"No matter how high, there is no such thing as a measurable height if the heart is determined."
This song, "Testing the Heart," could very well be both a definition and an encouragement for this journey.


Why???
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This journey will take us on a backpacking adventure to Doi Pha Hom Pok, the second highest peak in Thailand, towering at 2,285 meters above sea level, surpassed only by Doi Inthanon. We will spend the night gazing at a sea of stars and wake up to a breathtaking sea of mist at Baan Mork Tawan Chiang Dao Homestay, immersing ourselves in the authentic local life and experiencing true relaxation.

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The flight has arrived at Chiang Mai Airport. The journey is simple: take a red truck to Chang Phuak Bus Terminal, then a bus from Chang Phuak to Fang District (3-hour journey). Disembark at Fang Market, where park officials will meet you.

Driven by a passion for travel, the destination justifies the fatigue. :)



Upon arrival at the Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park Tourist Service Center (Fang Hot Springs), we reported to the park rangers. As we needed to hire a 4x4 vehicle from the local villagers to reach our destination, the rangers arranged for us to join a group. While waiting for the vehicle, we explored the Fang Hot Springs.


"Fang Hot Spring"

Located in the tourist service center, there are approximately 50 pools, including a large pool with a 40-50 meter high steam jet. In addition, there are hot spring soaking rooms and steam inhalation services.


The 4x4 vehicle transported us to the Giw Lom campsite, a spacious clearing surrounded by pine trees. The journey involved traversing a dirt and concrete road that snaked through the valley. The campsite featured a single office building and a solitary restaurant.

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We booked our accommodation through the park's website www.dnp.go.th before arriving. We opted for a tent for three people, which cost 225 baht per night. The tent came equipped with sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, and sleeping mats, so we only needed to bring our clothes.

"Kiww Lom Tent Site"

The "Kiww Lom Tent Site" is the highest campsite in Thailand. It is located on the Doi Pha Hom Pok mountain trail within Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park in Chiang Mai Province. The area experiences cold weather year-round.



Not yet, we haven't arrived yet. This is just the campsite. The real challenge is tomorrow when we hike up to Doi Pha Hom Pok. It's going to be amazing, I can assure you. First, we need to report to the officials at the campsite. There's a restaurant here that serves cooked-to-order meals. I highly recommend the rice with fried pork and fried egg, it's delicious.



As the sun set, rain began to fall, making the air cold and humid. Since this was the highest camping spot in Thailand, the wind was extremely strong, as if it were raining heavily. So we all went into our tents, sat around, chatted, and predicted that based on the weather tonight, there would definitely be no sun tomorrow… T^T

03:30 AM Departure.

We were instructed by the officials to ascend Doi Pha Hom Pok, ensuring our arrival at the summit before sunrise. The path leading upwards will be shrouded in darkness, necessitating the use of flashlights for every individual. Forgetting them is strictly prohibited.



As dawn broke, the sky began to brighten. However, due to the previous night's rain, the fog was extremely thick and incredibly beautiful.

The heavy rain the previous night had left the ground muddy and extremely slippery. The 3.5-kilometer trek from the campsite to the summit of Doi Pha Hom Pok was challenging, with numerous slips and falls. It took us two and a half hours to reach the summit.

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"Doi Pha Hom Pok"

Located in Doi Fah Hom Pok National Park, it is the second highest mountain in Thailand, with an elevation of 2,285 meters. The summit is often shrouded in mist and experiences cold temperatures year-round. It offers stunning views of the surrounding sea of mist, as well as breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, making it one of the most picturesque destinations in Thailand.

Not everyone is lucky. Unfortunately, today the fog is thick, and the sun has not appeared as expected. However, the atmosphere feels like we are standing on a white cloud, looking down at a thick sea of fog.



It's time to descend from the mountaintop! The ascent was challenging, but the descent was even more treacherous. The path was extremely slippery, and at some points, we had to help each other down one person at a time. This trip definitely brought us closer together as friends. We instantly felt a stronger bond with each other.

We also met some wonderful new friends along the way who helped us throughout the journey. We are incredibly grateful for their assistance. By the time we reached the campsite, we were exhausted and covered in mud.



Dense fog descended upon the campsite.


Upon reaching the campsite, we wasted no time in packing up our belongings, eager to make the most of our remaining time at the Fang Hot Springs. We had a 10 am appointment for a car to take us to Chiang Dao, our next destination.



