Let's climb Khao Lom Muak!

This trip was a spur-of-the-moment decision. We went for 3 days and 2 nights with the goal of climbing Khao Lom Muak in Prachuap Khiri Khan. The mountain is only open for climbing during national holidays, so be sure to check the dates before you go. It's not like you can just climb it whenever you want. It's only open during national holidays, I repeat, only during national holidays.

Once you've checked the dates, you're good to go!

Since Khao Lom Muak is located within the 5th Air Force Wing, which is a military area, it's not open to the public except for Ao Manao, which is also within the air base. You can enter and exit Ao Manao whenever you want. Even though it's a military area, they allow the public to swim and eat inside the area, except for climbing the mountain, which has restricted opening and closing times.

Ao Manao is very beautiful. I recommend going there to swim. The 5th Air Force Wing also offers accommodation services. You can check in and enjoy the beautiful and clean sea. If you go during a national holiday, you can also climb the mountain.

Upon entering the area, you might be confused about where to climb. Once you reach the airbase, look for the sign that says "Historical Park" and follow it. The sign doesn't mention the He Lom Mo Wak climb, but once you enter, it's a whole different world. It's beautiful, cool, and peaceful. As expected, the military takes excellent care of the area.

The climb is free, but if you want a certificate of conquest for He Lom Mo Wak after descending, it only costs 60 baht. It's recommended to get one. There's a tent service area that sells water, snacks, souvenirs, and gloves. Remember, gloves are essential, so it's best to buy them.

Let's begin... There are several ways to get to Prachuap. You can drive yourself, take the train, or take a bus. The train departs from Hua Lamphong at 8:50 AM and costs around 58 baht per person. It's the only express train available. The afternoon trains are all local trains. Alternatively, you can take the 9:20 AM express train to Hua Hin. Be aware that this train gets crowded quickly. If you miss it, you'll either have to stand or wait for the afternoon train. From Hua Hin, you can take a van to Prachuap.

This train is very crowded because it stops in Prachuap Khiri Khan first, which only has one morning departure. I would like to suggest to the State Railway of Thailand that for tourist provinces, especially those close to Bangkok and easily accessible, people tend to like or prefer to take the train to travel. There should be more services, as one morning train is not enough. There are also many young people traveling on this route, which is the Thon Buri Railway Line.

Alternatively, you can travel by bus for 220 baht per person. Buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), which is quite far and inconvenient to reach, and the transportation connections are not ideal. Finally, you can take a van for 240 baht. Vans depart from Mo Chit, which is more accessible, and the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Pinklao. Choose the option that best suits your needs. All options will take you to Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Upon arrival...

We arrived in Prachuap Khiri Khan late in the evening. This was due to the time we spent figuring out how to get there, as we missed the train, which runs very infrequently. (Being late didn't help.) So, we took a bus, which was safe but a bit slow.

We chose to stay at the Yuthichai Hotel, which also offers motorbike rentals for 150 baht per day and bicycles. Choose whichever you prefer.

Strategically located, our accommodation offers easy access to the train station, walking street, temple, and Khao Chong Krachok, all within the heart of Prachuap Khiri Khan. The affordable rates and comfortable rooms, available with shared or private bathrooms, air conditioning, or fans, make it an ideal choice. Early booking is recommended as it tends to fill up quickly.

Upon arrival, we checked into our accommodation and stored our belongings.

This is the number for anyone who goes out late and needs to call to have the house opened for them. The house closes at midnight.

We chose to travel during the period of July 8-10, 2017, which is the Buddhist Lent and Asalha Puja.

This presents an excellent opportunity to visit the temple, listen to sermons, and perform the ritual of circumambulation. The atmosphere is incredibly pleasant and enjoyable. Notably, the experience of circumambulation and listening to sermons in rural areas differs significantly from that in Bangkok. The ambiance is simply delightful. As we listen to the sermons, we engage in circumambulation. Upon completion, we stroll to the walking street, which operates exclusively on Fridays and Saturdays. It is situated along the beachfront, offering an extended promenade.

From the walking street, we walked to the Saranwithi Bridge. The atmosphere is good for taking photos and fishing. People come here to fish for squid as well. If you come to take photos during the day or at night, it will be beautiful in different ways.

One day has passed. If you arrive early, it is recommended to hike Khao Chong Krachok first and then visit the temple... which is opposite Khao Chong Krachok and near the city pillar shrine of Prachuap. It is a good idea to go and ask for blessings. Khao Chong Krachok has a lot of monkeys, so be careful. When you go up, you will see a view of Prachuap city.

