At 2,565 meters (8,415 ft), Doi Inthanon is considered the highest mountain in Thailand, and it experiences the kind of weather you don't usually get in a tropical country like Thailand, from the cooler-than-usual breeze of the mountains to even frost in the early morning during wintertime.
For this reason, Doi Inthanon has always attracted many tourists, both locals and foreigners, for decades, with the most popular months being between November and January. Without proper planning, you might find yourself stuck in long traffic on your way up or having to queue for hours just to hike the famous Kew Mae Pan trail, which is why I decided to write this travel guide.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to plan a fantastic trip to Doi Inthanon, including tips and tricks on how to avoid tourist crowds and make the most out of your journey to the top of Thailand. Without further ado, here is a complete backpacking guide to Doi Inthanon.
- Doi Inthanon Things To Do Itinerary
-
7 Best Things to Do in Doi Inthanon, Thailand
- Hike the Kew Mae Pan Trail
- Visit the Grand Pagodas of Doi Inthanon
- Stroll Along the Ang Ka Nature Trail
- Camp at Dong Son Campground, Doi Inthanon National Park
- Enjoy Coffee While Looking at Siriphum Waterfall at the Inn Lhaikhow Cafe
- Be Sprayed By Water by the Mighty Wachirathan Waterfall
- Check Out Mae Ya Waterfall
- More Chiang Mai Activities
- Where to Stay in Doi Inthanon?
- Chiang Mai Travel Video
- When to Visit Doi Inthanon?
- How to Get to Doi Inthanon?
- How to Get Around Doi Inthanon, Thailand?
- Doi Inthanon National Park Entrance Fee
- How Many Days Do I Need For Doi Inthanon?
- How Much Money Do I Need For Doi Inthanon?
- Is it Safe in Doi Inthanon?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Thailand?
- What to Pack for Doi Inthanon, Thailand?
- Further Reading for Northern Thailand
Doi Inthanon Things To Do Itinerary
7 Best Things to Do in Doi Inthanon, Thailand
1. Hike the Kew Mae Pan Trail
One of the best viewpoints you can get from the top of Doi Inthanon is along the Kew Mae Pan Trail, an easy 2-hour hike that will take you through a thick forest into an opening where you will be able to see a panoramic and unobstructed view of the landscape below.
If you are there in the early morning, you might be able to witness a sea of clouds as well, which is quite a sight to behold. The Kew Mae Pan trail itself consists of several stunning viewpoints, including a stunning waterfall, a beautiful heart-shaped rock formation, and a stunning trail along the ridge, so prepare to take a ton of photos here.
The weather along the trail can get extremely cold and windy, especially in the early morning. So, I recommend preparing as many warm layers as you need to protect yourself from the cold while hiking.
- 3 Experiences: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, Trekking Trail (10 to 12 hours) ๐ Top Pick
- Best Seller! Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall & Royal Project - Chiang Mai (8 to 9 hours)
- Half Day Thai Cooking Course at Farm (Chiang Mai) (6 hours)
The trail's condition is very good, with elevated wooden paths installed on several sections. The trail consists of many ups and downs, so make sure you wear proper shoes.
The first half of the hike is along an elevated wooden path and goes up and down in a mossy forest, but in about 45 minutes, you will arrive at an opening along the mountain's ridge. This is where you will start to see the true beauty of Kew Mae Pan Trail.
As you walk along the ridge, the trail will turn southwest, and you will arrive at a platform overlooking the valleys below. This is where you will see a sea of clouds if you are there in the early mornings. To see the sea of clouds, I would recommend starting the hike at 6 or 7 AM, and you will arrive here at about 7-8 AM, in time to see the last bit of the sea of clouds.
After the platform, the trail will go along the side of a mountain before it loops back into a thick forest and merges back into the main trail at the end. Along the way back, there are also several excellent viewpoints worth visiting, such as the one where you will be able to see the Grand Pagodas of Doi Inthanon, as well as several beautiful spots for you to rest at.
Due to the popularity of the Kew Mae Pan trail and depending on the day you visit, there may or may not be a long queue at the Kew Mae Pan trailhead.
You cannot hike the Kew Mae Pan Trail solo. Due to the local community development program, the national park employs up to 250 local hill tribe people to operate as guides throughout the day, and the queue you might see at the trailhead is where each group is assigned their own guide.
The guide will cost you 200 THB per group, and they will leave even if you are just one person, so the wait time might not be as long. The bottleneck is the number of guides already on the trail. If all the guides are already on the trail, you will have to wait for the first group to come back first.