"Chiang Dao"

After a tiring day of trekking through the rain, wading through tall grass, and playing in the mud, it's time for some real relaxation. We're staying at Na Lau Mai village, nestled against Doi Luang Chiang Dao, with stunning sunset views. At night, we'll gaze at the stars, and in the morning, we'll be greeted by the mist flowing over Doi Luang Chiang Dao.



It's time to explore the village. I must say, it's incredibly hot here during the day! However, as soon as evening falls, the temperature plummets, and it becomes quite chilly.



To visit Chiang Dao, one must sleep under the stars...

Tonight, we finally had the chance to lie down and gaze at the stars to our heart's content! The cold air, the warm blankets, and the memories of our journey and the friendships we made along the way. The fatigue gradually faded away amidst the millions of twinkling stars. There is nothing more heartwarming and comforting than this moment.



The morning mist slowly dissipated, revealing the rising sun as it peeked over the horizon. Today, finally, we were able to witness the sunrise.




Breakfast was soon served, featuring a delicious pork congee and a special chili paste. In this delightful atmosphere, I couldn't help but ask for more rice. ><



This journey was not only filled with laughter and camaraderie among friends, but also brought new friendships and connections, especially at Doi Pha Hom Pok. Everyone was constantly helping each other, even though they had never met before. The unpredictable weather kept us on our toes, wondering when the rain would fall or the fog would roll in. Would we see the first light of day from the summit? The uncertainty brought constant surprises, making the experience all the more exciting.

Perhaps this is a crucial turning point in this journey, wouldn't you say?

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Comprehensive Travel Guide with Simple Money-Saving Tips

Traveling to Doi Pha Hom Pok

  1. Fly from Don Mueang Airport to Chiang Mai Airport.
  2. Take a red taxi from Chiang Mai Airport to Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.
  3. Take a bus to Fang District (3-hour journey) and get off at Fang Market.
  4. Transfer to a shared taxi to the Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park Tourist Service Center (Fang Hot Springs).
  5. Arrange a 4x4 vehicle to take you to the Kiw Lom campsite (overnight stay at Kiw Lom).

In addition to travel, another important aspect to consider is travel insurance. While some people may purchase it through airlines when booking flights, others may skip it, believing it to be unnecessary or expensive. However, travel insurance is crucial as unforeseen circumstances can arise during travel.

TIP FLY SURE, a domestic travel insurance product offered by Tip Insurance, is significantly cheaper than airline-provided options. For a single trip, it costs only 55 baht, while a round trip costs 129 baht. This affordable insurance provides coverage of up to 4 million baht for the entire trip. It can be easily purchased through the website or smartphone app, and the policy is delivered instantly via email, allowing you to embark on your journey with peace of mind.

Tip: Remember to uncheck the box for travel insurance that is bundled with the airline. Then, purchase TIP FLY SURE travel insurance instead. The price difference is significant, but the coverage is the same. You'll feel like a winner when you find something better and cheaper! Haha!

Comprehensive coverage for death, medical expenses from accidents, lost luggage, and flight delays, with 24-hour emergency assistance throughout your domestic travels.

Here is an example of purchasing travel insurance:

www.tipinsure.com/tipflysure

Tickets and travel insurance are ready, let's continue our trip!

Traveling from Doi Pha Hom Pok to Chiang Dao

  1. Take a 4x4 to the Tourist Service Center (Bo Nam Phu Fang).
  2. Rent a local car from there to Fang Market.
  3. Transfer to a public bus to Chiang Dao District Transport.
  4. A local car will pick you up and take you to your accommodation, Baan Mork Tawan @ Chiang Dao, for 50 baht per person.

Getting back from Chiang Dao to the airport

1) Take a local's car (arranged by your accommodation for 50 baht) to the Chiang Dao bus station. 2) Take a bus to Chang Phuak bus station. 3) Take a red taxi to the airport.

Accommodation Details

Accommodation for Night 1

Stay at the Kew Lom Tent Site.

Book in advance through the website www.dnp.go.th. The tent is for 3 people and costs 225 baht/night.

Day 2: Homestay Accommodation at Ban Mork Ta Daeng, Chiang Dao

Cost: 700 Baht per person for 2 nights (1,400 Baht total), including breakfast and dinner.

Alternative: Camping for 500 Baht per person.

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#chiang dao#doi pha hom pok#doi pha hom pok national park#doi luang chiang dao#chiang mai#thailand#hiking#hiking#tent camping#shared taxi#shared taxi (songthaew)#pickup truck
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