Sarn Pa Kia, Doi Mae Taman: Sleep with the stars, sleep in Chiang Dao

Waking up early and opening the tent to this view.

Panoramic view of #Doi Luang Chiang Dao!!

This is #San Pa Kia (Doi Mae Ta Man), officially known as the San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station, Doi Mae Ta Man. It is a unit of the Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, located in the highlands (Doi Mae Ta Man) of Chiang Dao district. The location boasts stunning views, offering a clear sight of the majestic Doi Luang Chiang Dao mountain towering in the foreground.

Especially in the morning, mist will drift across the front of the accommodation, with Doi Luang Chiang Dao as a backdrop, offering a panoramic view. The atmosphere is very refreshing, peaceful and quiet, making it an ideal place to relax. And if you come during the winter, you will also see wild Himalayan cherry blossoms in bloom.

Things to Know Before Visiting the Highland Agricultural Station at San Pa Kia (Doi Mae Ta Man)

1. **It is recommended to visit during the winter season** to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and witness the blooming of the Wild Himalayan Cherry blossoms.

2. **San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station** does not have a restaurant (only instant noodles, coffee, and a few snacks are available). You must prepare your own food or purchase ready-made provisions. These can be found at the Mae Malai Market before turning onto the road to Doi Mae Taman.

3. Sapan Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station provides a kitchen and utensils such as plates, bowls, and spoons for loan. If you use them, please return them to their original location.

5. San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station features a display of temperate-climate flowers.

6. Electricity is available only from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

7. At night, the stars in the sky are clearly visible.

8. In the early morning, a sea of mist can be seen right in front of the accommodation. You can watch the mist drift by with Doi Luang Chiang Dao as the backdrop, which is a very beautiful sight.

9. **San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station** is located approximately 500 meters from the **Mae Ta Man Watershed Management Unit**. Both locations offer accommodation and camping facilities.

10. Sunrise Viewing: Witness the breathtaking sunrise at the Sapan Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station (Doi Luang Chiang Dao Viewpoint).

11. Sunset Viewing: Enjoy breathtaking sunsets at the Mae Ta Man Watershed Management Unit.

Embark on Your Journey!

This trip was specifically planned to sleep on the **Sarn Pa Kia ridge**. I did some research on how to get there and found that it was quite a challenging journey. The roads leading to **Sarn Pa Kia (Doi Mae Taman)** are not very convenient, to say the least. They are quite rough, and you need to hire a 4WD vehicle to get there. However, as a budget traveler, hiring a car was a bit too expensive for me. So, I decided to try renting a motorbike and riding up there. **Let's see how it goes!**

The journey began at Don Mueang Airport in the morning. Today, I used AirAsia to fly to Chiang Mai, which has many flights to choose from. I chose an early morning flight as I had to travel further.

The weather today is clear and pleasant, making the journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, which takes just over an hour, a delightful experience.

From Chiang Mai City to Doi Mae Taman

For convenient travel, I rented a motorbike from the airport for only 300 baht per day. This will be my primary mode of transportation throughout this trip. In addition to motorbikes, other transportation options to Doi Mae Taman include:

1. Private vehicle (must be a high-clearance 4WD vehicle!) From Chiang Mai city, follow Highway No. 107 (Chiang Mai-Fang). Turn left between kilometer markers 67 (there is a sign at the entrance of the alley that says "Entrance to Wat Chom Kiri"). Continue driving until you reach a dirt road. The road conditions in some sections may be muddy and difficult to navigate, especially during the rainy season. Use extreme caution. The distance from Highway No. 107 to the Mae Ta Man Watershed Management Unit is approximately 23 kilometers. The journey takes about 2 hours or more (depending on road conditions).

2. Public Transportation

Take a public bus from Chiang Mai city to Chiang Dao district. From there, arrange for a 4WD pickup truck to pick you up and take you to your destination.

3. Motorcycle This method is for those who are adventurous, as the route is quite challenging and requires extreme caution.

Approximately 67 kilometers from Chiang Mai city, near Chiang Dao district, you will find the entrance to the temple, marked by a sign that reads "Entrance to Wat Chom Kiri."

