Crash! Bang! Crash! Bang! Step by step on Phu Kradueng, the heart of Loei Province.

Greetings to all travel enthusiasts! Today, I'm taking you on a journey to the heart-shaped mountain of Loei Province. Many of you might be wondering, "Where is it?" Well, it's none other than Phu Kradueng, and this is my first time conquering its slopes.

Was I nervous? A little bit. I'd heard countless stories about the arduous trek, but my curiosity wouldn't be silenced. So, here I am, embarking on this adventure! Hehe.


From this point forward, I will explain Phu Kradueng step by step to make it easier to understand.


Many people may be confused about what it is. I will first give an overview. I would like to divide Phu Kradueng into 2 parts.



Section 1: The trail begins at the Tourist Information Center at the foot of the mountain, passing through several rest stops, including Sam Haek and Sam Ba La, before reaching a flat clearing on the mountain known as Lang Pae. The total distance is 5.43 kilometers. (I wonder if I can walk that far. I'm a little worried.)

After reaching the plateau (after the waterfall), you must walk another 3.526 kilometers to reach the deer meadow, which is the only camping area (tourist service center). Ever wondered why it's called the deer meadow? Well, it's because it's a safari paradise! Sometimes, deer roam freely or even wake you up next to your tent. It shows how environmentally friendly we are, right? How exclusive does that sound?



Why did we climb up here? Ah! To brag! The first activity of the morning is watching the sunrise.
Watching the sunset, taking pictures with the beautiful red maple leaves, learning astronomy with the night sky. Wow, there are so many activities.
If you say so, you can't miss it.

*****I'd like to put an asterisk here that the food is not expensive. The water is expensive but worth the price. Why? Read on to the end and you'll find out.*****

/ 1 day


The first bus from Khon Kaen to Loei departs from Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 1 at 3:40 AM (buses depart every 40 minutes). The bus stops in front of Jek Kim shop (a shop selling food and various items, with a Government Savings Bank ATM).

Red songthaews are available here to take you to the Phukradung National Park Tourist Service Center. The songthaews depart when they are full (10-12 people). The fare is 30 baht per person (however, if there are no other passengers, you will need to charter the songthaew for 300 baht per trip).


*There won't be many people from 9 am onwards. If you go beyond this time, you'll have to rent a car yourself. 555 If you're on a tight budget, try to make the most of your time. We're worried about you.

The driver informed us that the distance from Mr. Kim's shop to the trailhead is 15 kilometers. Upon arrival at the tourist information center, we proceeded to the counter.


The park entrance fee is 30 baht per person (20 baht for students). For those who have already booked a tent through the website, please contact the staff. For those who have not booked, you can book a tent at the Lan Kwang area on the top. Those who bring their own tents can pay the camping fee here. If you have any questions, please ask the staff (they are friendly, have good figures, and good-looking faces).

At the luggage drop-off point, there is a porter service available for 30 baht per kilogram. If your bags are heavy and you want to walk comfortably, you can pay the porter. However, if you want to test your strength, you can carry your own luggage.

This is Uncle Sunthorn. He can carry 80 kilograms! He's amazing!


After dealing with the porters, we went to the starting point of the climb to heaven. (I mean, it's not really heaven, but it feels like it.)



V
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As I mentioned in the first part, we started walking at 9:40 AM from the starting point.

The trail gradually ascends, leading to the first rest stop, "Sam Haek." This stop offers refreshments, souvenirs, and photo opportunities.


Grass jelly can help you.


# The price of all goods is directly proportional to the height. In simpler terms, the higher the price, the more expensive it is. How expensive? Read on to find out.



The path then continues, alternating between walking and climbing. This is not a comfortable, flat path for a leisurely stroll. You can forget about strolling here.

The next points are Sam Bon, Sam Kokok, and Sam Ko Sang, respectively. At Ko Sang, there are shops and stalls offering services. At this point, 1.5-liter bottles of plain water cost 40 baht, and food is 45-50 baht, which is generally not expensive. The next points are Phra Phran Pa and Sam Kok Wa, where there are shops and stalls offering services again. For those who feel tired and need a lot of energy, stop by and have some grass jelly at every point. 555555 / I stopped for lunch at this point.

The next stop is the bamboo forest rest area.

The next one is also a duplicate.

The last stop is Sam Krae. At this stop, plain water costs 50 baht for a 1.5-liter bottle.


The price of water is high as I told you. So, what you need to prepare is money, not water. Buy it when you get there if you can't carry it.


However, you should bring a 1.5-liter bottle of water with you before climbing the mountain. From the E-Sam Krae point to the back of the plateau, which is 1.3 kilometers away.

Don't ask for a beautiful walking path. There is none!



