Amphoe Khamcha-I: Nature Trails, Temples and Cultural Heritage

Pha Ko: Nature Viewpoint and Steep Trail

Wat Tham Luang Pu Sao and Pha Ko offer a direct view of the landscape in Amphoe Khamcha-I. Wat Tham Luang Pu Sao is located in Ban Non Sa-at, in the Kham Bok subdistrict of Khamcha-i District. The Pha Ko nature viewpoint is also in Ban Non Sa-at. The route to Pha Ko starts at the temple and follows a steep nature trail uphill. Particularly steep sections, with gradients of 45 to 90 degrees, are equipped with stairs. Those interested in hiking can use this information to get a clear idea of the starting point and terrain.

Reservoir and Water Sites

The Huai Ta Pae Reservoir, established as part of a royal initiative, is in Ban Ta Pae, in the Ban Kho subdistrict of Khamcha-i District. The Forest Restoration and Research Center area has several camping areas and viewpoints. The district therefore offers a range of natural attractions: an uphill trail to a viewpoint and a reservoir with viewpoints. If you plan to use the facilities at Huai Ta Pae, check their condition before your trip.

The source area at the upper reaches of Kaeng Chang Niam Waterfall also has a special cultural significance. It is located in the Phu Si Than Wildlife Sanctuary and was designated a sacred water site in Khamcha-i District for the 2024 royal water-collecting ceremony. This designation relates to the occasion of the ceremony.

Caves, Temples and Local History

A natural cave in the Phu Noi Community Forest can be visited on foot via a steep downhill entrance. This access route is quite different from the uphill nature trail at Pha Ko. Wat Phra Buddha Foot Phu Thong, meanwhile, is defined by its location on the summit of Phu Thong. The temple is in Tum Wan village, in the Phon Ngam subdistrict of Khamcha-i District.

A description dated January 12, 2022, identifies the old chapel at Wat Chula Wiwek Ban Song as the place where Buddha images and amulets found in Thung Na Pho, Ban Song, are kept. The “On Son Chon Phu Thai” festival is another cultural highlight: it was held in 2025 in front of the Khamcha-i District Office, with residents and tourists attending the opening and visiting the festival. The festival was described as an annual event. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the dates for the relevant year.

Mukdahan in the Broader Context

In the wider destination of Mukdahan, cultural attractions and urban history are also in focus alongside natural sites. Ho Kaeo Mukdahan is a 65.50-meter-high concrete tower. From there, views extend across Mukdahan city and the Mekong River to Savannakhet on the Lao side of the river. Exhibitions at the base of the tower present the lifestyles of Mukdahan’s eight ethnic groups, the lives of people on both banks of the Mekong, and the history of Mukdahan city.

One of the natural attractions in the wider destination of Mukdahan is Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park in Pa Rai, Don Tan. The park contains the approximately 500-meter-long Phu Pha Taem Nature Trail. Phu Pha Taem is a cliff face featuring handprints and prehistoric rock paintings. The summit of Phu Sa Dok Bua also has eleven rock basins, about two to three meters wide, which hold water year-round and are overgrown with small lotus plants. Together, these broader examples illustrate the variety of natural and cultural attractions in Mukdahan, while the sites in Amphoe Khamcha-I retain their own specific points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Nong Ian, Ban Kho, Amphoe Mueang Mukdahan.

View the broader travel guide: Mukdahan.