Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is considered one The national parks The most beautiful in Thailand and is one of the most popular attractions among travelers in the region Chiang Mai and especially for families with small children and backpackers.
This is a large area with many hiking trails alongside bike paths and roads designed for off-road vehicles, where you can find a variety of options, so whether you want to enjoy an easy day trip or a week-long adventure among what are considered the most beautiful landscapes in the Kingdom of Siam - the sprawling Doi Sutep-Poi Park Over 250 square kilometers will meet your requirements.
During the tour of the park you can enjoy spectacular views, temples, waterfalls, caves and an abundance of plants and wild animals. This is a one-of-a-kind place that offers an unforgettable experience especially for those of you traveling with small children and if you preserve nature and help with patience, you will be able to watch spectacular sights - from magical sunsets and sunrises to impressive animals that live in the area.
Among the animals you can meet during the trip in the park - wild boars, monkeys, wild cats, porcupines, black bears, numerous species of birds and winged animals (including eagles!), bats, reptiles (also vipers, be careful and keep your eyes open) and amphibians. It is important to take into account that these animals tend to stay away from the main paths and in order to see them you need luck along with staying away from these paths (with a guide of course) and a lot of patience.
Main attractions and activities
During your visit to the park, you can get an impression of a wide variety of points of interest scattered among the many hiking trails that pass through the reserve, so that you can adjust the hiking trail to the attractions that are of particular interest to you and, of course, take into account the degree of difficulty of the trail so that you can enjoy the journey as well and not just the end result.
In this context, it is important to take into account that there are paths and hiking trails that are considered more central and as such are relatively regulated and do not necessarily require the accompaniment of a guide, but in order to make the most of the visit to the area, to enjoy the Thai nature in all its glory and of course not to get lost in the process - it is recommended to hire the services of a local guide who He will lead you to the hidden corners of the park and guide you with fascinating stories.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
A Buddhist temple known for magnificent pagodas, Buddha statues and beautiful murals. From the temple, which is located near the top of Doi Sutam mountain, there is a spectacular view, so whether you are a fan of religious and historical sites or simply want to enjoy a panoramic view - it is recommended to visit the temple.
Waterfalls
As in any self-respecting national park throughout the Kingdom of Thailand, in this park you will also find quite a few beautiful waterfalls. Among other things - Mon Tha Than Waterfall which is considered one of the main waterfalls with nine levels and not far from it is a campsite where you can also stay in bungalows, Huey kaew waterfall which is considered relatively small and is visited mainly by locals (the tourists who visit it mainly do so in order to observe the many butterflies found in its vicinity) andMae Sa Waterfall The popular one has ten levels and is surrounded by a forest.
Other waterfalls worth a look - Mok Fa Waterfall and-Dtaat Mook Waterfall.
walking paths
The national park is a fairly large area, and as such it has quite a few hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, including some particularly popular, touristy and even crowded during peak visitor season. In order to get an impression of the different routes, degrees of difficulty and different recommendations, it is recommended to go to the official website of the park and plan the trip accordingly. In this context, it is important to take into account that some of the trails are not well marked, so it is strongly recommended to consider getting a service from a local guide.
Among the most recommended trails - Buddha's Footprint Trail (it is 13 km long and requires the accompaniment of a guide or ranger), Monk's trail (a relatively short path that is a kilometer and a half long in total) and Huay Tung Tao Circular Trail (A circular path that passes by a waterfall and a Buddha statue. It is 7 km long but it is difficult to walk and a local guide should be used).
Bhubing palace
Hobing Palace, which was built in the second half of the last century, is used by the royal family of Thailand during visits to the north of the country during the winter. The area includes several buildings and is open to the public at times when the royal family is not staying there. During the tour of the palace and gardens you can watch birds, butterflies and a spectacular view.
Transportation and accessibility
if you Travelers in the Chiang Mai area You will have no trouble getting to the national park, whether by car, public transportation or even a bicycle. However, it is important to take into account that some of the access roads to the area are considered "bad" at best, so it is strongly recommended to reach the area with an SUV or use transportation services (vans converted to taxis).
In terms of getting around the park itself, those of you who have rented an SUV will be able to get around this way relatively easily and comfortably, but those who don't want to deal with the Thai car agencies in the event of a breakdown or damage, God forbid, can be content with renting a bicycle because the park has quite a few trails suitable for riding and thus you can also reach the points Less than tourism that cannot be reached by vehicles. If you are in good physical shape, can handle the tough climbs and choose the last option, keep in mind that this is an experience that may be somewhat cool, so you should take warm clothing.
Another option is to order in advance Guided tour including an experienced driver that will help you get to the main sites or to remote and less touristy points and tell you about the local history and the places you are going to go. Make sure in advance that the guide speaks fluent English and that the tour includes pickup and return to the hotel.
Food
Because it is a large place, the park has a large number of restaurants and cafes so that you will not have difficulty finding a place to dine, even if you are traveling with small children. These are mainly located near the main sites such as Doi Sutep Temple and Doi Poi Village and along the main roads passing through the park. Most places serve traditional Thai food with vegetarian options, but there are also restaurants with international food.
lodging
Recommended campsites in the park area:
Yod Doi Pui Campsite - One of the popular camping sites in the nature reserve, located north of the palace (Bhubing Palace) and has basic camping facilities in addition to a restaurant where you can enjoy light meals and a visitor center. If you do not have your own tent, you can rent one on the spot, in addition to useful equipment for your trip in the reserve such as mountain bikes, sleeping bags and other accessories.
Mon Tha Than Campsite – Another campsite located not far from beautiful waterfalls under the same name. In this place you can stay in traditional bungalows and enjoy the wild nature in a slightly more comfortable way compared to sleeping in a tent but still claim that you took part in the local experience.
There are other places that offer regulated accommodation throughout the park. If you want to spend the night at camping sites, the two sites above are the main camping sites, but if you are looking for bungalows, you will find plenty of options with the price range ranging from 400 baht to 3,000 baht per night. In order to reduce costs, it is recommended to visit the park from Monday to Thursday, so the accommodation prices are about 20% cheaper compared to the weekends.
More details
entrance fee
If you do not intend to spend the night at the campsites or visit the main waterfalls, there is a high probability that you will not need to take out your wallet during your visit to the reserve except for food or stalls located in the local villages. Entrance to the temples is also free and if you want to spend the night at the campsites or enter the large waterfalls, you will have to part with 100 baht for an adult and 50 for a child.
Activity time
The park, campsites and visitor centers are open every day of the week, between the hours of 08:00 and 16:00. Of course, if you have entered the park and intend to travel there for a few days, you will not have to leave after 16:00 p.m., but you will not have access to various services such as information stations operated by the park staff.
Recommended season for a trip
The months of December to April are the driest and this is the most recommended time to travel in the area in terms of precipitation, although these are the winter months, which means that the temperatures drop and can stand at 5 degrees Celsius, so you need to dress accordingly (especially if you intend to climb the high peaks or spend the night in the field). The other months are considered less cold but quite rainy with the peak of the rainy season being during the months of August and September.
