... continued from Click here!
(KM.8 Right turn - walk 1.5 kms.)
The walk to the large, partly collapsed cavern on the other side of the low ridge is clearly marked, but crossing the torrent at the bottom may be awkward if the logs have been washed away.
(KM.20)
The water tumbles down a steep slope before the main drop. The falls make a good point to break the journey up the mountain. A food stall is located on the path that follows the water chute down above the falls proper.
(KM.23)
At KM. 23 a dirt road to the north (right) leads to the Karen village of Ban Pha Mon and a rough circular route (4WD).
(KM.30 north turn)
A road gives access to the Siriphum Waterfalls nearby and to a rough dirt road (4WD) that connects in the uplands with R1013 from Sanpatong.
(KM.31)
Bungalow accommodation is available (advance booking advised) and tents may be rented. A covered dining area contains food stalls which offer food to order till 8 PM.
(KM.31 - south side of road just past the park HQ)
Mr. Daeng serves basic food (a limited English menu is written on the wall) and has information to help birders to see some of the more than 380 species of birds sighted on the mountain (bird watching is best between February and April).
(KM.40 west turn - 200 m.)
The southern Napamethaneedon Chedi commemorates the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King (December 5, 1987); The Napapolphumsiri Chedi that of the Queen (August 12, 1992). The modern chedis contain stylized Buddha images and are decorated with interesting tiled murals that are worth close study. The chedis are excellent viewpoints. The restaurant at the car park (08:00 - 17:00) serves Thai food from display trays and is the best on the mountain.
After the final steep climb, the summit of the mountain is surprisingly flat. Often shrouded in mists, the trees are covered in moss. A visitor station has a good display of information (English and Thai) about the ecology on the mountain.
The Aangka nature trail on the opposite side of the road leads to a boardwalk across a small bog with sphagnum moss. A side path leads to a shrine at a helicopter crash site.
A small chedi above the visitor center contains the remains of Chao Inthawichayanon who died in 1897, the last independent ruler of Chiang Mai before Lanna was incorporated into Siam.
See also: [Walking on Doi Inthanon] [Wetland Rice Cultivation]