The original text is in Thai and translates to:

Doi Luang Phayao, the sacred mountain…Shambhala of Thailand.

Here is the translation in English:

Doi Luang Phayao, the sacred mountain, is considered the Shambhala of Thailand.

A large, dark stone pillar stands in the heart of the forest. The journey to reach it requires a challenging trek through steep hills and valleys, with sections requiring climbing along a zipline. This destination, a peak of faith in the forests of Phayao Province, is our ultimate goal.



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The provided text is in Thai and describes a thrilling journey to a revered mountaintop. It includes a link to a YouTube video showcasing the experience.

Here's the translated text:

Witness the exhilarating journey to the sacred mountaintop in this captivating video: https://youtu.be/Dlm7rlqB5Ek

Our journey begins at... hmm... Mae Thong Kam Market, where we will gather fresh provisions before meeting at the designated starting point for our trek to the summit...

After a long journey from Bangkok to Phayao, we arrived at Mae Thong Kam Market at 7 am. We were a group of 14 people, ready to conquer the mountain. We decided to have breakfast at the market, choosing rice porridge and pork blood soup to fuel our bodies for the day's hike. The first leg of our journey was nearly 10 kilometers long.

After finishing their meal, they bought sticky rice and grilled pork to replenish their energy during the journey. They also bought some fresh vegetables and food for the next three days and two nights. Then they continued their journey.

Following the route towards Wang Nuea district, passing the Kwan Phayao viewpoint, exactly 2 kilometers, you will reach the starting point of the hike. We have already arranged with the officers and porters. Here is a breakdown of the expenses for this trip...

The cost for each officer is 1500 baht.

The daily wage for a porter is 500 baht, carrying a weight of 20 kilograms.

School bus fare is 1600 baht.

Let's continue...

Approaching ten o'clock, we finally started our hike. Crossing the road, we headed towards the forest trail. We made sure to carry at least two bottles of water each, and more would have been even better. The initial part of the trail was not too strenuous, allowing for a comfortable pace as we followed the contours of the mountain, traversing slopes and descents with ease.

After two hours of brisk walking, we reached the first steep hill called "San Moo Mae Dong". It was steep, but fortunately, it wasn't too far. We walked with our heads down for a long time and finally made it through, but we were exhausted. We decided to have sticky rice and grilled pork for lunch.

After a refreshing break, we continued our journey. We walked through the forest and up a small hill, and suddenly we found ourselves in a vast meadow. The sun was shining, the breeze was cool, and it was a pleasure to walk. It was like walking through a lavender field.

After traversing the meadows of dreams, we faced reality once again. Hill after hill, we climbed and descended, but our destination remained elusive. Finally, we reached the "Stairway to Heaven," the final and most challenging slope. With a bit of scrambling, we continued our long trek until we arrived at our first night's lodging, just before the summit of Doi Luang Phayao. Along the way, we caught a glimpse of Doi Nok, another significant landmark on our journey...

As dusk approached, the weary group gathered at the campsite, their exhaustion evident. After a brief respite, they embarked on the task of setting up camp. Tents were pitched, dinner was prepared, and photographers captured the stunning sunset, painting the sky with vibrant hues.

This rest stop does not have water for bathing, but there is natural drinking water. Porters will carry it from a spring below, which is quite a distance away. Please use it sparingly.

Time never waits for anyone. As the light began to fade, darkness enveloped the mountaintop and the entire forest. After a busy afternoon and early evening, we gathered to admire the beauty of the lights from Phayao City. However, our time was short-lived. Due to the exposed location of our campsite, strong winds and cold temperatures swept through, carrying dust and dirt everywhere. Many of us decided to retreat to our tents, exhausted from the day's activities. With a good night's sleep, we were ready to tackle the next day's adventures.

Emerging from the tent in the early morning, you are greeted by the sight of the sun rising above the clouds. This campsite is truly exceptional, offering a breathtaking view of the sunrise.

Today's destination is Pha Kled Waterfall Camp, approximately 8 kilometers away. While reaching the destination is important, the journey itself is equally significant...

The main point of today's story is the extraordinary journey of Yod, a young man from Chambala, a remote village in Thailand. Let's embark on this captivating adventure together.

After washing our faces and brushing our teeth, we had breakfast. We packed our lunch and started walking again. Within 10 minutes, we reached the highest point, Doi Luang Pha Yao, which is 1694 meters above sea level and located near the camp. After praying at the temple, we headed towards Doi Nok, the highlight of the day.

Shortly before noon, 14 lives gathered at the base of a large, dark limestone mountain. Looking up, they found a path that was extremely scary. They had to climb along the cliffs that were alternately positioned. There were steel cables to help them pull themselves up to the highest point. Just seeing it was exciting...

All personal belongings must be left at the bottom, only cameras and one bottle of water are allowed. At first, we wanted to be stubborn and carry our backpacks up to change lenses, but when the officers pleaded with us, we agreed. And when we actually got up there, I have to say, thank you very much to the officers. It was the right thing to do, it was really dangerous…

The adventure begins with a challenging climb over rocks, using all four limbs. Don't forget to wear protective gloves to avoid friction burns. After conquering the initial climb, the next stage involves a thrilling zipline ride. One person at a time, with the guidance of experienced staff, will navigate the zipline, enjoying the exhilarating descent. Finally, a short climb leads to the ultimate destination: the breathtaking peak of "Shambhala of Thailand," a place of unparalleled beauty and tranquility.

After soaking in the breathtaking views and paying respects to the Buddha statue atop Doi Nok, it was time to descend. While the climb was challenging, the descent proved even more nerve-wracking. Those with a fear of heights should definitely avoid this trek. Each step down required careful maneuvering and a slow, deliberate pace. By the time we reached the base, it was almost 1 pm, and our stomachs were rumbling.

We had lunch there because the path ahead was not far but it took a long time. This is what the officer told me. My initial understanding was that the distance of 4-5 kilometers should not take too long to walk. But in reality, it was extremely tough...

Leaving Doi Nok, we continued walking, passing the Buddha statue near the Doi Nok tent site. However, we skipped that and went straight to sleep by the waterfall. This was the ultimate experience. Descending to the waterfall involved a steep descent to the flat ground below. To illustrate, imagine this: we were at the highest point and then descended directly to the lowest point, without traversing along the slope. It was a sheer drop. And what happened then? Well, I was done for…

After nearly 4 hours and covering a distance of more than 3 kilometers, the participants were exhausted. They had slipped, slid, and strained their legs to the point of stiffness. Some of the women were on the verge of tears, asking, "When will we finally reach our destination?" The descent was truly challenging.

It was almost 6 pm when we finally reached Camp 2 at Pha Kled Waterfall. Everyone was exhausted, but there was still laughter and conversation about the excitement and challenges of the trail we had just completed. It was truly an incredible experience.

The remaining story is entertainment, conversation, and the telling of each person's journey on this trip. As for the final day's walk home, it was short and sweet, following the waterfall stream. It took less than two hours to reach, so I'll leave the story of this journey here...

Thank you to all my fellow nature lovers for your incredible resilience and endurance.

Thank you, nature, for creating and conjuring up beauty for us to admire…

We are but transient beings, passing through and leaving behind only cherished memories. We leave no trace of neglect, for nature itself is sufficient…

See you again, nature.

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