How much further? Are we close yet?

The sole question that lingered in my mind throughout the ascent of Doi Montha in Tak Province was...

And the answers received are both "almost there" and "already halfway there".

However, the reality is that the climb is far from over. We still have a long way to go, carrying our backpacks and climbing the mountain. Let me emphasize that this is a real mountain, not just a hill.

While browsing travel websites, I stumbled upon a name that caught my eye.

Doi Montha, located within the Taksin Maharat National Park in Mae Sot District, Tak Province.

Upon closer inspection, it appears to be a worthwhile destination and is poised to become a new tourist attraction in Tak province.

Yearning for Adventure: A Weekend Getaway to Doi Montha

The allure of travel is undeniable, and when the desire to explore takes hold, it's best to embrace it. This is precisely what happened to me, leading me on an impromptu weekend trip to Doi Montha. With a budget of 2,900 baht and just two days and one night to spare, I embarked on this spontaneous adventure.

This trip, we went without taking any time off work. On Friday evening, as soon as we finished work, we packed our bags and hopped on a bus to continue our journey.

After the eight members of the Doi Montha trip arrived at the meeting point at Big C Saphan Khwai,

We departed from Bangkok by van around 2 pm and arrived at Taksin Maharat National Park around 3 am.

To conserve energy for the ascent of Doi Montha, we set up a simple sleeping arrangement.

After changing clothes and having breakfast, we took a van to Ban Poo Pae.

The journey was a visual delight, with rice paddies interspersed with vegetable gardens and cornfields cultivated by local farmers.

Guess which peak is our Doi Montha among these mountain views.

We arrived at Ban Pu Pae at 10 am and hopped onto a songthaew, both people and luggage crammed together, to reach the starting point of our trek.

The road conditions are rough, with potholes and uneven surfaces, as is typical for a cornfield.

After relaxing for a while, it was time for the e-taek to drive through the water.

The vehicle became stuck in a ditch, forcing everyone to walk. The conductor, however, continued on in a motorcycle taxi.

People took shortcuts through cornfields and rice paddies that were just starting to head. They walked leisurely, taking pictures along the way.

With the bag in hand, we wasted no time and set off for Doi Montha!

The first point was to walk through the water, but we didn't want to get wet right from the start, so we tried to find an angle that wouldn't get us wet.

Despite attempts to circumvent, navigate rocky terrain, and leap over water, ultimately, everyone had to wade through the water. No matter how they tried to avoid it, they couldn't escape it.

The initial phase involved a leisurely stroll through waterways, ensuring our shoes were soaked, followed by an ascent through rice fields, cornfields, and coffee plantations belonging to local residents.

Before the road turns into a forest, we must wade through a waterfall and climb over rocks for a long time.

With the assistance of two local villagers, one serving as a porter for communal supplies and the other as a knowledgeable guide, you can be assured of a safe and successful journey.

The waterfall was a welcome sight on the trail, offering a chance to rest and cool off. However, the water was a bit murky due to recent rainfall.

During the walk, there were intermittent downpours that soaked us from head to toe.

After wading through the waterfall and climbing over rocky outcrops, we took a shortcut along the riverbank for about an hour before finally starting our actual ascent up the mountain.

The first climb was so steep that it drained all their energy. They didn't find any flat sections to walk comfortably, unlike the beginning.

My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it. It wasn't excitement or the sight of a handsome man in the middle of the forest. I was just so tired I could barely breathe.

The sudden steep ascent, combined with the need to keep pace with the group, may have contributed to the incident.

Unable to continue, I must take refuge on the side of the road. Those who can walk, please go ahead. I can't take it anymore. Let me catch my breath for a moment.

The cumbersome cane, once a burden, now serves as a support, helping to ascend the arduous mountain path.

The once rain-soaked bodies now glistened with sweat, their weary legs carrying them ever closer to the elusive summit.

I found a place to sit and eat my packed lunch, feeling energized and ready to go.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

Despite walking for a long time, the peak of Doi Montha remains elusive. The path is littered with fresh and old cow dung.

As I am a journalist translator, I will translate the sentence from Thai to English while maintaining a simple and short tone of voice.

Here is the translation:

Strolling along, I came across a herd of cows. I locked eyes with them and telepathically communicated, "Don't come down yet!"

It seemed to be aware of our presence. It stopped us from walking past and slowly slid down the hill before we could.

The grass below is too short to eat, so they have to climb up.

Where did it come from? Judging by its condition, it's unlikely that it waded through the waterfall or climbed the rocks like we did.

The dense forest, with tall trees providing shade, gradually thinned as we ascended. The mountain views became increasingly clear.

Looking at it, it's hard to tell which direction they came from in the forest below.

