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“CMU Trekking”: 62 Years of Pride and Tradition Since 1964

4 November 2026
Corporate Communication and Alumni Relations Center (CCARC)
Did you know that CMU Trekking began in 1964, the same year Chiang Mai University was established? This cherished tradition has been passed down through generations and continues to this day.

Sixty-two years ago, Chiang Mai University opened as the first institution of higher education in Northern Thailand, welcoming its first class of just 291 students. Prof. Boonsom Martin, M.D., then Vice President of the University, initiated the trek up Doi Suthep to create lasting memories and a sense of pride among freshmen.

The inspiration came from Kruba Srivichai, the revered Lanna monk who led the construction of the road to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, reflecting the power of faith and unity.

From the footsteps of 291 students in 1964 to generations of students today, CMU Trekking has become much more than a journey up the mountain. It is a tradition that brings the CMU family together, strengthening bonds of friendship, faith, and pride that endure through time.

Take a trip down memory lane through a collection of historical photographs capturing the early days of CMU Trekking and the memorable moments of CMU’s pioneering generations, before this tradition became the cherished legacy it is today.

Join us in creating new memories at CMU Trekking 2026 on Saturday, November 21, 2026.

62 years on, every step still matters, and every heart beats as one.
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