This is the first review I've written after many trips, and I wanted to share my travel experience with fellow travel enthusiasts. A friend who went hiking with me once said, "Phu Kradueng is like a walk in the park, perfect for beginner hikers."

This trip was a walk in the park, or so we thought. We went with two friends, splitting the cost of the tent and food. As we started walking, it was easy and comfortable, the air was cool and refreshing. But as we continued, the distance started to take its toll. We were exhausted after walking up and down hills for three days, covering almost 50 kilometers. Our legs were definitely feeling the burn.

Another must-visit place is Phu Kradueng. *"Singles, be warned, you will feel envious of those who go with their partners."* The sweet moments are overflowing, making you feel very envious.

This trip was a spur-of-the-moment decision, with no planning or physical preparation. After finishing classes on Friday, I packed my backpack and headed to the new Korat bus terminal. I traveled overnight on December 2nd, 2016, arriving in the morning of December 3rd, 2016. (I will summarize the journey later.)

December 3, 2016

The hike began at 7:17 am, a beautiful time to start. We walked at a leisurely pace, gradually ascending the mountain. The first rest stop, "Sam Haek," lived up to its name, leaving us breathless. However, the stunning views quickly erased any fatigue. After a short break, we continued our journey, leaving behind the trailhead signs to capture the surrounding beauty. Our route took us from the park headquarters to Sam Haek, Sam Bon, Sam Kok, Phran Phran Pae, Sam Kok Wua, Sam Kok Phai, Sam Kok Don, Sam Krae, and finally, Lang Pae, covering a total distance of 5.5 kilometers. We arrived at our destination around 12:30 pm.

On the way to the back of the waterfall, there is a spot where everyone who conquers Phu Kradueng must take a picture with the sign "Phu Kradueng Conqueror". The sign reads, "Once in a lifetime, we are the conquerors of Phu Kradueng." (But we didn't take a picture because there were so many people on the day we climbed Phu Kradueng, over three thousand tourists. We had to wait in a long line.) After resting and recovering from our fatigue, we continued walking.

The journey from the back of the waterfall to the Wang Kwang Tourist Service Center took approximately 14.30 hours, covering a distance of 3.5 kilometers. This brought the total distance walked for the day to 9 kilometers. Next, arrangements were made to rent sleeping mats, sleeping bags, and a tent from a local shop. The prices were comparable to those offered by the park. After setting up the tent and taking a nap, the group headed to Pha Mak Duk to watch the sunset.

Exhausted from the day's activities, I woke up at 4:49 PM. "Oh my god, will I make it in time for the sunset?" I muttered to myself. The distance from the campsite to Pha Mak Duk was approximately 2.2 kilometers. By the time I arrived, only the scattered light of the setting sun remained in the sky. This is the scattering of light in physics, or as photographers would call it, twilight. After capturing the last light of the day, I started my journey back. It was dark on the way back, so it is advisable to bring a flashlight.

Day Two: December 4, 2016

Waking up at 4 am to prepare for watching the sunrise at Pha Nok Aen, I secretly hoped to see a sea of mist and a beautiful sunrise. However, the reality was that the sun peeked out for a moment, and then the mist floated up and covered the sky, blocking the sun completely. We missed the view and were left disappointed. We'll have to try again another time. On the way back from Pha Nok Aen, we passed through Lan Phra Kaew and arrived at the tent. We ate lunch and prepared packed lunches and water.

The trail is lined with a diverse array of plant life, showcasing the remarkable biodiversity of Phu Kradueng National Park. This lush forest boasts a wide variety of plant species, making it one of the most ecologically rich forests in Thailand.

9:30 AM: Embark on a journey to witness the sunrise at Pha Lom Sak, traversing the waterfall trail that begins at Wang Kwang Waterfall, ascends to Pen Pom Mai Waterfall, continues to Phueng Pom Waterfall, and culminates at Tham Yai Waterfall. Our mission on this path is to seek out the crimson maple leaves (G่วมแดง, a genus related to maple).

