Hello everyone, my fellow travel enthusiasts! Many of you may have seen this post before. I just want to let you know that I've recreated it with my own account so that I can easily respond to your comments. This is my first post, and I hope you all enjoy it. Please let me know what you think! :-3

“That mountain looks amazing, doesn't it?" We started our conversation with a friend while on the bus from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani, on our way to Vang Vieng (Laos).

"I saw it on a post, I really want to go! I have to go."

"Wanna go with me?" "Yeah, why not!"

"Two people, huh?! (Why are you yelling at each other?)"

"Damn, but it only opens for a limited time. It should be available until February."

"Okay, we'll see about that. But you're going with me, both of you."

"Okay, let's go!" The conversation ended with a handshake and a promise, which seemed cool, but it wasn't... It was an agreement made on a whim, without any information except for the pictures in the reviews. 555555555 I think many of you are like me. You've read reviews or seen amazing pictures of Khao Chang Puak and felt like you had to go there. Remember, guys, no picture is as beautiful as the real thing we see with our own eyes. So go to Khao Chang Puak and become a legend.

And then disaster struck when we and our friends found out that in just 3 weeks they would close it and not let us go up anymore.

This is something that anyone who wants to go to Khao Chang Puak must check first, which months of the year it is open. It's not like you can go whenever you want, it's not a 7-Eleven, you know? Usually, it's open from the end of the year to the beginning of the next year. For example, the year we went, it was open from the beginning of November (2014) to the end of January (2015).

To visit, you must make a reservation exactly 7 days in advance. No more, no less. Reservations are required because the site limits the number of visitors to 60 people per day.

The closer we got to the final days, the more people were scrambling to get in. Once we decided on a date with our friends, we called right away. There were three phone numbers (03-453-2114, 03-451-0979, 081-382-0359). When we finally got through, the officer told us it was full. The next day, we called almost two hundred times, but we couldn't get through. So many people wanted to go that we decided to change our plans to the following week, but we still couldn't get through. In the end, we were able to go on January 30th, the second to last day they were open.

After booking by phone, you will need to send your personal information, such as your name, surname, ID card number, phone number, and address to the park via email. The park will then provide you with information you should know about visiting Chang Phuak, but you will also need to do your own research. Be prepared, climbing a mountain is not easy. It's easier to let the mountain climb you... just kidding! I'm so excited, I'm going soon!

The first thing you need to know is where Khao Chang Phuak is located and how to get there...

Khao Chang Puak is part of Thong Pha Phum National Park in Kanchanaburi Province.

The distance from Bangkok is approximately 400 kilometers, taking 5-6 hours to travel.

If you're a speed demon, you can get there in about 4 hours by private car. The most convenient way to get there is by car. The distance from Kanchanaburi city to Thong Pha Phum district is about 175 kilometers. Take Highway 323. The distance from Thong Pha Phum district to Pilok village is only 60 kilometers. Pilok village or E-Tong village will be the starting point for conquering the mountain this time. But before we reach the village, we have to stop at Thong Pha Phum National Park first to be informed of the conditions and expenses.

The inevitable costs are:

- Elephant Mountain entrance fee is 30 baht per person.

• Tent and sleeping bag rental 30 baht
  

- The entrance fee for a car to the park is 40 baht.

- Guide fee 1,200 baht (1 guide can guide up to 10 people)

- Food expenses (as desired) and

- The cost of hiring a porter to carry our luggage (2 days 1 night) is 1,100 baht (one porter can carry 20-30 kilograms). If you are physically strong and can carry your own belongings, you don't have to hire a porter, which will save you a lot of money. But honestly, I can't do it 555555555. To be honest, it's better to let them carry it. I'll just bring essentials like water, lunch, camera, and phone... Actually, before going, I read many reviews. Some people spend only 800 baht, some 1,000 baht, some 1,200 baht. Let's say it's around this much. But the more people you go with, the more you can save on expenses.

It is recommended that you eat a full meal before you set off. There are both rice shops and coffee shops in the Pilock village. Make sure you buy your supplies because you will need a lot of energy once you go up. I was really sweaty. No matter how cool you dress, you will end up being soaked. Therefore, wear the most comfortable clothes to keep your body dry. Trust me. After that, we will meet the officers and the porter gang at the large store. There is only one store because the other stores are small. It may sound funny, but it's true. 55555555 This store has no name, but everyone will gather here. If you are missing anything, you can buy it at this store. The porters will go up the mountain as soon as they receive our luggage. They will take it first, and then we will go with the guide at 8 am (some groups may be late at 9 am).

