Khao Yai
Khao Yai National Park covers an area of over 2000 square kilometers in the four provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachin Buri.
It was the first national park in Thailand and has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Khao Yai has three main seasons, with an annual mean temperature of 23 ° C, though this varies greatly with the seasons.
Rainy Season: May - October.
During this season, it rains most days, resulting in stunning waterfalls. The atmosphere is humid and flora and fauna flourish, whilst after the rain there is clean air and clear visibility.
Cool season: November - February.
This is the most popular time to visit Khao Yai, as clear, sunny and cool weather is ideal for hiking and nice sunsets are common. The days average around 22° C, while the nights can drop to 10° C.
Hot Season: March - April.
During this season it is dry and often windy. Waterfalls can be dry by April.
The park has several mountains of around 1000 metres including Khao Khieo and is host to almost 2,500 plant species, 67 different kinds of mammals and over 300 species of birds.
The abundant wildlife includes many endangered mammals such as elephants, gibbons, tigers, leopards and Malaysian sun bears.
The entire area is criss-crossed by hiking trails, ranging in length from one and a half to eight kilometres.
There are also many waterfalls, the tallest and most spectacular of which is Haew Narok at 150 metres. Haew Suwat is interesting as the location of the famous 'jump' in the movie The Beach.
Towering trees draped in mosses, climbers and epiphytes, tangled trunks of the strangling figs, drooping lianas and spiny rattan palms, delicate ferns, multicoloured lichens and an ever-changing array of fungi.
There is always something new to discover in the forest.
Khao Yai’s forests are teeming with wildlife and birds. Gibbons, Sambar, Barking Deer, Elephants, Civets, Squirrels, Porcupines, and Wild Pigs add a bit of variety.
Snakes, Lizards, Geckos Cicadas are all here as well as over 320 species of birds.
By far the most prolific are the bats because nearly 1 million insect eating bats live in a cave on the edge of the Park.
Khao Yai is also great for hiking and there are six Hiking Trails between 2-8 kilometers long and 1-5 hours walking time.
Khao Yai National Park has a sealed two-lane road running right through it's midst.
A slow drive along this road normally provides good viewing of deer, gaurs, monkeys and if you're lucky elephants crossing the road.
Click here for Picture-Narrative on Khao Yai.
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Tour Details
One Day Tour Khao Yai
Tour departs Bangkok 7:30 am
Enter Khao Yai through Northern Entrance
- Optional Elephant Ride - 500 Baht extra
A slow drive through the park to see the wildlife
- Arrive at Khao Yai Visitor Centre
- Walk the Kong Kaew Nature Trail
- Enjoy lunch at Thai restaurant
Drive on through the Park stopping at:
- Haew Suwat Waterfall
- walk to the bottom of the falls
- enjoy a refreshing swim
Exit Khao Yai through Southern Entrance
- Stop at Nong Cha Om Fruit Market
Late afternoon will see a return to Bangkok.
Two Day Tour Khao Yai
Day One:
Tour departs Bangkok 7:30 am
Enter Khao Yai through Northern Entrance
- Optional Elephant Ride - 500 Baht extra
A slow drive through the park to see the wildlife
- Arrive at Khao Yai Visitor Centre
- Walk the Kong Kaew Nature Trail
- Enjoy lunch at Thai restaurant
Drive on through the Park stopping at:
- Haew Suwat Waterfall
- walk to the bottom of the falls
- enjoy a refreshing swim
Exit Khao Yai through Southern Entrance
- Check-in Kao Yai Grandview Resort
- Night Safari in Khao Yai National Park
Meals: Lunch
Day Two:
After breakfast re-enter Khao Yai National Park
- Haew Narok Waterfall
- 800 trail walk to waterfall
- Lunch at Thai Restaurant
- Pha Daew Dai Cliff View
Exit Khao Yai through Northern Entrance
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Late afternoon return to Bangkok.
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