A traveller's reflection: Day 13: Year-end Trip: Mae Hong Son

The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us." - Ashley Montagu

(Doi Inthanon summit)

Day 13: Tuesday, 27 December 2022
Route: Mae Hong Son to Doi Inthanon
Distance: 195 km
Hotel: Little Home Inthanon Resort, Chom Thong

(Ngamta Hotel breakfast spread)

(Goodbye to the home of Shan and Hmong hill tribes)

(A stretch of roadworks on Route 108)

Our destination today was Doi Inthanon National Park. Doi Inthanon is the highest peak in Thailand located in the Doi Inthanon National Park. The area is covered with green forest, waterfalls and has amazing panoramic views. Although it was only 195 km from Mae Hong Son, the journey took us more than 6 hours inclusive of a few rest stops.

(Pha Bong Viewpoint overlooking the dam)

(High mountains and a deep valley)

(A 4,088 curves challenge for the carsick prone)

We drove out of Mae Hong Son before 8.00 am. First stop was at Ban Pha Bong Viewpoint about 30 km south of Mae Hong Son. We drove on Route 108 then detoured to the town of Khun Yuam for refuelling and comfort break.

(Crossing the Kew Lom Bridge, a new landmark)

(A busy morning market at a Mae Chaem hill village)

(Beautiful mountain sceneries)

From Khun Yuam we took the junction to Doi Inthanon and drove on a winding highland roads. The drive was easy and pleasant. The landscape along the route was beautiful. We passed a few small villages along the way. At one of the villages in Mae Chaem we passed through a morning market which was full of activities. There was some sort of festivity in the village as children and elderlies wore their best vibrantly colored cloths.

(A rest stop at PTT Amazon Cafe)

(Driving on steep Route 1192 to Doi Inthanon)

After a brief rest stop at Mae Chaem town we drove towards the summit of Doi Inthanon. The ascending drive onwards was on curvy steep roads. As foreigners, we paid B630 for entrance fees to enter the National Park.

(The tolled entrance to Doi Inthanon National Park)

(The highest spot in Thailand)

(Thai National Observatory and Neuron Monitor)

(A cemented path to the summit)

On the way to the peak you will not miss the twin stupas of the Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Bhumisiri. There was an entrance fee to visit these temples and beautiful gardens. We continued driving and were surprised to see a large crowd at the peak. The last time we were here in 2015, the place was quite deserted.

(Several attractions at the summit)

(It was 11°C at the top)

(One for the album)

We explored the peak's attractions and bought something to eat from the bazaar. The weather was quite chilly. It was 11°C when we were at the summit and it gets colder in the evening.

(A bustling day market at the Inthanon Reporting Post)

(Restricted area from here on)

(Buying baked sweet potatoes)

(Mouth watering local delicacies)

(Enjoying the clear sky and cool fresh air)

(The observatory in the background)

(Blooming flowers of Doi Inthanon)

Tonight we stayed in Little Home Inthanon Resort in Chom Thom for B800/night. It was a perfect place for a nights rest after a long haul drive and a hectic afternoon in Doi Inthanon Park. The small room was cozy and comfortable. There is a restaurant next to the chalets.