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Khun Chae National Park

Description:     Khun Chae National Park, located one hour northeast of Chiang Mai, was declared a national park in 1995 due to its important water resources, extensive forests, wildlife, beautiful waterfalls and scenic views. Deriving its name from Khun Chae Waterfalls, this 270 square kilometer national park has been inhabited for approximately 100 years by Thai villagers. Recently, Karen and Laha hill tribes have settled near the borders of the park. The landscape of Khun Chae is very steep with many creeks often dropping precipitously into a number of waterfalls. Rainfall during the rainy season averages 60 cm. per month.
    Mammals-Wildlife can be seen in several different habitats and times of the day in the park. The prime places to see wildlife are in the lush river valleys and moist forests near the higher parts of the park. Though many species of wildlife have disappeared from Thailand and Khun Chae National Park, the following list of animals have been seen recently within its boundaries: several species of civet; wild pig; barking deer; hog badger; many species of flying arboreal and ground squirrels; bats, hare.
Address: Mae Chae Dee Mai, Amphur Wiang Pa Pao Chiang Rai Thailand 57260
e-mail: reserve@dnp.go.th
Phone: 05360 9262

Directions: To get to the park, take route 118, the main road running from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. The park is 56 km from Chiang Mai or about 140 km from Chiang Rai. Buses are available from both Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai bus stations.
Highlights:
    Maetow Waterfalls has seven levels, the highest of which is about 40 meters. The lowest, though just a few meters high, are lovely and have water during the dry season. From the park headquarters, the trailhead to Maetow Waterfalls is approximately 30-40 minutes by vehicle. From the trailhead, all seven levels of the falls can be reached in approximately two hours.
     Khum Chae Waterfalls consists of six levels, each having of its own unique charm. A picnic area/campground is located at the trailhead to the waterfalls and a rustic guest house is available for overnight stays. Khun Chae Falls are a two hour drive from the park headquarters and a one hour walk from the trailhead.
    Doi Mot: The trail to Doi Mot passes through a spectacular wet evergreen forest. A lush, dense, multiple layered forest covers a clear cool pond, surrounded by a thick growth of ground plants including epiphytic and ground orchids, ferns, mosses and other plants that love shade and a wet environment. The top of the mountain, at 1700 meters, affords spectacular views of the forests and landscape of the surrounding area.
    Doi Lahnga: At just over 2,031 meters, majestic Doi Lahnga is Thailand' fifth highest peak. The trail to the top of Doi Lahnga enable visitors to see many spectacular views of Khun Chae National Park and the surrounding area.
     Mae Chang Khao Reservoir, near Ranger Station 1, provides a relaxing setting for picnickers. Picnickers ride out into the middle of the lake on a bamboo raft and enjoy their meal in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of a freshwater lake.
    Other activities include trekking, bird watching, butterfly watching, swimming, camping and flower viewing

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