Whitewater rafting along Keg River, visit to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park and Phu Soi Dao National Park - Phitsanulok - Uttaradit

4 Days 3 Nights

Start your journey in Phitsanulok, also called “Song Kaew City”, at Wat Phra Si Rattana Hahathat Woramahawihan or locally dubbed as “Wat Yai”. Take highway No 12 towards Sukhothai and when you arrive at Nan River bridge, turn right. You will see the entry gate to the temple.

“Wat Yai” is the royal temple built during the reign of Phra Maha Thamma Racha I of Sukhothai. Pay respects to the most beautiful and highly sacred golden sculpture of Phra Phutthachinnarat, portrayed in the posture of subduing evil.

There are annual celebrations of the Phra Phutthachinnarat statue between the 6th to the 12th of the third lunar month (around October). Activities include a long-tailed boat race in Nan River in front of the temple.

Drive along the road next to the temple up the north and you will see a noodle shop called “Hoi Kha Song Kaew”, which is famous around the area. Customers are required to take off their shoes before entering. You can sit facing the Nan River.

Head for the downtown area by using Wisutikasat Road. Stop by at the Sgt-Major Dr Thavi-Folklore Museum (055-212-749), which is opposite the Buddha Casting Foundry. Explore a private collection of antique items representing Thai rural life. The museum houses more than 10,000 artifacts, including woven items, potteries, kitchenware farming and trapping equipment. Regarded as a historical treasury, the museum was granted the Excellence in Tourism Award by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in 1998. Dr Thavit was presented a “Kon Dee Sri Phitsanulok” award for his contribution to the province’s arts. The museum is open daily, except on Mondays, from 8am to 4.30pm. Admission fee is Bt50 for adult, Bt20 for children and Bt100 for foreigner.

There are many restaurants along highway No 12 in Wang Thong district. You can let your legs lap the water to relax while having your meal at these restaurants. All food shops are situated on the bank of the river with a view of the steam-like showers from the waterfalls and Keg River.

June to October is the perfect time for adventurous whitewater rafting along Keg River. Adventure lovers will find it exciting on rubber rafts, which sail along the winding currents among scattered rocks. Enjoy the natural scenery of the rich forest while rafting.

The rafting trip starts at Tumbon Sapraiwan and ends at Kang Song waterfall. The total course of 8 km takes two and a half hours to complete. The level of rafting difficulty is from 1 to 5. A demonstration is conducted ahead of the trip by highly skilled rafters. Accompanied by two navigators, each rubber raft can accommodate 4-8 passengers. Only sober passengers and children over 12 are permitted to raft.

Rim Kaeng Tour arranges the rating trip at Bt750 per person. Rim Kaeng restaurant, situated at the end of the rafting course, provides delicious indigenous cuisine. For further information, contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phitsakulok Office.

The next morning, head for Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, which is situated in Nakhon Thai district. Use highway No 12, where you will pass Muang Ban Yaeng Police Station (055-268-119). Turn right at the Ban Yaeng three-way conjunction at 68 km and then connect to highway No 2013 and drive for 28 km. When you arrive in Nakhon Thai district, take highway No 2331 for 31 km to reach the park.

The routes from Nakhon Thai district to the national park is winding and steep. Careful driving is recommended, especially in the last 10 km, which is very steep.

Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park is located amidst abundant forests and borders three provinces – Phitsanulok, Phetchabun and Loei. The area was once the headquarters of the biggest Communist Party in the northern part, which spread communism through Phu Khor, Phu Khat and Phu Miang and consequently affected political stability. Attractions nearby include the Communism Party of Thailand museum. Trek along the Lan Him Pum and Lan Hin Taek trails, an area of jutting rocks, to catch a glimpse of beautiful nature. Follow another trail to Pha Chu Thong, the cliff where a red fag was raised every time the CPT gained a victory. Witness the remains of a rustic meeting hall, the administrating building and the political school.