That said, they did a pretty good job of providing guide services to tourists with very little waiting time, except if you are there on weekends or public holidays. I went twice, on a weekday and a weekend, and the difference in the number of people is astounding. If you want a better experience at Kew Mae Pan, visit on weekdays!
The Kew Mae Pan Trail's opening hours are between 6 AM and 4 PM. The Kew Mae Pan Trail only opens during the winter months of November to April, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.
If you want to hike as early as possible but worry about where you can get breakfast, do not worry. At the Kew Mae Pan's parking lot, there are several restaurants that open as early as 6 AM, and they sell dim sum, noodles, coffee, etc.
2. Visit the Grand Pagodas of Doi Inthanon
Another popular tourist attraction in Doi Inthanon National Park is the Grand Pagodas of Doi Inthanon, the Pra Mahatat Noppamethanedon and Pra Mahatat Nopphonphusiri Pagodas located not too far from the Kew Mae Pan trailhead.
The temple ground of the Grand Pagodas consists of two huge pagodas surrounded by beautiful gardens on a platform with a stunning panoramic view of the landscape around Doi Inthanon. This is also a great place for you to witness the sea of clouds that is often visible on a clear winter morning without having to hike.
When you drive into the Grand Pagodas, you will arrive at a checkpoint where you must park your car, pay the entrance fee, and either catch a song-taew or walk up the hill (a 1-minute walk) to the parking lot. You can then take the escalators to reach the 2 pagodas.
The views from both Pagodas are stunning, to say the least. If you are a little late to the party that day and think you might not get to the Kew Mae Pan viewpoint in time for the sea of clouds, it might be worthwhile to stop here first. It will take about 5 minutes to get to the platform, whereas if you go to Kew Mae Pan, you will have to hike another hour, not to mention the queue you might encounter.
The Grand Pagodas of Doi Inthanon's opening hours are between 6 AM and 5:30 PM, but I recommend visiting during sunrise or sunset for the best light. The entry fee is separate from Doi Inthanon National Park and will cost you 40 THB per person. However, if you buy your ticket at 4 PM the day before, you will still have access to the pagodas the next morning until 9 AM. This way, you don't have to buy tickets twice to witness the sunset and sunrise.
3. Stroll Along the Ang Ka Nature Trail
If you are not into hiking but wish to stroll around a bit in nature, Ang Ka Nature Trail is perfect for you. The Ang Ka Nature Trail is a short circuit nature trail located at the summit of Doi Inthanon.
The Ang Ka Nature Trail will take you through a mossy forest where the trail will go around it, passing old shrines and reaching the highest point of Doi Inthanon, which is not as exciting as it sounds.
You see, Doi Inthanon is a broad-shaped mountain with a wide summit area, and all you would see at the Ang Ka Nature Trail is just a large sign saying you are at the top of Thailand, and that is it.
There is no viewpoint or any opening that will allow you to see the landscape around Doi Inthanon, only trees, so keep your expectations low. The whole trail will take you around 5 minutes to complete. It's basically just a stroll around the mossy forest, so anyone of any age can do it.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- 3 Experiences: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, Trekking Trail (10 to 12 hours) ๐ Top Pick
- Best Seller! Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall & Royal Project - Chiang Mai (8 to 9 hours)
- Half Day Thai Cooking Course at Farm (Chiang Mai) (6 hours)
4. Camp at Dong Son Campground, Doi Inthanon National Park
If you are looking to camp inside Doi Inthanon National Park, you can do so at any of the private campgrounds/guest houses in the village near the summit, or you can go with the National Park campground called Dong Son Campground, which is located only a 10-minute drive from the summit, well-serviced, and best of all, it's only 30 THB.
Dong Son Campground is surrounded by tall pine trees which protect you from strong winds and provide shade for your tent during the day. However, this also means that you won't get any view from the campground, only the forest.
In my opinion, you won't get any views anywhere around town, no matter where you sleep. The key to good accommodation at Doi Inthanon is easy access to the summit in the early morning. By camping at Dong Son Campground, you will be able to be the first to reach the Kew Mae Pan trail and the Grand Pagodas before anyone else, which is all that matters.
For more information on how to camp at Dong Son Campground in Doi Inthanon National Park, be sure to follow the instructions provided under the "Camping in Doi Inthanon National Park" section.
