Hello, fellow travelers and tourists. This is my first review on Pantip. If there are any errors or if you dislike it, I apologize.

Many people have different preferences when it comes to travel. Some people prefer the sea, while others prefer the mountains. Some people may even prefer to stay at home and relax (which can also be considered a form of travel, albeit in the realm of dreams). Personally, I find the embrace of the mountains to be invigorating and replenishing.

This summer, I will be starting a new semester at a prestigious university in Asoke. To prepare for the upcoming academic challenges, I decided to embark on a journey to the mountains to test my physical and mental endurance. Initially, I considered hiking up Phu Kradueng, a popular destination known for its stunning natural beauty. However, after reading online discussions comparing the difficulty of Phu Kradueng and Phu Soi Dao, I became intrigued by the latter. Having already conquered Phu Kradueng, I was eager to experience the challenges of Phu Soi Dao and determine if it truly lived up to its reputation as a more demanding climb. To plan my trip, I gathered information on travel routes and estimated expenses. Fortunately, I was joined by friends on this adventure, a departure from my usual solo excursions. Through a Facebook post, I reconnected with old friends from elementary, middle, and high school, who eagerly expressed their interest in joining me. With our travel companions secured, we arranged our transportation via train, booking tickets in advance to avoid potential crowds during the long weekend. However, to our surprise, the train was surprisingly empty on the day of our departure.

Many of you who have read this may have heard enough of their bragging, so don't get bored yet.... I want you to travel with me, and so the journey began on the night of July 18th. We traveled by train at 9:00 pm and arrived in Phitsanulok at approximately 4:30 am.

*Before we delve into the captivating atmosphere of Phu Soi Dao, let's first equip ourselves with essential information to enhance your experience. Here's a comprehensive overview: 😍 😍

1. Information about Phu Soi Dao National Park

Phu Soi Dao National Park encompasses the Nam Pat National Forest Reserve, covering the sub-districts of Muang Chet Ton, Na Khun, Ban Khok, Ban Khok District, Huai Mun District, Nam Pat District, Uttaradit Province, and Bo Phak Sub-district, Chat Trakan District, Phitsanulok Province. The park boasts a relatively pristine natural forest, serving as a source of numerous streams. Its key attractions include the five-tiered Phu Soi Dao Waterfall, spanning an area of approximately 1,000 rai, renowned for its scenic beauty. The park's accessibility is enhanced by paved roads, facilitating convenient travel and leisure activities. Phu Soi Dao National Park covers an area of approximately 212,633 rai or 340.21 square kilometers.

Data from [ http://park.dnp.go.th/visitor/nationparkshow.php?PTA_CODE=9114] (You can read more information from this link.)

2. Travel Information

I haven't tried other routes yet, but the route I used was the Thai train, which is a relaxed line that I like. I started from Bangkok Station (Hualamphong, as many people call it) and took the express train number 105, departing at 21:00 and arriving at 04:00. I got off at Phitsanulok Station (which is closer to the park than Uttaradit). Upon arrival at Phitsanulok Station, I took a shared taxi to the old bus terminal for 20 baht. At the old bus terminal, there are buses to Chat Trakan District. When you reach Chat Trakan District, at the point where the bus stops, take a motorcycle taxi to Chat Trakan Market. From there, there are shared taxis to the park, but there are only two trips per day. However, there are chartered cars available at the market to go to the park. It is recommended to find a group of friends to travel to Phu Soi Dao, as you can share the cost and the more people there are, the cheaper it will be. We happened to meet a group of students from a university in the Northeast who were also traveling there, so we chartered a car from the old bus terminal to Phu Soi Dao National Park and arranged for the driver to pick us up on a specific day, which saved us time and allowed us to travel faster. However, this method requires at least 5 people to be worthwhile, as the more people there are, the cheaper it will be. The chartered cars to Phu Soi Dao are located in front of the old bus terminal and are available all the time. The drivers are very friendly and took good care of us throughout the journey.

Note: The faster you travel, the more time you will have to climb the mountain and use the porter service.

Train Timetable Website

http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp

3. Accommodation Services, Amenities, and Services of the Park

3.1 The park offers porter services at a rate of 30 baht per kilogram (if you think you are strong enough to carry it yourself, you can do so).

The park offers tent rentals for 225 baht per night (but we brought our own to save money). They also have sleeping bags, charcoal stoves for cooking, and various other camping equipment available for rent, but we brought our own so we don't know the rental fees. However, it shouldn't be more than 100 baht per item, except for the tents, which are quite expensive for one night, especially when you include the cost of the porters who carry them up for you (trust me, some people definitely wouldn't be able to carry them themselves).

The park entrance fee was 3.3. The park ranger asked if we were students, and we said yes. They then charged us 20 baht each, although the normal entrance fee is 40 baht per person.

