Phu Kradueng National Park.

                                                

                                 Phu Kradueng National Park Trip

General Information:

Phu Kradueng National Park is one of the most famous national parks of Thailand, with a high point of 1316 m (4318 ft) above sea level. Every year tens of thousands of people come to make the climb up this famous mountain. It received the title of a nationally protected forest in the year 1943, and was proclaimed a national park on the 7th of October 1959, the second national park of Thailand after Khao Yai National Park.
The park is closed to visitors during the rainy season (1 June - 30 September).
BACKGROUND/TOPGRAPHY/CLIMATE

Phu Kradueng National Park, situated in Si Than Sub-district, Phu Kradueng District, Loei Province, has been designated as the 2nd national park of Thailand on November, 23, 1962. It covers an area of 348.12 Kilometers (217,575 rai) with 60 Kilometers (37,500 rai) of plateau on the top of mountain.
The elevation of Phu Kradueng is between 400-1,200 meters with the summit point of 1,316 meters at Khok Moei. In general, Phu Kradueng is the sandstone mountain consisting of an abundance of flora and fauna and the fullness of cliffs, savanna, streams and waterfalls other than that it is still the head watershed of Lam Nam Phong River which is one lf the most important rivers in Northeastern Thailand.

According to its high elevation and climatic condition, the weather on the mountaintop is cool all year round. Sometimes, in the winter. temperature may drop to freezing point. So, it is the most incentive to visitors who would like to be the Phu Kradueng conqueror at least once of their life.
VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE COMMUNITY

Phu Kradueng National Park is not jast a destination for tourists to exploit their own pleasure in order conquer the summit,but it is still an invaluable site of natural heritage for the next generation and the source of knowledge for everyone. The flora community of Phukradueng National Park can be classifion into 5 types, dry dipterrocarp forest, mixed-deciduous forest,hill evergreen forest, pine forest and tropical savanna.Besides the temperate tree such as two-needled pine, three-needled pine .oak and maple that can be seen on the mountaintop, there also exists by season, for instance, White and Res Roses (Rhododendron spp.),Kradum Ngoen (Eriocaulon henryanom), Krachieo (Cucuma paviflora), Som Pae (Vacinium sprengelii) and Wild Orchids In addition, Phu Kradueng Dueng is the habitat of more than 266 wildlife species such as Asiatic Elephant, Indo-chinese Tiger, Aaiatic Black Bear, Barking Deer, Samber Deer, Wild Pig and Birds as well as rarely found reptiles such as the Snapper (big-headed tortoise)    (reference:dpd.co.th)

How to contact:

Phu Kradueng National Park :Mu 1, Ban Si Than, Si Than Sub-district,  Amphur Phu Kradung   Loei   Thailand 42180
Tel. 0 42-810-833, 0 42-810-834   
Fax 0 42-810-833, 0 42-810-834   
E-mail phukradueng_np@dnp.go.th และ pkd_11@hotmail.co.th
Website: http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=11&lg=2

 How to go there:

    BY CAR. 
Take a car pass Saraburi, Pak Chong district, after which you turn left into highway No.201 via Chaiyaphum province, Phu Khiao district . Then, turn left to highway No.12 passing Chum Phae district and turn right into highway N0.201 passing Phu Pha Man district and Pha Nok Khao, after which you turn left into highway No.2019 which leads to the park.

    By Airplane
 
BY AIR. There are daily flights from Bankok to Khon Kaen and BanKok to Udon Thani. For more flight and airline information, call 0-2628-2000, 0-2515-9999, 0-2267-2999 and 1318.

     By Train
 
BY TRAIN. Get on the train at Hua Lamphong Raiway Station and get off at Khon Kaen Railway Station. Then, take the Khon Kaen-Loei bus and get off at Pha Nok Khao or Phu kradueng Bus Terminal and get off at Pha Nok Khao or Phu Kradueng Bus Terminal and then take the local bus ( Song Thaeo) to the park. For more train information, call 0-2225-1300 ext. 5201 ,0-2223-0341-3.

     By Bus
 

BY BUS. Take the Bangkok-Loei bus at the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) and get off at Pha Nok Khao and then take the local bus (Song Thaeo) to the Park. For move bus information, call 0-2936-2852-66.

How much fee?

Thai = 40 baht/person(adult) and 20 baht/person (child 3-14 age)
Foreigner=400 baht /person(adult) and 200 baht/person (child 3-14 age)

Facilities on Phu Kradueng National Park.

1Visitor center - below Phu Kadueng
Visitor Center is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
2..Parking - below Phu Kadueng

National Park provides parking lot for visitors.
3.Food services - Restaurant is available in the Park.
4.Visitor center - Phu Kradueng Peak
Visitor Center is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
5.Tent - Phu Kradueng Peak
National Park provides tents and tent's bedding for tourists. Rent for tent and bungalow at www.dnp.go.th
6.There are a sherpas(native people) 30 baht/kg.
7.Clean and a lot of toilet in campground. 
8.Camping site - Phu Kradueng Peak
National Park provides campground and restaurant for tourists.
9.Accommodation - Phu Kradueng Peak
Phu Kradueng 110 terrace house or Tean Nam terrace house has 5 bedrooms, outsite restroom, 6 persons/room, bedding, no water heater, 900 bath/night/room.

How to prepare to travel

1.strong healthy because they are walking about 40 km./trip
2.reserved terrace house or tent before journey 60 day.

Map of  Phu Kradueng National Park.

credit:touronthai