5. Enjoy Coffee While Looking at Siriphum Waterfall at the Inn Lhaikhow Cafe
If you are looking for a nice cafe to sit and enjoy a view after you have done all the hikes in the morning, Inn Lhaikhow Cafe is a great place to do so, with an outdoor seating area overlooking the mighty Siriphum Waterfall.
I stumbled upon Inn Lhaikhow Cafe by accident as I was driving around desperately trying to find a place to get my caffeine fix of the day. I found this cafe on the side of the road that overlooks the mighty Siriphum Waterfall, which is best appreciated from afar.
6. Be Sprayed By Water by the Mighty Wachirathan Waterfall
Wachirathan Waterfall, located along the main Doi Inthanon road, is a great place to stop on your way down from the summit, especially if you were camping the night before, as you will be showered by its incredibly powerful spray the moment you approach it.
Wachirathan Waterfall is so powerful that there is no way you will walk back to your vehicle dry. With the spray the waterfall produces, if the sky is clear on the day you visit, you can witness the rare and incredible double rainbows.
There are several walking paths that you can take to appreciate Wachirathan Waterfall from different angles. One of my favorites is the one that goes down to the river and loops back up, right in front of the waterfall. That's the shower you will need after camping the night before ๐คฃ.
Wachirathan Waterfall's opening hours are between 6 AM and 5 PM. However, the best time to visit, if you wish to witness the double rainbow, is around late morning, approximately at 10 AM. During this time, the sunlight shines on the waterfall, creating rainbows.
7. Check Out Mae Ya Waterfall
Last but not least, Mae Ya Waterfall is another stunning waterfall within the National Park that you shouldn't miss when you visit Doi Inthanon. It's located outside the main Doi Inthanon National Park area, but you can use the same national park ticket to enter.
Mae Ya Waterfall is enormous. With its 260-meter height, cone shape, and the various levels of drops where the waterfall flows, it is quite a sight to behold.
To get to Mae Ya Waterfall, you will have to drive down from Doi Inthanon National Park the same way you drove up and take the main highway to this intersection in Chom Thong City, and head west until you arrive at Mae Ya Waterfall.
Once you arrive at Mae Ya Waterfall's parking lot, it's another 600-meter walk until you arrive at the base of Mae Ya Waterfall. The trail is pretty simple with very little ups and downs, and you will be right at the foot of Mae Ya Waterfall.
Don't worry, due to the multiple levels of drops at Mae Ya Waterfall, you won't get soaked like at Wachirathan Waterfall with its one significant drop. Mae Ya Waterfall's opening hours are between 8 AM and 5 PM, and you can use the same national park ticket as Doi Inthanon to enter the waterfall. Otherwise, it's 200 THB for foreigners and 20 THB for Thais.
Where to Stay in Doi Inthanon?
How to camp in Doi Inthanon National Park?
Budget - Dong Son Campground - 1 USD/Night (with your own tent) | 10 USD (with a tent, sleeping bags, mat, pillows, etc.) - Be sure to buy a camping ticket at Doi Inthanon National Park Headquarters first.
To camp inside Doi Inthanon National Park, you will first have to enter the National Park, pay the national park entrance fee at the National Park Checkpoint, drive up to Doi Inthanon National Park Headquarters to register for the night before accessing the national park's campground.
Do not go to the campground first, as I did, or they will just send you back to the National Park Headquarters. At the National Park Headquarters, you will have to register your name, and then you can pay for the campsite, which costs 30 THB for those with their own camping gear.
If you do not have camping gear, do not worry. You can rent everything at the National Park Headquarters for around 300 THB per tent, which includes 3 sleeping bags, 3 mats, and 3 pillows. One tent can fit a maximum of 3 people, but you would be more comfortable with 2.
Once you have registered and paid everything, you will receive a white receipt that you can then give to the ranger at the Dong Son Campground entrance to gain access to the campground.
The campground is under pine trees, so you won't have any view from the campground. However, you are as close to the summit as possible, allowing you to travel to Kew Mae Pan and other tourist attractions first thing in the morning before anyone else.
For food, there are several restaurants around the National Park Headquarters, so you do not have to prepare anything. For breakfast, you will find many food stalls open around the camping area as early as 5:30 AM, or you can buy some Dim Sum right at the Kew Mae Pan trailhead.
Where to stay inside Doi Inthanon National Park?
Where to stay outside of Doi Inthanon National Park?
When to Visit Doi Inthanon?
