Every August, during the peak of the rainy season, I find myself drawn to the enchanting Phu Soi Dao. This year marks my fourth visit, and each time, I'm captivated by its allure. Let me share with you my experiences, both humorous and unforgettable. My first visit was marked by heavy rains, transforming the landscape into a vibrant tapestry of blooming hong hona flowers. However, without an umbrella, I was left to admire their beauty while braving the downpour. The following year, the weather swung to the opposite extreme, with scarce rainfall and a dearth of hong hona blooms. The absence of mist added to the disappointment. I documented my experience in a previous review. On my third attempt, I arrived at the park only to realize I had forgotten my camera bag. This was the ultimate blunder, leaving me frustrated and defeated. I decided to call it quits and drove back home. This year, determined to make amends, I meticulously planned my trip. Encouraged by updates showcasing the magnificent bloom of hong hona flowers carpeting the summit's pine forest, I rallied my travel companions, Boy, Nong Aom, and myself, for an impromptu adventure. We embarked on a road trip, eager to witness the splendor of Phu Soi Dao firsthand. Join me, Ai Keum from "Dee Tae Tiew," as we delve into the captivating beauty of this remarkable destination.

“Phu Soi Dao” or Phu Soi Dao National Park covers two provinces: Phitsanulok and Uttaradit. To conquer the Phu Soi Dao pine forest, you must hike for approximately 6.5 km, taking an average of 5-6 hours. You will pass through five challenging slopes: Sending Relatives Slope, Conquering the Experts Slope, Building the Forest Slope, Tiger Slope, and Death Slope, the final slope. If you pass this point, you will be rewarded with the title of "Phu Soi Dao Pine Forest Conqueror" at an altitude of 1,633 meters above sea level. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains as far as the eye can see and feel the cool mountain breeze. If you are lucky enough to experience the mist on your face, you will surely forget all your fatigue. The highest peak of Phu Soi Dao is 2,102 meters above sea level, ranking fourth in the country. This peak is open for climbing after the rainy season has passed.

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My 3-day, 2-night itinerary

August 19-21, 2017

Day 1: Hike from Phu Soi Dao Waterfall, conquering the 5 hills to reach Lan Son campsite.

Day 2: Witness the breathtaking sunrise and sea of mist, explore Sai Thib Waterfall, wander through the Ngorn Nak Grassland on Lan Son, reach the border marker, and admire the sunset.

Day 3: Experience the sunrise and sea of mist once more before returning.

Day 1: Hiking from Phu Soi Dao Waterfall, conquering the 5 slopes - Lan Son

Morning:

• Depart from Bangkok around 7 pm (traffic permitting) and pick up a friend in Ayutthaya.
• Head towards Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok, stopping at Chat Trakan Market around 3 am to buy supplies for cooking on the mountain.
• Purchase sticky rice, fried pork, and chili paste for lunch during the hike.
• The market has 7-Eleven and Lotus Express for additional provisions, drinks, and snacks.
• Continue driving to Phu Soi Dao National Park, arriving around 4 am.
• Pay the entrance fee and rest in the car for a while.

Entrance fees:

• 40 baht per person
• 30 baht per car

Morning:

• Wake up, wash up, and prepare your luggage for weighing and registration.
• The park opens at 8:00 am. We queued and got number 37 (it was a Saturday, so there were many tourists).
• By the time we finished registering and paying for porterage (30 baht/kg), it was 9:30 am.
• A free shuttle took us to the starting point of the hike: Phu Soi Dao Waterfall.
• For additional rentals, we received a rental list with a plastic zip-lock bag.
• We handed it to the staff at the Lan Son campsite to indicate what we wanted to rent.
• We paid for the rentals at the unit below when we returned (no money is needed at the campsite).
• Note: Leave the ID card of the registered representative and a 200 baht garbage deposit. You will get the deposit back if you bring your garbage down.

Rental fees:

• Tent with bedding, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow
  • For 1 person:
    • 1 night: 700 baht, 2 nights: 1000 baht
  • For 2 people:
    • 1 night: 800 baht, 2 nights: 1300 baht
  • For 3 people:
    • 1 night: 900 baht, 2 nights: 1500 baht

Individual rentals:

• Tent:
  • 1 night: 705 baht, 2 nights: 930 baht
• Sleeping bag:
  • 1 night: 120 baht, 2 nights: 150 baht

- Sleeping mat

One night costs 80 baht, two nights cost 100 baht.

