Explore Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in 3 Days – Day 1
Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination of northern Thailand. Its high altitude makes it a pleasant place to visit even during the hottest months of the year. Its main attraction is the ancient city at the center, which is still surrounded by semi-preserved walls and moats. There are also interesting day tours from Chiang Mai that allow you to explore places like Doi Inthanon National Park, Golden Triangle (border of Myanmar-Laos-Thailand), Chiang Rai, etc.
Highlights of the Day
- Check in at So Hostel
- Visit Sirithan Waterfall
- Explore the highest mountain – Doi Inthanon – and walk the Nature Trail
- Visit the twin Royal Chedis of the King and Queen
- Lunch near Wachirathan Waterfall and visit the waterfall
- Visit Inthanon Royal Project Research Station
- Visit Hmong Hill-Tribe Village
- Get dropped at Chiang Mai Night Safari
Chiang Mai – So Hostel
It was 12 AM when I reached Chiang Mai Arcade bus terminal from Phitsanulok bus terminal. The journey took around 6 hours from Phitsanulok. At night, I shared the tuk-tuk with another traveler who was also heading to Loi Kroh road where my hostel was.
Loi Kroh road is a home to some of the infamous bars of Chiang Mai and also accommodation for backpackers.
I had booked a bed in a 4-bed female dormitory at So Hostel for 2 nights. I had to pay a deposit for the towels and keys for lockers and room, which was refundable when you check out.
Doi Inthanon National Park Tour
The places I wish to see are not accessible by public transport and the organized tour was economical.
There are many agencies where you can book several day tours from Chiang Mai. I booked an organized tour to Doi Inthanon. The tour organizer picked me up by 8.30 AM by an aircon minibus and there were few other people who joined the tour – we were not more than 10 in total. I managed to pick some breakfast from 7/11 convenient store while the minibus was waiting in front of a hotel to pick few more guests.
Sirithan Waterfall
There are many waterfalls in the Doi Inthanon National Park. Sirithan waterfall holds importance as it is about 40 m high and is named by the Queen who came to visit the fall once.
Our first stop was Sirithan waterfall that appeared after around 1.5 h of lovely journey through the hilly roads.
When we reached near the fall on the main road, we had to walk a 100 m trail heading through the jungle and got to hear the sound of the gorging waterfall after few steps.
Doi Inthanon Mountain
The 2,565 m high Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand. First we were taken to the top to walk the beautiful nature trail called Ang Ka Nature Trail. Ang Ka means crow’s pond in Thai and is considered as the highest natural waterbody in Thailand.
The summit of Doi Inthanon shares the same temperate climate as Himalayan range.
The weather is pretty mild throughout the year sporting a lot of species living there who are adapted to such climatic condition.
Royal Twin Pagodas of Doi Inthanon
Two beautiful chedis – Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphonphumisiri – were built by the Thai Royal Air Force on the peak of Doi Inthanon National Park to honour 60th birthday of the King and Queen of Thailand, in 1987 and 1992, respectively. We reached there in half an hour from the Doi Inthanon summit.
There is a beautiful garden connecting the pagodas. On a clear day, the garden offers breathtaking views over northern Thailand and the mountains of Burma (to the west).
Wachirathan Waterfall
Before checking the waterfall, we were first served Thai lunch at an open restaurant at the parking area of the waterfall.
The waterfall is more scenic than the previous one we visited. It is excellent for picnics and spending with group of friends.
Inthanon Royal Project Research Station
We were taken to a research station that is operated under the Royal Project. The station is involved in research and development of pilot projects for cash crops like coffee, cut flowers, and temperate fruits.
The research station also is also involved in services and information regarding production and marketing of the products and the application of advanced technology to help alleviate poverty, natural resource conservation, etc.
Hmong Hill-Tribe Village
Doi Inthanon is home to a number of Hmong and Karen hill-tribe villages, of which we visited the Hmong tribe. The Doi Inthanon Royal Project educate the local hill-tribes people about modern agricultural techniques and to improve their living standards.
Chiang Mai Night Safari
The tour does not include visit to Chiang Mai Night Safari, but I decided to take a drop there so I can visit it by my own. It is the world’s third nocturnal zoo and is a government nature theme park, which was built to promote tourism in Chiang Mai.
I would strongly advise you not to spend a single penny behind zoos like this. There are many different types of animal shows that involves animal torture, including the wild ones, to practice them do different activities.
Back to Hotel
Many songthaews would be waiting at the exit of the night safari. I took one straight to Loi Kroh road and grabbed some junk dinner from the 7/11 convenient store very close to my hostel. After having a quick shower, all I could imagine of is to hug the pillows right on my dorm bed. Tomorrow will be another long day!
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 1 in Thailand – Chiang Mai.
- Bus from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai: 300
- Hostel in Chiang Mai (for 2 nights): 800
- Join-in tour to Doi Inthanon National Park: 2000
- Entrance fee to Night-Safari: 800
- Getting around: 280
- Food: 120
Total expense (roughly): 4300 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Explore Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in 3 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
This one looks so nice! I didn’t know that is possible to manage all just in one day, good to know that 😀
I need to put it on my bucket list 🙂
How was your hostel? Lately I had a bad experience with one in Budapest so I’m not sure I’m gonna use hostels again..
If you take an organized day trip, it is possible to cover all these sights in a day.
I would not want to see caged animals, but the Sirithan Waterfall looks lovely.
I hate the idea of caged animals too. They are meant to stay free.
The hostel looks worth the money, clean and trendy at the same time. I love itineraries like these where day wise break up is given, makes it easier for others ?
Yes, the hostel was really good.
