🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Lopburi and Phetchabun sit on more or less the same line. Driving from Lopburi town up through Lam Narai and Phu Toei into Phetchabun takes about three and a half to four hours, so the two stitch together smoothly into one trip. You spend the first morning wandering the old town before it gets too hot, drive up the mountain in the afternoon, then catch the sea fog the next morning.
This plan works best if you're driving yourself, because public transport up Khao Kho and Phu Thap Boek is awkward. If you don't have a car, you can take a Lopburi–Lom Sak bus and then rent or charter a vehicle once you're in Phetchabun, but it's far easier with your own car.
Day 1 — Lopburi old town, then drive up to Phetchabun
Give the Lopburi old town the morning through midday. The main historical sites are close together and walkable. Hit the road north in the early afternoon and you'll reach Phetchabun around evening, just before dark, which beats driving up the mountain at night.
Lopburi → Phetchabun
About the Lopburi monkeys
The old-town monkeys are smart and quick. Don't carry plastic bags or food where they can see them, and keep your glasses, hat, and phone secure. If a monkey climbs onto your car, don't panic — just drive slowly and it'll hop off on its own.
Book the activities in your Lopburi trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 2 — A full day on Khao Kho
This is the heart of the trip. Khao Kho is cooler than the lowlands, with viewpoints, pretty temples, and mountain-view cafes lined up along the road as you climb. You can loop around and pick them off one at a time. If you want to catch the Phu Thap Boek sea fog the next morning, it's worth shifting your stay over toward the Phu Thap Boek side or near the access road tonight.
Khao Kho → Phu Thap Boek
Driving in the mountains
Some stretches of the climb up Phu Thap Boek are steep and narrow. Small sedans or drivers unfamiliar with the road should take care. If you're not confident, park at the bottom and hire a local truck up to the highest point — it's safer. Fill up your tank before heading up; gas stations on the mountain are hard to find.
Day 3 — Phu Thap Boek sea fog, then head home
On the last day you're up before dawn for the sea fog. Phu Thap Boek is the highest peak in Phetchabun, and from about 5 to 6 in the morning is the golden window when the fog hangs low over the valley. Once you've got your shots, have breakfast and ease into the drive home.
Phu Thap Boek → home
Don't-miss spots on the Lopburi side
Prang Sam Yot, San Phra Kan Shrine, and King Narai's Palace — all walkable within one neighborhood.
Don't-miss spots on the Phetchabun side
Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew, the Khao Kho viewpoints, and the Phu Thap Boek sea fog at dawn.
Best time of year to go
- November–February — winter, with the thickest sea fog and cool weather, but also the most crowds. Mountain stays fill up fast, so book ahead.
- Late rainy into early winter (October) — plenty of fog and lush green hills, with fewer crowds than peak winter. A lot of people's favorite window.
- Rainy season (June–September) — green and lush, with fog after the rain, but the mountain roads get slippery, so drive carefully. The sea fog comes and goes.
- Hot season (March–May) — still cooler up the mountain than the lowlands, but less sea fog. Better for cafe-hopping and views than for chasing fog.
Rough budget per person (3 days, 2 nights)
- Fuel + tolls — split among the car, roughly 1,500–2,500 THB per vehicle for the whole trip, depending on distance and the car.
- 2 nights of lodging — about 1,200–3,000 THB per person (one night in town + one up the mountain). Good views on Phu Thap Boek cost more.
- Lopburi site entry fees — about 50 THB total (Prang Sam Yot ~10 + King Narai's Palace ~30).
- Food + cafes — about 800–1,500 THB per person over the trip.
- Rough total — about 3,500–6,000 THB per person if you split the car costs 3–4 ways.
Want to do Lopburi properly before heading up the mountain
See the Lopburi travel guide →