Trekking Doi Inthanon National Park With Elephant Sanctuary

This is the three-in-one day for people with limited time in Chiang Mai: a morning with elephants at a sanctuary on the way to the mountain, the landmarks of Doi Inthanon National Park, and a proper walk on the Pha Dok Siew nature trail. It is a long day of 11 to 12 hours, so it suits reasonably fit travellers who would rather do a lot than do it slowly.

Pickup is early morning in Chiang Mai city and the drive to the sanctuary takes around an hour and a half. There you meet the elephants, prepare and hand-feed them, and walk with them to the river. Lunch is included. After that it is a short drive up into the national park to the summit at 2,565 metres, Thailand's highest point, and the twin royal pagodas with their gardens and views across the ranges. The afternoon is the Pha Dok Siew trail: about 2.6 kilometres and roughly two hours, mostly downhill and shaded, through forest and terraced rice fields to a waterfall where you can swim, ending in the Karen village of Ban Mae Klang Luang with a cup of locally grown coffee. You are back in Chiang Mai in the evening.

Wear sports shoes with grip and bring a swimsuit and towel, a change of clothes, and a warm layer for the summit, which is cool all year. Cover shoulders and knees at the pagodas.