A friend I know, Palm, who used to be an intern at my previous company, posted on social media that he was going to hike to Pitukholor Waterfall, also known as Pertoh Lo Su. I immediately replied that I would join him. The trip was scheduled for July 17-19, a five-day long weekend. It takes a full day to reach Umpang District, Tak Province, where the waterfall is located. As the departure date approached, the number of participants increased to six. The trek required us to hike and camp in the forest for three days and two nights. We carried all our belongings, including food and camping equipment, ourselves, as Palm, a local from Umpang, had done on previous trips. The photos included in this post are a collection from the cameras of the participants.

We arrived at Palm's house in downtown Umphang on the evening of the 16th. We gathered, cooked dinner, discussed plans, packed our bags, and slept at his house for one night.


Waking up early in the morning, we prepared food and snacks for the journey. We packed two burgers and two sticky rice with fried pork per person, along with a large bottle of water each (perhaps a bit excessive, but we were all worried about getting hungry).


They loaded their belongings onto the car. Palm's uncle will drive them to the starting point of the trek at Ban Kui Laet, which is about 70 kilometers from the Umpang district office and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Along the way, they passed Karen villages, a refugee shelter, and beautiful scenery, but they didn't have time to take any pictures to show you.


At 11:30 a.m., we set off on foot, backpacks slung over our shoulders. Right from the start, we had to wade through water and mud. This journey is definitely going to be an adventure.


Strolling through the cornfield, we still had plenty of energy, taking our time and snapping photos as we went.


Entering the forest now. The trees and green meadows are a sight for sore eyes.


Crossing the cool stream is still a breeze.


After a while, we felt the weight of our bags, so we decided to take a break and eat some sticky rice with fried pork to lighten our load.


After finishing our meal, we washed our faces and eyes and continued walking. We still encountered cornfields, even though we hadn't yet begun the steep ascent. Our goal was the peak of the distant, towering mountain. I've heard it said that if you set your sights on a distant goal and start taking small steps, you'll find yourself closer to it before you realize it. If you keep looking at the distant destination, you'll feel discouraged and wonder when you'll finally reach it.


Exhausted, we take a break. When we've recovered, we continue our journey. But the more tired we get, the heavier our backpacks feel. Each of us carries almost twenty kilograms.


The journey involved climbing mountains, descending valleys, and passing under trees. The heavy loads we carried forced us to rest frequently. We agreed to take our time but to reach our destination. The hardships we faced strengthened our friendship. Despite our age differences and my being heavier than the others, we were determined to reach our goal together.


After a long journey, we arrived at the junction leading to the waterfall and the summit of Doi Mango Sam Mun around 4 pm. We decided to set up camp here as it was close to the waterfall, allowing us to enjoy a refreshing swim. A small spring provided us with clean drinking and cooking water. We unloaded our belongings and cleared an area to pitch our tents.


I tied my hammock to a tree near the rock face.


As dusk settled and we prepared our evening meal, my companion and I decided to take a quick detour to admire the waterfall. We were rewarded with the sight of a heart-shaped waterfall nestled amidst the lush forests of Umphang. The breathtaking view was well worth the five-hour trek, leaving us feeling invigorated and speechless with awe.


After admiring the beauty of the Pitu Kho waterfall for a while, we had to return to help our friends prepare dinner. The main dish for tonight was chicken grilled in bamboo tubes. We realized that the salt, seasoning powder, and curry paste we had prepared were missing, but the remaining ingredients were enough to make the chicken incredibly delicious. Perhaps it was due to our exhaustion and hunger, or maybe because we were sitting around a circle eating without utensils, phone signals, or electricity. We ate our meal as a light rain fell, accompanied by the sound of the waterfall and insects. We grilled meatballs, sausages, and squid around the campfire and sipped on homemade liquor, enjoying 4-5 rounds each before comfortably retiring for the night.


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Let's take a break and I'll continue the story later. After a good night's sleep, we'll wake up in the morning and wash our faces and brush our teeth by the waterfall.


Enjoy a hot cup of coffee with canned fish bread and grilled sausages.


Enjoy the view in front of the camp, take care of personal business, and at nine o'clock in the morning, prepare to climb the summit of Doi Mamuang Sam Mun.


Today's hike was even more challenging than yesterday's, as we had to ascend a steep mountain for another 30,000 feet. As we walked, we took breaks to admire the view, occasionally turning to gaze at the waterfall from a high angle.


The roadside was lined with small purple flowers and dwarf coconut trees, which are said to produce a more delicious "lod chong" (a type of Southeast Asian dessert) than the Singapore variety.


