Doi Inthanon & Wachiratharn Waterfall Tour Small Group Lunch

Walk past the Twin Pagodas at Thailand's roof, then down to a waterfall in rainforest

A guided small-group tour from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand's highest point, with stops at Wachiratharn Waterfall, a White Karen Hilltribe Village, and the Twin Royal Pagodas honoring the King and Queen. Groups stay between 4 and 9 people. The day includes lunch, an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup from central Chiang Mai, with a morning departure around 8am and return by early evening. Entrance fees to the park are paid separately to the government officer on arrival.

Options for this experience

5 options

From US$ 47 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Small Group Easy Short Walk 08:00 Guide in English Entrance fees are not included. Duration: 8 hours. Lunch and fruit are provided free of charge, with vegetarian options available. The vehicle is a 9-seat air-conditioned van. Pickup time: 8:00 to 8:45 am. Drop-off time: 6:00 to 6:30 pm. Pickup is included.

1.45-hour hike (small group) 07:30 Guide in English 1.45-hour hike at Pha Dok Siaw. Entrance fees are not included. Duration: 8 hours. Lunch and fruit are provided free of charge, with vegetarian options available. The vehicle is a 9-seat air-conditioned van. Pickup time: 7:30 to 8:00 am. Drop-off time: 6:00 to 6:30 pm. Pickup is included.

Elephant care with a 1.30-hour hike 07:00 Guide in English Small group of up to 9 people: elephant care (no riding), an easy 1.30-hour hike at Pha Dok Siaw, a waterfall, Doi Inthanon National Park, and King and Queen Pagoda. Entrance fees are not included. Duration: 9 hours. Lunch and fruit are provided free of charge, with vegetarian options available. The vehicle is a 9-seat air-conditioned van. Pickup time: 7:20 to 7:45 am. Drop-off time: 6:30 to 7:00 pm. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Private tour with an easy short walk 08:30 Guide in English Entrance fees are not included. Pickup is included.

Private tour with a 1.45-hour hike 08:30 Guide in English Entrance fees are not included. Pickup is included.

None of these options right for you? See 12 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Doi Inthanon tour with nature and culture

• Pick up from hotel in Chiang Mai
• Drive to Doi Inthanon National Park
• Visit Wachiratharn (Diamond) Waterfall
• Visit White Karen Hilltribe Village
• Explore Hmong market and Royal projects
• Enjoy Thai set menu lunch
• Visit highest spot in Thailand
• Walk nature trail in rainforest
• See Twin Pagodas and flower garden
• Return to hotel in Chiang Mai

What’s included

• English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned minivan with hotel pickup and drop-off from central Chiang Mai.
• lunch at a local restaurant with Thai, vegetarian or vegan options.
• bottled water.
• travel accident insurance.

Times

• Every day 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 9 2 private ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Ages Adult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Local Tours Center

Prices and times updated today

Traveler reviews

4.80 ★★★★★ Exceptional 1,867 verified traveler reviews 88% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 1,638

4 ★ 150

3 ★ 40

2 ★ 19

1 ★ 20

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

The minivan picks you up from your hotel in central Chiang Mai between 8 and 8:45am and heads south toward Doi Inthanon, a drive of about two hours. The first stop is Wachiratharn Waterfall (one of the biggest in Chiang Mai), where you walk a short wooden boardwalk through moss-clad rainforest to reach the water. The trail winds through dense trees. There is time to sit and let the sound settle before the group moves on.

From there the route climbs to the White Karen Hilltribe Village, where you walk through the settlement and then to the Hmong market nearby. The market sells products from the Royal Projects, the agricultural initiatives that support highland communities. Lunch happens at a local restaurant (Thai set menu, vegetarian or vegan available) before the group drives to the summit, the highest spot in Thailand. A short nature trail loops through the peak, and then you descend to the Twin Pagodas: Naphamethinidon (the King's chedi, built in 1987 for his 60th birthday) and Naphaphonphumisiri (the Queen's, built in 1992 for hers). Both stand on the main road to the summit with a flower garden and views across the highlands. The return to your hotel takes the afternoon, with arrival between 6 and 6:30pm.

The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total. Insurance, bottled water and the guide are included. Entrance fees to Doi Inthanon National Park (400 Thai baht per person) are paid on arrival to the government officer at the gate. You can choose between a small-group departure or a private tour, and some options add a longer hiking component (either 1.45 hours or the Elephant Care experience with 1.3 hours of walking), while others keep the day to easy short walks.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Wachiratharn Waterfall like when you get there?

Wachiratharn, also called Diamond Waterfall, is one of the biggest waterfalls in Chiang Mai. You reach it by walking a short wooden boardwalk that winds through moss-covered trees in dense rainforest, giving you time to sit and take in the sound and the forest before moving on.

How long is the hike at Doi Inthanon's summit?

The nature trail at the highest spot in Thailand is a short walk, not a long hike. If you want more walking, you can choose an option that adds either 1.3 hours (with Elephant Care) or 1.45 hours of hiking to the day.

What are the Twin Pagodas and why are they there?

The Twin Royal Pagodas stand on the main road to Doi Inthanon's summit: Naphamethinidon (the King's chedi) was built in 1987 to honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th birthday, and Naphaphonphumisiri (the Queen's) was built in 1992 for Queen Sirikit's 60th birthday. Both have a flower garden and views across the highlands.

What time does the tour pick you up and when do you get back?

Pickup from your hotel in central Chiang Mai happens between 8 and 8:45am. The return to your hotel is between 6 and 6:30pm, making the full day 8 to 9 hours.

Is lunch included, and what are the options?

Yes, lunch is included at a local restaurant with a Thai set menu. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you need them.

Do I need to pay anything extra at the park?

Entrance fees to Doi Inthanon National Park are 400 Thai baht per person and are paid separately to the government officer when you arrive at the gate. This is not included in the tour price.