Doi Inthanon & Pha Dok Sieo Waterfall
My epic journey to Doi Inthanon and the Pha Dok Sieo Waterfall near Chiang Mai, Thailand!
During my first trip to Northern Thailand in October of 2018, and while staying in Chiang Mai, I discovered the wonders of Doi Inthanon National Park first hand. I planned my two day trip to Doi Inthanon more than a month in advance of my trip to Thailand. I had seen many amazing images of scenes from the park (i.e., waterfalls and nature trails) and I greatly desired to see as much as I could in two days. Ultimately, I needed way more time (perhaps at least 3–7 days) to fully enjoy all of the sites that this incredible park has to offer. If you make a trip to Chiang Mai, a trip to Doi Inthanon is not to be missed!
Once I arrived in Chiang Mai, I confirmed my reservation with a private driver for two trips to Doi Inthanon. I chose a private driver to maximize my time taking pictures rather than dealing with transportation issues and delays. My driver and his wife for the second day, were amazing people. My days began at 7 AM and lasted until well after sunset which at this time was beyond 7 PM in the evening. Each drive to and from Chiang Mai were adventures themselves. My drivers shared so much valuable information about the history of the park, the best locations for photography including many that I had not discovered, and took me wherever I wanted to go. I did not miss any of the key spots because of their incredible help and guidance.
Background Information
Doi Inthanon National Park (nicknamed “The Roof of Thailand”) was established in 1972 and sits within The Thanon Thong Chai Range, in the Chom Thong District of Chiang Mai Province, approximately 60km west of Chiang Mai, which is about a one and one-half hour drive. This massive park is a national heritage site and contains many notable destinations including Doi Inthanon (the country’s highest mountain at an elevation of 2,565m) and The Great Holy Relics Pagoda. I will do a separate blog post on The Great Holy Relics Pagoda which is another must see location in Doi Inthanon. Stay tuned there!
Doi Inthanon National Park is home to many different and unique species of plants and animals as well as home to approximately 4,500 villagers including those of Mae Klang Luang known for its rice production and gorgeous paddies and terraces. The park contains many notable rivers, including The Mae Klang, Mae Pakong, Mae Pon, Mae Hoi, Mae Ya, Mae Chaem, Mae Khan, and a part of Ping River which generates electrical power for the region and country, as well as countless waterfalls the largest and most famous being Wachirathan Waterfall (see pics below)as well as The Mae Klang Pha Dok Sieo waterfall depicted in a famous Thai movie (seen as the cover photo to this post and more below). The park also offers incredible hiking trails such as Pha Dok Sieo (also known as The Mae Klang Waterfall Trail), Ang Ka Luang and Kew Mae Pan nature trails, and of course many opportunities for birdwatching.
During my two days in Doi Inthanon National Park, I was able to do all of the following:
- Wachirathan Waterfall during the daytime
- The Great Holy Relics Pagoda on both days for late afternoon and sunset photos
- Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail and daytime hike
- Pha Dok Sieo Waterfall
- Mae Klang Luang rice paddies and terraces, as well as for a homemade coffee after the Pha Dok Sieo hike
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a sacred temple and site to many Thai people that sits high atop Doi Suthep mountain, for sunset and night rituals
For more information about this park and experience, visit its website located here: http://nps.dnp.go.th//parksdetail.php?id=121&name=DoiInthanonNationalPark
Wachirathan Waterfall
On the first day to Doi Inthanon, I vistited Wachirathan Waterfall which sits along Route 1009 approximately 80km west of Chiang Mai and about a one hour and fifteen minute drive.
Wachirathan Waterfall is a multi-layer falls with a total drop of approximately 80m. Peak flows last from May to November each year.
Due to the large drop and volume of water rushing over this falls attributable to monsoons and the rainy season, large sprays of mist create majestic rainbows and also repeatedly douse visitors who venture close to witness them. The walk towards and steps to Wachirathan Waterfall receive much water and therefore can be muddy, slippery and dangerous if one ventures too close to the edge. Appropriate footwear as well as camera and bag coverings and plenty of towels and lens wipes are all very recommended.
Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail & Waterfalls
My second day in Doi Inthanon National Park started again at 7 AM for the wild ride along Route 1009 again, west of Mae Klang Luang, to Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail to meet up with my hiking guide. We arrived on time, after a short stop for coffee along the freeway, and met Boon Tam — a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and fun guide. The entrance to the hiking trail sits right on the road and is easy to find.
Boon Tam and I said goodbye to my driver, promised to meet her at the trail’s end for another coffee and began our hike on the Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail into the thick Thailand underbrush.
