Thailand's highest peak
About 2,565 metres.
Vyacheslav Argenberg — CC BY 4.0 · Sirapa Atikomchakorn — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ํีนาถชนน์ ลำภูเงิน — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ํีนาถชนน์ ลำภูเงิน — CC BY-SA 4.0
Thailand's highest peak, at about two thousand five hundred and sixty-five metres, in a broad national park some two hours south-west of Chiang Mai. Everything changes up here: cloud forest draped in moss and cool air that can drop near freezing in winter, when Thais come to see the mist and frost. The highlights of the trip: the summit itself with a boardwalk through the mossy forest, the two royal pagodas on a nearby peak with neat flower gardens and wide views, many waterfalls led by the roaring Wachirathan, the Kew Mae Pan trail across mountain meadows, and hill-tribe villages and farms. Park entry for foreigners is about three hundred baht per adult and one hundred and fifty per child, with the royal pagodas an extra fee of about a hundred baht. Some trails close in the rainy season, and Kew Mae Pan requires a local guide. Set off early, and bring warm clothes even in summer, as the difference between the city and the summit is large. An organised day trip or a car with driver is easiest, as the mountain road is long.
About 2,565 metres.
Flower gardens and views.
One of the park's mightiest falls.
About 100 km south-west of Chiang Mai
November to February for cool clear weather and flowers; waterfalls are strongest in the rainy season, but trails may close. Early morning is clearest in every season.