The best time to visit Doi Inthanon is from November to January when the weather is cold, increasing the chances of seeing a sea of fog. Additionally, the hiking paths around the area should already be open for the season.
That said, Doi Inthanon is one of the most popular attractions in the country, and it can get quite hectic during the weekends and long holidays. So, be sure to visit during the weekdays instead. It gets increasingly crowded the closer it gets to New Year's Eve. Therefore, if you want to avoid the crowds, weekdays in early November are the best time in my opinion.
Thailand, in recent years, has also suffered a lot from air pollution due to the burning season, and it is extremely prevalent during Thailand's late winter period (January - February). So, even though the weather is cooler, your visibility might not be the best. Be sure to buy a face mask if you decide to visit Thailand during this time.
All the other months are alright to visit Doi Inthanon, but you won't be able to do the Kew Mae Pan hike, which is probably one of the best things to do on Doi Inthanon. Also, your visibility might not be as good with all the humidity and rain, especially higher up in the mountains during these months, and you might not enjoy it as much.
How to Get to Doi Inthanon?
Doi Inthanon is located approximately 100 km away from Chiang Mai, one of Thailand's most popular travel hubs, and this is where you will have to transit to get to Doi Inthanon.
In order to get to Chiang Mai, you will first have to fly to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, from your place of origin. Then, you can choose to fly or take an overnight bus/train to Chiang Mai before you continue to Doi Inthanon.
If you are from a city/country with a direct flight to Chiang Mai, such as Taiwan, South Korea, China, or Doha, then traveling to Doi Inthanon will be much easier for you as you can skip straight to the "Getting from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon" section.
If you choose to fly to Bangkok first, here are some of your available options:
From the US, unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Chiang Mai or Bangkok, so you will have to rely on transit flights by Emirates, Qatar, or Turkish Airlines from the East Coast, or ANA Airlines or Korean Air from the West Coast.
From Europe, you can fly from most European hubs such as London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Thai Airways or local carriers like British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa to Bangkok. You can also choose to go with Etihad, Qatar, or Emirates if you don't mind transiting.
From within Asia, there are several low-cost airlines offering multiple routes from many hub cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Jakarta to Bangkok. AirAsia and Thai Lion Air are excellent low-cost options.
To find a cheap flight to Bangkok or Chiang Mai, I would recommend using Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
Getting from Bangkok to Doi Inthanon
In order to get from Bangkok to Doi Inthanon, you will have to travel to Chiang Mai, the main city hub in Northern Thailand. Here are some ways you can travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai:
By Air: You can travel to Doi Inthanon via Chiang Mai by flying to Chiang Mai International airport on one of the many low-cost airlines in Thailand.
For AirAsia, there are over 13 flights per day that can cost as low as 492 THB, which is even cheaper than taking a bus or a train. There are also Thai Lion Air and Nok Air that offer the route, so be sure to check them out too. You can book the flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai here.
By Buses: If you are not in a rush, you can also get an overnight bus from Morchit Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Chiang Mai Arcade 2 Bus Terminal, which will take you about 10 hours. You can book the bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai here.
By Trains: You can take an even more scenic and slower route to Chiang Mai by taking the train from Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok to Chiang Mai Train Station, which can take anywhere from 11-15 hours.
It is a long ride, and you are not even saving that much as the price for a ticket is about 400-500 THB. 7 trains are running between the 2 stations from 08:30-22:00 every day. If you wish to travel by train, you can reserve your train ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai here.
Once you arrive in Chiang Mai, you can travel to Doi Inthanon with the instructions under the "Getting from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon" section.
Getting from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon
By Motorcycle: One of the most popular ways of exploring Chiang Mai is with your own vehicle. To do that, most people will often rent either a motorcycle or a car from Chiang Mai and travel to Doi Inthanon.
To rent a motorbike from Chiang Mai, I recommend you rent it from Mr. Mechanic, a motorbike rental shop in Chiang Mai that offers a wide range of motorbike options for you to choose from.
From Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon, the road goes straight up to the summit and can be quite curvy and mountainous, so I recommend getting at least a 150cc motorbike. For a 150cc motorbike, the rent should be around 500 THB per day. You can also get a 200-250cc motorbike for 700 THB or more from Mr. Mechanic.
In order to rent a motorbike here, you will have to provide an ID or a valid driving license (don't leave your passport with them as you will likely need it along the way when you pass through checkpoints. Give them a photocopy version instead), a deposit of around 1000 THB, and you're off to explore Chiang Mai. Yup, it's that easy to rent a scooter in Thailand.
