Pua - Bo Kluea

Falling temperatures the past few days are the sign that the cool season has "officially" arrived. Yes, it's time to travel up north so we can enjoy the real chill that's waiting to shake us at high altitudes.

Today we'll go all the way to Nan Province to explore the mountainous route from Pua to Bo Kluea.

Starting from Pua town, find your way to Highway 1256, the road to Bo Kluea. After four kilometres, you'll find that the 1256 curves right but straight on there's a minor road. Phra That Chomchaeng, our Point B today, is one kilometre down that road.

After visiting Phra That Chomchaeng, get back to the 1256 and drive on. Nine kilometres from there, the tree-lined 1256 will start to zigzag up the mountains. Get ready for several switchbacks. The headquarters of Doi Phu Kha National Park, where bungalows and camping areas are available, is about 20 kilometres up the road. Oh, not far before the park's headquarters, you'll find a sign and a minor road leading to Ton Tong Waterfall.

Other attractions of Doi Phu Kha, namely, the Lan Doodao viewpoint, the rare Chomphoo Phu Kha trees and the point where the 1256 reaches the highest elevation are five, 5.5 and 11 kilometres, respectively east of the park's headquarters. The 1256 finally ends at Bo Kluea, 22.5 kilometres away. But our journey doesn't end there.

At Bo Kluea's main junction, turn left onto Highway 1081. Khun Nan National Park is just a couple of kilometres from that point.
Bangkok Post November 2005 www.bangkokpost.com