Updated: 11/7/20 | November 7th, 2020
Khao Yai national Park is found about 2.5 hours north of Bangkok as well as is one of Thailand’s finest national parks. recognized in 1962, it was Thailand’s very first national park as well as is now a UNESCO world Heritage site.
I’d always heard excellent things about the park while I resided in the country. in spite of living in Thailand for a number of years, I never handled to get there. But, fortunately a got to play trip guide to a good friend from Boston on a recent see as well as utilized that as my reason to lastly make it there.
I can’t believe it took me so long.
The park is really amazing. It’s full of rich flora as well as fauna, tons of birds, waterfalls, lovely hikes, a few wild elephants, as well as is empty of tourists.
Arriving at our guesthouse in the afternoon, we were just in time to make a half-day tour. This trip brought you to a few caves as well as a natural spring. The very first cave was house to over 2,000 bats as well as utilized to be a Buddhist monastery before the regional neighborhood assisted to develop the monks a appropriate temple. However, the monks still come down right here at night to meditate. I suspect the darkness as well as tranquility are great for meditation.
Our guide seemed to be an professional in everything, showing us all the insects, speaking about the life cycle of bats, as well as even providing us a soil lesson on the structure of the dirt as well as exactly how bat guano can be utilized to make explosives. Usually, when you’re going to Thailand, trip guides are just ushers, walking you from location to place, talking about extremely little, letting you take your photos, as well as then moving on. however this guide understood everything as well as was able to discuss the history as well as zoology of not only this cave however the whole region.
The second cave featured over two million bats, as well as we shown up just in time to see them head out for their nightly feed. viewing it was like viewing something on the discovery Channel, a seemingly unlimited stream of bats flying out in quest of their evening meal as the sun set below the horizon. Our guide, who seemed to understand our cameras much better than any type of of us, was able to catch a few of it on tape for us with the telescope:
We spent the complying with day back in the park for a full day of hiking with the jungle as well as trying to area wildlife. Our day began with bird watching, complied with by a five-hour trip with the jungle. We found a great deal of birds throughout the day, including the excellent Hornbill, which has a wingspan over two meters wide. Monkeys hovered on the side of the road, as well as gibbons swung with the trees.
As we made our method with the jungle, it ended up being remove to me we were the only group on this trail, enabling us additional personal time with the animals. Usually, in northern Thailand, you see a great deal of trip groups on the trails, so it was good to lastly get somewhere where we might be alone with nature.
The monsoon season kicked in about halfway with our trek, pouring down an ocean of water on us as we made our method back to the car. The rain abated just as we hit the last few waterfalls, including the one Leonardo Di Caprio jumped off in the film The Beach.
Now, typically I never utilize Lonely world for lodging recommendations. However, this time, I did (as did everybody else at the guest house). I should state that for once, Lonely world didn’t disappoint. in spite of being in LP for years, the Greenleaf Guesthouse had not experienced in high quality (and having been back since, I can state it’s still one of the very best locations to stay).
Usually, press in a Lonely world book leads to higher costs as well as poorer quality. However, this location provided affordable accommodation, outstanding food, fairly priced tours, as well as extremely well-informed trip guides. If you ever go to Khao Yai, this location includes my greatest recommendation. I’d go back in a second.
Despite being one of the most significant as well as many widely known parks in Thailand, there were few tourists there, making for an pleasurable as well as relaxed experience. With it being only half a day from Bangkok, you ought to truly think about going to Khao Yai before you head off to the tropical islands that make Thailand so famous.
Things to See in Khao Yai national Park
Here are a few of the very best things to see during your see to the park:
Haew Suwat waterfall – This waterfall was made well-known in The beach as well as is certainly worth seeing (though unfortunately, you won’t be able to imitate Leo’s traditional jump!).
Pha Diew die perspective – At 1,100m above sea level, this is most likely the most breathtaking perspective in the park. You’ll get a sweeping view of the whole area as well as there are typically extremely few people around.
Haew Narok waterfall – This waterfall equates to “Sunken hole of Hell” which is a extremely foreboding name for a beautiful waterfall! It got its names from poachers who obviously heard the noise of its water crashing long before they saw the water as well as presumed it the crashing rumble was the gates of hell opening.
Non Pak Chi Watchtower – This is a great location to stop to try as well as see a few of the park’s wildlife, such as wild boars as well as elephants. objective to be right here for dawn or dusk for the very best chances.
See elephants (and other wild animals) – finest discovered at sunrise or sunset, there are really numerous elephants found in the park. You can discover them near a few of the salt licks around the park, though you have to be client (and lucky!). the very best method to see them (and other animals) is to go on a night safari, as numerous animals choose to be active during the great night hours. trips are organized by the park as well as expense 500 THB per car (which typically has space for as much as 8 people).
How to get to Khao Yai national Park
If you want to see the park, you’ll requirement to head to Pak Chong — it’s the closest town. Buses leave often from Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus station as well as the journey takes 3.5 hours. expect to pay around 265 THB for the bus.
You can likewise take the train from Bangkok. expect to pay at least 375 THB for the train (which takes just under 3 hours), however, tickets can expense updates of triple that.
All guesthouses will pick you up from the bus or train station if you let them understand when you’re arriving. They can likewise organize a trip of the park (full day, half-day, or multi-day). costs begin at 500 THB per person for a half-day trip as well as around 1,500 THB for a full-day tour. Admission to the park itself is 400 THB for worldwide visitors (plus 30 THB if you have a motorcycle).
You can hike numerous of the shorter tracks yourself in addition to camp in the park too. routine Songthaew service runs from Pak Chong to the park entrance, though from there it is still 10km to get into the park. The trip from Pak Chong takes around 40 minutes as well as costs 150 THB. There are restricted areas so book in advance. I wouldn’t hike the longer tracks without a guide.
Another excellent method to check out the park is by motorcycle. You can lease motorcycles close-by for 300-600 THB per day, which includes 2 helmets. cars and truck rentals are likewise offered for around 1,500 THB per day.
Conversely, if you want to see yourself however would rather not drive, you can hitchhike around the park. It’s extremely simple as well as people are typically pleased to shuttle you around.
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Book Your trip to Khao Yai: Logistical suggestions as well as Tricks
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