Doi Luang National Park in Thailand is a breathtaking destination known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can experience serene hiking trails, picturesque waterfalls, and the vibrant local flora and fauna that make this park a true natural wonder.
Nestled in the heart of northern Thailand, Doi Luang National Park is a nature lover’s paradise waiting to be explored. This majestic park, characterized by its towering peaks, lush forests, and crystal-clear streams, provides an unforgettable escape for those seeking tranquility and adventure away from urban life.
Acclaimed for its biodiversity, Doi Luang National Park is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The park’s rich ecosystem includes rare species of birds, wild animals, and exotic plants, making it a perfect destination for birdwatching and wildlife photography. As you traverse the park, be prepared to encounter exotic orchids, towering trees, and vibrant wildflowers that paint the landscape with color.
The main attraction of Doi Luang is its breathtaking scenery, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Hiking enthusiasts will find numerous trails suitable for all fitness levels, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks. These trails guide visitors through dense jungles and along mountain ridges, offering awe-inspiring vistas that capture the essence of Thailand’s natural beauty. Among these trails, the ascent to Doi Luang itself, the park’s highest peak, promises a rewarding view that is simply unparalleled.
Doi Luang National Park is not just about stunning landscapes; it also holds significant cultural value. Within its borders, visitors can discover the rich traditions of the local hill tribes who have lived harmoniously within these mountainous terrains for generations. Engaging with these communities offers insights into their unique lifestyles, craftsmanship, and the practices that have sustained them through the years.
For those looking to immerse themselves in nature, Doi Luang National Park presents myriad opportunities. Invigorating walks lead to refreshing waterfalls such as the Huai Khaem Waterfall, while scenic spots offer perfect picnic settings. Camping under the stars adds an unforgettable dimension to your adventure, allowing you to connect with the serene beauty that the park embodies.
Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers will delight in the abundance of animal species, including deer, gibbons, and various bird species that inhabit the area. As dawn breaks over the mountains, the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves creates a symphony of nature that enhances the experience in this tranquil environment.
Planning your visit to Doi Luang National Park is simple, given its accessibility from major cities in northern Thailand. With an array of nearby accommodations, restaurants, and local markets, travelers can enjoy a comfortable and authentic experience while exploring this haven of natural beauty.
Doi Luang National Park is indeed a gem that showcases the best of what Thailand’s natural environment has to offer. From hiking majestic trails to discovering the unique local culture, every encounter within the park is designed to leave a lasting impression and rejuvenate the spirit. Whether you seek adventure, peace, or a connection to nature, Doi Luang National Park is the perfect destination to recharge and revel in the wonders of the natural world.
Doi Luang National Park is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Thailand
Unlike many national parks this one has beautifully kept and extensive grounds for camping and picnicking alike. There is a set of nine waterfalls accessible by a bush track leading from the western edge of the parklands area. On the approach to the track there are two places which offer to store your possessions, but may charge a small fee to do so. It may be worth the investment because the track, if you follow it all the way to the ninth waterfall, is pretty demanding and can be quite slippery depending on the weather and time of year. But a number of the waterfall stages are beautiful, the water is crystal clear and quite cool, and there are a number of very inviting pools in which you can take a dip to cool off. The access road is a little difficult to find, but if you look hard to the western side of the highway just north of the provincial border between Chiang Rai and Phayao provinces you should not have too much difficulty from there. It’s worth putting a day aside, particularly if you’re basing yourself in Chiang Rai (the obvious choice for accommodation). Can be done by scooter if you’re adventurous,There is, as with almost all National Parks in Thailand, an entry fee, currently 100baht for foreigners.
