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Thailand Mountain Trail has spent several years to investigate the most remote mountain trails in Northern Thailand before creating an important network of hiking footpaths. Thanks to our extensive knowledge of these mountain areas and our long relationship with local people, our company is the only one in Chiang Mai to organize trips and bring runners into these remote tribal areas.
This exclusive trip is held in Chiang Dao in a controlled area and is subject to the authorisation from the local authorities. It goes to the two highest summits of the province, Doi Nang (1845m) the 1st day and Doi Luang (2225m) the 2nd day. The two summits are closed to each other, so it’s not a very difficult trip, but it’s a privilege to run in such areas on wild trails with nobody around.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRIP
10'500
PICK UP AT YOUR HOTEL (8.00-8.30 AM)
NA LAO MAI (2H TRANSFER FROM TMT)
JUNGLE, HILL-TRIBE VILLAGES
SUMMITS AND VIEWS
WAT SAHAKHON (2H TRANSFER TO TMT)
DROP OFF AT YOUR HOTEL (5.00-6.00 PM)
ALL INCLUSIVE
SEE DETAILS (LINK)
5-6 HOURS RUNNING DAILY
80% SINGLE TRACK / 20% DOUBLE TRACK
AVAILABLE NOVEMBER > FEBRUARY
SUBJECT TO NP AUTHORISATION
The 1st day of the trip leads us to the summit of Doi Chiang Dao. Standing out against the sky, mysterious and fascinating, Chiang Dao is the only alpine mountain range in Thailand. Of all the high mountains of the country it is also the most imposing and the most inaccessible. From the start at the foothills of the massif there begins a long climb through rocks and tropical forest in a majestic alpine décor.
It’s now a 10 kilometers hike / run through a beautiful plateau surrounded by 2000m-high peaks. In the distance far away stands the summit of Doi Luang. We have to tackle with a 1500-metre elevation gain inside the tooth-shaped massif to reach the summit. The climb is not too steep and technical, but it’s a long ascent to 2225m above sea level in a magnificent setting.
At the summit the scenery is wonderful. It’s a long view on a series of steep peaks and high hills all round. It looks like we are at the center of Thailand, and we can observe the whole country. After a long break to enjoy this moment, we start to run back on the same trail then we use a different route on a long technical way down until the valley. This new way gives us the opportunity to observe the whole mountain range from another side.
After 1500m elevation loss, we finally reach the final village. It’s a traditional Lisu village that offers a privileged view on the whole mountain range of Chiang Dao. We will spend the night there in bamboo huts in a family whose TMT has developed strong links with. Food is excellent and atmosphere is great; the night will be sweet and cool at the foothills of the mountains.
In the morning of the 2nd day, we continue our trip by entering the large valley of Nong Khatae. Down in the valley we are surrounded by 3 big and imposing mountains: Doi Chiang Dao in the back, Doi Nong Khatae on the left and Doi Nang Non, the sleeping lady mountain and our objective, in the front. It’s one of the best places we know to observe the high mountains of Thailand, and no other tourists have never heard of it.
The way up to the Lisu village of Nong Khatae is wild and steep. It goes through a dense forest dotted with large rocky boulders. It’s an amazing place that would please any climber! Finally, when we leave the forest, we are surrounded by high cliffs left and right. In front far ahead, we can make out the small Lisu village at the foothill of Doi Nang. Only 5 families live here in this remote area completely isolated.
After a break, it is now time to reach the target of the day, the summit of Doi Nang at 18475m high. The trail goes up steep and narrow at the back of the village. Local people used to grow poppies there on a high plateau. It was stopped several decades ago, and we can now enjoy without any risk the view on the summit of Doi Luang. The last part finally goes down to the valley of Chiang dao where we stop before driving back to Chiang Mai.
NA LAO MAI (LISU VILLAGE)
Ten years ago, it used to be an empty village with a few houses and families only. Then it became suddenly a tourist place for Thai people eager to discover the mountain range of Chiang Dao. And it’s true that the view is unique and magnificent. It is now occupied with a couple of homestays managed by the local Lisu minority. We will sleep in bamboo huts facing the whole mountain and a local family we have known before it became popular will cook for us in the evening and morning.