- Pillow

One night costs 40 baht, two nights cost 50 baht.

Other equipment (price / night)

• Gas stove 100 baht - Cooking pot 20 baht

- Charcoal stove 50 baht - Charcoal 50 baht

- Three-legged stove stand 20 baht - Water tank 10 baht

- Kettle 30 baht - Water jug 10 baht

We boarded a pickup truck provided by the park, ready to embark on our journey to Phusoidao Waterfall. The short distance allowed us to quickly begin our adventure.

We will walk along the stream, listening to the sound of the waterfall. Phusoidao Waterfall has several levels: Phusoidao, Skakadeuan, Muanfan, Kannika, and Suphaphon.

The trek covers approximately 6.5 kilometers and takes an average of 5-6 hours to complete. It traverses five challenging slopes: Sending Relatives Slope, Conquering the Expert Slope, Building the Forest Slope, Tiger Slope, and the final, Death Slope.

After climbing the steep slope, where many people stop to rest and replenish their energy with water and sugar, the next challenge awaits: the legendary "Neung Prab Saen" hill.

Fast forward to the final hill, I was exhausted. But my friends were still smiling. How was your first time, guys? Haha.

Take a break, catch your breath, take some photos, and admire the stunning views. The wind is cool and refreshing, and the view is breathtaking. This is the perfect spot to take a break before reaching the summit.

After a refreshing drink of water, we gathered our strength and continued our journey to the pine forest. We stopped to take a quick photo with the sign, but the crowd meant we had to wait our turn. As our water supply dwindled, we longed for a taste of the cool rainwater collected in the tank provided by the park rangers.

Our total walking time was 6 hours, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

After resting and taking photos with the "Conqueror's Sign," we walked about 500 meters to the "Lan Son" campsite near the tourist service center to set up camp and cook dinner. We prepared to rest and gather strength for the next day's trip. The sky looked like it might rain.

Blooming rooster combs adorn the lawn, welcoming us and dispelling our fatigue.

Capturing moments as they walk, unsure of when the skies might unleash their fury. A race against time, preserving memories before the rain washes them away.

Upon reaching the campsite, we secured a spot as it was quite crowded with tourists. We then waited for the porters to deliver our luggage and rented water containers and basins for our 2-night trip. We brought our own cooking equipment and tents, incurring a 30 baht per person per night camping fee.

Soon after, the porters arrived, and we quickly set up camp as the sky was darkening and rain was imminent. As if on cue, it started raining while we were pitching our tents, creating a bit of chaos and laughter. We decided to stay put for the day as the rain continued and the Rafflesia flowers began to close. We figured we could rest and still had two more days to explore.

The rain stopped, so we went for a walk. Oh, the lotus flowers have closed up! Haha!

The field is surrounded by blooming Canna lilies. Let's come back tomorrow to see them in full bloom.

The first night, we slept to the sound of rain and wind. The atmosphere was thick with the sound of conversation and laughter as we ate dinner with friends and made new ones from other groups. Before retiring for the night, we shared stories and enjoyed each other's company.

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Day 2:

• Witness the breathtaking sunrise and sea of mist.
• Hike to the enchanting Sai Thib Waterfall.
• Explore the vast grasslands of Hong Naak on the pinewood plateau.
• Reach the border marker and soak in the panoramic views.
• Bid farewell to the day with a mesmerizing sunset.

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Waking up to a day devoid of sunlight, with the relentless rain still pouring, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret as I watched our fellow travelers, who had only come for a single night, pack up their belongings and prepare to depart. They had barely scratched the surface of the wonders this place had to offer, from the vibrant fields of Hong Kong orchid trees to the cascading waterfalls. Yet, for some, simply soaking in the atmosphere was enough to bring them joy, a brief respite before returning to the grind of their daily lives. Having secured a leave of absence for Monday, my friends and I decided to extend our stay and savor the remaining moments of our adventure.

Choke and Aint, two friends who met online, unexpectedly crossed paths. Thank you for sharing the delicious food with us.

