A Backpacking Trip into the Wilderness with My Wife

This trip was a backpacking adventure where we carried our tents up the mountain. Doi Luang Mae Lamao is located in Phop Phra District, Tak Province. On the first day, we started our hike, covering about 5-6 kilometers, mostly uphill. We walked at a moderate pace and reached our first campsite in about 4 hours. The scariest part of the journey was the leeches. No matter how careful you are, you will get bitten. I got bitten in several spots, so let's just say I donated some blood. The first campsite had a sign on the cover photo, and the evening light here was beautiful. We took lots of pictures while Joy, our trip leader, and the porters prepared our meal, finishing with a dessert of pumpkin in coconut milk. We then went to sleep. The next morning, we packed up our tents and hiked over three mountains to our second campsite. Along the way, there were even more leeches, but we got used to them and could flick them off easily. The evening light at the second campsite was stunning, offering a panoramic view. However, this campsite also had gnats that bit us, leaving my legs covered in bites. On the last morning, we packed up and hiked down a steep 6-kilometer path, using ropes in some sections. It took us about 3 hours to reach a cornfield where a four-wheel-drive vehicle picked us up and took us back to our van. We then headed back to Bangkok to treat the bites from the leeches and gnats. Despite the challenges, my wife wasn't deterred, and we're already looking for an even tougher trip to take next time.