Hike up the mountain, sleep in a homestay, sip coffee, and admire the sea of mist at Suan Ya Luang, Nan Province | LemmeGoTravel

Hike the mountains, sleep in a homestay, sip coffee, and admire the sea of mist at Suan Ya Luang, Nan Province.

Seeking tranquil bliss amidst the misty embrace of the mountains.

The community-based ecotourism approach of Ban San Charoen, a welcoming community with warm smiles.

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Visit the flowing water hole at Ban Sancharoen, a natural spring with water flowing year-round.
Take a short hike up the mountain to a coffee farm homestay and enjoy freshly brewed, aromatic drip coffee.

Awakening to the morning sun, we embark on a journey up "Sawan Yaluang," once a vast opium field, now transformed into a sprawling expanse of thousands of acres dedicated to Arabica coffee cultivation. This remarkable metamorphosis is a testament to the benevolent grace of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and the unwavering collaboration of the local Hmong hill tribe community.

The breathtaking sea of mist we sought is finally before us, offering a captivating view that leaves us speechless. ^^

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Our journey begins.

From Nan city, take Highway 101 to Tha Wang Pha district. Turn left onto Highway 1148.

Travel for approximately 17 kilometers and you will find a turnoff leading to Baan San Charoen and the Royal Park Rajapruek.

The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Before reaching the village, you will encounter this sign. The entrance is quite winding but is made of concrete, making travel relatively easy.

San Jaroen Village is a small village nestled in a valley, where coffee farming is the primary occupation.

A stream flows through the village, originating from a spring with a constant flow of water throughout the year. The villagers refer to this spring as "Runaohai," meaning "the flowing water hole."

The spring was surprisingly large. I initially expected it to be a small, bubbling hole like the ones I've seen elsewhere.

After visiting the stream, we met at the house of the leader of the path to the Royal Herb Garden at the roundabout in the village.

A 4x4 vehicle can reach the accessible point. Typically, 4x4 vehicles can access the top of the mountain and the accommodation.

However, due to recent heavy rainfall, landslides have occurred in several areas, making the road impassable.

The path wasn't that brutal, but my head was shaking and swaying. I was occasionally hit by branches, haha.

However, there are vehicles that can reach the accommodation, such as this one. Look at the wheels, they even need chains!

However, in reality, the car can only reach this point.

From here on, it will be a path of walking and only walking.

Let's begin!

Along the way, there will be waterways visible.

This is the reason why the car cannot enter. Let me tell you, it's a mess!

After a 30-minute walk, we arrived at the homestay, a wooden house nestled amidst a coffee plantation.

Enjoy the view from the accommodation and relax.

The view is worth a million dollars. Looking down, you can see the Sanjaeng village in the distance.

After resting to recover from fatigue, I prepared to make drip coffee.

The roasted coffee beans are sourced directly from the farm.

The drip is so good, it's really fragrant.

Sipping coffee while enjoying the view of the coffee plantation in the late afternoon is the ultimate indulgence.

After a coffee break, we went for a walk around the accommodation. This area is home to the villagers who work on the coffee plantation.

Along the way, there will be coffee branches that the villagers have pruned, so I would like to show you the coffee beans. This is what they look like.

The coffee harvest season typically occurs in November. The red berries seen here will fall off before then.

As dusk approached, we reached the time for dinner. Our guides prepared a delicious feast with a variety of dishes.

Today's Exclusive Menu features a dish called "Tom Kai Pae Taepung".

The purple leaves seen in the curry pot are called "Bai Chaplu," a local herb that gives the soup its distinctive purple hue.

The large pot is ready to serve, and the dishes look delicious.

After finishing lunch, the rain poured down. Then, I took a shower, relaxed, and went to sleep when it got dark.

Early to bed, as tomorrow we must wake up and walk to the top of Doi Suan Ya Luang at around 4:30 AM.

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Day 2

We began our hike from our accommodation around 4:45 AM. The roundtrip distance from our accommodation to the summit is approximately 6-7 kilometers, taking about 4 hours to complete.

The initial phase was shrouded in darkness, making it difficult to navigate. After an hour of walking, the faint light revealed a path soaked from the previous night's rain, rendering it extremely slippery.

Halfway through the journey, we started to see some views. However, due to the rain last night, the weather in the morning was cloudy. We walked with anticipation, wondering if the sky above would clear for us.

There seems to be hope at this point.

Open access

And then, the heavens opened, but there wasn't much time.

Capture the moment to the fullest.

Refreshing and with stunning views.

Lo and behold, what we have been searching for has finally arrived.

The sea of mist has rolled in, forming beautiful waves.

It was truly breathtaking, leaving me speechless.

Not only do we have pictures, but we also have videos for you!

Amazing!

I arrived early in the morning and was feeling a bit hungry, so I decided to grab a quick bite to eat. I had some leftover pork that I had saved from the previous day, so I reheated it and enjoyed a delicious snack.

The top will have a Buddha statue enshrined.

The sea of fog has been witnessed. #missioncompleted

While admiring the mist at Phra Lan, we could already see the summit, so we decided not to hike to the top. Additionally, the weather started to turn, so we agreed to return.

On the way back, the path began to brighten under the tall trees.

The fog has descended again.

Strike a cool pose and let's get this thrill going.

The journey was quick, and upon arrival, breakfast was served immediately.

Enjoy a relaxing cup of drip coffee before packing up.

The journey ends with breathtaking views up close to the coffee plantation.

A two-day, one-night trip involving a 12-kilometer roundtrip by car and on foot. It was a truly unforgettable and heartwarming experience.

I will definitely come back again, "Royal Medicinal Garden."

• The cost depends on the number of people. For a group of 5-10 people, it is approximately 1,000 baht per person, including accommodation, transportation from the village to Doi Suan Ya Luang, and dinner and breakfast.
• For a group of 3 people, the cost is approximately 1,600 baht per person.
• It is recommended to find friends to join the trip, as the price per person will be lower due to the fixed price.

🚨 Important Information!

• Accessibility: During the rainy season, vehicles may not be able to reach the destination.
• November: This is the harvest season, so road construction may occur on the mountain road. Vehicles may be able to reach the destination, and there may be additional coffee bean harvesting activities. Please confirm details before booking.
• Coffee Processing: The Ban San Charoen village processes its own coffee, offering both ground and unground options. These make great souvenirs.
• Restrooms: If you need to use the restroom while hiking to Suan Ya Luang, you can ask to use a villager's restroom along the way. Please note: There are only natural restrooms available at the summit, which can be cold and uncomfortable.

Preparation for Doi Inthanon National Park

1. Clothing: Pack quick-drying and waterproof clothing, including a raincoat, as rain is always a possibility, especially during the rainy season.

2. Footwear: Choose sturdy shoes with good grip for navigating the uneven terrain, including mud and rocks. Hiking boots are ideal, but be aware that new boots may cause blisters.

3. Lighting: Bring a flashlight, as there is no electricity on the mountain, except for solar panels.

4. Hydration: Pack plenty of water, as you will sweat a lot during the hike.

5. Physical Fitness: Be prepared for a challenging hike with steep climbs, muddy trails, and rocky terrain. Consider training beforehand, especially if visiting during the rainy season.

P.S. We really love the coffee here. We can't wait for it to become famous worldwide. ^^

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