Doi Luang Tak in the rainy season, a long and arduous journey, a heart that must not falter.

Hiking Adventure in Doi Luang, Tak: A Budget-Friendly Escape

This trip marks a return to the mountains after our last hike at Doi Luang Chiang Dao at the end of last year. The first few months of this year were filled with coastal adventures, so we were eager to get back to the hills, even during the rainy season.

With limited planning, we decided on a whim the week before to go camping somewhere within a budget. Initially, we considered visiting Tab Berk, but having been there several times, we opted for Pha Hin Goob instead. Unfortunately, it was fully booked. Then, we remembered Doi Luang Tak, a place we had always wanted to visit. A quick call confirmed availability, and we were off!

The best part? The entire trip cost less than 1500 baht, making it a truly budget-friendly escape.

This trip will take place on June 16-17, 2018.

This trip schedule is very simple. We will drive to the district and sleep until 3 am. Then, we will hike up Doi Luang Tak in the morning and return the next day. On the way back, we will stop by the Bhumibol Dam and have lunch at the Baan Kiang Nam restaurant near the suspension bridge in Tak city.

Check out the video first! All photos were taken with Nikon D7200, Tokina 11-20, fixed 35, Tamron 70-300 VC, and GoPro Hero 4 Silver.

The journey began shortly after 10 pm from Bangkok. Doi Luang Tak is located in Tung Kracho Subdistrict, Tak Province, approximately 400 kilometers away. The drive from the city center is relatively short, taking less than three hours. We arrived at the trailhead around 3 am, where we rested until 6 am. After freshening up, we prepared for our hike.

The sky looks good today. This morning there is no rain and the sun is shining, but there are still thick clouds in the distance near the mountains where we are going.

After contacting the officials, we prepared our belongings and loaded them onto a vehicle. We had to park our car at the municipal office because there was no one to watch over it at the starting point of the hike. The officials suggested that we park there and hire a car for the journey to ensure our safety. This also served as a way to distribute income to the local community. We paid 600 baht for the roundtrip car fare.

The trailhead is approximately 15 minutes away, with a slightly muddy path.

Upon arrival, we took a quick group photo with the park ranger who served as our guide. It is mandatory to have a guide on this trail due to the presence of岔路 and dense forest in the initial sections, which could lead to getting lost. The guide fee was 1200 baht, and the porter fee was 1200 baht per person for a round trip. We only hired one porter to carry the shared supplies and tent, while the rest of us carried our own belongings.

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The first half of the trail is an easy, flat path with a gentle incline, allowing for a leisurely walk without fatigue.

There are a couple of intersections with water crossings. This is where you'll likely get confused if you come on your own.

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After walking for about 30 minutes, the unexpected happened: I had to use the restroom urgently.

Wash your face and eyes with water. It might help relieve your stomachache.

I held my breath and walked for a while, feeling unwell. I clenched my buttocks and sweated profusely. It was truly excruciating. 555 The officer suggested the restroom in the middle of the lush green forest resort. I relieved myself in paradise, hence the origin of the term "my shit forest" at Doi Luang Tak. 5555

Unfortunately, I don't have a photo to share, but the atmosphere in the forest was fantastic. I was a bit apprehensive about both people and animals, wondering if there were any creatures around.

After removing the weight, I feel much lighter and fitter. I'm walking briskly now, and the incline is starting to increase gradually. It's a leisurely climb, and after about an hour and a half, I reach the first viewpoint. Is that our destination, that distant peak in the distance?

Why are there so many clouds over there? Will it rain? But on the way here, the sun is shining, but it's cool like the wind and rain are coming from far away.

It's very dark.

The slope is not too steep, so motorcycles can still ride all the way to the 7-Eleven in the middle of the forest. The rider will ride about 4-5 kilometers before reaching the steep point where motorcycles cannot go any further.

Upon arrival, everyone enjoyed a round of drinks, with prices increasing with height. Currently, a drink costs 20 baht, and it will cost 25 baht at the highest point.

The ice-cold Coke was refreshing, but I wouldn't recommend it. Sugary drinks actually dehydrate you and make you thirsty faster. You should save it for when you reach the summit. But it was so tempting that I had to have some. The porter took a big gulp and finished it off.

