Doi Luang Chiang Dao, also known as Doi Chiang Dao, is located in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province.

There are several scenic viewpoints near the camping area. Tourists can choose which viewpoint they would like to visit.

This review features perspectives from the South Wind Pass (sunrise view) and the summit of Doi Chiang Dao, offering sunrise and sunset views from the same peak.

This thread was posted on January 6-8, 2017.



The incident stemmed from my having a long holiday left over from the New Year (January 6-8) and having plans to travel but not knowing where to go.

Due to the mass cancellation of trips by my comrades, ranging from university friends to office colleagues, ...

Search for "January 6-8" in the Facebook search bar.

I came across a hiking trip on a Facebook page. The cost was 3,500 baht for 3 days and 2 nights, and there was exactly one space left in the van.



The total cost of traveling to this location is 3,500 baht, excluding the 160 baht roundtrip motorcycle taxi fare to the assembly point.



The price is relatively affordable compared to other groups. This price includes the cost of a van from Mo Chit to Den Ya Khat, all meals on the mountain (including tea, coffee, snacks, and drinking water), and tent rental (excluding sleeping pads and sleeping bags). There are no additional charges.




Essentials for Doi Luang Chiang Dao



- Drinking water is the most important thing. There are no water sources on the top. If you are staying overnight, you should have at least 2-3 bottles of water per person.

Water on Doi Nang Paeng is very expensive. Porters carry it up to sell for 500 baht per 20-liter container.



- Wet wipes - Please bring a garbage bag and take them with you after use. On the mountain, people often dispose of wet wipes carelessly. They have been found in many places.



- Non-slip shoes with deep treads, Doi studs 60-80 baht, suitable for people with a low budget. Choose a size +1 larger than usual and wear thick socks with them.

I wore a pair of Bega shoes with deep treads for hiking, which cost around 790 baht. On the way there, I slipped and fell once because I thought I had passed the slippery spot and wasn't careful.

On the way back, I walked carefully and didn't fall. However, the shoes were still very slippery (around 10-15%), but they had more grip than running shoes.

Overall, it's too light and won't pass. I should probably use palladium instead.

- Porters can carry up to 20 kilograms, which is almost the weight of the drinking water alone. If there are not enough porters, you will have to carry your own belongings. I did not hire any porters for my personal belongings, so I did not have any expenses in this area.



- Prepare a sleeping bag suitable for cold weather. The nights between 9-13 were very cold and uncomfortable.

My (personal) sleeping bag is rated for 9-20 degrees, but when the temperature actually dropped to 9 degrees, it was quite challenging.



- Hike to Doi Daen Ya Khat, 8.5 kilometers on foot. The trail is slippery and muddy due to recent rainfall and heavy morning dew.

(The actual walking distance on Garmin is approximately 8.8 kilometers.)

The hike took approximately 4.5 hours, which is considered an average duration. I took a short break after slipping and falling, to clean the mud off myself.



- Descended from Doi Pangka via a steep and slippery 6.5 km trail (Garmin reported 7.6 km). This time, I didn't rest as often, but it still took a moderate time of 3 hours and 10 minutes.



- I brush my teeth in a water-saving way by using Listerine to brush my teeth. I finish by rinsing, so I don't waste water. I barely rinse my toothbrush.



- Flashlight for traveling to see the sunrise and returning for the sunset.



Physical preparation



- Individuals with limited mobility can still complete the walk, albeit at a slower pace. However, it is recommended to practice walking for at least 5 kilometers beforehand to ensure a more comfortable experience.

- Casual exercisers can walk it, but it's not a leisurely stroll. Expect to feel tired, as usual.

- For those who have never thought about exercising, if they haven't had an accident before, I think they can walk there too, but their legs will definitely be sore and their feet will definitely be swollen.



Camera equipment: Fuji X-T10, 12mm Samyang, 50-230mm



If you find Doi Chiang Dao too challenging, consider Doi Pui, its younger sibling, which offers a more relaxed hiking experience with shorter trails.

