Mount Phu Chi Fah (Phu Chee Fah Mountain)

1,442m (4,730 ft)

It takes between 20 and 30 minutes to climb Phu Chi Fah since one can drive up most of the way.

This is not a challenging trail due to its short distance, however, the terrain is a gradual uphill all the way.

The trek starts in a parking lot, where there are options for many different trails leading to different viewpoints.

The main trail that leads up to the peak starts off fairly narrow on a well-worn dirt path, with short grass and vegetation on either side and hills surrounding you. As the hike progresses, the trail gets narrower, and hikers will notice a cliff face come into view.

At the peak, there is a magnificent 360˚ view of the scenery below.

The cooler months are from November to January. During this time, it is less humid and cloudier. The temperature highs range from 27˚C to 29˚C(80.6˚F to 84.2˚F), and the lows range from 13˚C to 17˚C (55.4˚F to 62.6˚F). This is a great time of year to visit if you want to see the peaks poking out from a misty vista. The rest of the year has very consistent temperatures ranging from 30˚C to 35˚C (86˚F to 95˚F ) for the highs and the lows range from 17˚C to 23˚C ( 62.6˚F to 73.4˚F).  It is humid and hot in these months.

The dry months are from November to March with the average number of rainy days ranging from 1 to 2 per month. During this period, the flowers bloom making it a beautiful time of year to visit. The downside to visiting Phu Chi Fa at this time of year is that the air quality is very poor due to the smoke caused by burning. The wet months are from April to October, with an average of 9 to 21 rainy days per month. The air quality is usually much better in this period.

Good walking shoes are recommended, but no other special equipment is needed.

At the parking lot there are a few small shops that sell food and drinks; however, no rest stops should be necessary since it is such a short hike. There are several viewpoints where you can sit and rest if need be.

Guides and porters are neither necessary nor a requirement for this hike.

Phu Chi Fah is part of the Doi Pha Mon mountain range and is located in the north of Thailand, on the border between Laos and Thailand. The closest city is Chiang Rai.

To get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai you can catch a domestic flight, catch a bus (which will be an 11-hour drive), or you can hire a car to drive there yourself.

From Chiang Rai to Phu Chi Fah, you’ll have to hire a motorbike/scooter or car, as there is no public transportation between Chiang Rai and Phu Chi Fah. It is, however, a long drive to do on a scooter.

You can also go directly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai if you rent a car. This will take about 11 hours.

Phu Chi Fa is an extremely popular peak, with many hikers every day, especially at sunrise. It is a very safe area, with few scammers.

It is not safe to drive down the dirt road at night as it can be quite treacherous in the dark. Try to avoid leaving the summit too late.