Found it, champion! This is the absolute peak of Doi Montha. That steep climb you were complaining about the whole way up? Child's play compared to this.

Ultimately, they had to walk, climb, and crawl to reach their destination.

When you're tired, take a break and look back at the view. It will motivate you to keep going.

The summit is near! The peak is just ahead, so let's put in one last burst of effort and quicken our pace to reach the top.

However, once you reach the summit, you still need to walk to the campsite.

The feeling at that moment was overwhelming. My legs were so tired, I didn't want to walk anymore. I just wanted to collapse and sleep right there.

Though reluctant to walk, she persevered, for the destination remained distant. With weary legs, she continued her journey.

Fortunately, after escaping the two infernal peaks, the remaining path became a gradual, meandering trail along the mountainside.

The mountains stretch out in a breathtaking panorama, making it hard to believe that anyone could have climbed to the top.

We finally arrived at the campsite on Doi Montha after trekking since 10 am.

We arrived at 4 pm after a 6-hour walk, covering a distance of about 10 km.

For those who want to pitch a tent, you can choose any spot you like, as today on Doi Montha, there are only 8 of us.

After setting up the tents, we walked to the sunset viewpoint.

There was no sign indicating that this was a sunset viewing spot.

The open space offers stunning views of the mountains and the city below, making it the perfect spot to witness breathtaking sunsets.

While waiting for the sunset, I took some pictures of wildflowers on Doi Montha.

As the air above Doi Montha began to cool, a sea of mist began to drift across the mountain peaks.

Taking photos and checking in is convenient. Mobile phone signals and internet are available.

A simple and delicious dinner on Doi Montha. We all helped to pick, chop vegetables, cook, and serve the dishes.

We had a delightful time eating and chatting together. After dinner, as the sky began to darken, we spread out a mat and gazed at the Milky Way.

The Milky Way was clearly visible due to the combination of a dark moonless night and the high altitude.

Coupled with the chilly air on Doi Montha, sitting in the darkness gazing at the stars and the Milky Way made it a truly special night.

I understand why we had to drag our feet during the day, because it was to see something beautiful like this.

Waking up early and opening the tent, I was greeted by a thick fog. However, it was so dense that I couldn't see the sea of mist.

A Mystical Forest Atop Doi Montha

The enchanting forest atop Doi Montha, with its uniquely shaped trees and ethereal mist, has earned the fitting name "Mystical Forest."

This is a communal space where people can relieve themselves in the open air, similar to an open-air bathroom.

Those who wish to bathe can only wash their faces and brush their teeth, as the water source on Doi Montha is primarily used for drinking and cooking.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

A single fire can serve multiple purposes, such as toasting bread, drying clothes, and providing warmth.

After breakfast at 9 am, we packed up our tents, gathered our belongings, and set off on a different route than the one we had taken the previous day.

From the campsite, we trekked through a magical forest, passing by the water source we used on the mountain, a bamboo forest, and a mangrove forest. The trail gradually descended as we went.

However, there were sections where even walking steadily was impossible due to the steep and slippery terrain, forcing us to support each other as we descended.

We ourselves had to sit down and slide down on our butts, creating new paths by sliding.

Tears along the way, let us stop and rest, feel the coolness of the water and the shade of the forest.

After wading through the waterfall for a while, we rejoined the original waterfall path we had climbed yesterday. We then slowly dragged our legs to walk on the rocks.

Upon reaching the e-taek pick-up point, we were completely exhausted and sprawled out on the ground. Our return journey was relatively quick, taking approximately 3 hours of brisk walking.

Before taking a shower, having lunch, and then traveling back to Bangkok to continue working on Monday.

The Doi Montha trip was tiring, and we were exhausted after reaching the first peak. However, overall, we were impressed.

This mountain offers a complete experience, encompassing the local community's atmosphere, rice fields, and refreshing waterfalls.

The breathtaking view of the sunset and mountains from Doi Montha was truly spectacular.

Embrace the cool breeze, gaze at the Milky Way, and feel the mist with just a tent opening.

And the 2 unforgettable steep peaks on Doi Montha!

Thank you for the wonderful friendships formed during this trip.

"Uncle Nim," a dusty companion for fun trips, always brings laughter. If you're willing to endure some hardship with him, it will be a worthwhile experience.

Throughout our 2-day, 1-night trip, Cat kept us well-fed. Even during rest stops, she would distribute candies, tamarind, and dried mango.

Ploy, who found a trip to Doi Montha to share with us.

If my sister can walk, I can walk too.

After this trip, Nong Fon wants to invite you to a buffet. It must be worth it!

Bank, Rain's friend, who bickered and argued with Rain throughout the trip, brought color and laughter to everyone on the journey.