Have you ever been in a situation where your friend invites you on a trip, and you agree without knowing where you're going or what to expect? That's exactly what happened to me. My friend messaged me on LINE asking if I wanted to go hiking. Since I enjoy backpacking, I said "yes" without hesitation. It turned out we were going to Phu Soi Dao National Park. Join me as I share the excitement and adventure of this 2-day, 1-night trip. At the end, I'll provide a summary of the expenses.

Our destination lies atop this mountain. Let's push forward with determination!

Our group consisted of five members. We met at Phitsanulok Railway Station, as three of our friends were traveling from Chiang Mai (I had never met them before, as they were friends of a friend). My friend and I were coming from Bangkok.

Travel

The journey begins at Bang Sue Railway Station. As the title suggests, we took a train to Phu Soi Dao. We didn't actually plan to take the train, but it turned out that all the bus tickets were sold out because we were traveling during the Mother's Day long weekend. My friend suggested taking the train as a last resort. I thought it would be uncomfortable, but I decided to go for it. We took the third-class train, which was hard and uncomfortable. The train departed from Bang Sue Station at 10:30 p.m. and arrived in Phitsanulok at 5:40 a.m. (7 hours later, my butt was numb from the hard seats).

As our friend was the mastermind and planner for this trip, we had it relatively easy. As soon as we arrived at Phitsanulok Railway Station, a car was waiting to pick us up. This was it, the powerful two-seater van. The driver's car was really powerful. Since we booked a round-trip car, and besides the five of us, there were three more people who joined us to share the cost of the car (lucky us). The car rental fee is at the end.

The Journey Begins: A Culinary Stop at Pa Daeng Market

While Phusoidao National Park technically falls within Uttaradit province, most visitors opt for the convenience of arriving via Phitsanulok. From there, they hire transportation for the onward journey. Those who drive themselves can make the direct trip to the park.

Our driver, eager to get us on our way, wasted no time in departing once the group was assembled. Before reaching the park, he made a pit stop at the Pa Daeng Municipal Market, where we arrived around 7:00 AM. Stepping off the bus, our first priority was to satisfy our rumbling stomachs with a hearty breakfast from the market's offerings. We also stocked up on provisions for our climb.

Beyond the fresh produce and local delicacies, the market boasts a 7-Eleven and a Lotus supermarket, ensuring that visitors can find everything they need.

After completing our mission at the market, we boarded a car and continued our journey. The driver informed us that it would take approximately two hours to reach our destination. We were already tired from the train ride, and now we had to endure the bumpy ride on the songthaew.

Phu Soi Dao National Park

We arrived at the park around 9:00 AM and proceeded to the registration point.

Today, the crowd seems denser than usual due to the long Mother's Day weekend from August 12th to 14th, 2017.

The luggage for the porters to carry is not too much, but I don't want to carry it myself. Hehe.

The registration point was approximately 2 kilometers from the actual starting point of the hike. After completing registration and arranging our belongings, a park ranger drove us in a pickup truck to the starting point, which was also the location of Phusoidao Waterfall.

Capture a quick photo before embarking on the mountain climb.

Group photo, everyone looks ready to go... Let's go >>

Let's take one more picture before climbing the mountain.

This journey consists of 5 hills in total, each aptly named for its characteristics. The first hill encountered is the "Farewell Hill," which offers a relaxed and leisurely hiking experience.

The second hill is called "Neun Prab Sien"... Oh wow, it's a tough one! I was completely out of breath. Along the way, I saw a porter carrying a heavy load. Wow, amazing! He was carrying 50-60 kilograms on his back, even though we were struggling to walk empty-handed. I asked the uncle who was riding the e-tan with me why he had to carry so much. He said that if he carried less, it wouldn't be worth it. He said that since he was already carrying something, he might as well make it worthwhile. (Porter rates are listed at the end.)

The porters are incredibly resilient.

The next hill, Pa Ko Hill, is believed to be named after the forest in that area, hence the name Pa Ko Forest. Since Neun Prap Seian is a very steep hill, it feels like walking up a steep staircase. Pa Ko Hill, on the other hand, is not as steep, and the hike involves a mix of gradual ascents, flat sections, and occasional steep climbs.

The fourth hill, "Tiger's Back," aptly named for its undulating terrain resembling a tiger's back with ridges. The ascent became increasingly challenging, causing us to pause frequently due to fatigue. The steepness of the incline felt like the temperature of water nearing its boiling point, 100 degrees Celsius.

