Today is a nature lovers dream come true as we set off early for Thailand's highest peak, the mist-shrouded Doi Inthanon. This 2,565 meter high summit is part of a 500 square kilometre national park and home to the highest bird diversity in the kingdom - a staggering 400 plus species!

The journey to the top of the mountain can be covered in just a few hours drive from Chaing Mai, but we will stop often to view some of the country's most beautiful waterfalls: Mae Ya waterfall (250 m high), Mae Klong waterfall (where we will lunch), and Vachiratam waterfall (the most impressive of all). A long plume of spray falling down a cliff face glistening with ferns and moss-covered boulders, indelibly etches this scene forever in ones mind.

If time and weather permits, we will trek near the summit. The Aangka Nautre Trail has a raised walkway leading over a sphagnum bog and into a forest wonderland of huge trees smothered in mosses and epiphytes. This is an excellent area for bird spotting; babblers, rollers and leaf warblers are especially abundant.

Descending from Doi Inthanon lofty heights we mind our way back to the lowlands and two ancient centers of Lanna civilization: Lamphun and Lampang. In addition to the ancient temples of these sites we will enjoy a horse carriage ride through old Lampang before sunset. (Dinner and overnight Lampang Hotel).