After a hearty meal and a refreshing cup of hot coffee, we set off on our planned excursion to Sai Thib Waterfall, the border between Thailand and Laos, and the Tung Dok Hong Naak flower field. Despite the rain, I brought an umbrella, so we were prepared. Rain or shine, the adventure continues!

We retraced our steps to the Conqueror's Monument sign to capture a photo with the breathtaking mist.

They came to see their friends off, most of whom only stayed for one night.

The trumpet vine has begun to bloom again.

"Sai Thib Waterfall" is located near the accommodation and can be reached on foot. The trail is well-defined, but be careful as it can be slippery, especially on the steep descent. The walk takes approximately 10-20 minutes. The waterfall is small, with seven tiers, each approximately 5-10 meters high. It is surrounded by lush, green forest, and the rocks are covered in green moss.

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After visiting the waterfall, it was time to cook lunch. After a short break, we continued our journey to the Na Khon Na Hom field. Don't worry about the rain, let's go! 555

The number of tourists has dwindled significantly, leaving only a handful of groups remaining. Today, Phu Soi Dao belongs to us.

The area surrounding our camp is teeming with Celosia argentea flowers.

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Despite ample time remaining, we ventured to other fields near the Laotian border, where a vast expanse of Celosia argentea awaited. Unfortunately, we encountered another downpour.

This year, the cockscomb flowers are blooming profusely, creating a stunning and dense display.

After that, let's go see the sea of mist at dusk. It should be beautiful with the rain like this. Plus, today we're starting to see orange light, which makes me think the sky might clear up and let us see some stars. Well, I've come to Phu Soi Dao, so I'd like to see some stars.

After exploring the area, we returned to the camp to cook. We showered today, as it was too cold yesterday and there were too many tourists. After showering, we sat down to eat at the tent. Soon, the park rangers called us to join them around the campfire. It was a small group today, so the atmosphere was very friendly. We are grateful for the friendship of the park rangers and porters. While we were sitting around the campfire, a group of young people who had overheard us talking about wanting to see the stars came over and told us, "We have something to tell you. The stars are out!" We immediately ran to get our cameras and tripods from the tent and went out to photograph the stars. Even though there were some clouds, we were still happy to see them. Here are some photos for you.

This trip has been a whirlwind of all seasons, leaving us with a full heart and a taste of everything. Tomorrow morning, we'll be keeping our fingers crossed for a breathtaking sunrise before we head home.

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Day 3: Witness the sea of mist and sunrise – Return trip

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At dawn on the last day, I forgot to set my alarm clock and woke up with a start when I needed to pee. I thought it was too late and I wouldn't make it in time for the sunrise. I unzipped the tent window and looked out. Wow, the morning light was beautiful! I quickly woke up my friend to take pictures.

This trip was amazing! We had it all: fog, rain, stars, a sea of mist, morning glory flowers, morning light, and evening light. It was the best. My friend who came with me was also here for the first time, and I'm sure they were just as impressed as I was.

It's time to head back. After lunch, we weighed our shared luggage for the porters and filled our water bottles with rainwater for the journey. Importantly, we took all our trash with us, as we always do. We encourage fellow nature enthusiasts to love and care for the forest by taking simple steps like packing out what you pack in. You'll even get your 200 baht deposit back, enough for a coffee! Additionally, the TAT Sukhothai office is running a fantastic "Green Heart Travel and Clean Up" campaign. Follow the rules in the picture and receive a commemorative T-shirt. Let's join hands and make a difference!

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Total Expenses for 3 Days 2 Nights Trip

- Entrance fee: 150 baht (40 baht/person, 30 baht/vehicle)

- Tent rental fee 180 baht (30 baht/person/night)

- The cost of hiring porters, tents, and provisions for a round trip is 1740 baht.

- Food, beverages, tank rental, and water dipper: 2445 baht

• Fuel cost for round trip: 2400 Baht.

Total 6910 Baht

Each person pays 2305 baht.

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Additional Information

Phu Soi Dao National Park

You can call to inquire and inform your intention to hire porters at http://park.dnp.go.th/visitor/nationparkshow.php?P...

This rainy season, why not change your scenery and experience nature up close? Embrace the sunshine and let it fill your heart with joy. We believe that many who have visited will want to return again, gaining new experiences and creating endless memories to share.

Ready to go, backpack and camera in hand, to discover new perspectives at "Phu Soi Dao".

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