Doi Inthanon National Park private tour in Chiang Mai, Thailand
NATURE Chiang Mai, Thailand

Doi Inthanon National Park

Thailand's highest point isn't a peak you climb, it's a paved car park at 2,565 metres, named for a king who asked to have his ashes scattered there to protect the forest he loved. Everything worth the trip is in the hour around that anticlimax: a waterfall throwing rainbows through its own spray, twin pagodas built for a king and queen's birthdays, and a Karen coffee village farming terraces older than Thai tourism itself.

4.9·TAT Certified·39 Booked
Duration~9h
Private TourJust Your Group
TransportIncluded
Hotel Pickup7–8 AM

About this tour

Doi Inthanon was named for the last independent ruler of Chiang Mai, who asked to be buried here so his spirit would protect the forest. The summit is famously anticlimactic — a car park and a radar dome — but Wachirathan Waterfall, the Twin Royal Pagodas and the Karen coffee village of Mae Klang Luang make every kilometre of the drive worth it.

Doi Inthanon National Park — Chiang Mai private tour
Doi Inthanon National Park — experience with guide
Doi Inthanon National Park highlights at Chiang Mai

Tour Highlights

  • Stand at 2,565 metres, the highest point in Thailand, at a summit named for the king who asked to be laid to rest there
  • Wachirathan Waterfall, a 70-metre cascade that throws up enough mist to carry a rainbow on a sunny afternoon
  • The Twin Royal Pagodas, built for the King and Queen's 60th birthdays, with views over the cloud forest below
  • Lunch in a Karen hill tribe village growing coffee and rice on terraces built into the mountainside

Itinerary

Tour runs approx. 9h

Hotel Pickup

Your guide meets you in the lobby for the drive up to Doi Inthanon National Park.

Wachirathan Waterfall

A 70-metre waterfall with enough force to send up a constant mist, often catching a rainbow by late morning.

Summit & Twin Royal Pagodas

Thailand's highest point, marked by little more than a car park, followed by the gardens and twin chedis built for the King and Queen's 60th birthdays.

Karen Coffee Village Lunch

Lunch in Mae Klang Luang, a Karen hill tribe village growing coffee and rice on terraces built into the hillside, with mountain views from the village itself.

Nature Trail

The Kew Mae Pan ridge trail (open November to May) or the alternative Pha Dok Siew trail through forest and a second waterfall, depending on the season.

Hotel Drop-off

The drive back down the mountain into Chiang Mai.

Complimentary hotel pickup service included in private tour
Included in Your Tour

Hotel Pickup

Complimentary Hotel Pickup

Any hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Instructions: We will pick you up directly from your hotel lobby. Your private guide and driver will arrive in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Please be ready in your lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time (7–8 AM).

Included

  • Private hotel pickup and drop-off (Chiang Mai)
  • Expert local English-speaking guide
  • All private transport for the full day
  • National park entrance fees
  • Lunch at the Karen coffee village
  • Bottled water and cold towels

Excluded

  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Required local guide fee for the Kew Mae Pan trail (paid on site, seasonal)
  • Personal purchases

What to Bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • A warm layer, the summit area is noticeably cooler than the city
  • Sunscreen & sunglasses
  • Camera or smartphone
Monika, private tour guide

Hi, I'm Monika!

TAT Certified Guide · Thai Native & Food Lover

Born in Chiang Mai and based in Bangkok, I started 'Hi Monika' to show travellers the authentic side of my country — the places my friends and family actually hang out. I love sharing our food, our culture, and the hidden stories of our neighbourhoods.

Guest Reviews

4.9

Monika was incredible! We saw parts of Chiang Mai we never would have found on our own. The street food was amazing and we felt completely safe the entire time.

Sarah L.October 2024

Perfectly organised and so much more personal than a group tour. Monika knew exactly when to go to each spot to avoid the crowds.

James & EmmaSeptember 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Will we have the tour to ourselves?
Yes — this is strictly a private tour for you and your loved ones only. No other guests, no shared buses, no waiting around for people you have never met. The guide, the vehicle and the entire day are exclusively yours.
Can I change the date after booking?
Yes — contact us via WhatsApp or email at least 12 hours before the tour start time and we will reschedule your tour once at no extra cost, subject to availability. Subsequent reschedules are subject to a THB 1,500 fee.
What happens if it rains?
Chiang Mai weather is unpredictable. Tours operate rain or shine — we provide umbrellas if needed and adapt the itinerary where possible. If severe weather makes the tour unsafe, you'll receive a full reschedule or refund.
Do I need to pay anything on the day?
No. The price covers everything: entrance fees, all transport, bottled water and lunch. Just bring spending money for any personal shopping or optional extras.

Note: many local vendors and restaurants do not accept credit cards — cash is always the safest option.

Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes. The pace and itinerary are adapted to your group. Let us know the ages of your children when booking so we can plan accordingly.

Know before you go

Weather: The summit area can be 10 to 15°C cooler than Chiang Mai, with sudden mist and rain possible at any time of year. A jacket or warm layer is worth packing.
Kew Mae Pan Trail: Only open from November to May, and requires a local Karen guide hired on site for a small additional fee. It can close at short notice due to weather.
Accessibility: Wachirathan Waterfall and the Twin Pagodas are reached by short paved paths and steps. The nature trail and coffee village involve uneven ground.
Dietary Needs: We can accommodate vegetarian diets, please let us know when booking.
Long day: Expect significant driving time between sites and a return to your hotel by early evening.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 12 hours in advance for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 12 hours before the tour start time are non-refundable.

$240

TOTAL

🔥 Selling out fast!
$240

for your whole group!

only ~$120/person

Guests (Max 9)
2 People

$150 first person · $90 each additional

Total:$240

Private Tour · Air-conditioned Transport · Hotel Pickup

Supports Bamboo School

Questions? WhatsApp Monika

Terms & Policies

CANCELLATION

  • 12h+Full refund*
  • Under 12hNo refund · Credit on request
  • No-showNo refund

*Refunds do not include payment processing fees.

RESCHEDULING

  • More than 12hFree (subject to availability)
  • Under 12hNot available

One free reschedule per booking. Additional reschedules are subject to a THB 1,500 fee.

CHILDREN

  • Age 0–4Free
  • Age 5+Counts as full guest

GOOD TO KNOW

  • Wheelchair access not guaranteed on all tours
  • Vegan options may not always be available