National Park Doi Inthanon Thailand (Doi Inthanon National Park) is a huge territory to the south-west of Chiengmaya. Here, with the villages of hill tribes, spectacular waterfalls and panoramic view to the ranks of wild green mountains in the west, you will feel the charm of nature Northern Thailand. Local Thailand are famous all over the country, because it is the highest point of the state, so this place is very carefully protected and maintained in a natural state.
Park, named after the tallest mountain in the area, which is also dubbed "the Roof of Thailand", focused mainly on conservation of wildlife, but also supports agricultural project in the mountain tribes. Small nations grow strawberries, apples and flowers for sale. Often hidden in the mist mountain Doi Inthanon (Doi Inthanon) is covered by a moderate amount of forest, where the very rich flora and fauna, making it attracts naturalists here in South-East Asia. The park lives about 380 species of birds - more than anywhere else in Thailand. Among the birds there are such rarities as serogorly Korolkova songster, as well as sunbirds (both species are found only here). Also near the top is the only place in Thailand, where there are red rhododendrons (bloom in December-February), and epiphytic orchids. It is best to look at waterfalls, birds and flowers in the cool season, but this time the temperature sometimes drops below zero, so travelers need warm clothes.
Rest for the soul - the temple at the entrance to the park
The park entrance is located in the Chom Thong (Chom Thong), 58 km west of the track Chiengmaya Highway 108. This is a market town that has little to offer tourists. Exception - Wat Phra Chom Thong Thap C (Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong). The impressive chedi of the temple is covered with brass plates and dated XV century. The nearby sacred ficus also turned into a worrisome thing. Dozens of props in the style of Dali, supporting its flowing branches that were donated by the faithful who wish to do a good deed. Inside the rickety Viharn XVI century. stands, almost touching the ceiling, gilded ku, keeps the remains of the Buddha. From the ceiling down a luxurious red-green umbrella. Weapons, gongs, umbrellas, thrones and curved tusks of elephants, which skillfully carved images of Buddha, - all this can be a good look. At present the temple is famous for its places for meditation, located in office buildings at the rear of the complex. Basic Vipassana meditation course, which teaches foreign monks and laymen, lasts 21 days (supposed to make a donation the church and the teacher). Call in advance here, the sooner the better to make reservations. In the two houses of the wool is institution Watjanee - a simple but clean restaurant is in good condition with vegetarian cuisine.
Routes: how to get to Doi Inthanona
main road going through the park, moving away from the highway to the west Highway 108, about 1 km north of Chom Thong and twists, keeping the main line, to the northwest 48 km, passing the Doi Inthanon summit, passing by the park office about 30 km. The second paved road branches off to the left at 10 km to the top and goes to market, which lies on the banks of the river in the town of Mechem (Mae Chaem), south-west of the park, 20 km. If you opted for public transportation to get to the office on songtheu, which runs between the market Chom Thong (about 100 m south of the temple) and Mechemom. However, to get to the top, you have to shake down the road from the turn to Mechem, if you do not want to hire a songtheu from Chom Thong temple for 1000 baht to the top and back (about 4-5 h). You can enjoy the nature of the park, go on a motorcycle if you take or rent a car (preferably a jeep) in a day trip, early in the morning having gone out of Chiengmaya. Either make it the first item in a long journey in Mehongson by going on the road south from 1088 Mechema to get back on track Highway 108 to Mesarianga, or sent by road to the north in 1088, and then on the road in 1263 to Khum Yauma.
Falls National Park in Thailand
On the way to the office park will attract the attention of the traveler 3 falls far from the road. The famous waterfall Meklang (Mae Khlong Falls) is located 8 km. On weekends, it is near unbearable closely for picnics and carts with food. Falls Vachiratharn (Vatchirathan Falls) - the most beautiful in the park with a long cascade surrounded by haze on a granite ledge. It is located 11 miles down the road. Double cascade waterfall Siriphum (Siriphum Falls) behind the office will appear before you again within 11 km of track.
At its transport you can get to the 4th, the most beautiful and largest waterfall May (Mae Ya Falls), which is the highest in Thailand. Leads to it chetyrehkilometrovaya winding paved road. It branches off to the west of the main park road, 2 km north of Highway route 108. Rough unpaved side road offers an interesting, but less intense route to Thailand to the office. It branches off the main road 3 km behind the waterfall Vachiratharn and passes through the 3 traditional ancestral village people, Karen, and then rejoins the main road in the more developed village Hmong people of Ban called Khun Klang (Ban Khun Klang), 500 m from the office.
Chedi twin types and Myanmar
most beautiful landscapes of the park you will see, if you pass another 11 km after the office on his way to the top and two round chedi twins, whose outlines are guessed in a green haze on the slopes of the hill. Built by the Royal Thai Air Force, the chedi reminiscent of the 16th birthday of Thai King and Queen. Chedi King Napamaytanidol (Napamay-tanidol Chedi) (1987), brown, and the female Napopolphumsiri chedi (Napa-polphumsiri Chedi) (1992) - lilac. In the clear day you can see here in the west of the mountains of Myanmar.
highest peak of Thailand holds the ashes of King
Nearby is a wonderful Kew Mae Pan trail (Kew Mae Pan Trail), which offers two-hour walk in a circle. The trail winds through sunlit forest and open grassland, climbing the steep western slope of Mount Doi Inthanon, where there are furiously red rhododendrons (bloom from December to February and). To get on the trail, you will need to hire a guide at the office (200 baht).
Doi Inthanon Top (2565 m) is located 6 km from the chedi and is likely to disappoint you - out of the car, you can see the area just beyond the radar. Many people have a couple of minutes, tapping his teeth against the cold and photographed against the background of the pointer, indicating that this is the highest point in Thailand, get in the car and returned to the warmer climate.
In a small, still revered pagoda next to the pointer stored the ashes of King Chiengmaya Inthanona (after whom the mountain was renamed). At the end of the XIX century. it was he who first realized the importance of this area, which feeds the River Ping and Chao-Prayu respectively, the queen of the rivers of Thailand. At 100 meters from the road is easy to get to the marsh, the most important source of local waterways and the best places in the park for bird watching. Beige and brown peat moss peat moss, spread under the feet, frequent thickets of ferns hanging from the trees and twisted branches of rhododendron give this place awesome primeval atmosphere.
Completing the circle ...
cobbled road Mechem (Mae Chaem road) is on the edge of several waterfalls, located 7 km from the turn of the road to the summit. Look for a steep, unpaved road to the right, which goes down to the forest and passes just east of long jets delightful waterfall Huai Sai Lyang (Huai Sai Luaeng Falls). Annular two-hour trail in forest takes you to the mouth of the river, small waterfall and the waterfall Mepan (Mae Pan Falls), is a series of short stages against the background of soothing shady landscape. Passing on a paved road farther to the southwest, flying over the hills and fast down with them, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the valley of the carotid Mechem (Mae Chaem). On your own car you can drive on a paved road on the far Mehongson that starts here and goes north to the highway in 1088, and then west along the highway in 1263 and connects with Highway 108 highway just north of Khun Yauma. However, to close the loop mehongsonskuyu classic, you need to pass a 45-mile stretch of road 1088, which connects with Highway 108 highway, 25 km west of Hoth.
In Thailand from Novosibirsk and other Russian cities are popular for good reason. At a time when we have winter weather, in the Kingdom of Siam - summer. You can swim in the sea and travel to unique monuments of nature. Such a place, like here in the park Doi Inthanon, nowhere else in Thailand. Do not be lazy to break away from the heavenly beaches and take a trip to the north, you will not regret it. Portal Planet Travel guarantees!