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Hiking in Krabi - a 4 kilometer walk up a 1,397 meter Mountain Khao Panom Benja
(Kow Phanom Bencha)

Khao Phanom Bencha Mountain Peak Krabi's highest hike is a walk up 1,397 meter high Khao Phanom Bencha close to Krabi Town.

The walk starts in the morning - between 9am and 10am from the side opposite to the Huay Toh Waterfall entrance to Khao Phanom Bencha National Park of Thailand. Meaning, you have to find a way to get you the whole way around the mountain to the other ranger station called "Bang Saran Village" or Ban San Tourist Service Center according to their map (bottom of page) ranger station and entrance to the park.

There is a limit of up to 5 persons going at once plus the guide. The hike takes between 3 and 4 hours to reach the summit of Khao Phanom Bencha. Khao (Kow) meaning 'mountain' in Thai.

Hikers are asked to call these phone numbers to arrange a hike up the mountain. Much better for you if you have a Thai friend that can call the numbers as I don't think their level of English would be very high.

Phones: Main office: 075 660716 and Info Center: 075 660717.

The guide I spoke with told me there are many animals to be seen during the climb including: Tapir, Serow, Wild boar, Panther, Clouded leopard, peacocks, asiatic black bear, mouse deer, civet, langur and many kinds of birds.

Camping is a possibility too! You can hike up one day and camp overnight one or two nights. There are no tents or other gear provided so it's bring your own tent and everything else. It is COLD on the top of the mountain so you best have sleeping bags for night time. I'm not sure about the asiatic black bears - and whether they'd come into your camp area - I haven't a clue - so some research is in order if you plan to stay overnight. Apparently the guide does not stay overnight with you - but I'm sure you could talk him into it with some extra cash.

The cost for a guide to take you up and back down the same day - is just 1000 baht per person! For two days, another thousand per person. I think that's really quite a good rate and I'll be going up soon. If you want to go with me - write me at thaipulse((at]] Gmail.com and we'll plan to go. I don't want to stay overnight - just up and down same day.

Large map below - scroll down.

Directions: From Krabi town go towards I-4 (towards the mountains). Best to go right up Uttarakit road which is the road in Krabi town that runs beside the river. Go the whole way up that road until you see a stoplight. Make a right. From there go past the Krabi Airport. You'll enter a town called "Nuea Klong". Make a left up a major road - hopefully there will be a sign for the Bang San village, waterfall, or Tourist Service Center. I wouldn't count on it!

Map of Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, Krabi, Thailand.