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Doi Inthanon — Thailand's highest mountain, Chiang Mai

The twin royal pagodas on Doi Inthanon behind flower beds and a small arched wooden bridge in the garden
Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
entry 300 baht, children 150; car 30; pagodas ≈ 100
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Hours
A day trip; set off early in the morning
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
4 h
With kids
Fine with kids
National park entry
300 baht for adults, 150 for children aged 3–14
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Vehicle fee
Car — 30 baht, motorbike — 20
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Royal pagodas
About 100 baht — a separate ticket, not run by the park
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Height
2,565 m — Thailand's highest point
Weather at the top
Cool and windy; near freezing on winter mornings
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Distance
≈ 100 km from Chiang Mai's Old City, about 2 hours each way
Coordinates
18.59222, 98.48667YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

2,565 mthe summit — Thailand's highest point
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
1954the mountain became one of Thailand's first 14 national parks
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
482 km²the park's area — from 800 m up to the summit
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
≈ 500bird species live in the park
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
Prince Inthawichayanonthe mountain is named after the Chiang Mai ruler who protected the northern forests
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
Wachirathanthe 'Diamond Creek' waterfall by the Karen village of Ban Sop Had
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
100 bahta separate ticket for the two royal pagodas
SourceThai National Parks
≈ 102 kmby road from central Chiang Mai to the summit, about 2 hours
SourceOSRM route

Park fees, season and weather

According to Thai National Parks, park entry for foreigners is 300 baht for adults and 150 for children aged 3–14, with 30 baht per car and 20 per motorbike. The two royal pagodas and the royal agricultural station aren't run by the park: the pagodas cost about 100 baht and the station 20. The rates were published in 2022, and 2026 guides confirm them.

It's cool and windy at the top all year, and December to February mornings can be near freezing — bring a jacket. The clearest views come in the dry season, November to February; in spring the valleys are often hazy, and June to October brings rain and cloud.

What is Doi Inthanon?

Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest mountain, 2,565 m, in Chom Thong district south-west of Chiang Mai. It was once called Doi Luang Ang Ka; its present name honours Prince Inthawichayanon, a ruler of Chiang Mai who cared about preserving the northern forests.

In 1954 a national park was created around the mountain — one of the country's first 14. It now covers 482 km², from lowlands at 800 m to cloud forest at the summit, and is home to around 500 bird species. On the way up are waterfalls, Karen and Hmong villages, rice terraces and a market.

What to see

  • The summit — Thailand's highest-point sign and the Ang Ka boardwalk through cloud forest.
  • The two royal pagodas — Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri, with gardens around them.
  • Wachirathan Waterfall — 'Diamond Creek' tumbling over a granite ledge.
  • Mae Klang Waterfall — at the foot of the mountain, on the road from Chiang Mai.
  • The Kew Mae Pan trail — along a ridge with views, seasonal and guided.
  • Karen and Hmong villages and a market on the way.

How to get to Doi Inthanon

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

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Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. On a tour from Chiang Mai — morning hotel pick-up, usually covering the waterfalls, pagodas and summit.
  2. By car with a driver — about 100 km, 2 hours each way; agree a full-day itinerary.
  3. By rental car — south on the highway to Chom Thong, then up through the park.
  4. To Wachirathan Waterfall — about 76 km from Chiang Mai, 1.5 hours.
  5. Pay the park fee in cash at the entry checkpoint.

How long do you need?

It's a full-day trip: four hours of driving there and back and 4–5 hours in the park. Set off early: the top is more often clear before noon, and the pagodas and summit aren't yet busy with groups. Up to 12,000 people come on New Year's Day — pick another day during holidays.

Bring warm clothes, water, cash for the fees and comfortable shoes for the trails.

Is Doi Inthanon worth it?

Yes: the country's highest point, cloud forest, pagodas among flowers and waterfalls make one of the most beautiful days in northern Thailand.

The YesGo take: the drive is long, and entry, the car and the pagodas are all paid separately. The summit itself is forest without a panorama; the views are from the pagodas and the Kew Mae Pan trail. If you can't spare a whole day, Doi Suthep is closer to town.

Before you go: checklist

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Chiang Mai's mountains in two days

Day one: Doi Inthanon. Day two: Doi Suthep temple, then the Night Bazaar in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Doi Inthanonyou are here4 h · entry 300 baht, children 150; car 30; pagodas ≈ 100
  2. 894 min walk from the previous stopWat Phra That Doi Suthep1 h 30 min · ≈ 30 baht, funicular ≈ 20
  3. 149 min walk from the previous stopChiang Mai Night Bazaar1 h 30 min · free

3 places · about 24 h 23 min with walks · 1043 min on foot in total

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How to do it right

  • The best pagoda photos are in the morning, before the clouds.
  • At the summit, snap the country's highest-point sign.
  • Wachirathan is at its best just after the rainy season.
  • Buy coffee and fruit at the Hmong market on the way.
  • Closer to town: Doi Suthep.

Questions

How much is Doi Inthanon entry?

300 baht for foreign adults and 150 for children; 30 baht per car; the pagodas are about 100 extra.

How high is Doi Inthanon?

2,565 m — Thailand's highest point.

How do I get there from Chiang Mai?

On a tour or by car with a driver — about 100 km, 2 hours each way.

Is it cold at the top?

Yes — cool all year and near freezing on winter mornings.

When is the best time to go?

In the dry season, November to February, early in the morning.

Do I need a guide for Kew Mae Pan?

Yes — the trail is seasonal and open only with a local guide.

How long do you need?

A full day including the drive.

What's on the way?

Mae Klang and Wachirathan waterfalls and Karen and Hmong villages.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English Wikipedia — Doi Inthanon: height, name, 1954 national park, area, birds, Wachirathan Waterfall, New Year visitors
  • Thai National Parks (2022 data) — entry, vehicle, royal pagoda and agricultural station fees
  • 2026 travel guides (Visit Thailand Today and others) — fee confirmation, trip tips (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q1140075 — summit coordinates; OSRM route — distances from Chiang Mai
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 08.11.2026 ·
How we checkedThe 300/150 baht entry, 30/20 baht vehicle fees and 100 baht pagoda ticket come from Thai National Parks, with 2022 data; a guide updated in October 2026 confirms them, but we haven't seen an official 2026 order, so they're marked unconfirmed. Height, history, area and the waterfall are from English Wikipedia. Winter temperatures are from guides. Distances are OSRM routes from Wat Chedi Luang to the summit (102.5 km) and to Wachirathan (76.4 km). We don't give the pagodas' construction dates, as we couldn't confirm them independently.

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