, Tumbon Ban Luang, Amphoe Chom Thong, Changwat Chiang Mai 50160
Tel: 08 1960 8856, 08 9952 0983, 08 1020 3615
Email : surasitd@hotmail.com
Price Rates : 400 - 2,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 24 rooms Unit
Navasoung Resort
65 Moo 9, Tumbon Tha Pla, Amphoe Mae Chaem, Changwat Chiang Mai 50270
Tel: 0 5382 8477, 08 4809 2171
Website : http://www.navasoungresort.com
Email : navasoungresort@hotmail.com
Price Rates : 1,000 - 1,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 13 rooms
Pam View Hotel
157/2 Moo 16, Tumbon Chang Khoeng, Amphoe Mae Chaem, Changwat Chiang Mai 50270
Tel: 0 5348 5218, 08 1883 8794, 08 1960 1294
Email : pamview157@gmail.com
Price Rates : 350 - 600 THB
Number of Rooms : 14 rooms
Pongsara Resort
125 Moo 9, Tumbon Chang Khoeng, Amphoe Mae Chaem, Changwat Chiang Mai 50270
Tel: 0 5348 5067, 08 1765 6424
Price Rates : 300 - 1,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 19 rooms
Touch Star Resort
130/1 Moo 20, Tumbon Ban Luang, Amphoe Chom Thong, Changwat Chiang Mai 50160
Tel: 0 5326 7364, 08 1632 4478, 0 2277 7848
Website : http://www.touchstarresort.com
Email : info@touchstarresort.com
Price Rates : 1,300 - 5,600 THB
Number of Rooms : 60 rooms Unit
North Thailand 