- The 1.3 kilometers from Sam Krae is 20% walking skill and 80% toe-picking skill to propel our bodies forward. This is why first-time visitors to Phu Kradueng have to give in and say,

"No next time."

#Actually, it's not that bad, it's fun, but it requires a lot of physical and mental strength and determination.



For those with bone problems, you should consider a special route (special) because it also reduces physical strength by 8.9/10. Just kidding. If your heart calls, come on. Come easy, don't worry, hehe.

The final 1.3 kilometers are not the only section that requires advanced footwork skills. The trail is a mix of easy and challenging sections from the start. Good luck to those seeking new life experiences.

Don't stop on the first day! Take pictures after reaching the back!

Arriving at Bang Pae at 4:28 PM. { It didn't take long, lol. The biggest lie ever. }



From the back of the pass to the deer meadow, 3.526 kilometers // For those who dream of a comfortable walk, here it is, 3.526 kilometers, easy.
There are some slopes, but it will be a bit slow because there are sections that are sandy, which does not make walking any easier.

They arrived at the deer meadow at almost 6 pm.

Hellooooooooooo, Vietnam. . . .


Those who have paid for the porter service can collect their items at the porter's delivery point, which is next to the tourist service center. If you have any questions, you can inquire there. Then, you can collect your belongings, take a shower, and have dinner. The price of food is 60 baht, and the price of bottled water is 1.5 baht. The climb is difficult, so it's worth paying the porters. It's not easy for them to carry these quality products up to the top. Let's sympathize with the vendors, haha.


This is the deer I bragged about.

After eating, go to sleep. Don't forget to set your alarm for 4:30 AM because at 5:00 AM you will go to see the sunrise at Pha Nok Aen. The walking distance from Lan Kwang is 1.8 kilometers. I recommend you go. It's the first activity of the day. If you don't go, you'll just sleep in your tent and lose. Good night. (:

/ 2 day

Please don't get bored reading this yet. I beg you.


This morning, as I mentioned, I set my alarm for 4:30 AM, but I actually woke up at 5:00 AM. I then brushed my teeth and washed my face using a quick method.

#My eyes are blurry now. After the sun rose, I got the picture.

Snapping photos like crazy, I have to say it's truly beautiful.

All the photos are group photos. I couldn't find any individual photos. // Well, there were a lot of people, so getting an individual photo is quite a feat.

We then walked back the way we came, but not to the same intersection. There is a platform with a statue of the Buddha in the posture of forbidding his relatives, raising his right hand, for worship.

After paying respects at the Buddha statue, we walked back. The return path that passed through this courtyard leads to another path to the camping area.



At Suphaphon Restaurant, the usual breakfast spot, they offer complimentary warm tea. Everything is just perfect.

After breakfast, the plan for the day was to watch the sunset at Pha Lom Sak, a popular spot for those who come to Phu Kradueng. If you don't take a picture here, it's like you didn't walk 9 kilometers to get here. 55555. Okay, the mission for today is to watch the sunset at Pha Lom Sak. Take the path behind the bicycle rental point. This mission is to combine going to see the red maple leaves at Tham Yai Waterfall.

Let's begin!

Walking past the bicycle rental point, there will be a maple tree. It's easy to spot.

Continue walking, cross the wooden bridge, and you will find a fork in the road: a straight path and a right turn. #Turn right. Why? Stay tuned. #Smile.

Continuing on, you will encounter another sacred ground on Phu Kradueng.

Briefly stopping by to pay respects and make offerings, seeking blessings for the good deeds we have done to empower us with the strength to carry our burdens and overcome various obstacles.


// Continue // Pass this point to the Big Cave Waterfall (Skip Tharn Sawan Waterfall). Stop to take photos with the red maple leaves in autumn style. At this point, you have to walk down quite a bit, but not too much. The descent level is 6.5/10. Take your photos to your heart's content, but don't exceed 12:00 PM because you have to walk further.






From this point onwards, it is a 2.1 kilometer walk to the Ano Dat swamp. Please walk quickly if you are able to.

The sun is scorching hot, but the cool breeze makes it bearable. Don't forget to apply sunscreen, or you'll get sunburned!

I didn't stop at Sa Anoda pool, but I took a sneaky picture; Oh my, that lady is going to fly away! #Kinnaree spirit


Through the evergreen forest (Through the pine forest, but he doesn't care TT)

Driven by hunger, I set out for Pha Lom Sak, where the only restaurant was located. The entire journey to the waterfall was a strenuous uphill climb.

Our slogan is

This trip, I did it like this. It's a little trick to share. From Ano Dat onwards, it's the Tham Sao Nuea Waterfall. But because I was hungry again, I didn't stop. It didn't have any peak points. The waterfall had little water in the winter season, so I decided to pass. Walk, walk, walk.

