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Ferns at Khao Luang Mountains, South ThailandThe Khao Luang Mountains, with the highest elevation of Southern Thailand were declared the 9th national park of Thailand on 18 December 1974 by the Royal Forestry Department. The park covers 571 sqkm in several districts of Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province.

Most areas are ranges of mountains and include grass land at the plains, lowland rain forest, hill forest, lower montane forest and montane forest. The top of the peninsular ranges is covered with virgin forest, making this an ideal source for streams and rivers. One of the most important river courses that originates here is Tapee River, which nurtures the land of the central peninsular. The highest peak is Khao Luang with 1835 metres altitude.

The Summits of Khao Luang Mountains, South ThailandDue to the location in the centre of a peninsular of the monsoon region, the climate in the mountains is rainy throughout the year. This begins in May and becomes heavier from October to December, but decreases in January.

February to April are comparably dry months. Temperatures at the foot of the mountains are between 22ºC and 35ºC, but might be as low as low as 5ºC on the mountain tops.

Since the area of the park is mountainous with year-round rainfall, different types of forests can be found depending on the altitude.

  
   
Trekking and hiking for wildlife, bird watching and orchids at Khao Sok, Khaosok, Khao Luang, Khao Yai, Thale Noi, Khao Nor Chuchi, Kaeng Krachan, Thale Ban and Tarutao Island in Thailand   Lowland rain forest, grows from the plains up to a height of 300 metres. This forest is dense and consists of a rich variety of species. While the ground is covered with shrubs, weeds, creepers, and other plants like ferns, taro, galanga, ginger, pandanus, and rattan, the high treetops are found at heights of up to 45 metres and mostly belong to the Dipterocarpus family.
     
Trekking and hiking for wildlife, bird watching and orchids at Khao Sok, Khaosok, Khao Luang, Khao Yai, Thale Noi, Khao Nor Chuchi, Kaeng Krachan, Thale Ban and Tarutao Island in Thailand   Hill forest covers the slopes between 300 and 1000 metres. It resembles the first type, but with more Podocarpus, giant fishtail palms and tree ferns which are found prevalent in the valleys. Rare mountain orchids are also found in this area.
     
Trekking and hiking for wildlife, bird watching and orchids at Khao Sok, Khaosok, Khao Luang, Khao Yai, Thale Noi, Khao Nor Chuchi, Kaeng Krachan, Thale Ban and Tarutao Island in Thailand   Lower montane forests is found above 1000 metres, but not exceeding 1500 metres. This zone is always covered with fog and clouds and plants growing in the high degree of moisture obviously differ from the first two types. Some prevalent timber trees are Eugenia, Schima tree and Oak, with primitive plants like filmy ferns and mosses that grow on the surfaces of tree trunks as well as rocks.
     
Trekking and hiking for wildlife, bird watching and orchids at Khao Sok, Khaosok, Khao Luang, Khao Yai, Thale Noi, Khao Nor Chuchi, Kaeng Krachan, Thale Ban and Tarutao Island in Thailand   Montane forest covers the mountain tops. Strong winds, cold temperatures and year-round fog gave this type the name of "cloud forest". A variety of Rhododendron shrubs and small Oak trees grow to a height of only 3-5 metres, most often overgrown by mosses, ferns, and lichens. The most visible plants are Dipteris and Cheiropleuria ferns, that cannot be found anywhere else in Thailand.
 
   
The Trail to Khao Luang starts at Khiriwong Village. Only 1 kilometre from there, a partly steep and shadowy trail begins. Most interesting in this area are the Som Rom Gardens, that consist of mixed fruit plantations within the original forests.  
 
Trekking and hiking for wildlife, bird watching and orchids at Khao Sok, Khaosok, Khao Luang, Khao Yai, Thale Noi, Khao Nor Chuchi, Kaeng Krachan, Thale Ban and Tarutao Island in Thailand  

To the Top of Khao Luang
 (5 days / 4nights)
 
   
 
 
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Updated: 2010-12-08

 

 

 

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