With the December chill in the air, the question "Where to go?" arises frequently. The answer is undoubtedly the north. When it's cold like this, you have to go north to embrace the winter wind!

This trip was very sudden. We had originally planned to spend a week in Chiang Rai, Phayao, and Nan next week to enjoy the cool weather. However, our plans fell through because we are not available next week. As a result, we only have tonight to travel, and we can only choose one destination!

In a spur-of-the-moment decision, with only two hours to prepare and pack, without a booked ticket or a reserved room, they embarked on a spontaneous adventure, leaving the details to be figured out along the way.

Traveling to Mo Chit during a long holiday weekend when everyone is heading north is quite an experience.

Are you crazy? I haven't booked anything yet. It's a long weekend, you know. But then luck was on my side, there was only 1 company left with 2 seats available. I'm saved! You're asking if I can travel to Chiang Rai with only 3,000 baht? Yes, I can! Easy! I won't starve, I promise!

The journey to Chiang Rai by bus takes approximately 10 hours, arriving at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal around 8:00 AM. The first order of business was to purchase a return ticket to Bangkok for Monday, as it was a long weekend.

The next step is to find a way to reach all three mountains: Phu Chi Fa, Phu Chi Dao, and Pha Tang. There are only two options available.

1. Take a van to Phu Chi Fa. However, how do we get to the other two places, as there are no rental cars available in the area?

2. Rent a car from the city and drive yourself. Chiang Rai - Phu Chi Fa is approximately 70 kilometers. TT But you can go anywhere.

Is there really no better alternative?

We decided to rent a motorbike from a shop called Biky near the bus terminal. It's the same shop as the one in Chiang Mai, and I highly recommend it. They offer excellent service and don't require a deposit. The price varies depending on the model. We chose a 115cc motorbike with gears for 250 baht per day and rented it for two days.

A leisurely drive under the gentle sun and cool breeze, and in no time, you'll reach Phu Chi Fa.

The next step is to find accommodation, as we did not book in advance. Due to the long holiday weekend, many accommodations are already fully booked.

Finally, we found a room at the Doineb Daeng Resort, located right next to the Phu Chi Fa Walking Street. The room rate was 700 baht and included a hot water heater. The best part was the huge bed, which could comfortably accommodate 4-5 people. Normally, hotel rooms of this price range are limited to 2 guests, but not here! Whether you're 2 or 6 people, the price remains at 700 baht. **Isn't that a great deal?**

We have approximately 3 hours before sunset. We will hike to Phu Chi Dao and then return to watch the sunset at Phu Chi Fa.

Phu Chi Dao, a recently opened tourist attraction, is located in the area under the care of Ban Por Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province. The highlight of Phu Chi Dao is its peak, which offers 360-degree panoramic views unobstructed by trees or buildings. A distinctive feature of this viewpoint is the bamboo fence that serves as a safety barrier. As a new tourist destination, Phu Chi Dao boasts pristine natural beauty, with mountains, forests, trees, and breathtaking sea mist views.

Accessing Phu Chi Dao requires a 4x4 vehicle or hiring local transportation. The cost for local transport starts at 100 Baht for a minimum of 5 people. Therefore, if only 2 people are traveling, the minimum cost would be 500 Baht.

However, is it possible to ride a motorcycle up there? Yes, it is possible, as we have done it ourselves. However, we do not recommend it due to the significant safety risks involved. The road conditions are extremely rough, making it a very dangerous journey. Therefore, it is advisable to support the local community by hiring a car instead, which will also ensure your safety.

The trailhead is approximately 3 kilometers ahead. From there, it's a short walk of a few hundred meters. The path is easy to navigate, with a slight incline. However, for someone like me who rarely exercises, the climb left me slightly out of breath.

After enjoying the scenery and taking photos, we had to hurry back to Phu Chi Fa to catch the sunset. The temperature dropped significantly in the evening. After watching the sunset, we quickly went down to rest and have dinner at the walking street. There was a wide variety of food available at normal prices.

This morning, we woke up at 4:00 AM to witness the sunrise and the sea of mist floating at the peak of Phu Chi Fa. A car picked us up from the resort around 4:30 AM and took us to the foot of the mountain. We had to hike a little further. The round-trip car fare was 30 baht per person.

After soaking in the atmosphere, it was time to check out and prepare for the next leg of the journey.

Pha Tang offers stunning sunrise and sunset views, similar to Phu Chi Fa. However, Pha Tang boasts a significant advantage: it remains uncrowded, unlike the often-congested Phu Chi Fa.

A view of the mist-shrouded mountains and the Mekong River.

Our time here is limited as we need to return to the city center. The room we booked is near the bus terminal, costing 450 baht with air conditioning and a water heater. It's comfortable enough, although we wish we had more time. Everything here is truly wonderful. Every trip is a chance to recharge and find happiness. Exploring new places broadens our perspective beyond the routine of studying or working, allowing us to see the world from a wider lens.

Summary of Expenses for Phu Chi Fa, Phu Chi Dao, and Pha Tang

Bus fare: 452 THB one way - 668 THB round trip

The motorcycle rental fee is 500 baht / 2 = 250.

The room rate is 700 baht per night, so for two nights it would be 350 baht per night. On the second night, the rate is 450 baht per night, so it would be 225 baht per night.

The cost of a shared taxi to the mountain is 30 baht. Please divide everything by 2.

The total essential expenses are 1975 baht, leaving 1025 baht for food and other expenses. The management of these expenses is at your discretion.

Safe travels and enjoy your trip, wherever you may be headed!