Prachuap Khiri Khan is a city with three bays: Ao Noi, Ao Prachuap, and Ao Manao. Ao Noi is primarily a fishing bay with hills offering panoramic views. Ao Prachuap is the central bay, featuring tourist attractions, restaurants, and a temple. Ao Manao is a military-controlled area with clear water and opportunities for hiking. Visiting all three bays is highly recommended.

Day 2

It is recommended that you climb Lom Muak Mountain today.

It is suggested that you climb early in the morning as there will be fewer people and you won't have to compete with others. However, if you go later in the day, we recommend that you go today as the mountain is only open for climbing during public holidays. If you go later in the afternoon, you will have to climb down in the dark.

We left our accommodation late and headed to stock up on supplies: sticky rice, pork, and chicken. It's advisable to bring water, which is essential. We then went to Wing 5. Upon arrival, as we were late, there were many people. We registered our names. On the day we went, there were over 800-900 people climbing, which was a lot.

The initial ascent involves a staircase with approximately 400 steps, followed by a section requiring rope climbing.

The trail requires caution, with soldiers and military medics on hand to assist and ensure safety. It's important to note that hikers come from all age groups, including children, young adults, and older individuals. However, it's not recommended to bring elderly individuals due to the physical demands of the climb, which requires significant leg and arm strength.

Most people who climb this mountain have never climbed before, so their climbing skills are very limited. The climb from step 4 to step 5 is relatively easy, but from step 6 to step 7, the difficulty increases significantly. This is because climbers need to use a lot of leg and arm strength. Fortunately, the presence of military personnel makes the climb easier. However, the final curve can be daunting for those who are afraid of heights. The author admits to feeling a bit shaky during this section due to its short length.

At the final bend, you should climb with your hands.

That day's climb... I must say there were a lot of people. But reaching the summit, it was worth all the fatigue. A true victory over myself.

Climbing ropes, using hands, legs, and arms to the fullest. Coming back down, I wouldn't mind doing it again, even though I'm afraid of heights. But once I've come this far, there's no turning back... let's keep going.

And finally, I made it!

Tips:

• Pack light and only bring essentials.
• Use a small backpack for carrying your belongings.
• Prepare water and food in advance.
• Wear sturdy hiking boots or good quality sneakers that provide good grip.
• Avoid bulky footwear as you will need to climb and navigate rocky terrain.

The ascent involved capturing images, and the descent followed the same route, requiring the use of ropes throughout. During the descent, I questioned how I had managed to climb up. However, it was a worthwhile experience that tested my limits and provided breathtaking views. If you're interested, go for it; it's also stunning. Our climb took a long time, starting at 8:45 AM and ending at 2:45 PM. I was exhausted afterward because I don't exercise regularly, and my muscles seized up.

After that, we found something to eat and enjoyed the view of Ao Manao at the 5th Air Wing. Then, we returned to our accommodation to change clothes. We had booked a sunset cruise, which departed at 5:30 PM and returned to shore at 7:00 PM. The cost was 300 baht per person, including water and fruit. If you want to eat anything else, they allow you to bring your own food and drinks. It is recommended to book in advance as there are many people interested. If you book on the spot, you may not be able to go.

Awa Manao before leaving Wing 5

In addition to these activities, there are also late-night squid fishing trips that return around midnight, departing between 3 and 4 pm for 350 baht per person. There are also morning boat trips for snorkeling at 850 baht per person, which include food and snorkeling equipment. The trip departs at 8:50 am and returns at noon. You can choose whichever activity interests you.

For the boat we booked, the reservation can be made with the staff at the beach near the walking street, where the boats are parked. You can simply walk up and ask them.

We opted to watch the sunset, relaxing and enjoying the breeze before returning to our accommodation to take photos.

Completed for the activity on the 2nd.

This is the 3rd day.

After recovering from our mountain climbing adventure, we had to return to work the next day. With no further activities planned, we checked out of our accommodation and took a three-wheeled vehicle to the van terminal. The fare was 40 baht per person. Oh, I forgot to mention that there was a night market near our accommodation (although "night" might be an exaggeration, as vendors typically pack up around 4-5 pm. There was a wide variety of food available, but the stalls didn't start setting up until 5-6 pm.)

The climbing trip is over.

See you on the next trip.