Continuing on... for approximately 3-4 kilometers, the road conditions remain good, allowing for comfortable driving.

At the end of the road, you will see a steep and narrow path. Look for the sign that says "Mae Ta Man Headwaters Management Unit." From this point, you need to drive another 19 kilometers, which is a very rough and steep road. It takes 1-2 hours to travel, and during the rainy season, it is especially difficult. Please drive carefully.

You will pass the **Jomkhiri Wildlife Checkpoint** before arriving. This is the correct route.

The road conditions are unpaved gravel, winding along the mountainside. During the dry season, such as winter, it is possible to drive on this road. However, there may be some slippery and muddy sections.

Along the way, there will be some sections of concrete road. Construction is underway in stages, but most of the road is still gravel.

Upon reaching this sign, indicating that you are almost at your destination, turn left.

Turn left and drive for about 500 meters. You will see the Mae Ta Man Headwaters Management Unit on your right-hand side. Continue straight for another 500 meters, and you will reach your destination, the San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station, Doi Mae Ta Man.

Arrived! San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station

And then we arrive at… Sapan Pga Gia High Altitude Agricultural Station. Please note that there are no restaurants available here (only instant noodles, coffee, and a few snacks are available*). You will need to bring your own food to cook, or purchase ready-made provisions. *(If you wish to purchase provisions, be sure to stop at the Mae Malai Market before reaching the turnoff to Doi Mae Taman, before heading up*).

At this point, the majestic view of Doi Luang Chiang Dao unfolds before your eyes.

Accommodation at San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station

The San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station offers three types of accommodation:

1. Individual bungalows: These bungalows cost 1,000 baht per night and can accommodate 4-5 people.
2. Row houses: Rooms in the row houses cost 500 baht per night and can accommodate 5-6 people.
3. Camping: Visitors can bring their own tents and camp on designated grounds. The cost is 100 baht per night for a small tent and 50 baht per person for a large tent.

Cottage-style accommodation is available for 1,000 baht per night, accommodating 4-5 people. The balcony in front of the house faces Doi Luang Chiang Dao, offering stunning views from the comfort of your own porch.

Dormitory-style accommodation costs 500 baht per room and can accommodate 5-6 people. This option is ideal for budget-conscious travelers, offering exceptional value for money. The ambiance within the rooms evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of dormitory living during primary school days.

In front of the row houses, there are tables for sitting, enjoying the view, and eating.

In the evening, the weather was quite chilly, and the surrounding views were equally stunning.

In the late afternoon... Head to the Mae Ta Man Headwaters Management Unit to witness the breathtaking sunset. Located approximately 500 meters from the San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station, this spot offers panoramic views of the sun dipping below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant hues.

And in the morning... you have to wake up early because Sapan Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station offers stunning sunrise and sea of mist views right from your accommodation.

Emerging from the tent, the breathtaking view of Doi Luang Chiang Dao unfolds before you, complete with a sea of mist at dawn. It's an experience that will leave you feeling utterly blissful.

The cool, refreshing air and the peaceful atmosphere make me want to stay here forever.

The campground features a field of winter flowers perfect for taking photos. Capture stunning flower portraits with the majestic Doi Luang Chiang Dao mountain range as your backdrop.

Recommendation: If you plan to visit, the best time is during the blooming season of the Wild Himalayan Cherry (December to February). The Sapan Pangka Highland Agricultural Station is home to many Wild Himalayan Cherry trees, offering stunning photo opportunities.

As the sun rises, the majority of tourists begin to pack up their belongings, dismantle their tents, and prepare to descend the mountain. This concludes their brief trip, a short but memorable experience (despite the lengthy journey). Their visit to this location has been a truly enriching one.

Sapan Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Station (Doi Mae Taman) is another must-visit destination for mountain lovers. It's truly a relaxing experience!

Note: For further inquiries (regarding accommodation and chartered car services to and from Doi Mae Taman), please contact the Highland Agricultural Research Station, Pa Kia, Doi Chiang Dao, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University. Tel: 053 222 014.

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