Khao Thalu Mountain Tour


Running the full length of Chumphon's western border is the Tenasserim Mountain Range. Halfway down the range is the village of Khao Thalu. Here you will find mountain top views, canyons, nature trails, caves and coffee from locally grown beans.

Khao Thalu is in the Sawi district of Chumphon. Sawi is primarily a farming area where crops of durian, rubber, palm and coffee are grown. It's a robuster coffee bean they grow here so for some it might be a bit bitter. There is even a brand of coffee named after the area of Khao Thalu.

First to get there. Khao Thalu is 75 km south of Chumphon town. Take Highway 41 (Asia Highway) from Chumphon town for some 50 km til you reach the Khao Pip intersection (it's the first set of traffic lights after Chumphon town, a Tesco store is on the right just before the intersection). Turn right at the intersection onto road No. 4139 and after 16 km turn left onto road No. 4091 in the direction of Ban Khao Khai.

1 The Khao Thalu Hole

When you drive up from the Asia Highway you will know you are getting close to Khao Thalu for you will see a large hole towards the top of the mountain. The best advantage point to view the hole is from Wat Santi Khiriwanaram which is up on a hill opposite the mountain range.

2 The Grand Canyon

The Hin Dam river has cut its way through dark limestone rocks to form a small gorge.  Locally known as The Grand Canyon. It's about 1km long and the water is generally not deep nor fast flowing. Beside the gorge can also be found a series of round boulders which look a little out of place. The locals have named this their Stonehenge.

3 Thip Prida

Thip Prida is a temple where a series of caves can be found. They are small caves and most have been made into places of worship. If worried about bats there are very few here having been scared away by the construction. The cave to visit is the one on the far left as you face the mountain. It feels like a small tunnel for you are soon back out into sunlight. In fact, you have entered a sinkhole where a very long time ago the cave ceiling collapsed. The sinkhole is not that big, would guess not more than 40m across, but inside it has not been touched and is as nature has left it. In the centre is a huge Ta-khian tree which towers out of the sinkhole. Also found in the temple grounds is a 10m tall sitting Buddha.

4 Doi Tapang Viewpoint

The location given is for a coffee shop for it is advised not to drive yourself up to the viewpoint (you will see for yourself why). Beside the coffee shop is a place that operates pickup trucks that will take you up the mountain. The cost is 500 Baht for the truck and within this price 10 persons can go. The drive to the summit is about 2 km, takes 15 minutes and you go through rubber plantations, durian and coffee orchards including a little bit of raw jungle. The view from the summit is amazing and you can look across the hills to the mountain with the hole in it. From the summit the truck takes you round to the north eastern side of the mountain where there is a campsite. Possible to rent a tent at 300 Baht a night, or if you are going to pitch your own tent it's 100 Baht. In this area the local farmer is growing coffee and durian, and amazing how he is doing it considering the steepness of the mountain.

5 Nam Lot Yai Cave

Nam Lot Yai Cave is the longest cave in Chumphon at 1095m. The Sawi river which flows through Khao Thalu runs under the mountain by way of this cave. This is where the river exits the cave (Resurgence Entrance). Access is easy with steps provided for steep sections. During the dry season the river nearly dries up so it's possible to walk the cave by its entire length. 

6 Khao Tianmenshan

Khao Tianmenshan is not the real name of this mountain but has been nicknamed after the famous mountain found in China. Not sure the reason but the local Temple here has built a shrine high up on the side of the mountain range. It is a long, steep in places, climb up to the shrine and generally takes about 40 minutes. Counted a total of 562 steps! No climbing over rocks for a concrete path/steps are installed all the way and for steep sections steel ladders. Also 90% of the time you are under the shade of trees. From the shrine you get some lovely views to the east. It is also possible to go up to the ridge where you can get the view looking westwards. The path up to the ridge works its way round to a short through cave. The locals have named this Heaven's Gate ประตูสววรค์ for the path goes right through the cave and out onto the other side of the mountain. 
At the base of the mountain here a cave can be found, again one with a river passing through. Whilst the cave is 600m long it is really only possible to explore the first 50m. This cave is recorded under a separate blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2016/08/nam-lot-cave.html

7 Wat Tham Ruesi

Wat Tham Ruesi you will find another Buddha that has been built at an elevated position offering great views northwards. Unlike Nam Lot you can drive most of the way up, so no long climb. You will find a cave that is actually still higher up and from the entrance you can look out over the top of the Buddha.


Other nereby places of interest which are worth visiting if you have time.

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