Doi Pha Hom Pok >>> https://th.readme.me/p/7135


This trip was another lucky one. Although the weather forecast predicted light rain on the day of travel, it actually rained heavily.

Fortunately, the rain stopped just as I was about to leave, so I didn't need to wear a raincoat.


Along the way, you will encounter both birds and mountains in abundance.

The mist that creeps up the mountain is truly magnificent.


I encountered a blooming tiger lily deep in the forest. It was so far away that I had to use a telephoto lens to capture the image.


After walking for 5-7 kilometers, the sky began to clear. The fog started to dissipate, revealing patches of blue sky.


Upon reaching the campsite (8.5 - 8.8 km), we discovered that the porters had already set up the tents for us, allowing us to choose our accommodations immediately.

The sky cleared completely, after a morning shrouded in thick fog. Amazing!


On the way here, I drank a small bottle of water and still felt thirsty. I think another half bottle would be enough for this level of fatigue.


This image captures the summit of Doi Chiang Dao, where you can witness both sunrise and sunset from the same peak. The final ascent to the summit takes approximately 30-40 minutes.

The first day, the sky was clear, perfect for taking pictures of the sunset. However, there was a slight delay.

That day, I could only climb to the foot of the mountain, capturing images from a lower altitude. However, it was still a very memorable experience.


As darkness falls upon the return journey, the absence of spotlights necessitates the use of flashlights for those seeking to witness the sunset.


A bright star shines from early evening, captured from my tent.

After finishing dinner (which was delicious, thanks to Staff),


Gazing at the stars and capturing them for fellow members is an excellent way to get to know each other.


The moon was shining brightly that day.


The night I slept in the tent was excruciatingly cold. I was not adequately prepared, and although I managed to doze off and on, I longed for the time to pass quickly.



Waking up at 4 am to brush my teeth and wash my face, leaving only about half of the trip's fatigue and drowsiness to challenge me.

We will then hike to the Doi Giw Lom Tai viewpoint to watch the sunrise. The trail is slippery, dark, and steep, and the hike takes about 50 minutes.


Upon arrival, the weather was as predicted by the weather application: clear skies.

Notably, we witnessed a dense sea of fog even before sunrise.

It's about to start. Let's go!


Exquisitely beautiful.


The fog looks like a blanket covering the mountain. https://th.readme.me/p/7135

The three pink-clad siblings continued walking for another 500 meters.


The south windbreak also has beautiful photo spots.

We took a break to take some photos on this rock. The view was stunning.


There is another wind gap below the peak, not far away. I didn't walk there, but I zoomed in to show you instead.



After that, we traveled back to the tent and did random things because we were staying for two nights. So today was very relaxing.


As dusk settled, we ascended to the summit of Doi Chiang Dao, located behind our tents, to capture the iconic sunset view through the Three Brothers Peaks.



During my leisure time, I came across a cloud formation that resembled rabbit ears.



As the sun began its descent, I gathered my fellow travelers, requesting they strike a pose for a photograph.



As the sun began its descent, I gathered my fellow travelers, requesting they strike a pose for a photograph.






Farewell to the last sunset of this trip.




10 degrees at that time.
Another dark night, we traveled to the top of Chiang Dao. It was an easy journey, with only 10 of us at the summit because everyone else went to Kew Lom.

The sea of fog today is still present, but less than yesterday. At first, I thought there was none, judging from the image below.

It didn't take long for it to arrive.


On this final day, I didn't capture many scenic views.



The camera roll became a gallery of strangers who became friends.

An unforgettable solo trip that turned into an amazing experience filled with new friendships.


This was my first backpacking trip, where I had to hike in to set up camp, instead of driving to a campsite and then hiking.


It was significantly more challenging, but I had great companions who helped me out and shared their knowledge.


Even if my friends' trips fall through in the future, I'm confident that there will be new groups of friends waiting to join me on future adventures.



Finding new hiking companions along the way isn't bad at all.



Hello everyone in this thread, farewell Doi Luang Chiang Dao. I've truly fallen in love with you.

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