"Phu Kradueng" is a name that everyone talks about. What is it like? They say it's beautiful, they say it's tough, and the distance is 9 km?

In February, the weather turned cold again. We, two people, wanted to be one of the conquerors of Phu Kradueng with "2 backpacks and 2 hearts".

In search of the cool air, the rising and setting sun, the red maple leaves, the legendary giant pine trees, and the beautiful waterfalls, oh my! "Just thinking about it is exciting." We started by booking a bus ticket for February 8, 2016 with the company "Sunbus" and a return ticket with the company Air Muang Loei on February 10, 2016 (booking VIP both ways). The two of us waited anxiously for the day of our trip to arrive.

And then the day we had been waiting for arrived... The two of us wasted no time packing our bags and heading to the starting point. Let's go "Mo Chit".

We have arrived at "Mo Chit", the meeting point for travelers.

Please contact the officer first to receive the bus ticket that you booked by phone. Bangkok-Phan Ngok Khao (Loei) 8pm round

Got the ticket, then prepare to get on the bus ( Bus fare is 1,192 baht per person )

"Since we're here anyway, let's take a picture before we go up" (Our photographer even exclaimed, every shot is amazing =.=')

" As soon as I got on the bus, I fell asleep lol 555 It was just a little eye rest. "

The seats are wide and comfortable, and they recline well. Plus, the air conditioning is very cold, and they even provide blankets.


According to a rough calculation, the car should arrive at the Je Kim-Phak Ngok Khao restaurant around early morning, but the tour bus ran fast and only stopped at 2 points.

This made us arrive as early as 2 am. Oh my god, is it too fast! It will be a long time before the mountain opens. It's cold and the Je Kim restaurant and other shops are not open yet. Are we the first two people to arrive here (it's starting to get spooky)?


We waited for a while and luckily found a small coffee shop owned by a kind uncle who opened it at around 3:00 AM.

Immediately, the two of us rushed to the uncle and ordered a hot coffee and a hot Ovaltine, one for each of us, to "warm up" and make our bodies feel warm. "We're saved," it was like heaven's blessing, God's grace, because it was really cold, "16 degrees".

The uncle was also kind enough to let us warm ourselves by the fire while waiting for the red car to go to Phu Kradueng. "Thank you so much, uncle." (The uncle also drives a motorcycle taxi next to the police station.)

In the early morning, the shops selling cold weather clothing gradually opened. We rushed to find and reserve them, fearing that we would go up to Phu Kradueng and be cold without anything to wear to keep us warm (555 we prepared too little, we didn't think it would be this cold).

After a while, the 2-row cars that would take us to Phu Kradueng began to arrive. Each car would take 10 people for a total of 300 baht, an average of 30 baht per person. But we went outside the festival season, there were only 3 couples, 6 people (Dtac was kind enough to rent the whole car).

It was the beginning of a chance encounter, which was fun. We had companions and new friendships were formed. Let's go...

And then we arrived at the tourist service center and the place where everyone must take a picture of the main kilometer 0 km. Phu Kradueng National Park


Don't wait any longer, register and let's go! (Open for climbing from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM) After 2:00 PM, the officers will not allow you to climb because it is dangerous. It takes several hours to reach the top, and it may get dark.

Before climbing Phu Kradueng, we have to register at the entrance to know the number of people going up (on the day we went, there were less than 100 people).

Porters will be available soon for those who need their services. You are welcome to use them or not. If you can carry your own backpack, please do so. If not, you can pay 30 baht per kilogram and they will carry it for you all the way to the Wankwang rest stop. (My backpack weighs over 8 kilograms, so I'll be using the porter service.)


Our starting point begins at "7:30 AM" with cool and comfortable weather.

The first round was brutal, we were gasping for air. We looked at each other and asked, "Should we continue?"

We decided to keep going. We walked and rested along the way (mostly resting, haha).

I met new travel companions, both Thai and foreigners, who were also there to conquer the challenge.

"Luk Hab" This is the first time I've seen it in person, and the weight he carries is about 40-50 kg. Wow, O_O Amazing! I sincerely admire him. Even with our backpack weighing only 8 kg, we still give up.