Waterfall lovers can relax at Romklao-Paradorn, Sripatcharin and Mun Daeng waterfalls within the park. See the beautiful pink Lin Mung Korn flowers on the fifth level of the waterfall. Blossoms are expected around the middle of August. If you wish to visit Mun Daeng waterfall, you must inform a navigator in advance. Prepare your supplies as it is far and steep. Trekkers are advised to cover their legs with plastic bags to prevent slugs from getting into their pants. A round-trip takes a day. Spending a night at the park is suggested.

BOX Accommodation in the national park compound is in the form of tents and houses. Contact the National Park Division, Forestry Department at (02-579-5734, 02-579-7223) or visit www.dnp.go.th

In the afternoon, depart from the national park to Uttaradit province by following the same route or highway No 12. At the Indo-China intersection, turn right to highway No 11 towards Uttaradit. Many petrol stations are along the way. Fill up the tank and have supper before going to Uttaradit, which takes an hour and a half.

Pay respects to the Praya Pichai Dap Hak Memorial installed in front of the city hall on Prachanimit road. It was constructed to honour Praya Pichai for his bravery, patriotism and sacrifice to the country.

Drive along highway No 102 to Laplae district. Use the Uttaradit-Sukhothai route to visit Wat Phra Thaen Sila At in Ban Thaen, Tumbon Yung. The temple is situated on the hill, 14 km from the town. You can drive up the hill and park the car within the monastery compound and stroll around.

The temple was built in the Ayutthaya period and houses the base of a sermon platform built with laterite. According to legend, Lord Buddha practised meditation here. Also featuring in the temple is a museum of ancient products, which represent ways of lives of the royalty and northern folks.  It is open daily from 8am to 7pm and there is no admission fee.

A festival is held yearly between the eighth and the 15th waxing moon of the third month to celebrate the sermon platform. It’s a merit-making tradition, which has been carried on for many generations.

During the festival, monks install and stay in their tents near the temple. They receive alms and share food with folks, which marks a great outdoor merit-making ritual every year.

Visit local museums within the monastery. Structures are designed in traditional Lana or northern style. The front area is decorated with flower plants, bushes and herb gardens. Souvenirs such as herbal products are available. Watch demonstrations on making cotton fabrics making, weaving machine and other ancient utensils. It is open from 8am to 5pm (055-442-192).

At night, find a place for dinner and stay at Rim Nan market or enjoy shopping at shops in front of the Uttaradit Rajabhat University.

Grand Wana Hotel, located in the Uttaradit town, provides standard rooms featuring water heater, air-conditioner, wireless Internet and cable TV at Bt470 per night, including breakfast (055-403-333).

The next morning, pay respects to the Luang Pho Phet statue at Tha Thanon Temple. Luang Pho Phet, built in Chiang Saen style and cast in bronze, is the principal statue of the province. The temple is situated opposite the train station on Kasemrat road.

Depart from the Uttaradit town and drive past Uttaradit Rajabhat University. At the Uttaradit School intersection, turn left to highway No 1045, which is a bypass, and stay on the route until you reach highway No 11. Turn right towards the south to Bo Lek Nam Phi mine.

Drive across the Nan River bridge and keep straight until you see an intersection. Turn left to highway No 1047 and drive 20 km to reach highway No 1244. Turn right and go along the 3 km-concrete road that runs past Moo 1 village, Tumbon Nam Phi, Thong Saen Khan district. A spacious parking lot is in front of the site. Souvenir shops sell Phra Khan, beads, charms and amulets.

There is an exhibition on the origin of ores. Two existing mines are nearby. One is the Phra Saeng mine believed to have been used to make swords for kings. The other is called the Phra Sung mine.

A worship mine is where a bait made from magnetic stone is thrown to attract steel. This steel is for worship and is believed to protect the owner from harm.

From the Bo Lek Nam Phi, turn right to highway No 1045 to Chan Cave National Park. Drive 20 minutes to Nam Pat district. Turn left and continue for 2 km on the narrow winding concrete road. The parking lot in front of the national park office can accommodate more than 20 cars.