Information on this National Park is very difficult to come by (in English!) so the first bit of advice would be to try and get a local (or tourist agency in Chiang Rai) to ring the national park office to help plan your trip. OR, like I did, you could just rent a scooter and venture into the unknown, and just see what happens :).What I know about Don Luang.1. Do not be confused. The Don Luang Chang Dao (the famous mountain that everyone wants to climb) is actually over 2 hours drive away in another area. (town: ) its a very confusing name!2. The park is huuugge, I would say 60km from North to South, and 30 wide, with very few roads throughout. So most likely you will only get to a small corner of it. 3. There is great camping available. The only site I saw was near the waterfall and park headquarters, but it was a beautiful area, very clean, and not crowded (one saw one tent). Also, at the park HQ there are bungalows to rent (800/night) didn’t see.4. Notable points of interest: Pu Kaeng Waterfalls (near park HQ, South East Side), Nam Lot and Pha Khong Caves (eastern edge), Doi Luang, and Doi Nok (twin peaks for mountain climbing).5. Although this is NOT the FAMOUS mountain (Doi Luang Chiang Dao – see point 2 above). There IS still an overnight climb that can be arranged to Doi Luang and Doi Nok. I did not try to do this, but I suspect it is spectacular (though you will need someone who speaks Thai to assis you with the organisation). This is located on the South End of the mountain, near the Phayao entrance.6. The roads that I saw (not many) were sealed, and very well maintained, you will be fine on a Scooter.7. Be advised that the tourist agencies/trekking co’s in Chiang Rai typically do not visit here for trekking etc. Do not expect any information from them (though they will probably assist you with arragements if you ask nicely :)8. Pu Kaeng Waterfalls (I visited), located near park main HQ. Series of 9 small waterfalls, and makes for a pleasant 1.5 hour walk. Most of them are too shallow for swimming (in the dry season), though some are wasit deep. I highly recommend at least taking your shoes off and going for a wade in knee deep. Water is very refreshing after a sweaty hike.9. Nam Lot and Pha Khong caves, are on the edge of the park about 10km north of Phan. There is a very good blog written about visitng them on LoneRider site (just do a internet search and you will find it).10. Entrance fee to the park (for foreigners) is 100 Baht each, plus 20 baht for motorbike.
This is a huge park with multiple access points. The easiest entry is about 1 hour drive south from Chiang Rai. Admission was 100b to 30b for the car. The only attraction at this entry point is Pu Kaeng waterfall. As far as waterfalls go it was nothing special, but it was a very pleasant and uncrowded place. There is a nature trail which follows the river to each of 6 or 7 drops before turning away and looping through the forest. The portion away from the river is not as well maintained as the rest, so if youre walking the loop (about 1 hour plus time to splash in the pools) watch for the trail carefully, as it may fade out on you. Bathrooms were clean and I was very impressed by the cleanliness of the whole area. Did not see any litter at all. There is a restaurant on site, but unfortunately at the time I was there they were only selling water and snacks.
To start with, there are multiple entry points for this national park, each with different attractions. This review will cover the entry point on the east side of the mountain, about a 60 minute drive south of Chiang Rai. Entry fee for foreigner is 100 thb plus 30 thb fee for a car. Although I only came for the day, camping here would be a very nice experience. Set your tent in the grass near the stream and enjoy the sound of water all night. There is a first aid station and a restaurant on site, although there was nobody working at the restaurant while I was there. Not a big surprise, as I was the only visitor in the park that day. There are two main attractions in this part of the park – a 2 km up and back trail accessing 9 levels of the Pu Kaeng waterfall, and a 1.2 km loop nature trail, which encompasses part of the waterfall trail, up to level 5. They can be combined into a single hike. This time I only walked the waterfall trail. The trail was clearly marked and well maintained most of the way up. Towards the top, the steep parts of the trail had been eroded away a bit, and the trail was blocked just before the top of level 9. There are many nice photo opportunities along the trail. I went up and down in around 75 minutes. Plenty of mosquitoes, but thankfully no leeches or pit vipers, critters which I have recently tangled with in other nearby national parks. I had walked the nature trail back in 2019, but I didn’t walk it this time. At that time it was a nice walk, enjoyable but not stunning. Trail was not as easy to follow as the waterfall trail, imagine it was not as heavily traveled, however I can’t accurately comment on the current state of the trail. Toilet buildings were clean and had sit-down toilets, water hoses, paper, and soap. The entire area was litter free. Overall a nice experience, definitely worth the trip and entry fee.