The rapids vary in steepness and smoothness, alternating in each rapid. There are small shops to serve you, but if it's not a festival, there are almost no shops. 555 You'll have to go hungry.

And then the final stage of the vertical ladder came, indicating that it was not far to "after the back".


And here we are at the first 5 km. We two sat and rested, taking pictures and playing around.

And then we came across a red maple tree, so we quickly took some pictures. After taking enough pictures, we continued on to the deer park, which was another 3 km away. We walked along the way.


You can also find a lone pine tree standing prominently in the middle of the walkway, "a symbol of this path," where everyone stops to take pictures.


Upon reaching the Wankwang tent camping point, we received our tents and rented bedding. Then, we dispersed to rest as we pleased.

(It took us approximately 5 hours to get here.)


In the evening, the two of us went to watch the sunset at Pha Mak Duk, which is 2.5 km from our accommodation. It was so beautiful there, the wind was cool and comfortable, so much so that we had to take a nap before the sun went down. It was time to walk back (prepare a flashlight because it was dark). The two of us and our companions hurried back to our accommodation.

After pulling the tent, we slept to rest so that in the morning we could go see the sunrise at Pha Nok Aen. And then we missed waking up. We'll try again tomorrow morning.
On Phu Kradueng there are bicycles for rent. "The weather on the mountain is very cool, the wind is strong and comfortable."

First, we both chose to pay our respects to the Buddha of Loving-Kindness for good luck.


We continued on, even though the waterfall was starting to dry up because it wasn't the rainy season. But the two of us still got to see it.

I met Maple, the maple leaves, but not as many as when it was at its peak. But it's still good to see you, Maple.


With the limited time, we chose to go to the place we really wanted to go, and tomorrow we will try to see the sunrise at Pha Nok Aen tomorrow morning. Tonight, goodbye, I'm so sore, so sweet dreams.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

At 5 am, the officer announced that anyone who wants to see the sunrise at Pha Nok Aen, please gather in front of the tourist service center and travel together with the officer leading the way because it is very dark, a distance of 2 km. We are preparing to walk. When we went, we were still a little dazed, but when we went with the early morning, the weather was very cold (6 degrees) with fog. Oh, heaven, I really want to take my ozone home.

Everyone was eagerly waiting. The sun that everyone was waiting for was slowly rising above the horizon. Oh, it was beautiful. We watched it until it was above the horizon. After a while, everyone went their separate ways to find food or to continue exploring Phu Kradueng. But I was packing my things to be in time to get down the mountain today because I had booked a bus for 13.30. I packed my things and went down. The way down was easier than the way up because it was a straight path and it didn't take long.


On the way, I accidentally met a local who came down to see me off, and what's even more interesting is that

The Strong Women's Association of Phu Kradueng I thought it was only men, so I stopped by to chat and ask for a photo with him. He was very friendly and smiling. After a while, we said goodbye to him, and he sent him off with a smile.


We reached the bottom and signed our names to confirm our arrival, along with receiving certificates proving we made it (it didn't take long, only 2.5 hours, because we had to make good time to catch our 13.30 bus).

The red songthaew from Phu Kradueng is taking us to the pick-up point to return to the shop.

After coming down, I was really hungry, so I had some papaya salad and grilled chicken from Auntie's shop. It was delicious, and I finished it all. I was really hungry because I used a lot of energy (the spirit of a ghoul possessed me 555).

And then there's a delicious coffee called Phu Pha Coffee, a small, cute shop with a cozy interior. Stop by for a taste and wake yourself up.


The fun is over.... It's time to go home and face the hustle and bustle of the city again T_T

(We both are starting to fall in love with Phu Kradueng. If we have the chance, we'll be back to conquer it again.)

#Total expenses for the trip around 6,500 baht

#Thank you for following #Want to share a little experience #Sharing #Guidelines #Friendship #First review, any mistakes, please forgive me.


(Collection of memorable photos throughout the trip)




# Loei# Phu Kradueng National Park
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