The steeper the path, the more challenging the climb. At some points, we had to use our hands to pull ourselves up. The thick fog today added to the difficulty.


Upon reaching the first viewpoint, we were greeted by a thick blanket of fog. Gazing down at the waterfall, we had to wait for a gust of wind to clear the mist and reveal the cascading water below.


We cut across the ridge, with a lush meadow on the left side facing the waterfall.


The mountain ridge narrowed, and we walked through the cool mist, but we were very tired because we had to walk uphill the whole time.


Our legs were starting to tire, and the water we had brought was running low. We had to stop for breaks more frequently. In this area, there was occasional phone signal, allowing us to post updates and check in.


Looking back, we wondered how we had managed to climb so high and steep. Many tourist groups had given up and walked back down, exhausted and out of water.


The mist on the mountaintop has descended, and the sky has begun to clear, revealing the view to us.


After a grueling climb, we finally reached the summit of Doi Mango at around 1 pm. Exhausted, we shared the remaining half bottle of water and took a moment to admire the breathtaking view.


We finally made it! We conquered the summit of Doi Mango, which is said to be 30,000 feet above sea level.


After two o'clock, we had to walk back because we didn't bring any food. We had to go back down to the camp to eat and also to play in the cool waterfall to refresh ourselves.


As we descended, the mist dissipated, revealing a breathtaking panoramic view. The waterfall unfolded before us, its grandeur amplified by the elevated perspective.


As we were descending, we encountered another group who were on their way up. They had been camping nearby on the first night, but had moved up to sleep on the summit the second night. We chatted for a while, and when we inquired about water, the porter informed us that there was a small spring near their campsite on the summit. We would have to deviate slightly from the main trail to reach it. This was a stroke of luck, as we had run out of water upon reaching the summit. With a long descent ahead of us, my companion and I eagerly set off to find the water source.


Is there anything else I can help you with?

After quenching their thirst, they returned to camp, stopping to take in the scenery along the way.


After returning to the camp, we had a quick bite to eat and prepared dinner. As dusk approached, we decided to take a refreshing dip in the water.


Continuing our culinary adventures, we were joined by another group who had set up camp nearby. As they hailed from Umpang, a region renowned for its culinary prowess, they generously gifted us with a batch of fragrant curry paste, perfect for whipping up a delicious chicken curry. To complement the dish, they also shared a portion of their delectable stir-fried dried pork with crispy crackling, adding an extra layer of flavor to our meal.


As night falls, rain pours down. We gather around a bonfire, sharing a meal and sipping on homemade liquor before retiring for the night.


On the third morning, it was time to head back. To fuel up for the day ahead, we enjoyed a hot breakfast of instant noodles with canned fish.


Pack your belongings and put them in your bag. Importantly, all garbage must be collected. After packing, we will visit the waterfall to play in the cool water before heading back.


The crisp morning air is invigorating, with trees glistening from the overnight rain.


As I began my descent, a sharp pain shot through my right knee. The pain intensified with each step, likely due to the strain I placed on my right leg while rapidly descending from the mountain peak the previous day. Despite being the last in the group, I pushed myself to keep pace, resulting in a slower descent than planned.


Arriving at the destination around 1 pm, Palm's father had been waiting for almost two hours with cold sodas. We loaded our belongings into the car and began our journey home.


On the way back, my younger brother took me to a roadside waterfall. It was very beautiful. We walked about 800 meters from the road. There was no sign at the entrance, only a small path. But when we saw the waterfall, we were amazed. It is called Than Sa Waterfall, or the locals call it Lewa Waterfall.


While the fit young men were busy taking pictures, I, being a bit overweight, opted to be the photographer instead.


After soaking in the cool water to relieve our fatigue, we returned to Palm's house for another night. We helped each other prepare a meal to replenish our energy after spending three days and two nights in the forest. We also had a chance to catch up and chat.


It's time to go back. Umphang, the land floating in the sky, still has many tourist attractions waiting for us to come back and explore. There are many more trips waiting for us, such as taking a raft to see the waterfall at Ti Lor Su, and going to see the wildlife at Kaeng Krachan National Park. Most importantly, the forest here is still lush and the air is fresh. There are dozens of waterfalls hidden in the mountains and forests.


We will be back, Umphang.

In conclusion, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all our fellow travelers who have supported us throughout our journey. We are grateful for the friendships we have made along the way. Special thanks to Palm and his family for their warm hospitality, providing us with comfortable accommodation and delicious meals.


The experiences and new knowledge we encounter shape us and become an integral part of our being.



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