According to history, the magnificent stalagmites and stalactites found inside the cave were believed to be the result of the Pha Chan tree in front of the entrance. The cave was therefore named after the tree. Eight caves are nearby but Chan Cave is the biggest.

Proceed to highway No 1047, turn left and drive for 15 more minutes. A big sign of Sak Yai or Big Teak Tree Forest Park will be seen on the left. Turn left and stay on a narrow concrete route for 9 km. The park is located in Pang Klau village, Tumbon Nam Krai, in Nam Pat district. It covers an area of 1,000 rai. The main attraction is the world’s largest teak tree with a circumference of 9.8 metres, which is believed to be more than 1,500 years old. Despite the damaged top due to storm, the trunk remains in original shape.

Head for Phu Soi Dao National Park by proceeding on highway No 1047 to Nam Pat district. Go past Nam Pat hospital (055-481-574-7) and turn right at the downtown intersection to connect to highway No 1239. Keep driving for 15 km to highway No 1212 three-way conjunction. Find highway No 1239 and drive 47 km. At the Ban Huay Mun intersection, turn right to highway No 1268 and continue for 18 km to reach the Phu Soi Dao National Park office (055-436-001-2). The total distance is 133 km. The Phu Soi Dao waterfall is within the office area.

At present no accommodation is provided at the Phu Soi Dao National Park. But there is an area for camping. Visitors are advised to bring their own tents.

If you come to Uttaradit between August and September, find two extra days to explore the beautiful Ngon Nak (Murdannia giganteum) prairie on top of the park, which is 1,633 metres above sea level. Visitors are allowed to walk up the park from 8am to 1pm only. It might be unsafe to trek after 1 pm as you would arrive at the pine forest in the dark due to the steep trails, which takes approximately 4-6 hours depending on your fitness.

On the way you will pass 5-level waterfalls, some of which are very steep and therefore named “Noen Song Yat” (seeing off relatives) to “Noen Morana” (death). Some say this is more challenging than Phu Kradueng (in Loei). You should bring your own lunch and water as by the time you arrive on top it will be around 3pm. Also stock yourself with water, tents and sleeping equipment as there are no shops and places to stay. In addition, bring raincoats during the rainy season. However, carrier service is available and can be contacted at the park office. Price depends on the weight of your belongings.

At Lan Son Summit, take pictures with the beautiful Ngon Nak flower (Murdannia giganteum). There is a Thai-Lao border stone, which features national emblems of the two nations. It is a popular point for tourists to take pictures as you can across the border in just one step. The pine forest in the mist and sunset on the cliff can be seen on your way back. The park is open only from July 1 – January 5, 8 am to 2pm for safety reasons.

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Restaurant

Phae Ahard Fah Thai in Muang district, Phitsanulok; Tel 055-242-743

Sam Sian (Pork noodles, chicken calf egg noodles and fried chicken rice), Muang district, Uttaradit; Tel 055-513-189

Krua Ta Ka Yai (Thai food) Muang district; Tel 055-440-298)

Accommodation

Sappraiwan Grand Hotel and Resort, Wang Thong district Phitsanulok; Price Bt1,500-3,700; Tel 055-293-293

Wanathara Health Resort & Spa, Wang Thong district, Phitsanulok; Price Bt1,000-4,500; Tel 055-293-411-5

Thai Thana Resort, Muang district, Uttaradit; Price Bt 480; Tel 055-443-222, 055-443-234

Police Stations

Muang Phitsanulok Police Station: Tel 055-258-777

Muang Uttaradit Police Station: Tel 055-411-1038

Souvenir Shops

Ruen Thai Jamlong, Aranyik, Muang district, Phitsanulok; Tel  055-214-347

Kan Kluaymai, Muang district, Phitsanulok; Tel 055-241-983

Kanokmanee, Muang district, Uttaradit; Tel 055-411-295

Lao Sun Seng, Muang district, Uttaradit; Tel 055-411-294