Mae Takhrai National Park

Mae Takhrai national parkMae Takhrai National Park is located in Tambon Ta Nuea, King Amphoe Mae-On, Chiang Mai Province. The park occupies the area of 354.7 square kilometres in Chiangmai and Lamphun. Situated at about 400-2,030 metres above sea level, its landscape is comprised of highly complex mountain ranges and various forest types, such as deciduous dipterocarp forest, mixed deciduous forest, tropical rain forest, dry evergreen forest, hill evergreen forest and coniferous forest. In addition, Mae Takhrai National Park provides water supply to Huai Mae Takhrai, Huai Mae-On, Huai Mae Ta and Huai Mae Kuang, a branch of Ping River. The area is rich with wild animals big and small, ranging from different kinds of birds to muntjacs, deer, gibbons and boars. Interesting attractions in Mae Takhrai National Park are as follows:First of all, Mae Takhrai Reservoir is where Mae Takhrai National Park Office is located. The reservoir is surrounded by mixed deciduous forest and bamboo forest. There is a 3 kilometres trekking route for those who wish to go on a nature excursion around Mae Takhrai Reservoir. Next, there is Namtok Tat Moei, a 15-metres waterfall stunning in the rainy season. The fall is located 16 kilometres from the office of the National Park. Visitors will travel on the bumpy and steep gravel road, walk through dry evergreen forests and observe tropical trees like Iron Wood, Yang Na and Yang Deang. Along the way, there is a viewpoint where mountain ranges in King-Amphoe Mae-On and Amphoe San Sai can be spotted. Another attraction is Namtok Mae Takhrai, a single-tiered waterfall located 6 kilometres from the National Park Office. A variety of plants such as mushrooms and mafai can been seen during a walk through the forest, which is covered, in certain seasons, with wildflowers that beautifully blossom all over the place.Lastly, situated 2,030 metres above sea level, Doi Lanka or Phu Lanka Luang is another attraction worth visiting. The Doi is the fifth tallest mountain in Thailand. The temperature is cold throughout the year. The wide area on top of the mountain is covered by savannas, where Rhododendrons will appear in full blossom around February and March. Phu Lanka Luang is located 50 kilometres from the office of Mae Takhrai National Park. Visitors need to travel in car to Moo Baan Kam Paeng Hin and walk for 12 kilometres to reach the mountain top. At Mae Takhrai National Park, two camping spots are available around the reservoir. The surroundings of the campsites are forests with breeze coming in off the reservoir all the time, making the place suitable for scout-style camping. For more details, call the Centre of National Park, Forest Office of Chiang Mai via 0 5381 8348.