Khao Khitchakut – Let it Rock!

Khao Khitchakut is a mountain peak in Chanthaburi province between Trat to the south and Rayong to the north.

The mountain peak is only open to the public for 2-3 months of the year between January and March. For Thai’s, it is a great act of making pilgrimage to the Buddha’s footprint at the top of the mountain and is considered as a great deed and way of making merit.

We thought it would be best to travel to Khao Khitchakut on a weekday as at the weekend the number of people making their pilgrimage can be overwhelming. We didn’t want a repeat of our trip to Sigiriya in Sri Lanka.

We drove north from Trat to Chanthaburi and left the Sukhumvit Road towards Khao Khitchakut. This stretch takes 15-20 minutes if there is no traffic.

We parked at Phluang Temple and paid 100 Baht each for a ride in a 4×4 pickup that would take us up the steep mountain for about 8km. It’s also another 100 Baht to take a ride back down the mountain. The only other alternative is to walk, but unless you are there first thing in the morning or super fit and acclimatised, we wouldn’t recommend it.

There are plenty of opportunities to eat, drink and shop before you jump on the 4×4, so hydrate yourself and load up on carbs!

As you set of, the first thing you pass is the large Khuan Pluang Reservoir before arriving at the borders of the National Park.

At the Khao Khitchakut National Park entrance you have to pay the entrance fee. This entry fees are:

• Thai Adult – 20 Baht
• Thai Child – 10 Baht
• Foreign National – 100 Baht
• Foreign National Child (3-14 years old) 50 Baht.

So much for so called white privilege!

Once paid, the roller-coaster ride commences on the dirt road cut through the jungle. It’s fun but not for the faint of heart. This takes about 30 minutes.

The last kilometre to the summit is made on foot or if you’re feeling like a King or have 1000 Baht to burn, two gentlemen will carry you up in a chair. The way is clearly marked and mainly consists of stairs made of concrete or wood. There is also handrails, ropes and good lighting, so if you are like us and leave late, you won’t get lost in the dark.

It’s actually great to see the facilities are good. It looks like they are actually investing the entrance fee back into the infrastructure and amenities.

Unfortunately for us, the clouds rolled in as we made our way to the summit, so we never got to see the amazing views over Chanthaburi we were looking forward to seeing. However, the still, ghost like atmosphere up high around the trees, laden with red linen, flowers and the sound of distant bells and monks chanting was a pretty special experience.

Have you been to Khao Khitchakut? Let us know and share your experiences in the comments below.

Khao Khitchakut – Let it Rock!

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