The trail is well blazed and easy to navigate especially when accompanied by such an expert. Boon Tam moved through the brush and negotiated the rocky trails with remarkable speed despite only wearing flip flops (I had standard trail running shoes with great grip) and with an adroitness I had never seen. Boon Tam took great joy in pointing out notable sites as well as plants, animals and insects along the way as well as providing cautionary tales and warnings.
While the trail carries risk with respect to certain wildlife (i.e., during rainy season cobras may be present and the trail can be more treacherous given mud slides and slippery paths), fortunately we encountered no real dangers that day. But, this incredible journey did include seeing one of Thailand’s, if not the world’s, deadliest spiders…or so I was told by Boon Tam. He named it the banana leaf spider (see below).
Boon Tam stopped and pointed it out in a web above my head, somewhat cavalierly and as if routine. Wow — very nerve racking. The spider and its web were huge in my opinion (the web spanned a few feet and the spider appears to be at least as large as my hand). Boon Tam smiled and we continued walking.
The trail winds along the Mae Klang River offering access to several waterfalls. The following pictures and video shows one of the many smaller waterfalls of the rushing waters of the Mae Klang River on its way towards the Pha Dok Seo waterfall:
Pha Dok Sieo Waterfall
The most beautiful and famous waterfall in all of Thailand they say, and I agree, is Pha Dok Sieo. This waterfall is very powerful and made famous in Thailand because it was featured in a scene from a popular movie. The forest canopy blocked enough sunlight to prevent the sun from overpowering my photos. The forest, river and water’s reflection worked in concert to surround me in an emerald scene. Occasionally, the falls had episodes of extraordinary power blasting sprays and mist into the air creating a momentary haze. I stayed for 1 hour and captured various states of the falls.
To cross the river, one must traverse a fairly rickety bamboo bridge made of two parts. The first part ends on a large rock in the middle of the river.
While crossing the bridge, Boon Tam asked me if I wanted to shoot pictures from the “best” spot? I said: “Of course!” We limboed under the bamboo railing of the bridge, ended up on the large rock, dropped our gear and began wading across the fairly swift moving current. I would not advise attempting this crossing without an expert or experience. The slippery, moss covered rocks under the water make crossing a bit treacherous considering a much taller waterfall is less than 15m away downstream. Boon Tam extended his hand to be safe for one false step likely equated to being swept away instantly. We made it, no problem!
Here are a few images of the falls from across the river, from the small island, as well as a video to show its swift current. Please note, to the far left is an immediate drop off that if swept away leads to a falls (over 40 feet high) and likely instant death — so this is not an easy spot to navigate alone or with gear — please be careful here!
I shot pictures from across the river capturing many different angles. Boon Tam waited patiently with me for the full shoot. We waded back across the river to the bridge and clambered onto the rock. I only stumbled once on the way back which was very unnerving given the consequences. The stumble was definitely frightening and caused me to smash my leg into the big rock leaving a very deep cut — troubling given the conditions. But, Boon Tam even administered first aid using a local plant that acted as a local anesthetic and antiseptic too. I would later go to a local clinic to check and have it cared for further.
Mae Klang Rice Fields
We continued our hike and ventured into the Mae Klang rice fields. I had asked Boon Tam at the beginning of the day to make sure to lead me to golden rice fields. He did not disappoint. The weather blessed my hike with puffy clouds and blue skies. Below you will see images I captured while hiking through the rice fields and terraces near Mae Klang Luang. At times, I waved to workers in the fields who waved back and smiled at me while enjoying their work.
Mae Klang Coffee
Boon Tam and I finished the hike in the village of Mae Klang Luang, met my driver and Boon Tam made us coffee. It was delicious. I recommend this trail and experience to everyone who travels to Chiang Mai and Doi Inthanon.
Doi Inthanon Gallery
For more images from my trips to Doi Inthanon, please visit my dedicated gallery on my website located at the following link:
https://www.geoffpiperphotography.com/Blog/Doi-Inthanon-Thailand/
Thailand: Travel Photography Book
My first journey to Thailand began with planning while living in Sydney, Australia in the Aussie’s late Fall to Winter of 2018. For many years, my friends had told me their stories about their travels to Thailand, and I had seen many amazing photographs depicting the country’s depth of history and culture as well as its beautiful architecture and landscapes. I had to go asap! This blog post features stories from just Doi Inthanon, but if you are interested in more about my journeys in Thailand, and seeing more images from those trips, please check out my book at the following links:
https://www.geoffpiperphotography.com/Products
“Thailand” is a travel photography book depicting the beauty of Thailand, focused on the northern parts of the country from Bangkok, to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and surrounding areas, through images and stories also focused on its history, culture, architecture and landscapes, and offering travel tips and picture taking insights for journeys to these locations.