By Car: Renting a car in Chiang Mai to get to Doi Inthanon is also a great option, especially for those who are not traveling solo or who have a lot of luggage or camping gear with them.
There are several car rental companies operating right from the Chiang Mai airport, with a price range of around 700 - 1500 THB, depending on the size of the car.
Since you will be driving along a mountainous road, I recommend getting a car with at least 1500cc so you can get around the area without stalling. You can rent a car in Chiang Mai here.
By Song-Taew: If you do not wish to drive yourself to Doi Inthanon, you can also hire the red Song-Taew that roams Chiang Mai City for a day to take you to all the places listed in this article for around 2000~ THB. Just flag them off the road in Chiang Mai, and negotiate the price.
Unfortunately, if you choose this way, you won't be able to stay overnight at Doi Inthanon as the Song-Taew often operates between 9 AM - 6 PM, and you won't be able to see Doi Inthanon at the prettiest time, which is the early morning. If you don't mind that, hiring Song-Taew might be the way to go. Be sure to negotiate the price before you get on the Song-Taew.
By Private Tours: If money is no object, you can also get a tour instead and save a ton of hassle dealing with the Song-Taew drivers, as they are known to get a bit greedy at times.
Book a Tour from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon
How to Get Around Doi Inthanon, Thailand?
The best way to get around Doi Inthanon National Park is with your own vehicle, as everything is far apart. It is best that you rent your own vehicle from Chiang Mai, and to do that, you can follow the instructions under the "Getting From Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon" section.
Doi Inthanon National Park Entrance Fee
Doi Inthanon National Park Entrance Fee per person is 300 THB for Adults (50 THB for Thais), 150 THB for Children (20 THB for Thais). For the vehicle entrance fee, it is 30 THB for one car and 20 THB for one motorcycle.
How Many Days Do I Need For Doi Inthanon?
2 Days and 1 night is a good amount of time to see Doi Inthanon at the best time, with enough spare time to explore all the tourist attractions in the surrounding area. Here is a rough itinerary for 2 days at Doi Inthanon National Park.
Day 1: Visit Mae Ya Waterfall, Wachirathan Waterfall, and the Grand Pagodas of Doi Inthanon for sunset before camping at Dong Son Campground.
Day 2: Wake up at 5 AM and watch the sunrise at the Kew Mae Pan parking lot before hitting the trail at around 6 - 7 AM. You should be done by 9 AM, where you can then have a cup of coffee at Inn Lhaikhow Cafe before you head back to Chiang Mai.
How Much Money Do I Need For Doi Inthanon?
With the 2-day itinerary above, we can roughly calculate how much you will be spending at Doi Inthanon National Park, considering you are camping and opting for a motorbike. Here is how much money you will need for this trip.
Accommodation: For one night of camping without your own gear, you can expect to pay around 10 USD for accommodation.
Food: Food in the Doi Inthanon National Park should cost around 60 THB per meal, so you can expect to pay around 180 THB for three meals, including lunch and dinner on the first day, and breakfast on the second day.
Transportation: For a 2-day 150cc motorbike rental (1,000 THB) plus gas (~200 THB), you can expect to pay around 1,200 THB for transportation.
Activities: You will only have to pay once for the Doi Inthanon National Park entrance fee, which is 300 THB per person.
Total Budget for 1 night at Doi Inthanon: 1,980 THB (66 USD).
Is it Safe in Doi Inthanon?
Doi Inthanon is safe as a place to visit. However, the road going up can be extremely steep and curvy. If you are traveling during the wintertime (which is the only time worth visiting), you will be sharing the steep mountainous road with other drivers, so you have to be extra careful.
The road is well-paved 100% of the time, making driving much easier. However, due to how steep the road is and how some Thais drive like maniacs (and that's coming from a Thai), be very vigilant of your surroundings and do not drive fast. With all that in mind, you should be able to drive to Doi Inthanon without a problem.
Accidents happen every year on this road due to negligence, so please be extra careful if you are driving yourself. Also, if you are a newbie at riding a motorcycle, you might consider testing the water out first by driving up and down Doi Suthep to see if you can do it, as the road is pretty similar. However, it's longer and steeper at Doi Inthanon National Park.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Thailand?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Chiang Mai, Thailand without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Chiang Mai, Thailand:
There are 3 major carriers in Thailand: AIS, DTAC, and True, all of which offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverage. Personally, I use AIS as I have been with them since my first phone and they have a lot of Support Centers around Thailand. Their coverage hasn't failed me yet, so if you are looking for a reliable carrier, I can recommend AIS.