I plan to do Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in 3 days as well, and this is a good itinerary for one day trip to Doi Inthanon. I really like the twin pagodas, the garden, and the nature trail in Doi Inthanon National Park would have to be in my list! You’ve explored Thailand so extensively!
I live in Northern Thailand, it’s easy for me to reach there. Medha, when you come down to Thailand, you got to reach out to me.
This is incredibly pretty except for the animals behind the bars 🙁 The lush green on the mountains is a eye soother! Will surely check this place out in the next trip 🙂
I know the animals behind the bar is the worst thing. I never support that.
I’m in love with this place! How beautiful is this park and the waterfalls too. I’m so sad I missed this when i was last in Thailand. I have to say your hostel looked nice too!
Yes, the hostel was really pretty.
We are leaving for a family gap year and I want our base to be in Chiang Mai. I can’t wait to explore the waterfalls and learn more about the Thai culture.
That’s lovely to know, Corritta.
Even though I haven’t been there, I adore Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai! If I do go, I’m definitely exploring Doi Inthanon and its Nature Trail. If I have more time, I would want to check
out Wachirathan Waterfall.
You would really like it, Emily.
This park is one of my favorite places in Thailand. Visiting Doi Inthanon in a day sounds challenging but seems like you managed to do it. This is a great guide for people that want to take a day trip but if I have the choice I’d spent at least a few days exploring the park. Unfortunately tho, that’s not always possible.
True, Daniel.
Thailand is such a beautiful country and there’s so much to explore here. Chang Mai looks so green and pristine. I’ve never stayed in a hostel, but I do wish to experience that someday. So Hostel is quaint and decent. The Royal Twin Pagodas look very beautiful. I love the location of the pagodas as well as the lilac hue of the Queen’s Pagoda. Also, the manicured garden looks stunning. The waterfall is simply jaw-dropping! We enjoyed Traditional Thai dancing in Phuket and I absolutely loved it. Night Safari is something I would not want to miss.
You must try out staying at hostels when in SE Asia.
Wow this park looks beautiful! Sounds like a lot to do in 24 hours, but sometimes that is all you have! I would personally avoid the zoo, I don’t support animals in cages.
Couldn’t agree more!
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in 3 days is a very well made itinerary. This is the best part about an organised tour. They try to pack everything in the itinerary in the least possible time. The Doi Inthanon looked amazing. So green and refreshing. Would love to visit it someday. The royal twin Pagodas were interesting with both the king and queen having a different one. I have done a similar night Safari in Singapore. It’s quite an experience.
Yes, I really liked their plan.
I’m going to Chiang Mai this November so it’s great to read your post. I didn’t know it’s possible to visit many attractions in one day so this organized tour sounds like a good deal. I would love to visit the Hmong tribe and walk along the Gate to Himalayan Range. Maybe I would opt out for the Night Safari though.
Yes Ha, you can cover a lot many places if you book a trip.
I haven’t stayed in a hostel since I’ve had kids, but I have to say that I am very impressed with the So Hostel! Doi Inthanon National Park is so rich in history, beauty, and nature. I would love to see it all in person one day. I think our family would also really enjoy the night safari and the Thai dancing.
True that, Kristy. Your family will surely love that.
It looks so gorgeous, up in the rainforest, surrounded by clouds. The womens dormitory looked nice and comfortable. It’s good to know you can do all of that is such a short space of time. I can see why you were ready for bed by the end of it.
Yes, now you know it.
Travelling to Thailand is really cheap especially when you opt for local experience (forget the touristic / expat places). I want to experience what you had in Chiang Mai and maybe spend a week there. It is beautiful and mesmerizing places and kudos for the locals for taking care of this beauty.
You won’t regret spending a week in Chiang Mai; you would love it.
This looks like such a great place to explore. It’s great that the temperature isn’t as bad since it’s higher up, which is great as humid hot summers can be tough if you are not used to it. I’d love to visit WACHIRATHAN WATERFALL. I love waterfalls and it’s awesome that the actual walk to the waterfall isn’t far from the parking lot. I’m not an avid hiker, so the shorter the distance the better 🙂
Yes, you do not have to hike to reach this waterfall.
Doi Inthanon looks beautiful and the lush green is so soothing! You have managed to cover quite a lot in a just a day. I think the fees to enter the park are a little bit on higher side? But may be that’s just me!
It seemed OK to me.
What a fantastic place to explore. I love those waterfalls you mentioned, especially being close to parking and having a platform to take photos from makes it more accessible to those that don’t like or can’t hike long distances.
Yes, I did not have to hike there.
That trail into the forest seems very tempting. What time of the year did you go? Its all so misty. The waterfalls would be top of my list.
Yes, actually.
What a fantastic day trip! The waterfalls look just beautiful. Do you think it is possible from Chang Mai to visit these parks on your own?
You can if you rent a car, not possible by public transport.
Excellent itinerary, I loved how detailed yet how relaxed the whole trip has been. The royal project seems like a welcome development for the locals and tourists alike. Thanks for sharing and showing the way 🙂
The trip was awesome.
The Doi Inthanon National Park, Golden Triangle looks nature’s paradise and worth visiting. I loved beautiful design on the wall of the pagodas, especially the pink and purple dancing ladies one. It is very good that the Royal Project encourage the hill-tribes to make handicrafts that are sold all over the country.
Yes, even I feel the same.
I find that the most interesting things in these parks are the plants and trees, especially if they’ve been around for a long time. Funy enough, I’m not a big plant person but I appreciate them the most when I visit public parks like this one.
Yes, sure.
Wow, what a beautiful trail! I’d love to be there, surrounded by nature. I’d love to see the dance performance too… adding to my list 🙂
Sure.