Phu Langka Peak

1,720m (5,643ft)

The trail takes two days and one night to complete.

Some hikers choose to get driven up a portion of the trail in a 4 x 4 vehicle, in which case the hiking portion takes a shorter amount of time. How much shorter depends on how far up you drive.

The peak is situated within Phu Langka Forest Park. The park is known to be covered in lush forest with many flowers, grass, and other vegetation.

The trail that leads up to the summit of Phu Langka Peak, starts off as a muddy, rocky dirt road that winds through the forest. There is low vegetation amongst the trees on either side. The ground is uneven, with big tree roots and stones, making it easy to stumble.

Once you get past the muddy road section the path is a clear path snaking through tall grass with trees interspersed. The trail gets narrower and has more twists and turns as the hike progresses.

As the trail gets higher up the mountain, hikers can see limestone outcrops and other rock formations jutting out of the side of the mountain. It is often very foggy below.

Closer to the summit it gets steeper.

The temperature in Phu Langka is fairly consistent year-round with a couple of colder months and a couple of warmer months.

The yearly average high temperature is 88.9°F (31.6°C) and the yearly average low is 62.4°F (16.9°C). The coldest months are January and December with the lows averaging 53.6°F (12°C) and the highs averaging 84.2°F (29°C). The hottest months are March, April, and May with the lows averaging 66.2°F (19°C) and the highs averaging 95°F (35°C).

The precipitation in Phu Langka varies significantly throughout the year. The rainiest months are from May to October with 9-25 rainy days per month. This period is widely suggested as the best time of year to witness the wildflowers blooming on the mountain during the hike. August and July are the rainiest months of the rainy season with between 19 and 25 rainy days on average. The driest months coincide with the coldest months. From November to April there are only an average of 1 to 6 days of rain per month.

While you will need all your camping gear, the only hiking-specific gear you should need for this hike are good hiking boots.

There are no special facilities along the trail, however, there is very basic accommodation (no electricity cabins and camping grounds) in the park. Food is usually provided by the park staff who must accompany you for the hike.

This trek can only be done by prior arrangement with the Phu Langka Park administration. They will provide a guide and a porter if necessary. The booking must be done at least seven days in advance.

The peak is located within Phu Langka Forest Park which is found in a remote area in Phayo province, 129km (80 mi) away from Chiang Rai, far up in the north of Bangkok.

The closest international airport to the park is Chiang Rai International Airport, although the only international flights that land here are from cities in China. If that’s not where you’re coming from, you may need to fly here from Bangkok.

From this airport, you can catch a bus, or a taxi, or rent a car to get to the park. A bus takes over 5 hours, and the latter two options take about 2.5 hours. Note that a 4 x 4 will likely be needed to get there due to the terrain.

This trek cannot be done alone as the hike must be organised with the park administration, who will provide an official to accompany you on the hike. It is situated in a remote area, so be sure to bring everything you need, especially if you are staying over in the park.

Be wary of blood-sucking leeches along the trail – wear pants or long socks to avoid their company.