There are 3 packages for tourists: 5 GB for 5 days at 160 THB, 15 GB for 8 days at 299 THB, and 30 GB for 15 days. Depending on how long your trip to Thailand will be, you can pick one of these 3 packages that fit your itinerary the most.
With these 3 packages, you can top up more in case you need additional data or calls for your trip. More often than not, 5 GB is more than enough for me to travel around Thailand for a month.
For more information about Thailand's local SIM card: Thailand's Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Doi Inthanon, Thailand?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Northern Thailand
Looking for more information for your trip to Northern Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Thailand that you might find useful:
- Want to get off the beaten track and really explore Northern Thailand? Check out: 2 Weeks Northern Thailand Itinerary.
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
- Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
- First time in Northern Thailand? Check out the 10 Best Places to Visit in Northern Thailand.
- Looking for another great road trip to get you off the beaten path in Northern Thailand? Check out: 9 Days Nan Loop Road Trip Itinerary.
- Not sure where to begin your journey in Northern Thailand? How about an old capital with a Complete Backpacking Guide to Phitsanulok?
- Come explore the lesser-known mountainous region of Phetchabun with this travel guide: Discover Phetchabun: 10 Incredible Things to Do and More.
- Tired of the constant heat in Thailand? Escape to the cool mountains of Khao Kho with this guide: A Complete Travel Guide to Khao Kho.
- As a gateway to the mountains of Phetchabun, Lom Sak is the perfect place to stop by before you head into the mountains. For a complete travel guide, check out: A Complete Travel Guide to Lom Sak.
- Did you know that the cradle of Thailand began in the ancient city of Sukhothai, north of Bangkok, in the 13th Century? If you are interested in the history of Thailand, here is The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Sukhothai.
- Sukhothai has a twin city that has prospered together since the first founding of the Siam Kingdom. The ancient city is called Si Satchanalai, 60 km north of Sukhothai, and there are many less-traveled ancient ruins there waiting for you to explore. Here is A Complete Backpacking Guide to Si Satchanalai.
- Kamphaeng Phet, which translates to "The Wall of Diamond," was an outpost town that played a role in protecting the Siam Kingdom from invasion for several decades, and you can still see the remnants today. Here is A Complete Backpacking Guide to Kamphaeng Phet.
- Lampang is low-key, one of the most laid-back places in the north with a northern vibe similar to Chiang Mai but much quieter and more authentic. If you are looking to go off the beaten path in Thailand, check out The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Lampang.
- Spending a few days relaxing in Lampang? Here are 9 Best Cafes and Restaurants to Try in Lampang.
- There is no need for an introduction to the renowned old capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai. Here is a list of the 20 best things to do in Chiang Mai according to the locals.
- Chiang Mai is a big city. How does one find the best restaurants and cafes, you asked? Check out 25 Absolute Best Restaurants and Cafes in Chiang Mai.
- Have only 3 days in Chiang Mai? Check out 3 Days Backpacking Itinerary for Chiang Mai.
- Have a day to spare in Chiang Mai? How about going on a day trip to Lamphun? Here are 7 Best Things to Do in Lamphun.
- Looking to go off the beaten path in Chiang Mai? How about visiting the untouched nature of Doi Ang Khang and the Chinese-influenced towns of Arunothai and Chai Prakan? Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Doi Ang Khang.
- One of the best road trips you can make in Thailand is traversing the Mae Hong Son Loop. Here's a complete backpacking guide and a 10-day itinerary for Mae Hong Son Loop.
- Mae Hong Son City is one of my favorite cities from the entire Mae Hong Son Loop road trip. Here are 15 Best Things to Do in Mae Hong Son City.
- Pai has become a tourist hotspot ever since it was discovered and featured in many travel blogs, but what is there to do in Pai? We have the answer. Here are 15 Best Things to Do in Pai, Thailand.
- Phrae is so much more than a stopover destination. Here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Phrae.
- Nan is the upcoming trendy tourist attraction in Thailand that is still pretty much unexplored by foreigners. If you want to travel to Nan, here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Nan.
- Phayao is a beautiful hidden gem of Thailand's north that is waiting for you to explore. It rarely gets any tourists, all the more reason to visit Phayao before it is discovered! Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Phayao.
- Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Central Thailand or Southern Thailand?
- Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
- For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all of my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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