The Doi Inthanon and Mae Sariang Explorer

Day 1: Chiang Mai – Doi Inthanon – Mae Chaem

Total distance today appr. 160 km, driving time about 4 hours

Nature Trails  in Doi Inthanon National Park

Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for an early departure for your Doi Inthanon and Mae Sariang Explorer. It’s a private tour so you can ask them to stop anywhere you want. Today you will hike the famous one of the great nature trails of the park. Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand (2,565 m). The park boasts the highest diversity of forest types and bird species found in any single park in the country and has many beautiful waterfalls. We will continue to the Vachirathan waterfall, the most popular and one of the most spectacular waterfalls.  The next stop will be the Karen village of Ban Mae Klang Luang. The local coffee here is excellent. We will taste a cup. Continue to the Hmong market, where products from the Royal Project are for sale. The Royal Project (1969) is a non-profit organization founded by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to solve deforestation, poverty, and opium production by promoting alternative crops in Thailand.

The roof of Thailand: Doi Inthanon

Lunch will be at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will briefly visit the Twin Royal Chedis or Pagodas. They were constructed to honor the 60th birthday anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1987 and the 60th birthday anniversary of Queen Sirikit in 1992, respectively. On a clear day you have a wonderful view from the site of the pagodas.

We will drive up to the summit of Doi Inthanon, where we will embark on a beautiful nature trail, the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail*. This trail is only open in the dry season. It is a lovely walk partly through the moist evergreen cloud forest and somewhat along a very steep ridge with fantastic views over Mae Chaem and the Mae Pan river valley. Let’s hope for sunny weather. There will be enough time to take pictures.

A local guide of the Hmong people will accompany us. Here we walk for a couple of hours through an unspoiled cloud forest. When the skies are clear, the views are magnificent. After this, we will board our vehicle and descend to Mae Chaem. The Chaem Muang House is a cozy, small accommodation not far from the center. Overnight will be at the Chaem Muang House.

*Please note that the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is closed from June 1 until October 31. During that period we will do the magnificent Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail instead. This trail is managed by the Karen people of Ban Mae Klang Luang.

Day 2: Mae Chaem – Mae Sariang

Total distance today appr. 165 km, driving time about 4 hours

The “teen jok textiles” of Mae Chaem

Few people visit Mae Chaem, but we love this small, sleepy, and charming town. This morning we will rise early, if you wish, to visit the local market, located on the Mae Chaem river. This little town gets very few visitors so enjoy the authentic and wonderful northern Thai atmosphere. Return to the Chaem Muang House for breakfast. After breakfast, we will visit the most beautiful temple of Mae Chaem: Wat Buddha Enn. We will also visit the local textile artisans. Mae Chaem is known for its production of Teen Jok Textiles, unique for its original patterns, vibrant colors, and weaving style. Lunch will be in Muang Chaem restaurant.

The mountain road to Mae Sariang

After lunch, we will continue our Doi Inthanon and Mae Sariang Explorer to the lovely town of Mae Sariang. We follow a scenic road that passes through endless agricultural fields of the Hmong people until we meet the crossroads of road no.108 that will takes us to Mae Sariang, in the past called Hminelongyi. Until 1917 Mae Sariang was called Muang Yuam, derived from the name of the river that flows through the town. There will be time for stops along the way to enjoy the magnificent views.

We will stop at the pine tree forest. The Pinus Kesiya is also known as the Khasi pine, the Benguet pine, or the three-needled pine. In the late afternoon, we will arrive in Mae Sariang. Check into the Riverhouse Resort, where you will stay overnight for three nights. The resort is located on the Yuam River and is within walking distance of the morning market and Inthira, our favorite restaurant.

Day 3: Mae Sariang – Huay Horm – Ban La Up – Mae Sariang

Total distance today appr. 130 km, driving time about 3 hours

Delicious Huay Horm Coffee

After breakfast, we will drive to Mae La Noi, which is about 30 km from Mae Sariang. Today we will visit several Karen and Lawa villages. Our first stop today will be Wat Tham Phra (วัดถ้ำพระ) is also known as Wat Tham Ngow (ถ้ำเหง้า), which translates as the temple of the cave of rhizome, which is a kind of subterranean plant. Tham Phra translate as “monk’s cave”. In the past this was a basic Buddha cave where a couple of monks were living. In the past decade major construction has taken place. The temple still offers beautiful views of the Yuam valley. After this we will continue to Mae La Noi.

Wonderful Karen and Lawa villages

At Mae La Noi, we will leave the main road and drive into the mountains towards Baan Huay Horm, a Karen village. The road is winding and the views are absolutely magnificent. We will stop to take pictures and enjoy the scenery. Ban Huay Horm produces the best coffee and is one of the leading suppliers of Starbucks in Thailand. We taste a cup of this delicious coffee. Our next destination is the Lawa village of Baan La Up.  We will stop at several places to enjoy the splendid views. The Lawa are the indigenous people of North Thailand. We visit a house where you can watch some traditional weaving and see samples of Lawa textiles. With your guide, you will explore the village and meet some of the villagers. We will visit the local silversmith and walk around the village. We will visit the only authentic Lawa house that is left in the village.After this, we will drive back to Mae Sariang. Return to Mae Sariang. Overnight at the Riverhouse Resort again.

Day 4: Mae Sariang – Chiang Mai

Total distance today appr. 200 km, driving time about 4 hours

The Magnificent Ob Luang Gorge 

This morning we leave Mae Sariang and drive back to Chiang Mai along route no 108, the mountainous road with pine trees. The road descends towards Ob Luang National Park. We will make a comfortable, relaxing walk to the magnificent Ob Luang Gorge. Enjoy the rock formations and some interesting prehistoric rock paintings. If you want, you can climb up to a great viewpoint. We will have lunch at the restaurant near the park entrance. Continue to Chiang Mai.

The charming town of Lamphun

At San Pa Tong we leave the main road and head for Lamphun, a town that predates Chiang Mai.  Our first stop will be at Wat Ku Kut aka Wat Chamathewi, one of the oldest temples in North Thailand. Its two pagodas are typical examples of Mon temple architecture with niches housing Buddha images.  After this, we will visit Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, one of the most revered and exceptional temples. Opposite the temple, there is an attractive market where local products are for sale. We take our time here. Then it is time to drive back to Chiang Mai. We follow a nice and scenic route along the Ping River. Your guide and driver will drop you off at the hotel after a beautiful Doi Inthanon and Mae Sariang Explorer.

We also offer a slightly longer tour called the Mae Sariang Loop.