Doi Inthanon trek and rice terraces: 2 days with village stay

Trek vibrant rice terraces by day, unwind in a solar-lit village by night

A 2-day guided trek in Doi Inthanon National Park combines a 20-minute walk through the Angkha Nature Trail and visits to the King and Queen Pagodas with a night in Ban Pa Pong Piang village, followed by a 2-hour trek on the Pha Dok Siew trail and a stop at Wachirathan Waterfall. The tour departs at 7 a.m., includes private transport, dinner, breakfast and an English-speaking guide; park and pagoda entry fees are booked separately at checkout. Best visited June to November when the rice terraces are most vibrant.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Doi Inthanon Park and Ban Pa Pong Piang

• Depart hotel early morning
• Drive to Doi Inthanon National Park summit
• Trek Angkha Nature Trail
• Visit King and Queen Pagodas and garden
• Drive to Ban Pa Pong Piang
• Overnight in Ban Pa Pong Piang

Day 2 — Pha Dok Siew Trek and Waterfall Visit

• Breakfast in Ban Pa Pong Piang
• Drive to Pha Dok Siew trail
• 2-hour trek on Pha Dok Siew trail
• Visit Wachirathan Waterfall
• Stop at local market
• Return to hotel by evening

The Experience

The day starts with a 7 a.m. pickup from your hotel and a drive to Doi Inthanon National Park, climbing to the 2,665-meter summit. Once there, you walk the Angkha Nature Trail—a short 20-minute trek—before visiting the King and Queen Pagodas set in their gardens. Then the road drops down to Ban Pa Pong Piang, where you spend the night in the village itself, surrounded by the rice paddies the region is known for. Dinner is included.

The second day begins early with breakfast, then you head to the Pha Dok Siew trail for a 2-hour trek through the forest. After that, you stop at Wachirathan Waterfall and visit a local market to see how the village sources its goods. The return to your hotel is around 5 p.m. Your guide speaks English throughout and travels with the group; private transport means no shared vans or fixed schedules beyond the morning departure time.

The village accommodation runs on solar power, so evenings are lit by candlelight—a practical detail that shapes the stay rather than a luxury add-on. This is not a resort night; it is a night in the place itself. The trek on day two is moderate and the Angkha trail is short, so the physical demand stays manageable even for travelers who do not hike regularly.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel and back.
• dinner on day one and breakfast on day two.
• one night in Ban Pa Pong Piang village.
• an English-speaking guide for both days.
• the 2-hour Pha Dok Siew trek and the 20-minute Angkha Nature Trail walk.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tourist Information Center Co. Ltd.

Is this one for you?If your guide speaks English and you want to follow the commentary without a translator, this tour works. The trek pace is moderate—the longest walk is two hours—so it suits travelers who hike occasionally but are not training for a summit. The village stay is basic and solar-powered, which appeals to travelers who want to sleep in the landscape itself rather than commute from a town hotel each day.

Top questions

How long is the actual trekking on this tour?

The Pha Dok Siew trail on day two is a 2-hour trek; the Angkha Nature Trail on day one is 20 minutes. Both are guided walks, not scrambles.

What is Ban Pa Pong Piang and why stay there instead of a town?

Ban Pa Pong Piang is a village in the rice terraces of Doi Inthanon, and staying there puts you inside the landscape instead of commuting to it each morning. The accommodation is solar-powered and basic, which is the point—you are there to be in the place, not to have a hotel experience.

Do I need to buy park entry tickets before the tour starts?

Park and pagoda entry fees are not included in the tour price and are booked separately at checkout. Your guide will direct you on timing and payment when you arrive.

Is the guide English-speaking for the whole tour?

Yes, your guide speaks English and leads both days of the trek and the village stay, providing commentary on the trail, the pagodas and local traditions.

What happens if I arrive late or need to leave early?

The tour departs at 7 a.m. from your hotel, so pickup is timed to that departure. If your hotel is far from the park, confirm the pickup window when you book so the driver can plan the route.