This journey began with my passion for photography and travel. As a novice photographer, I sought guidance from someone who shared my interests. A friend, with whom I had a casual acquaintance, was known for his exceptional photography skills and love for travel. I, being someone who enjoys exploring with anyone, readily accepted his invitation to join him on a trip. Despite our initial hesitation due to our lack of close friendship, we soon discovered a shared enthusiasm for travel and photography. We decided to embark on an adventure to Khao Luang National Park in Ramkhamhaeng District, Sukhothai Province. My friend also invited another companion, bringing our group to three.

This is a post I wrote previously, which may be helpful as a reference.

"So, who says there's nothing to do here?" A trip from January 6th to 8th, 2016.

Source: https://pantip.com/topic/34656885

Phu Soi Dao. I've been there. I know. https://pantip.com/topic/35926892

CNXbeforeMdie Travel before death Before presenting research https://pantip.com/topic/36018061/comment4

"Let's embark on a journey together. We will depart on February 10, 2017, at 10:00 PM. We have booked a van tour to Kiri Mas District, Sukhothai Province. We will depart from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal around 10:45 PM and arrive in Kiri Mas around 5:00 AM. Upon arrival, the three of us will disembark, feeling sleepy and disoriented, wondering what to do next."

While we were discussing our next move, my friends suggested finding a local market for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Using Google Maps, we discovered a market just a couple of kilometers away. Deciding to walk and stretch our legs before the hike, we ventured into the alley leading to the market. The walk seemed endless, but eventually, we reached the end of the alley and stumbled upon a temple bustling with market stalls. We grabbed some snacks, mostly grilled or deep-fried chicken pieces for 20 baht each, sticky rice with shredded pork, fried pork, or spicy minced pork wrapped in banana leaves for 10 baht each, soybean milk, deep-fried dough sticks, steamed rice cakes, coconut milk custard, and a large bottle of water.

After finishing our shopping, we didn't know how to get to Khao Luang. While we were talking, the soy milk vendor asked if we were going to Khao Luang. He offered to take us for 100 baht each. We decided to go for it. It was a super chill ride. Before we left, one of our friends checked in on Facebook and said he was in Sukhothai. Coincidentally, one of his junior friends was also at Khao Luang. This made our group grow to 6 people from the original 3.

Our journey commenced at 7:35 AM. The initial section of the trail presented a gradual incline, which steadily increased in steepness. The majority of the route consisted of a relentless ascent, as evident in the accompanying image.

The trail features rest stops at intervals, offering seating and water refill stations at select locations. As you progress, the path steadily ascends, presenting a continuous uphill climb.

Having previously scaled Phu Soi Dao, I naively assumed this climb would be a breeze at a mere 3.7 km, compared to Phu Soi Dao's grueling 6.6 km. However, I was mistaken. Khao Luang proved to be the more challenging climb, with a relentless uphill ascent throughout the entire trail.

A friend of mine once told me that hiking in the mountains allows us to experience true camaraderie. Throughout the journey, we bond with our fellow travelers and, more importantly, with the people we meet along the way. Even though we may not know them personally, the shared experience of being Thai and the physical exertion of the climb naturally lead to conversations, no matter how brief. This creates a sense of warmth and well-being that I cherish every time I embark on such an adventure.

During our hike, we encountered a friendly elderly gentleman who was on his tenth visit to Mount Luang. Despite our youth, he effortlessly outpaced us, demonstrating his remarkable fitness and passion for hiking. He generously shared dried bananas with us, further exemplifying his kindness and hospitality.

As we were walking, a dog sprinted past us with incredible energy. We couldn't help but shout, "Hey, wait for us!"

We have reached the halfway point of our journey, which is the viewpoint. I thought to myself, "Wow, is this only halfway?"

We continued walking after a short break.

After walking for a while, we reached the next resting point. It was a beautiful banyan tree, and our friend captured the atmosphere for us to enjoy.

After that, we continued walking and soon arrived at the campsite. Everyone was very tired that day because we had been walking uphill most of the time, and there were not many flat paths to walk on. It took us a total of 3 hours to walk.

The terrain above is a flat slope with many tent spots to choose from. Those who arrive first can choose where to pitch their tents.