And we finally found it >> Red Maple

From the waterfall, go to the Anothat pond > Tham Sao Nua Waterfall > Pha Lom Sak

And today was another disappointment, as usual, the sky was overcast and I couldn't see the sunrise. I wanted to take a picture at the peak of Pha Lom Sak, but the queue was very long. So I had to go back. On the way back, I took the path along the cliff, passing Pha Daeng > Pha Hiab Mek > Pha Na Noi > Pha Jam See > Pha Mak Dook > Tourist Service Center. I arrived back at the tent around 8 pm and took a nap to let the other tourists finish their showers. I took a shower at midnight, it was cold and refreshing (-_-)! (On the way back, I didn't take any pictures because my camera battery was dead T^T So sad!)

• An unforgettable experience. On my way back from Pha Lom Sak, it was getting dark and my legs were so sore I could barely lift them. I still had a long way to go, and I was walking alone (my friends had left me behind). But then, a kind man came along and walked with me, chatting and keeping me company. (He was alone and walked very fast, so I couldn't keep up with him. ^3^ Haha, I'm just complaining a little.) We walked all the way to the tourist service center. Thank you.

**Day Three 5/12/59**

Waking up at 5:00 AM, we prepared to return our sleeping gear to the tourist service center. We began our descent from the mountain at 7:20 AM and arrived at Sam Kok at 10:00 AM. We stopped for lunch there (eating at the same restaurant on both the way up and down, it's the only one there!). We reached the bottom of the mountain around 11:45 AM, making better time than on the way up because we descended via Sam Krae, the old route, which is very steep and almost destroyed our knees (we took a detour via Lang Pa on the way up).

After a short break to rest and buy souvenirs, we walked to the front of the National Park, where the passenger pick-up and drop-off area is located. It took 15-30 minutes to get from Phu Kradueng National Park to Pha Nok Aen to prepare for our return to Korat. We got tickets for the 2:45 PM bus, but it was delayed until 3:20 PM. The bus departed from Pha Nok Aen, but on the way back, the tire of the bus we were on burst in Kranuan District, causing another delay. We finally arrived in Korat at 8:30 PM. Since we didn't have a way to get home, we decided to call it a day. Until next time, Phu Kradueng! (^_^)/

"Once is never enough" at Phu Kradueng: December 3-5, 2016.

"Preparation"

Should you carry your own backpack or hire a porter to carry your luggage? You can hire a porter for 30 baht per kilogram.

1. Be physically prepared.

2. Pack only what you need, including warm clothes.

3. Flashlight.

4. Essential medications, such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medications, massage oil, cold medicine, and pain relievers. Bring them all; you'll definitely need them.

6. Camera to capture your wonderful memories.

5. Accommodation: Tents are reserved for you, so you only need to carry yourself and your backpack.

The original travel plan was to take a bus from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Khan. However, due to the bus being full, the plan had to be changed. Instead, the traveler will take a long-distance bus from Bangkok to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani, getting off at Khon Kaen. From there, they will take another bus to Khon Kaen and Mueang Loei.

• Disembark at the Phukradueng bus station, have lunch, and wait for the red songthaew to pick you up and take you to Phukradueng National Park.
• Start hiking up the mountain at 7:30 AM and arrive at the Wung Kwang Tourist Service Center around 2:30 PM.
• On the day of descent, start hiking down at 7:20 AM and arrive at Phukradueng National Park around 11:45 AM.
• Take a red songthaew from Phukradueng National Park for 15-30 minutes to Pha Nok Aew, and purchase a ticket back to Korat.
• The park offers charging services.

• 20 baht mobile phone

• Camera battery 20 baht

• Power bank 40 baht

Expenses Summary (excluding food)

Travel:

• Nakhon Ratchasima - Khon Kaen: 120 THB
• Khon Kaen - Loei: 83 THB
• Tha Rua Phu Kradueng - Phu Kradueng National Park: 30 THB (shared taxi, 300 THB/car for 10 people)
• Phu Kradueng National Park - Pha Nok Aew: 40 THB
• Pha Nok Aew - Nakhon Ratchasima: 202 THB

Accommodation:

• Tent rental (2 nights): 225 THB/night x 2 nights = 450 THB
• Camping ground fee: 30 THB/day/person = 30 THB
• Sleeping mat rental (2 nights): 3 THB/night x 2 nights x 2 people = 120 THB
• Sleeping bag rental (2 nights): 30 THB/night x 2 nights = 60 THB
• Phu Kradueng National Park entrance fee: 40 THB

Total expenses: 1205 THB/person