The machine is getting hot while running continuously.

After walking for three hours since starting at 9 am, I was feeling hungry. I came across a wide, green field and decided to stop for lunch. I estimate I have covered about 6-7 kilometers so far.

After finishing lunch, you will pass through a large open area where people gather to eat and rest. From there, the trail gradually ascends until you reach the pine forest. The incline is not too steep, allowing for a steady pace with occasional breaks to catch your breath and enjoy the scenery. However, the distance can be tiring, especially towards the end when fatigue sets in.

There are always views to see, but I don't take many pictures because I'm tired.

The trail features steep sections comparable to Doi Luang Chiang Dao, but with shorter intervals and alternating gradients.

Take a break.

The provided text is empty. Please provide the text you want me to translate.

The original text describes the physical strain experienced while carrying heavy camera equipment. The author mentions feeling exhausted and experiencing shoulder pain due to the weight of the camera, which is estimated to be around 4 kilograms. They also acknowledge the need for a new camera bag to distribute the weight more evenly and prevent future discomfort.

Here is a more formal and concise translation:

The current camera setup has become physically demanding, particularly due to its weight exceeding 10 kilograms. The camera alone weighs approximately 4 kilograms, causing significant shoulder pain when carried using a single strap. To alleviate this discomfort and ensure proper weight distribution, a new camera bag will be necessary for future use.

The final and steepest ascent is the "Dog's Panting Hill," which is approximately 200-300 meters long. Be prepared to use all fours for this challenging climb.

Finally made it! I initially thought I had arrived, but I was wrong. I had to walk for another 40 minutes.

Original Text: พักชมวิวลมเย็นๆรอชุดหลังก่อนผมทิ้งแฟนขึ้นมาก่อนเลยเรา3คน 555 ชุดหลังอีก4คนยังมาไม่ถึง

English Relaxing and enjoying the cool breeze while waiting for the second group. I left my girlfriend behind and came up first with two other people. Haha, the other four people in the second group haven't arrived yet.

Here it is.

This person is crawling.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

After resting to recover from fatigue, I wanted to continue, but I got a leg cramp. I guess I rested for too long.

The officer suggested taking photos today at the viewpoint, as tomorrow the sky might be overcast.

The wind is currently very strong, and there are rain clouds approaching from the left.

The scenery is beautiful.

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Let's gather here. I was originally going to go to the top of the back, but I'm tired and will just stay here.

The rain came down quickly, but it was not very heavy.

The final stretch before reaching the banana forest campsite, a haven for leeches. Fortunately, I wasn't bitten, as the earlier groups must have attracted them all. I escaped unscathed!

Very delicious

We arrived at 2 pm after a 6-hour journey. The porters were not yet there, and everything was shrouded in white mist.

After setting up the tent, we waited for the evening to cook and eat together.

Tonight's dinner is shabu again, but not ordinary shabu. It's floating star shabu.

Lao Khao is a distilled spirit traditionally produced in various regions of Thailand. Each region boasts its unique flavor profile, offering a diverse range of taste experiences. Renowned for its warming properties, Lao Khao effectively combats the cold, leaving a pleasant sensation of heat throughout the body.

The incident occurred because the villagers initially entrusted a man to purchase 100 bottles of water, each with a capacity of 1.5 liters. At Doi Luang, there is a natural spring nearby. The villagers then used identical water bottles to collect water from the spring and placed them next to the purchased bottles. However, when they went to boil water for their hotpot, they mistakenly grabbed the bottles filled with spring water instead of the purchased ones, unknowingly consuming all of the spring water.

The food looks delicious, but it's too rich and heavy. It's like eating stars and floating in the air.

Translation:

Regrettably, the process involved rinsing the beans with water, draining the water, and then roasting them with plain water. The beans were then rinsed and squeezed to remove excess water, before being boiled in plain water again.

After a few rounds, we were able to eat, but we also felt a little dizzy. After finishing the pot, we were all feeling tipsy. 5555

After that, we sat and talked for a while. I asked my brother for another half bottle of beer to keep warm.

Translation:

It was almost dusk, and the surroundings were still very bright. I decided to walk to the viewpoint, as it didn't seem far away.

