Ramkhamhaeng National Park
Ramkhamhaeng National Park is well know among the trekkers. It’s located around 36 km. away from sukhothai downtown. This national park has many tourist sites to vitsit. By the way, the place that you should never miss is Khao Luang. It’s the mountain range comprised of Khao Narai, Khao Chedi, Khao Phra Maeya and Khao Phukha. To conquer the summit, it takes around 2 days and 1 night. After completing Khao Laung trekking trail, you vitsit the waterfalls which Sai Rung waterfall is the most beautiful of the national park.
Ramkhamhaeng National Park is the 18th national park of Thailand. It occupies an area of 341 square kilometers covering the parts of Ban Dan Lan Hoi district, Khirimat district and Muang district, Sukhothai. The park was named in honor of Phokhun Ramkhamhaeng Maharat, the great king of Sukhothai period.
The tourist attraction that makes the park famous is Khao Luang mountain range which Khao Phra Maeya is the topmost around 1,200 meters above sea level. Khao Luang trekking trail begins at the park office. It’s around 4 km. in distance taking 3-5 hours. The trail is quite steep, so the trekkers are recommended to keep fit and not to take unnecessary things.
When you trek through some distances, you will fine the minor park unit where there are the officers welcoming the tourists. This area is the only camping area of Khao Luang. Amenities like restrooms are available. From this camping area, you can easily trek through the mountain range to visit all 4 mountaintops by yourself or ask the guide to lead the way.
It’s around 400 meters to Narai mountaintop. This mountaintop looks like the dolphin head in shape. It’s the popular viewpoint for the sunrise. Phukha mountaintop is about 2,200 m. away from Narai mountaintop and 200 m. away from Phra Maeya mountaintop, the summit of the mountain range. Phra maeya mountaintop offers the panoramic view of Khirimat district and Muang district. The last is Chedi mountainrange located 390 m. away from tent ground. It’s the view spot from the sunset. Besides, all 3 mountaintop can be seen.
By the way, before trekking, you should bring food stuffs and fresh water by youself or hiring a porter at the Tourist Service Center.
Ramkhamhaeng National Park
Sai Rung Waterfall
Besides Khao Luang mountainrange, another outstanding tourist site is Sai Rung waterfall. It’s around 50 km. from the park office. To get there, take the Highway no.101 for 16 km., then you will find a junction to Ban Mai Charoen Phon. Turn into the junction for 9 km. and you will find another junction to the parking space. It’s around 4 km. in the distance. From the parking space, you have to walk for 1 km. to the first tier of the waterfall. Sai Rung waterfall is 4-tiered waterfall. Each tier is ideal for swimming and has the steep cliff up to 100 m. high. The best period to visit the waterfall is the rainy season when there is a huge amount of water.
Facilities
The park offers the gusethouses with facilities inside, tent ground and amenities like restrooms, food shop, Tourist Service Center.
