Khao Yai National Park is a breathtaking expanse of more than 2,000 square kilometers, featuring lush evergreen forests, towering mountains, and vibrant grasslands. This remarkable park is home to numerous hiking trails that cater to both novice and experienced trekkers. Discover stunning waterfalls, with Haew Narok being the tallest at an impressive 80 meters. Rich in biodiversity, Khao Yai supports a variety of wildlife, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Experience the unique ecosystems, diverse flora, and fauna as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khao Yai National Park is a true paradise for adventurers seeking both relaxation and thrilling outdoor activities.
Khao Yai National Park, located in northeastern Thailand, spans over 2,000 square kilometers and is renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. The park features enchanting evergreen forests, majestic mountains, and expansive grasslands, creating a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Hiking trails meander through this lush environment, providing visitors with the chance to explore the area’s diverse ecosystems. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, Khao Yai has a trail that suits your needs. As you trek through the park, you’ll witness an array of wildlife, including elephants, gibbons, and various bird species that inhabit the region.
Among the park’s many attractions are its spectacular waterfalls. Haew Narok, the tallest waterfall in Khao Yai, plunges an impressive 80 meters, making it a must-see for visitors. The cascading waters create a serene atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and photography.
In addition to the breathtaking scenery, Khao Yai National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its ecological significance and natural beauty. Visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature, enjoying picnics, birdwatching, or simply soaking in the stunning views the park has to offer.
As you explore Khao Yai National Park, you’ll create lasting memories in one of Thailand’s most treasured natural landscapes, embracing the adventure, serenity, and awe-inspiring beauty that await.
อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาใหญ่ (ปากพลี, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Khao Yai National Park is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking , Thailand
This park has got very good views, lots of animals and birds, hornbills, snakes, monkeys, elephants and other exotic species. We spent a very lovely day there and enjoyed Sai Sorn reservoir and Haew Narok waterfall. We were lucky not to face leeches at all. 🙂
Khao Yai is a gorgeous national park and a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s 120 miles from Bangkok, so it does require a time investment to get there. We arranged a driver with our hotel—$110 for 10 hours. The park is part of the foraging range of elephants, so you could come around a bend in the road or on the trail and see elephants! Sadly, we did not get that lucky. But we did see a bunch of monkeys and a very cool reptile.The park has several trails ranging 1-8km with waterfalls and rope bridges. So lots of choices. We saw a really gorgeous waterfall, I think it was Haew Narok waterfall. Beautiful, but be advised, many steps to get to the bottom of it—the steps are steep but shallow, so anyone with a large foot may want to walk them sideways (we saw people doing that.) We had a great time.
To be fair, this review is based on a comparison with other national parks in other countries which I have been to. If without comparison, I would have given a higher rating.The road there is singular and two-way; the final stop is the entrance to a military facility. That’s where I stopped for a quick lunch at their supposed canteen (probably originally meant for the military but now opened to public). Also good nice views for photos. Note that there are many snack stops along the wayThe visitor centre is where you can buy hats and leech socks and other souvenirs. They only accept cash (which is strange, considering that this is the only souvenir shop in the one visitor centre of a national park). My suggestion to you is to get your own leech socks and wear them before you come. If not, please buy those leech socks at this shop. I have been warned by a friend who was bitten by a leech. There are a few waterfalls which you have to reach through trails. There are multiple trails, some as short as 300m while the longest is 3km. We were actively walking towards one waterfall, without stopping, and then suddenly my friend in front of me had a sensation of something crawling on his ankle. He bent down and saw a leech but it was wriggling and trying to climb higher. We grabbed it and killed it immediately. Now, you have been warned: the leech actually climbed up my friend’s shoe WHILE we were walking nonstop.In those few seconds that we paused to get rid of this leech, my friend spotted another leech on the ground crawling – at a rather alarming speed – towards us. These leeches can be paralysed/extinguished using insect repellant (with DEET) and alcohol hand sanitizer. At that point we just lost the mood to continue and we promptly trekked back to our car. Ok, seriously, it’s only a potential leech bite. But we were just not accustomed to the idea of a creature stuck onto our skin and just having its fill of blood. Just be warned that these KhaoYai leeches are small, slender, hungry, fast and tenacious. Well, we did see a couple of sambal deers and hornbills. No elephants in sight today. There were of course, multiple view points and waterfalls, and as I said, if you haven’t been to other national parks, these would be eye-opening. But for us, thanks but no thanks.
When l joined G4Fun group in the early years, the routine format was a golf game every day. Recently, our Captain has slotted in one day for non golf Khao Yai is a must for all enthusiasts of heritage national parks. National parks exist in almost all countries. The variety is diverse. For the Khao Yai national park the options vary from simple visits to more elaborate ones requiring 2 or more days. The tour agency looking after us planned a half day visit. We started from the hotel at 9am and came down to the base at 11.30am.The group took 2 vehicles seating total 34 people to tour the site.We made 3 stops. First stop at the Heritag centre, then reservoir and waterfall.Skip the reservoir. Can also skip the waterfall unless you have never seen a waterfall. I counted 115 steps down to the waterfall so this is definitely a no no for those that are not physically fit.The bus ride from base to top is about 45min.In Sep 2013, a sister park agreement was signed by Khao Yai National Park with Great Smoky Mountain National Park of the US. This is a world heritage site, a must for supporters of sustainable forest conservation.
