Elephant Mountain Trip, Kanchanaburi

January 23-25, 2017




Hello everyone, this is my first post. Please let me know if there are any mistakes.


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This trip was inspired by a friend's review of Khao Chang Puak two years ago. I was eager to go, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to make it the first year. When I finally decided to go in 2016, the park was closed, leaving me with a burning desire to conquer it someday. Many people claimed that the most challenging aspect of conquering Khao Chang Puak was securing a reservation. However, I was skeptical because I planned to go on weekdays (Monday to Wednesday). After attempting to make a reservation myself, I realized how incredibly difficult it truly was. I nearly ran out of battery on my phone.


After a successful phone reservation, I embarked on a solo journey to Khao Chang Puak, as my friends were unable to join me due to their busy work schedules. Determined to seize the opportunity, I set off on this adventure, despite my lack of experience in mountain trekking. Fortunately, my friend Nuch, who had recently returned from Khao Chang Puak, provided invaluable guidance and support.



January 23, 2017


I embarked on my journey early Monday morning, the 23rd. I opted to ride my motorcycle, departing from Ramkhamhaeng 1 at 5:00 AM to avoid Bangkok's notorious traffic congestion. I navigated through Rama 9, reaching Victory Monument, and proceeded onto the Sang Hi Bridge, entering the Borommaratchachonnani Road. Despite my penchant for getting lost, I convinced myself that this route was familiar and refused to deviate. As fate would have it, I found myself lost once again. I decided to make a pit stop for breakfast at A. Sam Phran.

We arrived in Kanchanaburi at 8 am, bought coffee, and continued driving. Before reaching Sai Yok, we came across beautiful scenery and stopped to take pictures. I'm a relaxed person.


This mountain looks like a challenging climb. I'm sure many people have already attempted it.


Continuing my journey, I stopped for gas again at Thong Pha Phum District. Then, I headed straight to Pilok. I wanted to arrive early to walk around and take pictures. I stopped to take some photos of the road before reaching Thong Pha Phum District. I love the view from the road. It feels like we are traveling to a hidden valley ahead.


Continuing our journey, we arrived at the Thong Pha Phum National Park headquarters at 1 pm. I rushed to register first so that I wouldn't have to return to the headquarters the next morning. I planned to sleep in the village that night. Upon entering the headquarters, I was surprised to see a hornbill! It was so tame that I could have touched it. I then rented a tent and sleeping bag, which the staff would bring to me in the morning.


1. Park entrance fee: 30 baht

2. Vehicle entrance fee to the park is 40 baht.

3. Camping fee: 30 baht

4. Guide fee 1,800 baht (Guide for 10 people. I will probably join another group since I am alone.)

5. Porter fee: 1,300 baht per person (2 days 1 night)

Tonight, I chose to sleep at Tamoi's house. Auntie Tui remembered me because I came often. I organized my belongings and took a nap. Then, I went for a walk and took pictures in the village before riding my motorbike up to Changseuk Hill.


The biggest challenge of traveling alone is taking cool pictures of yourself. For this photo, I set the timer and ran to sit down (I didn't bring the remote control). I felt a little embarrassed by the other tourists.

I didn't stay until sunset because I was hungry and wanted to rest and save my energy for tomorrow morning. So, the first day ends here.

Morning of February 24, 2017



I woke up at 5 am with excitement. At 7 am, I packed my belongings and left them at Aunt Tui's shop, taking only what I needed for the climb. I was the first to arrive at the head porter's house, waiting with anticipation. The villagers told me that the guide wouldn't arrive until 8 am, so I took a walk around the area. At 8 am, several groups of people began to arrive, some large groups of 10, others of 5-6, and some couples. There were only a few individuals, including myself. The officials started to arrive, one for every 10 tourists. I had to wait for the official to call my name to join a group that wasn't full. This was when I met a new group of friends, which led to a major change in my life.

The following is a visual journey through the ascent of Khao Chang Phuak, captured through the lens of my camera. Let the images speak for themselves.


After descending from the summit of Khao Chang Puak, I immediately went to the tent to get a counter-pain massage. This was because I had a cramp in my leg during the final ascent, but I managed to hide it. I then gave water to the porter to boil for me to eat the canned instant noodles I had bought. After eating the instant noodles, I slept on and off all night due to the strong wind. End of Day 2.

Morning of the 3rd day of return, 25/02/2560.



I woke up almost every hour until after 6 am. The wind was so strong that I hesitated to go out and take pictures. But I had come so far, so I decided to get out of the tent, carry my tripod, and walk alone back towards the mountain before reaching the camping spot. The wind was strong and there was nowhere to hide. My tripod was not strong enough to withstand the wind, haha. So the pictures are a bit blurry.

After taking the picture, I walked back to the vendor to boil water for instant noodles, as usual. It's the easiest meal for me when I'm alone. This morning, I ate quickly and packed my things to walk back to the village before it got too hot. Here are some pictures from my walk back.


Upon reaching the village, I settled the payment for the porters and had lunch. I then continued on to the Jikokgadung Waterfall to meet up with my new friends. I have been here many times before, but I still haven't gotten used to the cold water. This time was no different. After one dive, I immediately went to sunbathe on a rock.

After leaving the waterfall, I stopped by the Thong Pha Phum National Park office to collect my certificate. However, the staff informed me that it had not been delivered and that I would need to collect it myself at the park headquarters near Khao Yen, which is located opposite the raft pier near the dam, before reaching the Vachiralongkorn Dam.

The trip has come to an end, and I will return again at the end of the rainy season.



Thank you #Vee, our leader who is also from the same hometown.

Thank you #Lee for taking pictures of me and sharing your water.

Thank you #น้องเดียร์ for helping me rake the grass and soil.

Thank you #May, our guiding voice throughout the journey.

Thank you #น้องฝน, the driver who helped her friends.

Thank you #NongGift for making us laugh throughout the trip.

Thank you #BooAndFan for joining the fun and it seems that both of you are nature lovers.

Thank you, Officer Ruj, for your dedication, even though your face was always red.


Link to YouTube video

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