Staying at Chiang Dao Hut means you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the birds and nature of Chiang Dao.
One of the easiest morning activities for our guests is a bird walk from Chiang Dao Hut to Tham Pha Plong Monastery, a peaceful Buddhist monastery surrounded by forest at the foot of Doi Chiang Dao.
You don’t need to be an experienced birder. Just bring a pair of binoculars if you have one, walk slowly, listen to the birds, and enjoy the nature along the way.
Start Your Bird Walk at Chiang Dao Hut
The bird walk can begin right from your accommodation.
Early morning is usually the best time to start, when the temperature is comfortable and birds are becoming active around the gardens and trees.
Before leaving Chiang Dao Hut, spend a little time looking around the property. Depending on the season, you may notice sunbirds visiting flowers, bulbuls moving through the trees, leafbirds searching for food, and many other small birds around the garden.
From Chiang Dao Hut, continue walking toward Tham Pha Plong Monastery.
Birds Along the Way
There is no need to hurry.
Walk slowly and occasionally stop to listen. Sometimes hearing a bird is the first clue that something interesting is hiding among the leaves.
The route passes through the quiet surroundings at the foothills of Doi Chiang Dao, where gardens and local vegetation gradually give way to a more forested environment as you approach the monastery.
The birds you encounter will naturally change throughout the year.
During the cool season, resident birds may be joined by seasonal visitors from northern regions. During the green season, lush vegetation, flowers and insects create a different birdwatching experience.
This means that even if you walk the same route more than once, you may discover something different each morning.
Tham Pha Plong Monastery
As you approach Tham Pha Plong Monastery, the surroundings become increasingly peaceful and forested.
The large trees and natural environment around the monastery make this an enjoyable place to slow down, listen to bird calls and appreciate the forest atmosphere of Doi Chiang Dao.
The bird walk can therefore be more than simply looking for birds. It is also an opportunity to enjoy the landscape, forest and peaceful surroundings of Chiang Dao.
Please remember that Tham Pha Plong Monastery is a Buddhist religious and meditation site. Visitors should dress appropriately, keep noise to a minimum and respect monks, practitioners and other visitors.
A Simple Morning in Chiang Dao
This bird walk is not intended to be a serious birding expedition with a long list of target species.
It is simply an easy way for guests staying at Chiang Dao Hut to enjoy the natural surroundings.
Take your time. Stop when you hear something interesting. Watch the trees and flowers. Enjoy the cool morning air and the view of Doi Chiang Dao.
Some mornings you may see many birds. On other mornings you may hear more birds than you actually see.
That is part of the experience of watching wild birds.
Starting Point: Chiang Dao Hut
Destination: Tham Pha Plong Monastery
Recommended Time: Early morning
Activity: Self-guided Bird Walk & Nature Walk
Suitable For: Chiang Dao Hut guests, nature lovers and casual birdwatchers
Birds are wild animals and sightings vary naturally depending on season, weather, food availability and bird movements. Please observe wildlife quietly and avoid disturbing birds and their habitat.
