THE ROUTE
Thailand Mountain Trail has spent several years to find the most beautiful mountain trails around Chiang Mai. At the beginning of our research in 2013, we investigated the whole Doi Pui Suthep national park located just at the doorstep of the city. We were immediately seduced by the beauty and wildness of those areas which was still little known at this time.
THE TRIP
This trip will start directly from the beautiful Wat Doi Suthep temple at 1000m high. It takes an old path created by the Hmong tribes when they arrived in the area from Laos in the middle of the last century, fleeing the war. They used to settle high in the mountains to grow poppy crops and use this trail to trade at the temple market. The route was relieved by TMT and now lead us through deep jungle to their villages located in the pine trees at the foothill of Doi Pui summit.
THB 2,400
DURATION
1 DAY
DISTANCE
17K
ELEVATION GAIN
900M+
DIFFICULTY
3 PEAKS
TRIP TYPE
TREK & DISCOVER
PICK UP AT YOUR HOTEL (8.00-8.30 AM)
WAT DOI SUTHEP (30 MIN TRANSFER FROM TMT)
HMONG VILLAGES, JUNGLE,
PINE FOREST, VIEWS
BAN DOI PUI (45 MIN TRANSFER TO TMT)
DROP OFF AT YOUR HOTEL (4.00-5.00 PM)
ALL INCLUSIVE
5-6 HOURS TREKKING DAILY
90% SINGLE TRACK / 10% DOUBLE TRACK
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR
SUBJECT TO THE PARK’S OPENING
17K
900M+
We have to find our bearings very quickly in these long green tunnels whose very density is impressive.
Just behind the temple, we take a hidden path and plunge headlong into a first stretch of jungle. For many it comes as a shock. The undulating paths are almost free of obstacles but in many places, they are punctuated by fallen branches and tree trunks which we have to step over.
As we hike up, the forest is clearing out and pine trees are replacing banana trees.
We will carry water and food as we will hike almost 10k in tropical forests without crossing any village. After the jungle flat and wild, the route begins to rise. It’s not steep but it is a constant way up until the 1st Hmong village. When we arrive in the village close to the summit, it’s a complete change of atmosphere and climate.
This village is famous for growing tasty Arabica that we could taste directly from the producer.
Hmong people are experts for farming. Many years ago, helped by the Royal Project, they abandoned poppy crops for substitution crops. After a delicious lunch break and a cup of coffee, we continue our hike on a beautiful open ridge surrounded by pine trees. The view overlooking the fields and the valleys is steep and wild.
Arriving in Ban Doi Pui the horizon opens up on the next mountains.
For the last part of our hike, we plunge again into the jungle and the atmosphere becomes wilder. First, it’s a beautiful mix between pine forests and tropical forests then the jungle again. We can enjoy a comfortable route that is slightly downhill until the last Hmong village. It’s time to relax in this lovely village and take a break before going back to Chiang Mai by taxi.
Our tours are all inclusive. From the pick-up at your hotel in the city center until your return, there is nothing to pay in addition. We provide all meals (at restaurants, in villages or to take away with local quality food) and all snacks during the trip. We manage our own accommodation in mountain villages with local people. Our exclusive homestays have all the comfort needed, with private rooms, real beds, clean sheets and blankets, hot showers. All National Park fees and insurance are included as well. Joining a TMT trip is a guarantee to get the highest attention and the best service possible.
Routes we reopened ourselves and no one else runs.
Small enough to move fast and stay welcome in a village.
Licensed, local, and running these hills for years.
Local quality food, cooked fresh, morning to night.
Fruit, water and refuel stops carried for the whole day.
Our own houses with private rooms and hot showers.
Real beds, clean sheets and blankets — not a mat on a floor.
Door to trailhead and back, every day of the trip.
National Park fees and trip insurance already covered.
