Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand
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Part of the Loi Lar mountain range that separates Thailand and Myanmar (Burma), Doi Inthanon at 2,565 meters is the tallest mountain in Thailand. Doi Inthanon was declared Thailand's sixth national park in 1972 and it is one of the most visited and best maintained national parks in the country.
Doi Inthanon National Park covers approximately 480 square kilometers of mainly mountainous terrain and two mountains; Doi Inthanon and Doi Huamodluang (2,330 meters ASL). Doi Inthanon is also the starting point the tributaries which form many of Thailandäs most famous rivers, for example the Ping River. Due to this many beautiful waterfalls can be found in this area. For hundreds if not thousands of years Doi Inthanon and the surrounding area has been widely populated by many northern hilltribes including the Karen, Hmong, Lisu and Lahu.
The weather on Doi Inthanon can be surprisingly cold, especially during the coldest months of December and February and if you are planning to visit Doi Inthanon we reccomend you prepare with some warm clothes. During the coldest months night temperatures can easily reach sub zero and even in the middle of hot period a drive up to the mountain with a motorbike can be a freezing experience. One of the best times to visit Doi Inthanon is between November and April as this is the dryest time of year, however you can expect rain throughout the year. Due to the elevation and vital for the humid forests on the summit it can rain more on the mountain than in the surrounding lowlands.
Close to the summit there are two treks and national park rangers can be hired to take you around. There are plenty of things to see for people interested in Thailand's flora. Flowers such as orchids and rhododendron, different types of moss and fern and even pine trees can be found along these treks. The number of species and abundance of wild fauna has decreased dramatically over the last decades due to poaching and deforestation however there is still a huge variety of birdlife to be found including species endemic to not only Thailand but Doi Inthanon itself. The main problem in the area for wildlife has been the human influence on the environment, slash and burn agriculture and hunting has destroyed much of the original natural habitat. Today numerous Royal Projects have been aimed at influencing the hill tribes to grow fruits, berries, flowers and away from their more destructive traditional slash and burn method of agriculture.
Doi Inthanon is the place in Thailand for bird enthusiasts. Over 360 species of bird, more than anywhere else in Thailand, can be found in the national park including species endemic to only Doi Inthanon such as the Ashy Throated Warbler and Green Tailed Sunbird. Bigger mammals have disappeared over the years but mammals, such as deer, wild boar, gibbons and some tigers still inhabit the Doi Inthanon National Park. The luckiest of visitors can sometimes spot Serow on the longer of the 2 available treks.
The forests of Doi Inthanon include mixed evergreen and deciduose forest. These include species rarely found in other parts of the country such as pine trees and teak, Orchids and rhododendron along with various Moss and fern species. Due to the humidity and large volume of rainfall (more than 2500 mm anually) and the change in elevation from bottom to top, the diversity of habitat type, flora and fauna is huge depending on where you are in the National Park and certain species only enhabit a small circlular elevation around Doi Intanon.
How to get there? There are many tour companies running daily excursions from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon, but if you want to visit Thailand's tallest mountain by yourself it is relatively easy. Follow the 108 road south west from Chiang Mai towards the town of Mae Sariang. After about 55 kilometers, between the villages of Khuan Pao and Sop Tia take the 1009 north towards Doi Inthanon. From this intersection it is about an 8 kilometer drive to the gate where all visitors need to buy a ticket to enter the national park. Entrance fees per adult are 200THB and 100THB for children (March 2011). Please note that from the gate it is still more than 20 kilometers drive to the summit. The road is paved all the way to the top and it is quite easy to find your way up. Remember to fill enough petrol before starting your climb to the top! Doi Inthanon can be visited in one day from Chiang Mai, but prepare to leave early and arrive back late. It is definitely well worth visiting. Enjoy!
