Chrismate: Doi Inthanon [ดอยอินทนนท์]

Monday, November 27, 2017

Doi Inthanon [ดอยอินทนนท์]

Panoramic view from the two chedis

Doi Inthanon is the highest peak in the country at about 65km SW of Chiang Mai. The summit towers at 2,565 m and is easily reached by road. The mountain range is densely forested and has many scenic waterfalls. It is also one of the fourteen original national parks in Thailand. It is the home of a great many bird species and offers a very diverse ecosystem. Due to the coolness of its altitude, there are plants that usually can only be seen in more temperate climate like Hortensia (Hydrangea genus), Fuchsia or tree ferns (Cyatheaceae). It has also become a place suitable for growing coffee. There are rice terraces there as well as a few Karen villages - a minority group among the tribal communities of northern Thailand.

Within the park, there are a few landmarks that are worth the trip:

-Mae Klang Waterfall at the foot of the mountain, just after the park checkpoint, is a spectacular

Mae Klang Waterfall

waterfall cascading in several tiers. The highest is about 25 m high and is easily reached by foot.

-Ban Pha Mon area, half way to the top is a scenic valley with rice paddies, where you can stop for coffee or a meal. It also offer a few accommodations.

-The Two Chedis about 5km before the top offer a spectacular view. One of the chedis (Thai for stupa) was erected in 1987 to honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60^th birthday, whereas the second was built in 1992 to honor Queen Sirikit's 60^th birthday. A landscaped garden there offers a good example of the various plants species found in the park.

The trip to Doi Inthanon can easily be done in just a day from Chiang Mai but it is nicer of course to plan some more time there if you intend to hike or see more hidden places in the mountain.

Christian Sorand