The trip to Phu Kradueng was a trip that we had been wanting to go on for a long time, but we were always busy with other things or waiting for other people to be available.

This time, we decided not to wait for anyone and try traveling alone, which should be exciting.

Our lonely journey was during the long holiday of December 10-12, 2016, which many people were looking forward to traveling.

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip, thorough preparation is essential. Here are some key steps to take: 1. **Book transportation in advance:** Secure bus tickets for both your arrival and departure to establish a clear travel schedule. 2. **Reserve accommodation:** Book your tent well in advance, ideally several weeks ahead. If booking through the park's website within two weeks of your trip, be prepared to bring your own tent as availability may be limited. The official website for booking is http://www.dnp.go.th. 3. **Plan your itinerary:** Outline a rough plan to maximize your exploration of Phu Kradueng. Consider printing a map from Google Maps for reference. 4. **Pack essential items:** Pack necessary supplies, including mosquito repellent, pain relief medication, a flashlight, and a power bank. 5. **Bring sufficient funds:** While essential items are available on Phu Kradueng, prices are significantly higher. Ensure you have enough cash to cover your expenses comfortably.

Get ready and let's embark on a journey together.

We booked a car with Phukradueng Tour, departing at 9:35 PM. We planned to arrive at Pha Nok Aew during the early morning hours.

Before boarding, we had to exchange our payment slip for a ticket at the company's counter. It is recommended to arrive approximately 40 minutes in advance due to the long queue.

Our bus will depart from Mo Chit at 10:00 PM due to the festive season.

Despite the long wait for the bus, we didn't feel lonely at all. Instead, we engaged in lively conversations and exchanged stories while we waited.

We might as well get along, as if we've known each other for a long time, since we're going to share the same fate anyway.

At approximately 5:00 AM, we arrived at "Pha Nok Aew." As we stepped out of the car, the air was refreshingly cool. This was exactly what we had been hoping for.

The comfortable temperature of 16 degrees Celsius greeted everyone as they went about their business, preparing for their next adventure.

While some people queued to book return tickets, we had already booked ours, so we could go ahead.

If you are ready, you can queue up for the red songthaew to the park office. The fare is 30 baht per person. The journey takes about 20 minutes, and the atmosphere along the way is dark and cold. The fog covers both sides of the road.

Upon arrival at the park, those who have already paid the camping fee through the bank can submit their documents to the staff directly, eliminating the need to queue.

We rushed to book a porter, but even though we arrived at 6:18 AM, we were assigned number 305 in the queue. Will we even get a porter?

At approximately 7:00 AM, officials announced that they would no longer be accepting queue tickets from porters due to the overwhelming number of tourists, exceeding the available porters.

(( We later found out that there were over 5,000 people climbing the mountain today. )) Finally, it was our turn to be carried by the porters, and we were finally going to climb the mountain. I was so excited!

A sign indicated that the distance to the top of the mountain was only 5.5 kilometers. "That's easy," I thought, "I've walked tens of kilometers before, taking pictures along the way." Little did I know how challenging the climb would be.

The first camp hasn't even been reached, and I've already had to rest countless times. Who said this would be easy? It's only 5.5 kilometers, and I feel like I'm going to die. I can't even turn back now, or I'll lose all my pride.

For those who are unable to walk, porters are available to carry you down the mountain for a fee of 3,000 baht per trip, regardless of weight. Lying down on the mountain might be a pleasant experience.

We continue our walk, taking breaks to soak in the essence of Phu Kradueng, before it potentially changes one day.

While walking, we bumped into a classmate we've known for two years, but we only started talking today. What a small world!

The final stretch before reaching the back of Pha is truly the most challenging part of the climb up Phu Kradueng. It's incredibly tiring with nothing but uphill slopes. I had to stop and rest for 10 rounds during this section.

"If you see stairs, it's almost there, just a little further," said the person who came down from the mountain when asked how much further it was to the destination.

Extremely close, just a tiny bit away. There are literally 10 steps.

After a 3.25-hour hike, we finally reached the back of the waterfall. Whether it was fast or slow, we made it! ^^

Next Station: Wang Kwang (3.5 km). Onward!

Finally arrived at the Wang Kwang Tourist Service Center. Upon arrival, it's best to inquire about and reserve camping equipment to secure a spot for setting up your tent.

We then went to find some food to refuel. When we arrived at the restaurant, the owner was very kind and asked if we were alone. He then smiled.

Following our inquiries, the host recommended setting up our tent under the shade of a pine tree, offering protection from the sun and convenient access to the nearby restrooms.

With everything ready, we sat down to wait for the porters. Our bags and tents were all with them.

However, we made a significant error at this point. We waited for the street vendor for two hours, but they never arrived. As a result, our planned route was slightly off.

(( It is recommended that you do not wait for a better deal to visit. You can come at 6 pm to pick it up. If you do not come, the staff will announce your name. ))

Avoid placing valuables or fragile items in your luggage, as they may break under pressure.

Instead of waiting for our luggage, we decided to watch the sunset at Pha Mak Duk.

There is nothing unusual about sitting alone to watch the sunset. Many people do it.

We arrived back at the campsite around 7 pm and paid the porters for their services. We then collected our supplies and set about pitching our tents.

