There is something magical about leaving the bustling streets of a city behind and trading them in for the serenity of nature. For those of us living in or visiting Bangkok, a great escape for a weekend is Khao Yai National Park, located just a few hours north of the city. When my stress levels reached an all time high recently, I booked a stay at the insanely relaxing Lala Mukha Tented Resort in Khao Yai and let my stress literally melt away as I reconnected with nature in this sprawling jungle.
Getting There
There are several options when planning a visit to Khao Yai National Park. While they vary in terms of price, they are all relatively easy.
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Private Car
If you have your own vehicle, than driving yourself is definitely the easiest option. While I do not own a car, I do have a motorbike and chose to drive that up to the park. It is a long ride and if you are not used to riding on motorbike, your backside may resent you. Frequent stops for breaks along the way are a must. If you do not own a car, it is possible to hire a driver to take you up there for a few thousand baht. If you are traveling with friends, this is a great option as you can split the cost.
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Bus
Buses leave from the Mo Chit Northern Bus about every hour for Pak Chong and cost 200 baht per person. The bus takes approximately 3 hours from Bangkok.
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Mini Van
This option is quite similar to taking a bus but may be slightly faster and cheaper (around 180 baht). Mini vans leave from the same bus terminal as the bus and stop in the town of Pak Chong. From there, you can grab a taxi to your hotel (if they do not provide a pick up service).
The Park
Khao Yai is the oldest national park in Thailand, extends into four different provinces (making it the third largest park in the country) and boasts an incredible amount of wildlife! For nature lovers, this place is heaven!
Most visitors to the park arrive and leave through the Northern Gate. Tickets are 400 baht for foreign adults, 200 baht for children and 40 for Thais. If you are employed within Thailand and have a work permit, it is worth bringing and asking for the Thai price; I did not remember to bring mine but if it works for you let me know! If driving your own vehicle or motorbike through the park, you will have to pay an extra charge (50 baht for cars/20 baht for motorbikes). Tickets work for just one day, so if you are in the area and want to visit multiple days, you will have to pay each time.
Once inside the park, you will pass by a shrine dedicated to the spirit of Khao Yai, Chao Por Khay Yai. If you would like to ask for protection during your visit, definitely take a moment to stop.
Khao Yai in Thai means ‘big mountain' and this is almost immediately evident as you continue into the park. The road winds steeply up a mountain with more than one breathtaking view point. At the first one, be aware of the cheeky monkeys! Many of the visitors with pick up trucks had these unwanted friends jump in the back and take all of their snacks and water! It was very funny to watch, but keep valuables close!
As you continue, the road passes through the grasslands and the start of a trailhead to the salt lick viewing point. Khao Yai is home to an incredible range of wild life and sometimes a herd of wild elephants can be seen at this view point! Unfortunately, I did not see any elephants when I visited, though I did almost bump into a small deer when walking on one of the trails!
Just past the grasslands is the Visitors Center, which is both informative and interesting. There are some exhibits on the history of the park and some cool stories about a wild tiger that used to live in the area. Nearby are some restaurants, where I saw some deer walking by looking for lunch!
In addition to the amazing animals life, Khao Yai also has some great waterfalls! If you are a fan of he movie ‘The Beach' with Leonardo Di Caprio, you may recognize Haew Suat Waterfall as the famous jump scene. In addition, Haew Nerok Waterfall is known as one of the highest and most impressive waterfalls in Thailand. Most of the waterfalls in the park (and there are many) can be reached by a drive and a short hike.
If you are an avid hiker, than Khao Yai will not disappoint. The park boasts up to 50 km of trails. Most of them remain relatively quiet; local visitors prefer to come to the park for a picnic lunch and a short hike to a waterfall.
Where to Stay
There are lots of places to stay just outside of the park. I stayed at the lovely Lala Mukha Tented Resort, and couldn't recommend it enough! To read my full review, click here!
The nearest town is Pak Chong, and is located about 20-30 minutes from the park. This makes it a convenient place to stay for visitors. For more options on hotels near Khao Yai National Park, check out an extensive list from Agoda! Most places near the park will also be able to organize a day (or night) tour of the park; be sure to ask when booking!
If you would like to be even closer to nature, you can camp in the park itself! Khao Yai National Park has two campgrounds where visitors can rent tents for 150 baht. It is also possible to rent basic camping supplies like sleeping bags, pillows and blankets for a very cheap price (15 – 50 baht). Both campsites have shower and restroom facilities.
When to Visit
Khao Yai is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. It can get very busy on the weekends and even more so over holidays. If at all possible, plan a visit during the week. In terms of weather, have a look at the weather guide from the Thai National Park website to help plan your visit accordingly:
The rainy season is May to October with high humidity. Avarage temrepatures are 27 degrees during the day and 13 degrees during the night. Perfect season for waterfalls.
The cold season is November to February with clear and sunny sky. Average temperatures of are 22 degrees during the day and down to 9-10 degrees during the night. Ideal season for hikers.
The hot season is March to April, humid with avarage daily temperatures 20-30 degrees during the day and 17 degrees during the night.
Park Information
Khao Yai National Park (info)
Hin Tung, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok 26000
Visitor Center: +66860926529
Gates open from 6:00 – 18:00
(vehicles still in the park are permitted to stay after hours. However, none are allowed to enter after 18:00 due to wild elephants damaging cars in the past)
Have you visited Khao Yai National Park? Share your experience in the comments below!