Climbing Doi Inthanon

| The Mountain |

Doi Inthanon forms part of the Loi Lar Mountain Range in northern Thailand. The nearest city is Chiang Mai, some 100km (62miles) away. Part of the 482km² Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Inthanon contains many climatic regions from 800 metre lowlands to the cold 2565 summit.

| When to go |

Winter (November-February) are the preferred times to visit Doi Inthanon. Not only will the skies be clearer, but there is less rain. During the slightly warmer summer months, it is very likely the mountain will be shrouded in clouds and rain.

 

 

Weather measured on Doi Inthanon summit (2260metres)

| Access |

Doi Inthanon is a 2 to 2.5 hour drive from Chiang Mai. A number of tour operators in Chiang Mai will provide group trips to Doi Inthanon or provide private vehicle tours. Expect to pay around 600-1000Baht to join a tour, and 1500Baht+ for a private tour. As there are a number of other sites/tourist spots in the vicinity of the National park, it's likely any tour will include some of these attractions (see www.doiinthanon.net for more information on some of these sites).

It is also possible to catch public transport to Doi Inthanon, which will include changing to a private mini-bus to take you up the actual mountain.

Chiang Mai is well connected in Thailand with regular domestic and international flights, train and bus connections with the rest of Thailand.

Doi Inthanon National Park has some overnight accommodation just outside the park, although no overnight staying in the park. Further, the park has no significant walking trails and it is not possible to hike to the summit. ie, the only way to the summit in sitting inside a vehicle of some sort or on the back of a motorcycle.

Within the park there are a number of restaurants, toilet spots, tourist offices and lookouts.

| Fees |

There is a 200Baht entry fee for foreigners (+50 Baht vehicle fee) to enter the park. I'm not sure what locals pay, however it is certainly significantly less than 200Baht.

| The Climb |

See Access above. You cannot hike to the summit other than walking along the road. There are a number of interesting sites to see on the way up/down from the summit.

From the park entrance the road climbs the steep (but well maintained) road to the summit some 45km up. There are two gates to enter the park (the first to pay for park entrance, the second to show you have paid). At the summit there is a large carpark, a tourist office, restaurant, gift shop and a huge airforce base. Off to one side of the carpark is a large wooden Highest Mountain in Thailand sign. I'm not quite sure why this sign is here, as this is not actually the summit. Behind the sign and short walk up a trail is the actual summit. Another sign, surveyor mark marks the true summit. There is then quite a nice raised wooden walkway which loops from the carpark, past a small shrine and through the forsest, eventually coming out a little further down the road. At this exit point you can see what the minimum/maximum temperatures were for the day. The restaurant, gift shop, toilets and tourist office (although it seemed closed when we were there) are all located in this area.

I'd certainly be aiming for an early start as there are hordes of tourists. We were there at midday on a Saturday and had to wait to get our photo taken and were the hushered along as the next group of tourists wanted their photo taken.

 

 

Photos