It’s true that Tourists pay 10 times more than locals for entrance fee but the area is lovely and worth a drive from Bangkok. Waterfalls. Wildlife – deer, birds, porcupines. We saw elephant tracks but no elephants for the 2 days we were there – locals said we just missed them. Can stay overnight in tents to watch wildlife – it is popular amongst the locals. The night safari is at best average. Our guide wasn’t very experienced and didn’t appear to have a lot of training- our group spotted wildlife before she did but driving out at night in an open air jeep after the reserve is closed is thrilling. The reserve looks managed by the army so it’s basic but you can rent tents, sleeping mats, blankets and even torches. After sun down, there are not much food options and while there are showers / bathrooms at campsite – don’t expect hot water and in January it got fairly cold in the morning. There’s a cafe that opens in the morning and several mobile vans that offer juices and simple meals.
I went there with 2 thai friends I paid 10 times more then them (400 baht) despite I live in Thailand for years and pay taxes here
Well worth the entry fee to take your time soaking in the scenary and wildlife. It just has to be a beautifully serene place to visit and would highly recommend to anyone. So many photograph opportunities and the only downside for us was having a four old son which meant for safety reasons it was not advisable to go to the waterfalls. But that did not detract anything from our time there.
Khao Yai National Park is a fantastic destination for anyone seeking a break from the bustling city life. The park boasts nearly untouched nature, teeming with wildlife, including the majestic wild elephants. While I wasn’t lucky enough to spot them on my visit, the experience was still remarkable.The scenic car route through the park is breathtaking, and for those who enjoy walking, there are numerous hiking trails to explore. I opted for a small hike to a watchtower overlooking a serene lake often used by elephants as a watering hole—perfect for quiet reflection and a chance to connect with nature.I would highly recommend taking a guided tour, especially for safety reasons, as you might encounter elephants or other wild animals during your hike. The guides are knowledgeable and ensure you get the most out of your visit.Accommodation options are plentiful, with several charming hotels located just outside the park. However, a downside is the pricing disparity for foreigners, who pay around four times the price of locals. While this policy is disappointing, the experience is still well worth the cost.Overall, Khao Yai National Park is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and a great day trip destination. Whether you’re driving through or exploring on foot, the park offers an unforgettable journey into Thailand’s natural beauty.
The restrooms are spick and span. I adore the warning signs about monkey attacks. We looked around a fantastic gift shop. You may purchase leech socks there. I wasn’t able to explore much because it was raining. The prospect of a leech assault was too much to bear while forging on.
The park itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s easy to see why. It’s vast, diverse, and packed with wildlife, waterfalls, and lush green landscapes.
We booked a tour with Tontan Travel and it was fantastic. We did the one day/night tour. Our guide was friendly and enthusiastic. I recommend doing a tour as the guides have keen eyes to spot animals and birds that we would have missed. They obviously have a network to alert when an elephant was in sight. We saw heaps of animals and had a fabulous day. The park is beautiful. It was definitely a highlight of my holiday.
The park offers more than just stunning vistas; it provides an opportunity to observe the diverse wildlife that inhabits the area. A knowledgeable tour guide can significantly enhance this experience by leading visitors to optimal viewing spots and identifying various species. The park’s facilities are well-maintained, with clean and hygienic restrooms. The humorous warning signs about potential monkey encounters add a touch of lightheartedness to the visit. Additionally, the well-stocked gift shop offers a variety of souvenirs, including practical items such as leech socks.
We have just finished a two day and night safari tour in Khao Yai National Park book through the National Park Website which is booked via Tonton Travel.Firstly, the booking process was easy! We had ALOT of questions so there was a lot of email exchange back and forth, but Tonton travel were great at being piatent with us, giving us all options available so we could make the right decision on what tour we went with and travel to and from etc. We chose a private tour with pick up and drop from Bangkok which we believe to be reasonably priced for what you getThe tour itself..Our guide (Tata- not sure on spelling!!) was AMAZING! He picked us up from our hotel the first morning and he was so friendly and made us feel very welcome from the moment we met him.He has such a passion for this national park and for the wildlife who inhabit it. We were in awe of his eyesight and ability to spot the animals high up in trees or far far in the distance just using this eyes! We would HIGHLY recomend doing a tour, and if you can afford to, a private one as you get so much more value out of it. We had to be really quiet as we went through the jungle hikes and by doing so saw all different types of wildlife, if you are in a bigger group, you can’t guarantee everyone will be as quiet etc. And might ruin your chance of seeing animals.This park is more than just the views, it is about the wildlife that live there and by having a tour guide, they know the spots where you find them and can spot them out for you etc. We had a fantastic tour and would definitely tell everyone to book through Tonton! We managed to see:GibbonsMacaquesHornbillsWater monitorsWater dragonsSnakesSpidersAn abundance of birds (we can’t remember them all!!)Black squirrelsAND AN ELEPHANT!(we were super lucky!!)
It was our first time at the park and did not have a planned itinerary. We chose a few stops for photos (Khao Yai’s 30km viewpoint, Kong Kaew Nature Study Route and a few others); but the highlight for this trip was the visit to Haew Suwat Falls. If you plan to go all the way to the falls, it is best to wear appropriate footwear as it can be rocky and quite slippery.Be ready to pay for entrance. For foreign visitors it is THB200/pax and an additional THB30 for your vehicle (we took the Pakchong entrance).Will surely come back, and maybe even stay overnight at a camping site.
We have a guide who drove us and showed us where to stop along the national park. Took photos and tried some short trails to see waterfalls. Quite a fun day out in the sun. Spotted a few animals like monkey, deer, monitor lizard, but not elephant…
I toured the national park with a group of five other members. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and had many interesting points regarding the fauna and landscape of the national park. We successfully navigated the dense forests/jungles with our guide’s expertise and experienced many great wonders i.e three 3 waterfalls. I would highly recommend this hike for those seeking a lovely escape from the city.
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