The camping fee for the pine forest area on the mountain is 30 baht per person per night, so we paid 120 baht because there were 4 of us.

3.3 The park charges a 200 baht garbage deposit per group.

3.4 The park has a restaurant, drinking water, and souvenirs at the office below the mountain. However, there is no food or electricity available on the mountain where we stayed. You will need to cook your own food using a fire. Filtered rainwater is available, and there are toilets, but you will need to collect water from the waterfall yourself (which is a unique feature of this place).

Image from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

4. Essential Preparations and Considerations Before Visiting Phu Soi Dao National Park

4.1 The Phu Soi Dao campsite is a tent site on a mountaintop meadow. The meadow is covered in pine trees and can only be reached on foot. The trail to the campsite passes through hills, waterfalls, and various types of forest vegetation, from low-lying plants to those that grow at high altitudes. The trail consists of five hills: 1. Sending Relatives Hill (1,200 meters), 2. Conquering the Expert Hill (1,700 meters), 3. Pa Ko Hill (3,700 meters), 4. Tiger Hill (4,400 meters), and 5. Death Hill (4,700 meters). The campsite is located at the pine meadow, which is 6,500 meters above sea level. The 6.5-kilometer hike to the campsite is considered challenging due to the steep slopes, dense forest, and slippery rocks.

4.2 On Phu Soi Dao, there are toilets but no water. You have to fetch water from the stream yourself. The service center at the top has water tanks and buckets for rent.

4.3 There is no food for sale on the mountain, so you have to bring your own food and cook it yourself (it's super difficult to light a fire during the rainy season, lol).

4.4 On the mountain, there is a pine forest for taking pictures. The sunrise and sunset viewpoints have a super good atmosphere to experience. But Phu Soi Dao may have 3 seasons in one day: hot, cold, and rainy. Therefore, bring a raincoat, a cold mat, and sunscreen (for girls who are afraid of losing their skin 555).

4.5 Carefully check the quality of your camping equipment, especially the tent, as it may leak during heavy rain. If you are unsure about the equipment, it is recommended to rent from the park as they have everything you need (trust me, I've been soaked before).

4.6 Phu Soi Dao is ideal for mountain lovers who enjoy adventure and have a high tolerance for hardship. It is not suitable for those who are accustomed to luxury, as there are no amenities, the climb is challenging, and there is no electricity (bring a flashlight - essential!). Photography enthusiasts should bring plenty of spare batteries, especially for multi-night stays. You will need to cook your own food over a fire and collect water for bathing.

4.7 Phu Soi Dao: Mobile phone signal is hard to find. When I went, my phone had no signal at all. So, if you think you can't live without Facebook or Line, please don't go, or you might die of boredom. 😂 If you want to take pictures, bring a power bank.

• These are some things you should know. To reiterate, Phu Soi Dao is perfect for those who want to experience nature in its purest form, taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and the modern world of social media. After all, sometimes the people around us are just as important. Many people use Phu Soi Dao as a way to open up a new world for their families. For friends, it's a great way to build stronger bonds. And for couples, this is the place to test your love (after all, you'll really get to know each other when you're tired).

>>> Here are some photos of the atmosphere and my journey. The photos may not be beautiful, but I would like to share them with my friends, brothers, and sisters so that they can try it out for themselves and see that "the scent of the mist and the nature of the mountains can truly make us happy." Please visit us often, especially during September-October when it is most beautiful, according to the park rangers. However, it is a pity that I have started the new semester and cannot go. If you have any questions or would like to inquire about information, please feel free to contact me.

#I choose the mountain

Pine Mountain

#Escape to the serene heights of Phu Soi Dao

Facebook: [ Tassapol Thiburpan]

1. The bustling market at the point where our chartered car stopped for us to buy supplies for our mountaintop meal.

2. On our way to the park,

3. The journey was filled with mist-shrouded valleys, creating a truly magical experience.

4. Our starting point is Phusoidao Waterfall.

5. The atmosphere arrives at Hill 1, the hill where relatives are sent off.

6. The atmosphere has arrived at Hill 2, the hill that conquers the experts.

7. The atmosphere arrives at the forest hill.

8. The atmosphere has arrived at the Tiger Hill.

9. The atmosphere reaches the Hill of Death.

10. The atmosphere reached the pine clearing where we had set up our tents.

* Finally made it to the top! 6.5 kilometers is no joke. The weather was all over the place, from hot to rainy to cold. But we made it! I'm almost out of characters allowed on Pantip, so I'll continue in Part 2. If I made any mistakes, please forgive me. Don't forget to follow along, it's really fun! Go test your endurance and see how strong you really are. Or if you're heartbroken, come up here and let nature heal you. Trust me, it works. And for those of you who want to test your love with your partner, get ready to carry them up! 55555 See you in Part 2! Thank you! ^^ 🍁 🍃 🍂 🌿 🌾