Once everyone arrived, we enjoyed the lunch we had brought with us. It mainly consisted of sticky rice with various pork dishes, including sweet pork, spicy pork salad, and fried chicken with sticky rice. We all ate with gusto, perhaps due to a combination of hunger and fatigue. The food was truly delicious.

This is sweet pork.

This is moo laab.

We then contacted the staff about tents, bedding, and cooking equipment. The facility offers pots, bowls, spoons, and forks for rent. As we walked to the storage basket, we noticed an abundance of spoons but only three forks. Upstairs, they sell bottled water, chilled Coke, and a selection of snacks.

We then chose a spot to pitch our tents and unloaded our belongings, exhausted from the early arrival before noon. Naturally, everyone was tired, so we took a nap.

Invigorated, we all woke up around two in the afternoon and continued our journey to conquer the various peaks of Khao Luang. Khao Luang boasts four peaks to conquer: Phu Ga, Narai, Mae Ya, and Chedi.

The trail forms a loop, returning to the campsite. The first peak we visited, the Chedi Peak, is about 600 meters from the campsite and involves a slight uphill climb, which is less steep than the ascent to the campsite.

We have arrived at the Phra Chedi.

We continued walking for another 1500 meters to reach the next point, Khao Phuka. The path was mostly flat, with some uphill and downhill sections.

We finally reached the top of Phu Ga. On the summit, there is a golden pagoda. We arrived a little early, and the weather was hot. The sun was very strong. So, we took shelter behind a large rock to avoid the sun for a while. We will wait for the weather to cool down before continuing our walk.

After a short break, we continued our journey to the peak of Phra Mae Ya Mountain, our designated sunset viewing spot for the day. To reach the peak, we had to retrace our steps for 1500 meters before ascending another 740 meters.

It wasn't long before we reached our sunset viewing spot for the day: the peak of Phra Mae Ya Mountain. The air was wonderfully fresh and cool in the late afternoon, with a constant breeze that even made us a bit chilly.

The blades of grass sway gently in the breeze.

The atmosphere on the mountaintop is fantastic. The orange light illuminates the mountains, casting long shadows that shift and change color from blue to orange. We stayed here for a while to capture the stunning scenery and share it with you.

Photographer and mountain range

As the sun began to set, the group, driven by their hunger, hastily descended the mountain to prepare their meal. They disappeared, leaving the three older men to follow behind. Upon reaching the campsite, everyone dispersed to bathe and gather water for cooking.

Here, they have water stored for us to drink. After we finished our personal tasks, it was time for our dinner. Thanks to my friend's younger brother, we were very lucky. These kids went all out, carrying rice, a gas stove, and even a cooler bag with sausages. It was amazing!

Our signature dish is a luxurious flat pasta served with sausage, presented in individual bowls and drizzled with a flavorful tomato sauce. The pasta is perfectly cooked and the sauce is rich and satisfying. For a fusion twist, we also offer a version with black pepper-flavored canned fish, which pairs surprisingly well with the pasta and sauce. Both options are delicious and sure to please.

After a hearty meal, it was time for dessert. The cool, dark evening called for a campfire and some roasted treats. However, we struggled to light our own fire, as the wood we purchased from the park rangers wouldn't ignite easily. We ended up borrowing a flame from a nearby tent and, with a little fanning, finally got our fire going.

Our simple dessert consisted of bread slices skewered on sticks, readily available in the area, and lightly grilled over an open fire. A drizzle of condensed milk added a touch of sweetness, creating a delightful treat. The smoky aroma from the wood and the slight char imparted a unique flavor, making it a truly memorable experience.

Another menu is grilled marshmallows on a stick. When grilled, the outside becomes sticky and chewy, while the inside remains gooey with a hint of smoky flavor. It's slightly sweet and delicious. However, be careful, as it can burn quickly if you're not careful, making it inedible.

