During my stay in the north of Thailand, I also wanted to visit the Doi Inthanon National Park. This national park is known by the fact that there is the highest mountain of Thailand located. I was thinking about getting there. I didn’t have a lot of time and therefore I chose a one day tour through the travel agency just like I did when I wanted to visit Chiang Rai.

I ask in about 5 travel agencies in the center of Chiang Mai, compared prices, and finally I chose a trip that included all the interesting places that I wanted to see in Doi Inthanon – Wachirathan Waterfall, Sirithan Waterfall, Twin Pagoda of King and Queen, The highest peak of Thailand and nature trail Mae Pan Trail.

After about a two hour drive, we entered the Doi Inthanon National Park and continued drove to the hill. The park is part of the Himalayan mountain range, its elevation ranges between 800 and 2565 meters. The entrance to the National Park is 300 baths. This price was already included in the price of tour.

The first short stop was at the smaller waterfall Sirithan Waterfall. From the asphalt road it is only a few meters to the platform from where is view of waterfall.

Then we continued until we reached the parking lot just below the highest peak of Thailand, 2565 meters tall Doi Inthanon . We walked to the peak through flat path – this was the easiest conquered highest peak in my life (:

On the hill there are two signs with the inscription that you are on the tallest mountain in Thailand and show altitude. You can also see a small temple.

At the parking lot near highest peak there is also access to Nature trail Mae Pan. We got a guide because in this trail you have to be accompanied by a Hmong Tribe guide. First we had to wait when groups before us start their journey. On this trek, I didn’t like the fact that people visit nature to find freedom. At this place, they warned you that you can’t smoke, drink, eat and talk loudly during the trek. I understand that probably not all visitors have tolerant behavior in the nature, but this seemed to me a too strict.

The trek itself is very nice and everyone can handle it. There are a few steep sections, but they are really very short. You can observe different types of rare trees and plants. The last part of this trek is walking along the ridge, which I thought was the most beautiful because you have a nice view of the valley.

At the end of the trek you get to place from where you can see the magnificent Twin Pagoda of King and Queen. We had break here, as the view was really amazing and everyone wanted to take photos.

After completing the circuit, we went to see the majestic Twin Pagoda of King and Queen – Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri. The Naphamethinidon pagoda was built in 1987 to honor the 60th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and means ‘the strength of the land and air’. Naphaphonphumisiri was built in 1992 to honor the 60th anniversary of Queen Sirikit and means ‘the strength of the air and the grace of the land’. The pagodas enshrine Lord Buddha’s ashes and Buddha images.

When I searched these pagodas on the Internet I saw that many photos are taken from the side where both of pagodas are visible. I wanted to find this place. And I found it. When you get to the area of pagodas, head to the right side to get to the beautifully maintained gardens. Look at the right side. There is a small hill with unmarked steep path. That is the place.

After I made many pictures I quickly went to see the two pagodas itself. It was good idea to spend most of the time out in the gardens because the view from there was amazing and much more beautiful and interesting then the stupas itself.

Another stop was the large and most visited waterfall Wachirathan Waterfall. It is a massive, high waterfall and since it was very warm, I enjoyed it, because the temperature was cooler near waterfall. The surrounding of waterfall is nicely maintained with green grass, so I spent free time lying on the grass and resting.

The last part of the trip was the Hmong local market where Hmong people sold their handmade products, fruits, vegetables, tea. I bought green tea and mostly admire traditional clothes of Hmong people.

Doi Inthanon National Park is definitely worth seeing. If I had more time and a good companion, I would definitely go here for several days and try to explore even less visited places in this National Park.