Khao Chang Phueak & Cow Ridge Adventure with Sangkhla Slow Life

Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Season: November–January

Price: 2050 AUD / person

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This journey is designed for trekkers who love thrill and balance — challenging ridgelines by day, slow cultural moments by night.

The trek begins with the dramatic ridges of Khao Chang Phueak, where narrow knife-edge paths demand focus, confidence, and a steady pace. The adventure continues to San Nok Wua (Cow Ridge), offering wide open views, misty valleys, and peaceful forest camps.

Between these two mountain challenges, the rhythm softens in Sangkhla Buri — a rare pause to rest tired legs, enjoy riverside sunsets, explore Mon culture, and reconnect with simple local life. This town day is intentionally placed to reset the body and mind before the next trek begins.

Camping is fully immersive, with nights under star-filled skies and mornings welcomed by mist and mountain light. Trekkers carry their own personal gear, encouraging self-reliance while keeping the experience authentic and rewarding.

Trip Overview

  • Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

  • Difficulty: ★★★⭑☆ (3.5 / 5) — Challenging trek with exposed ridges and steep climbs

  • Trekking Style: Guided trek · Tent camping

    • Narrow knife-edge ridge sections
    • Steep ascents and descents
    • Good balance and confidence with heights required
    • Basic camping skills essential

  • Accommodation: Camping & local camp stay

  • Season: November – January

Experienced hikers, adventurous trekkers, and confident beginners with strong fitness and no fear of heights.

What Makes This Trek Special

  • Two Iconic Ridge Treks in One Journey
    Combine the legendary Knife-Edge Ridge of Khao Chang Phueak with the wide, misty panoramas of San Nok Wua (Cow Ridge) — two of Thailand’s most memorable mountain trails.

  • Perfect Balance of Adventure & Slow Travel
    Intense trekking days are thoughtfully balanced with a relaxed cultural stay in Sangkhla Buri, allowing the body to recover while the mind unwinds.

  • A True Self-Supported Experience
    Trekkers carry their own personal gear, creating a deeper sense of independence, connection to the trail, and personal achievement.

  • Sunrise, Sunset & Star-Filled Nights
    Wake to golden mist rolling through valleys, end days with dramatic ridge sunsets, and sleep beneath clear mountain skies far from city lights.

  • Remote Landscapes Few Ever See
    Trek through protected forests, high ridgelines, and secluded campsites rarely visited by mass tourism.

Camping Style


This trek involves simple tent camping in a remote wildlife sanctuary. Sleeping arrangements are basic. Nights can be cold, especially in winter months, and temperatures drop significantly after sunset. Camp life is quiet and immersive, surrounded by open grasslands and mountain air.

Food


Meals are prepared by our trekking team and include simple, hot, and energising dishes. Packed lunches and snacks are provided for the trail. Please advise dietary needs in advance.

Facilities


Facilities are extremely limited. There are no showers, electricity, or mobile signal at camp. Toilets are basic and shared where available.

Trail Conditions


Trails vary from forest paths and tall grasslands to narrow, exposed ridges. Some sections require careful footing and a steady pace. The knife ridge is narrow but non-technical and guided at all times.

Experience Level

No climbing or mountaineering skills are required, but participants should be comfortable with heights, steep terrain, and sustained hiking.

Weather & Environment

Mountain weather can change quickly. Expect cool mornings, strong winds along ridges, and cold nights. Mist and cloud cover are common, especially at sunrise.

Pack Weight

Participants carry personal items in a daypack. Shared gear and food are managed by the team where applicable. Packing light is strongly recommended.

Respect for Nature

This trek takes place in a protected national park. All participants must follow Leave No Trace principles and park regulations at all times.

Trip Itinerary

  • Travel west from Bangkok into the mountains of Kanchanaburi. Stop at the historic Bridge over the River Kwai before continuing along scenic mountain roads to E-Tong Village, a quiet border settlement near Pilok.
    Settle into accommodation, enjoy dinner in the village, and rest before trekking begins.

    Overnight: E-Tong Village
    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  • After park registration and a final gear check, begin trekking toward Khao Chang Phueak. The trail climbs steadily through forest and open grassland toward the ridge.
    In the afternoon, walk the iconic Knife-Edge Ridge — a narrow, exhilarating section offering dramatic views in every direction. Camp on the ridge and enjoy sunset and stargazing.

    Trekking time: 4–5 hours
    Overnight: Ridge campsite
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Wake early for sunrise from the ridge summit. After breakfast, descend back toward E-Tong Village.
    In the afternoon, transfer through winding mountain roads to Sangkhla Buri, a peaceful border town known for its wooden Mon Bridge and lakeside scenery.

    Overnight: Sangkhla Buri
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • A full day to rest and enjoy the gentle rhythm of Sangkhla Buri.
    Sleep in, enjoy a relaxed riverside breakfast, and stroll across the iconic Mon Bridge. Explore Mon villages, wooden houses, and local temples, or take an optional boat ride on the Vajiralongkorn Reservoir.
    Free time for photography, café hopping, or simply enjoying the quiet lakeside atmosphere.

    Overnight: Sangkhla Buri
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Travel to Khao Laem National Park and transfer by park vehicle to the trailhead. Begin trekking through forested terrain toward San Nok Wua.
    The trail combines gentle sections with steeper climbs, opening to wide views toward Khao Laem Dam. Camp in a quiet valley near the ridge and hike to a nearby viewpoint for sunset.

    Trekking time: 5–6 hours
    Overnight: Tent camping
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Wake before dawn to hike to the San Nok Wua summit. If conditions allow, enjoy sunrise and a sea of mist stretching across the surrounding mountains.
    After breakfast, descend the trail and stop for lunch at Pom Pi Viewpoint. In the afternoon, return to Kanchanaburi and continue onward to Bangkok.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Upcoming departure dates

Departure Finish
8 Nov 2026 13 Nov 2026
29 Nov 2026 4 Dec 2026
20 Dec 2026 25 Dec 2026
17 Jan 2027 22 Jan 2027

Looking for a different date?
Private trips are available on request.

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