Doi Inthanon
Doi Inthanon The rooftop of Thailand
Chiang mai province. Here are a few of the many reasons why
one should visit Doi Inthanon National Park: the eponymous peak is the highest
in Thailand; the park includes 1,274 plant species, 90 of which are orchids;
and the area is home to 466 animal species, 385 of those being birds (including
the Green-tailed Sunbird) Besides being
rich in floral and faunal life, the Park is dotted with a number of waterfalls
of various sizes.
Doi Inthanon has something for everyone, whether
day-trippers or those planning to thoroughly explore the Park. The day might be
filled with a visit to the highest point in Thailand, with can be reached by
car, and is clouded with mist all year round, the temperature never exceeding 17◦
This may be followed with a 30-minute walk along the nearby
Ang Ka nature trail . The neat, elevated wooden platform with railings leads
through the moss covered forest, mixed plant-societies on single trees can be
observed. Toward the end of the trail, there is a path of leading to the shrine
of Chao Krom Kiat. The small spirit pavilion is built on a piece of helicopter
wreckage as a memorial to Air Chief Marshal Kiat Mangkhlapruek and the late
national park director who died on duty in a crash at that spot in May 1971.
The rest of the day might be spent touring the waterfalls. The most enchanting
are Wachirathan, Mae Klang, and Mae Ya. These falls are easy to access by car,
with trails leading up to different levels. Picnic areas and restaurants are
available. The first two falls are on the same road after the first checkpoint;
only Mae Ya stand alone south of the main national park area, on the 14 Km road
that branches off highway 1009 and meanders through a residential area.
Doi Inthanon also offers an array of treks. Most treks run
all year round, and only a few routes require a ranger or local guide. One of
the most interesting routes is the Kio Mae Pan trail, which is only from 1 June
to 31 October, as its fragile ecosystem needs more time to recover than most.
The distance of this circular trek is only 3 km, but discerning trekkers may
take a whole day to complete it. Bird lover should not forget to pack
binoculars, and should try to visit between October and March. If and English
speaking guide is required, just cross the street from the Park Headquarters to
the Inthanon Bird Centre. The Centre has been there since 1962; its customer
service attested to buy walls lined with name cards from satisfied clients.
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