It's only a 10-minute walk to get there.

However, everything was white with nothing to see, and the wind was extremely strong. We walked back in the dark just in time, and that night we went to bed around 8 pm. The weather was cool and comfortable, and we slept soundly in our tents.

Waking up to the same old white, but still feeling excited and waiting until 10 am. Let's have a delicious instant noodle breakfast first.

It was already ten o'clock when we arrived at the sign, which was still white. The wind was strong and there was rain. We waited to see if we could catch a glimpse of it, even for a minute. We turned on the internet (I forgot to mention that the internet on this peak is quite strong, except for the tent area where it is intermittent). We searched for a spell to open the sky and recited it for 10 minutes.

Unbelievable! Don't underestimate this kind of thing. The mist is even stronger than before, it's so white! 5555

No matter what, we have successfully conquered it. Even though the weather was bad, we still managed to conquer it.

The heavy mist is almost like rain, soaking everything.

Let's go down to the next peak, it's closer and white. We won't go any further, it's getting late.

The opportunity to return to Doi Luang Tak has arrived.

But being in the fog like this is quite enjoyable.

The view from the viewpoint yesterday was amazing. The fog was thick and the wind was strong. I'd like to take another picture.

Both fog and rain.

The lawn is sprinkled with light rain.

This downhill section is both thrilling and slippery, requiring a slide on your backside for safety. 55

Is this a butterfly?

The second half of the hike was accompanied by heavy rain. I didn't wear a raincoat, but I covered my camera bag with it. By the time I reached the car, I was completely soaked, but I felt refreshed. I really enjoy hiking in the rain, as it allows me to walk for longer distances without feeling tired.

Before getting on the car, play with water at the exit for a bit.

Cool refreshing water. Back to the municipality to take a shower and pack. 3 pm, just in time.

To conclude the trip, we stopped by the Bhumibol Dam, which was only 40 kilometers away. We opened the map and followed the GPS route, which once again led us down a narrow dirt road. However, this time, we were rewarded with a stunning view that we had never seen in any reviews.

After we walked in the rain, it continued to rain, so when we were downstairs, we could see the beautiful fog that we had walked through.

The rainy season brings a refreshing and beautiful atmosphere.

Big Viko and his usual five-person crew are on this trip, with two additional members joining from Lampang.

Arrange a beautiful corner for Big 4x4.

Translation:

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

Let's continue.

We arrived at Bhumibol Dam at around 4 pm, and the weather was pleasantly cool.

After taking photos for a while, we said goodbye and parted ways. The two of them returned to Lampang, while we went back to Bangkok.

Translation:

A delightful dinner at Baan Kiang Nam restaurant near the suspension bridge in Tak.

The restaurant boasts a charming atmosphere and live music, making for a truly enjoyable dining experience.

The food was delicious, with each dish costing only 1100 baht for 5 people. We ordered 5 dishes and took one home. Interestingly, the restaurant sells rice in clay pots instead of bowls.

Dr. Tree was so happy because her mother was singing a lullaby softly. She was so engrossed in the music that she initially thought it was a recording. However, she realized that her mother was actually singing right there.

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In conclusion, the suspension bridge in Tak Province is...

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Departed from the suspension bridge at almost 7 pm. Today, the traffic was smooth, and I arrived at Don Mueang before 11 pm. I slept soundly and woke up early to go to work.

Translation:

Another mountain suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. The trail is not difficult, just long. Coming down doesn't hurt your knees, just makes your legs a little tired. It's a relaxing trip, perfect for a two-day, one-night getaway. Come and try it out!

Summary of expenses

The cost of fuel for a 1,100 km trip was 3,000 baht.

Tamarind rice porridge 280

The cost of shabu pork and lunch while walking is 1500.

Pepsi 80

Cost of officials: 1200 baht, Porters: 1200 baht, Transportation: 600 baht, Total: 3210 baht. I forgot what the additional 210 baht was for, but the note I wrote down says this.

Dinner at Baan Kiang Nam 1235

Some things are divisible by 5 when hiking and divisible by 7.

In conclusion, the five of us at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration spent exactly 1,500 baht each, which was within our budget.

Thank you for following. See you again on the next trip.