The path from the village to the first rest stop is nothing much, still quite chill. It's mostly flat with some occasional dips and bumps, which is normal for a forest trail. But what we noticed right from the start was the sun. It was really sunny, meaning it was very hot... If you go to Khao Chang Puak at the beginning of the season, the weather will be cold and the mountains will be lush green. But during the late season, when we went, it will be hot like this and the mountains will be a radiant golden yellow. But no matter how hot it is, we still recommend wearing long pants because it will help prevent scratches. As you go higher, the path will become more difficult, but the view will also become more beautiful. While walking, we met people who had climbed the mountain the day before and were coming down. As we passed each other, they said things like "Keep it up, little brother," "Go all the way," and "This isn't even 5% of the beauty of the top." Wow, how cool can you guys be? I'll try to say something cool like that tomorrow, just you wait... After passing the first point where we had to use a rope to pull ourselves up, we reached the "ต้นส้าน rest stop." It was quite beautiful, with a view of the Pilok village surrounded by mountains. We rested for a while and then continued on our journey.

The meadows, bushes, trees, and wildflowers are all perfectly arranged, as if someone had created this place. The entire trail is incredibly beautiful, and it gets even more stunning in the last 1.5 kilometers. So, don't get too carried away taking pictures along the way and drain your camera or phone battery. Otherwise, you won't have any power left to capture the peak. Remember, there's no water or electricity up there. If you need to charge your devices, bring a power bank.

Continuing on for a bit longer, we will reach "Khao Chang Noi", a small hill covered in golden yellow grass. It's truly beautiful, I remember it vividly. The yellow of the grass contrasts beautifully with the blue of the sky and the navy blue of the mountains in the distance. I wanted to lie down on the grass, but I was afraid that if I did, I wouldn't be able to get up again. 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After crossing the small elephant mountain, descend another steep mountain, and you will arrive at the camping spot. It takes about 4-6 hours to walk 7-8 kilometers from the starting point, depending on the individual. But remember, there is no need to rush, safety first. Otherwise, it will not be fun. When you arrive at the camping spot, hurry up and choose a location for your tent. It is best to choose a low-lying area because the wind will blow into the tent at night, making it less hot. There are two toilets, but people rarely use them because the smell is unbearable for human noses. It is a pit dug into the ground without any plumbing system. If you are a woman, we recommend that you build your own toilet with the help of your friends. After that, you have to wait until 4 pm when the staff will guide you to conquer the last 1.5 kilometers to the top of Chang Phuak Mountain. Although it is a short distance, we are very sure that anyone who experiences this 1.5 kilometers will say the same thing... "Oh my god! It's so scary, can I go down and wait at the tent?"... Are you crazy! 55555555555555

After passing the razor-sharp ridge and traversing the steep, single-file trail, the final obstacle you'll encounter is a near-vertical slope. Holy moly! One minute you're a regular human, the next you're practically Spider-Man. It's crazy! There's just a single rope for each person to use to pull themselves up to the summit. With a height and incline like that, I don't think anyone would want to look back. But hey, that's the human spirit for you. The more challenging something is, the more it makes you feel alive. Looking back, you'll see three small hills lined up like rolling waves. From a distance, they really do resemble an elephant's back. That's when it hit me why it's called White Elephant Mountain. Because a regular elephant wouldn't be this beautiful. This is a "White Elephant," man!

We finally reached the peak of Khao Chang Puak, a mountain 1,249 meters above sea level. It was a sight to behold, with all the conquerors... sleeping soundly. It looked like they were at home, haha! But it was truly a heartwarming scene. People who had traveled almost 10 kilometers together, strangers to each other, were congratulating each other on the summit. Some with short sentences like "Well done, brother!" "Amazing, brother!" Others just looked at each other and smiled, understanding each other without words. After overcoming the challenging path to get here, if these people aren't called legends, I don't know what else to call them. From ordinary people, they became legends by reaching this point. If their name was Pear before the climb, they became Legend Pear after. If their name was Jum before the climb, they became Legend Jum after. Very cool, huh? Remember to take lots of photos to make it worth it. Take photos of everything in a 360-degree view.

Normally, the officers will let you down from the mountaintop at 5 pm or at the latest 5:15 pm because if you go down late, it will be dangerous after the sun sets (even though it's still bright, it's scary). But that day, one of our members, our half-brother who weighs over 100 kilograms, didn't arrive at the top until 5 pm. So he got special permission to stay until almost 5:30 pm. The officers were very nice and congratulated our brother. This is a perfect example that if you set your mind to it, you can do anything. Our brother came late, but he made it... "Will you come again, brother?" "I will, but next year." "Will you come again next year? You'll come alone, right? No one else will come." "...Well... then I won't come."

After arriving at the campsite, it was time for dinner. Some people brought their own food, while others cooked fresh food on the spot. It was up to each person's preference. The next morning, after waking up and brushing our teeth, the park rangers started leading us down the mountain from 7 am. The descent took about an hour less than the ascent. I must confess that on the way back, I got sick and had a fever. It was probably because of the hot and cold weather. So, I wasn't feeling cool at all while walking down. I had planned to look cool on the way down, but that didn't happen. Oh well. But just seeing the nature along the way on Khao Chang Puak was worth it. If you guys still have the energy, come on! Don't wait. This year, book as soon as it opens. Come and change your names to become legends here at Khao Chang Puak.

How's it going? Is it okay? I hope you all like it. Follow us on the website http://blissoutthere.com/

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Thank you so much : )