Through 1 March, climbers in Thailand will be able to get a firsthand look at one of the country’s most stunning vistas – but not for long.

At nearly 985 feet (300m) and jutting out into the Gulf of Thailand in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan , the beachside hill of Khao Lom Muak offers unobstructed views of the nearby coastline and its bays, islets, plus the town of Prachuap Khiri Khan itself. A nature preserve that’s home to both free-roaming dusky langurs (spectacled leaf monkeys) and Wing 5 of the Prachuap Air Base, Khao Lom Muak is only open during national holidays and local tourism fairs – and you’re only allowed to climb in the morning, before the sun’s heat is prohibitive.

It’s not a free-for-all, though. Climbers must enter the base between 6:00 and 10.30 am, register for their trek, and have their blood pressure checked, the requisite drinking water, proper footwear (no flip-flops!), and gloves in tow. It’s a two-hour ascent to the top, first an easy hike up a gently sloping 496-step stairway, punctuated by nature trails and lookouts toward the peak, but from there, the trail only gets more difficult, culminating in a rope trail leading to the limestone cliff at the top.

And there’s no lounging at the top – by noon, everyone will be asked to head back down to sea level. The base is open to the public, though, and it boasts an array of peaceful white-sand beaches, as well as a small history museum focusing on the local heroics during World War II.

The quiet town of Prachuap Khiri Khan is 186 miles (300km) south of Bangkok on highway 4 and just an hour’s drive from Hua Hin and its busy resorts. According to the Bangkok Post , Khao Lom Muak will next be open during Songkran, the Thai New Year, in April. To check the schedules, call 032-611-031 or visit the tourism authority’s Prachuap Facebook page for more information.

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