Discover the Best Hilltribe Village In Doi Inthanon Thailand

If you are going to Doi Inthanon National Park in Northern Thailand, then consider visiting or staying overnight at Ban Khun Klang Hilltribe Village. You can spend a whole day here, or stay overnight at one of the many local hotels, glamping spots, or traditional camping.

We are lucky to live just outside the park entrance in Chom Thong, and so we visit several times a month. We enjoy many of the main tourist spots, however there are many other very cool places to see most visitors don’t have the time to explore.

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Doi Inthanon is one of the most popular national parks in Thailand. It is famous for its waterfalls, Hiking trails, remote villages, viewpoints, sunrise/sunset watching, birdwatching and the all year round cold weather on higher elevations. The main park entrance is about 70 km southwest from Chiang Mai city center.

Also known as “The Roof of Thailand”, Doi Inthanon National Park covers an area of 482 km² in Chiang Mai province north of Thailand. The park is part of the Himalayan mountain range with elevations ranging between 800 and 2,565 meters asl. The highest peak in the park is Doi Inthanon Mountain which is the highest mountain in Thailand. The park has high humidity and cold weather all year round.

With crisp mountain air and a calming vibe, it’s an ideal retreat to unwind and embrace nature’s beauty. Doi Inthanon itself, Thailand’s tallest mountain, boasts unique microclimates, rare bird species, and vibrant stupas worth exploring. And the view? Absolutely breathtaking.

Ban Khun Klang Village

One of our favorite places in Doi Inthanon National Park is Ban Khun Klang Village. It is a traditional Karen hill tribe village, one of the best places to experience local highland life and cool-climate agriculture in northern Thailand. Home to Pgak’nyau (Karen) people, with traditional wooden houses, weaving, and farming lifestyle.

Part of the Royal Project Foundation, and known for strawberries, avocados, Arabica Coffee. While there visit the local stalls for handmade products. Some amazing things to do there include sitting at this coffee shop with the valley view. Hiking to Siriphun Waterfall, camping, exploring the Royal Agricultural Project, and staying at one of the many Glamping Spots.

The village has traditional local charm, with a popular school, and streets lined with shops and markets full of locally made products. If you are a coffee lover, there are several amazing coffee shops with some of the best views anywhere. In February, Sakura blooming happens and attracts a lot of visitors, so be aware if you want to avoid crowds.

Visiting Tips

• Dress modestly (it’s a working village, not a tourist show).
• Ask before taking photos of people.
• Support locals by buying village products.
• Bring cash (no ATMs).

Siriphun Waterfall

The waterfall, and mostly the trails below, are one of the main attractions of the area. 1.5 km off the road 1284 north of headquarters, accessible by a trail on the west side of Ban Khun Klang village and the Royal Garden. The area around this waterfall gets Sakura blooming in February.

The entrance to the trail is located near the Royal Project, and by a hilltribe village with homestay accommodations, YeeLee Homestay, located by the entrance. The waterfall can be seen from all around the valley, especially on the opposite site of the valley from the coffee shops and glamping places. Ironically, you cannot see the waterfall on the hike up as you are surrounded by forest.

For most people the hike is the main attraction. From the parking lot, you cross the river into a dense and otherworldly fern forest.

The trail is well maintained, and mostly brick walkways zigzagging back and forth over the rushing creek that makes for peaceful music. It does get steep in some sections, however you are completely shaded from the sun, and can walk in the rain as well and not really get wet.

Along the way to the waterfall viewpoint is a small waterfall and amazing spot for photos and videos. We have hiked up here several times and only once gone past this spot.

Coffee & Views

One of the highlights is relaxing at a cafe or coffee shop out in nature and with incredible views. One of our favorites is In-lai-kao (Google Map). Easy to get to right on route 1284 up the hill from the village. Located across the valley from Siriphun waterfall, so you get amazing views. They also have rooms for rent on the property.

22 Aquarius Glamping is another beautiful spot to hang out a while. A nice cafe with gardens, and glamping rentals.

Royal Agricultural Project

The Royal Agricultural Station located in Ban Khun Klang village, just up the road from the village. Market street signs will direct you here. The same road also takes you to Siriphun Waterfall. There is a small entrance fee to enter the station, and it is a great place to learn about the local culture and history of the village.

The station is responsible for promoting and developing careers for highland farmers. The project is run under the concept of “high production in limited space” to minimize upland deforestation.

Established in 1979, Royal Project Inthanon is a nearly 1 km² flower garden. The main purpose of starting this project was to eliminate opium growing by educating the locals. The garden is located at the Khun Klang Hhong village 1.5 north from the headquarters.

The village is open to visitors and in the early morning farmers will harvest their flowers to deliver to the station. Besides flowers, farmers are encouraged to raise fisheries of Rainbow Trout, cultivate Arabica coffee, and grow fruits and vegetables.

A beautiful victors center and botanical gardens are a nice place to spend an hour. And there is overnight accommodations available as well.

Getting There

This village is located in a perfect spot for visitors, and on the map above located at Visitor Center & Campsite. Just turn on route 1284 from the main road (1009), and there are plenty of signs directing you. Any tour guide would know the area, and if you are driving yourself, it is easy to find and good roads throughout the area. The village is also located near many other great attractions. Mae Klang Luang Village is just down the road and also a wonderful hilltribe village.

Where To Stay

The area has many wonderful places to stay overnight. In low season you may be able to just show up, especially during the weekdays. The most famous places to stay are at Homestays and Glamping, most with great views of the valley. Below are a few of the ones we have enjoyed with friendly staff.

Most of the places are local small homestays, and not available to book on Agoda or Expedia. So you may need to find their Facebook page and contact them directly.

Camping

There are several spots in the valley to do traditional tent camping. One of them is at the main visitors center, called Dong Son Tent Area. A large and beautiful site, also with regular accommodations and restaurants.

22 Aquarius Glamping Cafe is a beautiful place to spend the night in the tents. Located not far off the main road (route 1009), and turn on to route 1284. Enjoy nature near the summit of Doi Inthanon. We like to go there for an hour just to enjoy a coffee and the scenery. There are amazing flower fields.

YeeLee Inthanon guesthouse is right at the entrance to Siriphun waterfall, so hiking is right our your front door. The owner and staff are great, and the cook local Thai food right at the on site restaurant.

This excellent value-for-money accommodation (starting at just a few hundred baht). It excels in its own fresh coffee, which it grows, roasts, and brews itself. It’s also known for its traditional Hmong herbal steaming, a unique selling point.

Inthanon Mountain Camp is a popular camping-style accommodation that emphasizes comfort and atmosphere. The rooms are large, well-decorated dome tents with comfortable bedding, even on cold nights. Breakfast and a barbecue are served at night, making it a great base for preparing to watch the sunrise at the summit of Doi Inthanon.

For more nice resorts outside the park entrance be sure to read our Doi Inthanon Guide.