As we set up our tent, our friendly neighbors came over to help us. One of them held a flashlight for us. It was a heartwarming moment of kindness between strangers.

After finishing, we headed to a restaurant with a foggy atmosphere to enjoy a delicious "Moo Kata" (Thai BBQ). The price was only 500 baht per set, which is reasonable considering the effort required to set it up.

Upon arriving at the barbecue restaurant,

The owner: How many people are dining today? (asked in a slightly loud voice)
Me: Oh, just one.
The owner: ................... (remained silent for a moment)
The people at the surrounding tables all turned to look at me.
Me: (thinking) What did I do wrong? Why are they all staring at me? I came all this way, I have to try it! Besides, I'm planning to charge several devices here.
In the end, when it was time to pay, the owner said, "I'll only charge you 400 baht. I feel bad for you eating alone." I was so touched by their kindness.
I ate at a southern Thai restaurant (Phi Tham). I love this place so much that I have to share it with everyone. (However, I went to eat when it was already dark and there weren't many people. The owner didn't mind me staying for a long time.)

We took a bath at 9 pm. The water was very, very cold.
For the first day, that's enough for us. Let's rest and save our energy for tomorrow's long journey.

Day 2

Good morning from the top of Phu Kradueng! It's 6:30 AM and we're already up and ready to explore. We'll skip the showers for now, but we'll definitely need to fuel up before our adventure. We grabbed a bowl of rice porridge for 60 baht. The rice had a nice, slightly crunchy texture, although it was a bit undercooked in some parts.

Alright, let's go on a trip! Today, we're aiming to find some red maple leaves near the waterfall. I'm sure we'll find some somewhere.

In the late afternoon, we will head to **Pha Lom Sak** to witness the breathtaking sunset.

We reached our first destination in no time.

Waterfall 1: Wang Kwang Waterfall

Waterfall 2: New Phop Pha Waterfall

The maple leaves are starting to show their colors, and we've arrived just in time to see them at their peak redness. We're so happy, especially since my sister told me last month that they weren't red yet.

Waterfall 3: Phor Porp Waterfall
We met some friends and discussed our plans. It turned out that we were all going in the same direction and had similar plans. We decided to team up!

Waterfall 4: Phet Phop Waterfall

Waterfall 5: Tham Yai Waterfall

This waterfall is 1.2 km away, but we believe it is one of the most beautiful places on Phu Kradueng.

I fell in love with you, Phu Kradueng.

Our next destination is "Sra Anodad".
We will see many people sitting and eating because they say there are no shops along the way to Pha Lom Sak.

Most people will prepare their food from the camping site.

Instead of preparing a heavy meal, we decided to head to a restaurant with a beautiful cliffside view.

By taking a shortcut from Sa-Ano-Daad pond to "Pha Hieap Meng" (Cliff that Steps on the Clouds).

Pha Huyeb Mek is another stunning location atop Phu Kradueng. We've fallen in love with you once more, Phu Kradueng.

Next Station: Witnessing the sunset at Pha Lom Sak, marking the end of the second day.

After a long journey, we finally arrived at our destination, Pha Lom Sak, at around 3 pm.

Many people set out with the intention of reaching this particular cliff, each with their own distinct goals.

Some may come simply to conquer, while others may come to capture the moment in their memories.

Some may come to confess their feelings to someone special, while others may simply come to admire the beautiful sunset.

A popular spot with long queues.

Let's prepare ourselves to find a spot to watch the sunset. Watching it alone is an unparalleled experience.

Traveling alone means taking pictures of yourself if you don't want to photograph others.

As the sun sets, everyone heads home together, finding comfort in the company of others.

Essential items for the return trip to the campsite include a flashlight and a warm jacket, as the temperature on the mountain drops rapidly after sunset.

It's already 9 pm and we're still stopping to eat. We'll refuel before heading to Pha Ngern to watch the sunrise tomorrow morning. A park ranger will guide us at 5 am.

Day 3

The insistent ringing of the alarm clock at 4:45 a.m. signaled the start of a new day. Eager to witness the sunrise, we stepped out of the tent, only to be met with a disheartening surprise: swollen feet, throbbing with pain. The prospect of watching the sun rise faded as we retreated to the tent, opting to soothe our aching feet and conserve energy for the descent. By 7:30 a.m., we were up and packing, entrusting our belongings to the porters in hopes of securing an early departure. With that settled, we set off in search of sustenance to fuel our journey down the mountain.

This is Nong Fern, our tent neighbor, another wonderful new friendship on our trip to Phu Kradueng.

Around 9 am, we decided to descend from Phu Khan. We needed to shower, but showering on the mountain was not an option as the water was freezing cold.

The number of fellow travelers has decreased significantly. This downhill section shouldn't be too tiring, as it's mostly downhill.

The descent is always considered easier than the ascent, but in this case, it turned out to be even more challenging.

The ground was dry and dusty due to the late arrival, causing several people to slip and fall. Some individuals even fell multiple times.

We have reached the bottom. Let's go take a shower and get ready to go back. (I have already booked a car for our return trip at 6 pm.) We will be leaving now, and we will visit you again at Phu Kradueng.

Farewell, Phu Kradueng!

Summary: The 3-day, 2-night round trip covered a distance of 69 km and cost 2,953 baht.