The final slope, aptly named "Death Slope," lives up to its name. It is a brutal climb, steep and rocky, with sections requiring crawling to avoid slipping and falling. The exhaustion from previous slopes is evident, but the reward is a refreshing cool breeze that invigorates the weary climber.

Upon arriving at the park, I was initially apprehensive due to the large crowd. Everyone appeared well-prepared, sporting head-to-toe gear, seemingly ready to conquer the wilderness. However, as we ascended the third, fourth, and fifth hills, the number of people noticeably dwindled. The higher the elevation, the fewer the hikers. This realization brought a smile to my face, alleviating my fear and allowing me to continue my journey with ease. The steepness of each hill is depicted in the image below.

We have finally arrived at the Phusoidao Pine Forest. We made good time, completing the 6.5-kilometer journey in exactly 3 hours. While the distance may not seem far, the path was not as smooth and well-maintained as paved roads or concrete. Nevertheless, we persevered and are now ready to appreciate the beauty that awaits us.

The cool air and the beautiful flowers of the Canna lily made all the fatigue disappear.

There is also a waterfall, but due to limited time, we were unable to visit it. We took a picture with the sign instead.

For tonight's accommodation, we used the park's facilities.

A Feast Fit for Kings: A Culinary Delight

The exquisite dinner prepared by Chef Suki was a symphony of flavors, a culinary masterpiece that transported us to a realm of gastronomic bliss. Each dish was a testament to the chef's artistry, a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that left us utterly satiated and in awe. The luxurious ambiance of the venue further enhanced the experience, creating an unforgettable evening that will forever be etched in our memories.

Waking up to a chilly morning, instant noodles are the perfect choice. Enjoying them with the cool air, the steam rising from the bowl, creates an unparalleled experience. The warmth of the noodles contrasts beautifully with the crisp air, making for a truly satisfying moment.

There are no shops on the lawn. If you run out of water, there are rainwater tanks where you can refill your bottles. There are no taps in the bathrooms, so you will need to collect water from the river for showering and other needs. Make sure to collect enough water to avoid wasting time. The park also offers water tanks and jugs for rent. Here, you are expected to be self-sufficient and take care of your own needs, as per park regulations.

After waking up and finishing my breakfast, it was time to explore the surrounding area.

Returning to the tent, we cleared our equipment and returned all borrowed items to the park rangers. It was then time to descend the mountain.

On the way, I encountered a young female peddler, approximately 12 years old, carrying a heavy sack that appeared to weigh several tens of kilograms. Her resilience and initiative in seeking additional income during the holidays are truly commendable.

The descent took 2 hours and 40 minutes, which was a good pace. Upon reaching the park, we stopped at the waterfall while waiting for the rest of the group to arrive.

It took us until 4 pm for all our members to arrive and be ready to head back. We then took a shared taxi to Phitsanulok city. On the way back, we split up, with some going to Chiang Mai and others to Bangkok. The driver dropped us off at the bus station.


On the return trip, we used the services of Phitsanulok Yan Yon. Personally, I found it to be a good experience. The price was reasonable, the bus arrived on time, and they provided water, snacks, and blankets on board. The bus departed at 7:30 PM and arrived at Mo Chit Station at 1:20 AM. I dragged myself back to my room, feeling drowsy. Fortunately, the next day was a compensatory holiday, so I was able to rest for another day.

The total cost for this trip (September 12-13, 2017) is as follows:

1. The round-trip train ticket (3rd class) costs 218 baht.

2. The return bus ticket (pre-booked) costs 288 baht.

3. Porterage Fee for Ascent and Descent: 120 Baht (Porterage Fee: 30 Baht per Kilogram)

4. Tent rental fee: 400 baht/person (2 people 800 baht)

5. Roundtrip shared taxi fare: 500 Baht/person (Total 8 people: 4,000 Baht)

6. The cost of provisions for climbing the mountain is approximately 200 baht.

  1. The rental fee for various equipment, including a special meal of suki, is 140 baht (suki set at 399 baht).

The average cost per person for this trip was 1,866 baht. In total, the cost was around two thousand baht. However, the experience was definitely worth it for this backpacking trip. Not only did we encounter beautiful nature, but we also made new friends and talked to people along the way, including park officials. It was a truly memorable experience.

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