Chiang Mai Doi Inthanon Trip: Review, Ticket & Lunch (2024)

Planning a visit to Chiang Mai and considering a trip up Doi Inthanon? It’s arguably the highest peak in Thailand, too it offers some pretty spectacular views and a cool change from Chiang Mai’s heat. As a matter of fact, I’m going to give you the lowdown on what to expect, what to bring, and basically if the ‘with ticket and lunch’ package is really worth it.

What’s the Big Deal About Doi Inthanon, Anyway?

Okay, so what exactly is Doi Inthanon? Very, very simply put, it’s arguably Thailand’s highest mountain and the centerpiece of Doi Inthanon National Park. Anyway, the park covers a massive area, it’s almost 482 square kilometers, that ranges from lowlands to, clearly the main deal, misty mountain peaks. Of course, it’s known for having a variety of landscapes, so you can anticipate lush forests, some pretty striking waterfalls, and little villages. Alright, the whole area feels refreshingly cooler than the rest of Chiang Mai, which is, as a matter of fact, welcome respite.

That is so you know a bit of history, the mountain got its name from King Inthawichayanon, the last King of Chiang Mai, he had a deep love for its forests and wanted them preserved. Apparently, the park is now doing a very great job, like your legacy living on. Honestly, getting up there involves a combination of scenic drives and gentle hikes to appreciate various points, honestly, not tough at all!

Booking the Trip: What Choices Do I Have?

Alright, so planning your Doi Inthanon adventure, I mean, there’s generally a few ways you could do it, is that right? As a matter of fact you could certainly rent a scooter for yourself and basically brave the roads alone, which isn’t for the faint-hearted. Alternatively, there are private taxis you could surely get, so basically for those who prefer some kind of comfort and a customized tour.

By the way there are organized tours, that tend to include transport, park entrance fees, and also meals. Alright, I’m taking a closer look, now, at one particular tour option with the ‘ticket and lunch’ deal. Still it appears this deal tends to be very common, alright, a standard offering with various local agencies and also online platforms, and that tends to be what I’m discussing here. Anyway, the perks? Everything is apparently handled, no need to sweat those small details.

The Ticket: Entry Fees Explained

Arguably one very common question is how much it’s really going to cost you. Apparently, to step foot inside Doi Inthanon National Park, clearly there’s an entrance fee involved. Anyway the cost tends to be roughly 300 baht for foreign adults and then roughly 150 baht for foreign kids. And there can be vehicle fees to consider. Alright, the organized tours with ‘ticket included’ generally handle all this for you, anyway taking away that little headache of queuing and, clearly the confusion over pricing.

For instance the entrance ticket gives you is that access to the main sites within the park: the summit, the pagodas, some beautiful waterfalls and some specific trails, for example. Yet be aware that, for instance certain attractions might incur an extra little fee, even some additional gardens or viewpoints.

Lunch: What to Expect from the Included Meal

Alright, let’s talk about food, basically the ‘lunch included’ portion is generally what a lot of folks get curious about. So from the day trips that I experienced, honestly the lunch tends to be served at a local restaurant inside or very close to the National Park. And it tends to offer a pretty basic selection of Thai dishes.

So you might usually find, like your fried rice, a green curry, perhaps a pad thai, spring rolls, with there always is fresh fruit. But the lunch, at least as I see it, arguably isn’t fancy, alright more functional, offering sustenance as opposed to an elaborate gastronomic experience. Generally it tends to be enough to recharge so basically after some morning explorations, still it probably might not exactly win culinary awards. Honesty I’m talking in broad generalities here, and I mean it can depend on the tour company though.

Must-See Spots in Doi Inthanon

First thing on arrival? Anyway getting up there arguably deserves some solid exploration, obviously! Now, here are a few key attractions you may not want to miss out:

The Summit: Obviously this marks the highest point in Thailand. Even the signage will surely indicate so. And I think the views can surely be incredible, particularly on some very clear days, so if you have good conditions that is.
The Royal Pagodas (Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Naphaphonphumisiri): Arably built to honor the King and Queen, by the way these stunning structures offer the prettiest panoramic views and some seriously beautiful gardens, and honestly I’d put aside time to actually stroll around and also check out the details.
Wachirathan Waterfall: By the way, one of the more well-known waterfalls within the park, is that right?, with some powerful cascades. Honesty it gets incredibly misty, I’d bring rain protection, at least a little!
Sirithan Waterfall: Another great waterfall, yet so slightly smaller than Wachirathan. As a matter of fact you might be able to easily fit this in when you’re seeing more.
Ang Ka Nature Trail: So this mysterious boardwalk goes around the forest, that gets very mossy and green, and that offers, as a matter of fact, a unique little eco-system view.

What to Pack for Your Doi Inthanon Adventure

Anyway getting ready to head up Doi Inthanon actually warrants a bit of preparation. Obviously, what should you bring? Let’s take a peek.

Layers: Bear in mind that at the top, apparently it gets really cooler than down in Chiang Mai. Honestly take something, such as, a light jacket and that way you’re ready for these cooler temperatures, more or less.
Comfortable Footwear: As I was saying you will probably be doing a tiny bit of walking, very light I guess but, alright, put on comfy shoes to be sure, too!
Rain Gear: A little foldable raincoat is probably a seriously good move because as a matter of fact the weather on the mountain could easily change suddenly.
Sunscreen: I want you to be underestimating how intense, very honestly, the sun may be.
Insect Repellent: A small but probably essential thing! Apparently the bugs at the lower elevations tend to be active, just a little.
Water: Probably, the most necessary thing. Being very honestly on the high side of things can certainly make you dehydrate easier. Honestly carry a bottle.
Camera: The scenes really tend to be picture-worthy. A phone will typically do!

The Pros and Cons of the ‘Ticket and Lunch’ Package

Is doing the tour including lunch plus a ticket worth the extra price? So lets sum it up.

The Good Stuff:

Hassle-Free: Okay, so everything’s dealt with, very naturally transport, the park entrance fee and food so very clearly the whole thing is far less difficult.
Affordable: So for many individuals, these packages are more affordable than doing a totally self-guided journey, depending as a matter of fact on how good you are getting bargain pricing, and on solo travel.
Guided Experience: Getting the info and perhaps the knowledge about these locations increases generally the whole visitation enjoyment, yet it can surely vary with tour to tour, really.

The Not-So-Good Stuff:

Basic food: Basically, the food I ate in tours aren’t normally likely to exactly blow you away.
Rigid Schedule: Group tour generally equals less independence, which isn’t honestly what all travelers wish for.
Potential Crowds: Standard packages take standard tourist attractions.

Is Doi Inthanon Worth It?

Doi Inthanon honestly provides that really brilliant mixture of nature, culture, and honestly history and honestly should appeal to all sorts of travelers. Very honestly whether you decide doing the group ‘package’, or honestly decide planning all for yourself probably depends greatly as a matter of fact on a persons convenience or preferences, is that right? Are there benefits of having a very well arranged tour, so by the way with transport plus dinner? Of course there tends to be.

Honesty there may be downsides if you prefer a truly autonomous travel. If you truly have not much time in Chiang Mai this tends to be something to definitely think over. It’s an area that honestly captures Northern Thailand’s character probably beautifully. No matter your choice, be sure it suits a person’s personality!