We sat and ate snacks, talking about various things. The atmosphere was incredible, filled with new friendships, nature, and serendipitous moments. We wouldn't have experienced this if we hadn't set out early the next morning. We planned to visit the viewpoint at Khao Narai to capture some stars. We woke up around 4:30 am and walked up Khao Narai in the early morning darkness. There were four of us, and it was so dark that we needed flashlights. After a while, we reached the sunrise viewpoint. However, since it was a full moon, the moon was enormous, and with the heavy fog, we couldn't see any stars. It was only 5 am, and the wind was strong, making it extremely cold. We decided to wait for the sunrise. Soon, it was morning, and tourists began to arrive to watch the sunrise.

From this vantage point, if we look down from the cliff to the lower left, we will see the cliff face below. We will see a rock formation that strongly resembles a human face.

We then continued walking to the nearby Pha Chomprong viewpoint to enjoy the scenic views.

After waking up, we were feeling hungry. For breakfast, we decided to make a simple and filling meal: instant noodles. We cooked six packs of instant noodles in a pot and enjoyed a hearty breakfast.

After a satisfying meal, we packed up our belongings and began our descent from Khao Luang.

It took us about an hour and a half to walk down. After that, we took a shower and contacted the car that had previously dropped off our friend from the city to take us to Sukhothai Historical Park, our next destination.

We departed from Ramkhamhaeng National Park around noon and soon arrived at Sukhothai Old Town. Our first stop was a bicycle rental shop, where we rented bikes for 30 baht each. We left our bags at the shop and consulted a map of the Sukhothai Historical Park.

We then asked the staff at the bike rental shop for recommendations on local delicacies. As expected, Sukhothai is famous for its Sukhothai noodles. They suggested a nearby restaurant, which was just a short bike ride away.

Driven by hunger, I devoured the dish. The sweet and sour flavors were perfectly balanced, the egg was large and fluffy, and the sauce was thick and flavorful. The sprinkle of roasted peanuts added a fragrant touch, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Driven by hunger, some diners even opted for a second helping of this dish: crispy pork rice. Let me tell you, it was delicious! The generous portion of pork was perfectly complemented by a savory sauce that wasn't overly sweet.

Our stomachs were full, but it was only two in the afternoon and still very hot. We decided to find a cool place to hang out and wait for the sun to go down a bit. The sun was scorching, so we hopped on our bikes and headed to the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum.

The Sukhothai Historical Park is home to a vast collection of ancient artifacts. I was surprised to see a large number of foreign tourists visiting the park, significantly outnumbering Thai visitors. I spoke with a tourist from Europe who explained that he had already explored historical sites in Cambodia and India. He was particularly interested in cultural artifacts and historical landmarks, noting the unique characteristics of each location. He was particularly impressed by the craftsmanship and artistry of Sukhothai's ancient artifacts, describing them as "amazing."

After that, we continued cycling to the first famous spot, a must-visit for anyone coming to Sukhothai Old Town: Wat Si Chum.

The atmosphere along the way was very good, shady. When we arrived at the temple, we took some pictures to share with you.

We continued cycling to the furthest temple from the bike rental shop, Wat Sapan Hin.

The bridge is aptly named "Stone Bridge" as it is constructed entirely of stone. As we ascended the hill, our group grumbled about having to climb yet another incline.

We continued cycling to Wat Phra Phai Luang.

Wat Chang Lom

And to conclude our trip, we will head to the last destination to witness the breathtaking sunset at the Maha That Temple.

We returned the bicycles and hired a van to find something to eat near the city center, specifically at the Sukhothai Night Market.

We had lunch at this restaurant before heading back. The owner, a kind lady, was very welcoming. The food was delicious too.

After finishing our meal, we had some time to spare, so we decided to grab a bite to eat nearby. We stumbled upon a delicious restaurant that my friend had recommended, which served amazing black-filled buns. And let me tell you, they were truly exceptional.

We then took a car to Sukhothai Bus Terminal to catch a bus back.

This trip taught me that friendships can form easily, even between strangers. As we traveled together, our shared Thai heritage and easygoing nature made it effortless to connect. It struck me that we should promote domestic tourism more, as Sukhothai attracts many foreign visitors who appreciate its art, culture, and the wisdom of the Thai people. I believe that Thais should visit and learn about these places to foster a sense of pride, ownership, and appreciation for our heritage. So, come visit Sukhothai! It's not just a stopover; it's a destination worth exploring.