Wachirathan Waterfall (Nam tok Vachirathan)

Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

About Wachirathan Waterfall (Nam tok Vachirathan)


Hiking Distance: almost roadside
Suggested Time:

Date first visited: 2008-12-30
Date last visited: 2008-12-30

Waterfall Latitude: 18.54209
Waterfall Longitude: 98.5968

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Wachirathan Waterfall (pronounced “wah-chee-rah-TAHN”; also spelled Vachirathan or Nam tok Vachirathan) was the second major waterfall that we encountered on the way up to the summit of Doi Inthanon.

Of all the waterfalls we saw in Doi Inthanon National Park, we thought this one had the most power and spray.

Vachiratharn_028_12292008 - The Wachirathan Waterfall
The Wachirathan Waterfall

Therefore, we could argue that it was probably the most impressive of the lot of waterfalls on the mountain’s slopes.

Even though our guide told us that this was 80m in cumulative height, I was thinking it was more like 40m or so.

The Wachirathan Waterfall was also appeared wide but segmented during our visit as the far right section of the falls was stringier than the left.

I reckon during the wet season, this would be both wide and raging while throwing up a ton of mist.

However, even though Julie and I visited during the start of the Dry Season, the falls had enough volume to produce plenty of mist and rainbows.

Vachiratharn_076_12292008 - Looking up at the short footpath leading closer to the Wachirathan Waterfall. Notice the big group further up the footpath, which made for a crowded experience
Looking up at the short footpath leading closer to the Wachirathan Waterfall. Notice the big group further up the footpath, which made for a crowded experience

In fact, there were also parts of the loop walk around the waterfall (especially just downstream of it in its lower reaches) where the waterfall’s spray made it quite muddy and slippery.

So I have no doubt that this was a year-round waterfall though I’d imagine the flow becomes lighter as the Dry Season progresses.

Finally, I reckon because of the ease of access, this was probably the most popular of the three waterfalls on Doi Inthanon’s slopes.

All in all, we spent roughly 35 minutes to do the loop walk plus all the picture taking.

Authorities

The Wachirathan Waterfall resides in Doi Inthanon National Park near Chom Thong in the Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. It is administered by the National Park, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Vachiratharn_003_12292008 - Focusing on the bottom of the Wachirathan Waterfall where there was a rainbow
Vachiratharn_006_12292008 - Direct view of the Wachirathan Waterfall from the misty and muddy part of the trail
Vachiratharn_011_12292008 - Focused lower on the Wachirathan Waterfall to reveal part of the rainbow in its mist
Vachiratharn_017_12292008 - Looking back at the misty and muddy path we had just taken in front of the Wachirathan Waterfall
Vachiratharn_021_12292008 - Context of people walking closer to the impressive Wachirathan Waterfall
Vachiratharn_047_12292008 - Profile view of the Wachirathan Waterfall from as close to it as I could get
Vachiratharn_065_12292008 - Looking more downstream than the Wachirathan Waterfall revealing the extent of its rainbow
Vachiratharn_073_12292008 - Trying to get both the rainbow and most of the Wachirathan Waterfall in a single shot


Since we were escorted, we can’t give exact directions.

However, we can say that it took us about 25 minutes drive downhill from the Siriphum Waterfall or about 20 minutes uphill from the Mae Klang Waterfall.

Overall, it was about 73km (90 minutes drive) to get to this waterfall from Chiang Mai.

For geographical context, Chiang Mai was in Northern Thailand roughly 700km north of Bangkok. It would take around 9 hours to drive or a little over an hour to fly between the cities.

Find A Place To Stay

Sweep from rainbow downstream to a direct view of the falls from bottom to top


Nearly 360 degree sweep from the parking structure to the rainbow downstream of the falls to the falls' profile itself

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Tagged with: doi inthanon, wachirathan, vachirathan, mae chaem, chom tong, chiang mai, thailand, waterfall, national park



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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