Mae Charim National Park

The national park is in Mae Charim district, 60 kilometres from Mueang district along High- way No. 1168 and 1243, covering an area of 270,000 rai or 432 square kilometres. Geographically, they are undulating mountain ranges, an origin of a tributary flowing into the Nan River at Wiang Sa district. It comprises hill evergreen forest, deciduous dipterocarp forest, and mixed deciduous forest, as well as, various kinds of wildlife.†Interesting Attractions in the National Park are as follows:

Rock Paintings at Pha Nor

The trip starts at Ban Nam Pu. In the first part, visitors will have to cross the Wa River and walk along the mountain ridge, passing the deciduous diptero- carp forest and the mixed deciduous forest, and later climb the steep limestone mountain. The most appropriate season to visit is winter. The rainy season might be too dangerous due to a collapse of soil and very slippery route. Contact the National Park officers for a leader. The total distance is 8.7 kilometres and takes 8 - 9 hours.

The Trekking Route

along the Paeng River is a route connecting Ban Rom Klao - Ban Huai Sai. It is a local route for gathering wild prod- ucts from the forest, starting from Ban Rom Klao - Pak Nam Paeng at the Kaeng Luang area. Visitors will pass through various kinds of forest for a distance of 9 kilometres, taking approximately 4 hours.

Ban Rom Klao Trekking Route

Visitors have to walk for 3.8 kilometres, starting from Ban Nam Phang. Then they have to walk along the shortcut up to the mountain ridge, passing through many forests at different levels from the sea; namely, deciduous dipterocarp forest, a mixture of deciduous dipterocarp forest and pine forest, hill evergreen forest, and mixed deciduous forest. The condition of the forests along the route is still perfect. The total distance from Ban Nam Phang to Ban Rom Klao is 9.6 kilometres or takes 5 hours. However, it takes only 3 - 4 hours if using a car to the crossroad into the forest. The route is not very difficult to access, but visitors have to be healthy. The most appropriate seasons are winter and summer. Contact the National Park officers for an leader.

White water Rafting along the Middle Part of the Wa River

starts from Ban Sob Mang, Bo Kluea district and ends at Ban Nong Daeng, Mae Charim district. The rapids are of level 3 to 5 difficulty with a length of 80 kilometres. It takes 3 days and 2 nights passing the Doi Phu Kha National Park, Khun Nan National Park and the Mae Charim National Park.

White water Rafting along the Lower Part of the Wa River

It was originally a transporting route for teakwood, which was illegally cut from the forest in Mae Charim and Wiang Sa districts. The Wa River runs through the valleys. On both sides are high undulating mountains, and more than 22 rapids. The level of difficulty is at level 3 - 5 (level 3 is medium, level 4 is difficult, and level 5 is very difficult). The biggest and the most difficult one is Kaeng Luang. Some parts of the stream are sandy beach where a raft can be stopped, and it is suitable for swimming. Some parts are the location of elephant camps where visitors can take an elephant to Ban Hat Rai. The period when the tide is the highest is during August, while the lowest one is in April. The most suitable time for white-water rafting is from November to January.

How to get there : From Nan take the Highway No. 1168 (Nan-Mae Charim) for 38 kilometres. From Mae Charim continue south on the Highway No. 1243 (Mae Charim - Nam Muab). At Ban Had Sai Moon follow the turn-off route to the left for 4 kilometres to the park.s headquarters.

Mae Charim National Park 35 Mu 5, Ban Huay Sai Moon, Nampat Sub-district, Mae Charim.District, Nan,.Thailand 55170 Tel. 0 5473 0040-1