From Sorn Waterfall to Pha Lom Sak, 3.2 kilometers, you don't need to go to Pha Daeng, because we will go to Pha Lom Sak 555555555555.


We have finally arrived at our destination!


Arriving at Pha Luam Sak around 3 pm, we found the timing to be perfect. Our first priority upon arrival was to indulge in the local cuisine. After satisfying our appetites, we joined the queue to capture some memorable photos.



A popular spot for taking photos on Phu Kradueng, but due to the thick fog, the photos only show shadows.


The original plan was to skip the sunset here due to the long walk back to our accommodation. However, we decided to continue on and watch the sunset at Pha Hi Yai. This turned out to be the best decision, as the view from Pha Hi Yai is truly breathtaking. With a 180-degree panorama, it felt like we were standing on clouds. The name "Pha Hi Yai" (meaning "Large Cliff") is well-deserved, and the sunset here was just as stunning as the sunrise at Pha Ngern Aen.


How about that? Not praising without evidence, you know.

Stake your claim and spread your mat to witness the breathtaking sunset here. The pre-sunset glow is truly magnificent.

As the sun sets, it's time to quicken your pace, for darkness descends and the air chills to the bone. With a long trek back to camp, you must press on. Along the way, other cliffs await: Pha Nanoi, Pha Jom Sila, and finally, Pha Mak Duk. The latter offers stunning sunset views and lies a mere 2 kilometers from your accommodation. Though it may seem like a short distance, it feels like 200 meters by the time you reach your destination. Upon arrival, a thorough check of your ankles, medication, and pain relief is essential. The fatigue is immense, as if your legs are on the verge of paralysis. (Perhaps a slight exaggeration.)

Upon returning, it was almost 9 pm. Feeling exhausted, I headed to my usual spot for dinner, ordering the same pork sukiyaki I have almost every meal. I also enjoyed a warm cup of soy milk and crispy deep-fried dough sticks from Suphaphon Restaurant, which boasts excellent service, particularly from a waitress named Bow who gracefully navigates the restaurant.
During my three-day trip to Phu Kradueng, I ate at this restaurant every day. It became my go-to spot for those three days before returning to rest.

/ 3 Days

The last morning, at the usual time around 4:50 am, I washed my face, cleared my head, and hurried to watch the sunrise.

Today was a day for collecting leftovers. I didn't take many pictures of the sunrise (or did I?). I didn't take many pictures at all.

The photo shoot was completed, but then they just sat around doing nothing, waiting for the mat to be laid out.

#Witness the gradual dissipation of the mist, revealing a beauty we've never encountered before. #Sunrise2nd
Today's sunrise was inexplicably beautiful, as I sat and truly observed it, without worrying about capturing the moment on my phone. It was a different kind of experience. Try it sometime.



Remain still, as if we have no presence, and let nature take its course.




If you've read this far, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your effort in reading the previous message.


  • After walking back, clearing myself, and having breakfast at the same restaurant, I felt like I didn't want to go back. The food was so good! Wait! Let me pull myself together for a moment. #I forgot to mention that the people who come here are so good-looking, even the staff. I'd like to apply to be a fan, please.
  • After packing my things, I had to leave quickly because I had a long journey ahead of me.

This is Bow and Suphaphon's shop, which provided excellent service throughout our trip.





After breakfast, I stopped by the souvenir shop to buy postcards and other gifts. I was able to write and send postcards at the shop for 3 baht each. I wrote a lot of things on the postcards and sent them off. Now, it's up to the recipient's karma whether the postman will deliver them or not. Haha!

The equipment was returned. We started walking from the deer field at 9:48 am and arrived at the mountain tourist service center at 12:32 pm. It was quite fast, considering we stopped at the first Sam Krae point and some of the following ones.

# It was super fun and I was very happy, I must say.

Traveling is a rewarding experience that fosters friendships and encourages personal growth. It provides opportunities to engage with diverse individuals, fostering communication skills and broadening perspectives. Unlike staying at home, travel offers unique and enriching experiences that shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.

/ Farewell with this picture



Let's address the cost concerns that many may have.

Let me assure you that the cost is not excessive for a 3-day, 2-night trip. The main expenses, starting from the entrance to Phu Kradueng National Park, are as follows:

1. Admission fee: 20 baht (student price, general 30 baht)

2. Lunch break 45 baht

3. Purchased bottled water for 50 baht.

4. Tent rental 250/night

5. Mattress 20/night

6. Sleeping bag 30/night

7. Food 900 (all meals, all-you-can-eat)

8. Others 200



- ||Travel expenses are not mentioned, as they vary depending on the individual's location. These are the main points.
Easy to get to, low cost, but requires physical and mental strength. Hehe. See you again on our next trip. Goodbye. || -

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