Step into the wild heart of Thailand, where cascading waterfalls, jungle trails, and the calls of roaming elephants await in Khao Yai National Park.
Khao Yai National Park, Thailand’s oldest and most popular national park, is an extraordinary destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Spanning 2,158 sq km and located approximately three hours from Bangkok, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. Its mountainous terrain, dense forests, and stunning landscapes make it one of the best places in Thailand to experience the country’s rich flora and fauna.
The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including elephants, monkeys, bears, deer, and squirrels, as well as snakes, spiders, rodents, and countless insects. Birdwatchers will also delight in the more than 400 species of birds that inhabit the park.
We take one of the trekking trails in the park for a hike through the nature while enjoying the beautiful mountainous landscape. During this jungle hike you learn more about the flora and fauna of this beautiful wilderness. Even if you're not lucky with wildlife encounters, the massive strangler fig trees make it all worthwhile.
Khao Yai is also famous for its waterfalls. Haew Suwat is popular for its cinematic fame as the filming location for Leonardo DiCaprio’s waterfall dive in The Beach (2000). Haew Narok, the highest waterfall in the park, cascades over three tiers, with the final drop plunging 80 meters into a deep pool. Visitors can enjoy a safe hillside viewpoint for incredible photos, particularly spectacular during the rainy season.
One of the park’s highlights is the chance to see Asian elephants in the wild. Many visitors are lucky enough to spot them grazing peacefully in their natural habitat, though sightings cannot be guaranteed.
With its rich biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and unforgettable wildlife experiences, Khao Yai National Park offers a perfect escape into Thailand’s wild heart, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking adventure and natural beauty.
Important notes:
- Please note that during the dry season the water flow at Haew Suwat and Haew Narok waterfalls may be lower than usual.
- For your comfort and safety, we recommend wearing hiking-appropriate clothing: lightweight but covering (to protect against insects and leeches), along with sturdy walking shoes.
- Khao Yai is a vast national park with many wild animals, reptiles, insects, and birds. Remember, this is not a zoo; the animals roam freely in their natural habitat, and spotting them can be challenging due to the dense vegetation.
- This tour also includes sections of hiking, so please ensure you are fit for this level of physical activity before booking.
Pick up/Meeting point:
We provide hotel pick-up only from accommodations located on/near Khao San Road and on Siam Square.
If you are not an actual guest at one of the hotels in our pick-up area, the designated meeting point will be our office on Chao Khamrop Road in Chinatown. Our office in Chinatown is just a short 5-minute walk from Wat Mangkon MRT (metro) station.
For the exact location of our WanderSiam office on Google Maps, please click HERE.
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155 Comments
5
Amazing journey to Khao Yai
The experience in Khao Yai National Park is really great, our guide, Mam, and the driver were so kind and gentle. She explained the history of Bangkok to us on the outward journey, and breaks are taken if necessary for a snack, etc.
No need to pack a lunch as we stop off at a local restaurant in the park, which is absolutely delicious.
The flora and fauna are incredible and so disorientating, and Mam is always enjoyed about taking great photos or explaining what she knows about the forest and the waterfalls, that are superb.
It was just the two of us for a great nature hike.
I totally recommend!!!
5
Fun day trip
I enjoyed my trip to Khao Yai. Mam is a very attentive tour guide who provided leech repellent, helped us order lunch, and even lent me her battery and charging cable on our way back. The driver Jack (I hope I got his name right!) was friendly and helpful, offering water at each stop.
The two waterfalls can be viewed without strenuous walking, but to get a full view you’ll need to climb lots of steps for the first and some rocks for the second, so that’s something to take into account.
The rainforest is beautiful, and apart from macaques and deer we also saw interesting bugs and butterflies. It was a very convenient way to see some nature on my trip to Bangkok.
5
The best tour guides!
The driver and guide were the best. They made sure we were comfortable and accommodated everything we asked. They gave us a great tour of the National park and we got to spend plenty of time taking in nature! Loved it
5
Fun day trip
I enjoyed my trip to Khao Yai. Mam is a very attentive tour guide who provided leech repellent, helped us order lunch, and even lent me her battery and charging cable on our way back. The driver Jack (I hope I got his name right!) was friendly and helpful, offering water at each stop.
The two waterfalls can be viewed without strenuous walking, but to get a full view you’ll need to climb lots of steps for the first and some rocks for the second, so that’s something to take into account.
The rainforest is beautiful, and apart from macaques and deer we also saw interesting bugs and butterflies. It was a very convenient way to see some nature on my trip to Bangkok.
5
The best tour guides!
The driver and guide were the best. They made sure we were comfortable and accommodated everything we asked. They gave us a great tour of the National park and we got to spend plenty of time taking in nature! Loved it