With no appropriate hiking attire, we set off to Khao Yai National Park, situated in Sankamphaeng Mountain Range, about two hours away from Bangkok. I’ve done just a bit of research when our host, my husband’s aunt, announced that we’ll be heading there as a part of our week long itinerary. They have rented a van and a driver for the week so everything was pre-arranged conveniently for us. I was looking forward to see some wild elephants although, spoiler alert, we didn’t, it still happened to be a day well spent.
Khao Yai National Park
Known as Thailand’s third largest national park, Khao Yai offers a variety of wonderful activities such as hiking, wild animal sightings, bird watching, kayaking, and camping. It’s definitely preferred to go here with your own vehicle especially if you wish to explore the huge area it covers on your own. Otherwise, there are shuttle services available, although this could hinder you from exploring all the areas you’re interested in. Khao Yai is a vast park that covers grasslands and forests, and is home to a number of waterfalls. With its colossal vicinity without the mountain range, you can expect a number of hiking trails that I can only imagine would lead to wondrous sights. If we had more time, I would have absolutely considered camping.
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Unfortunately, the driver we hired wasn’t very familiar with the park, so it was like walking around in the dark as we tried to navigate ourselves. We were glad we had an airconditioned van though. It was extremely hot that day and I suggest you definitely take this into consideration when you go. A friend of mine knew someone who went there on their own and suffered from a heatstroke. Luckily for him, a tourist came across him, or he probably wouldn’t have been found until it was too late.
Waterfalls
We did a minor hike to our first waterfall, Haew Narok. From our drop off point, we hiked at least 20-30 minutes to the viewing area of the waterfall. The hike was easy, it was more like a walk, really, with a few stairs to tackle. Nonetheless, anyone in an average physical condition can easily do it. We were with a bunch of senior citizens and they all managed to do it with flying colors. Haew Narok stands at 80 meters tall, and although it was during dry season, the flowing water wasn’t particularly as grand, though it wasn’t nearly dry either. It was still a beautiful site to see, making the short hike undeniably worth it.
We also were able to hit up Heow Suwat Waterfalls, or what I’d like to call Leonardo di Caprio Falls, the famous waterfall where Leo jumped off in The Beach. I was expecting it to be a lot bigger but I would say it stands at roughly 20-23 meters high. It takes a short hike down and it wasn’t hard to track at all if you just follow the sound of the water dripping. Unlike the first waterfall, Heow Suwat was more abundant in water. Sadly though, swimming wasn’t allowed. Rumor has it, hard-headed foreigners would jump off the waterfall when swimming was still allowed, and many were critically hurt, forcing the authorities to prohibit swimming in the area by all means. Don’t you just hate when others’ stubbornness ruin it for us? But I can’t really blame them…I’d probably want to jump off too if I could.
Animals
Now I know I say I’m so over monkeys because they’re savages. But there’s still something about seeing them in the wild that you just can’t help but to pull over and watch them for a little bit. There are a LOT of monkeys on the roads of Khao Yai! There were even more at the private concession of the park where we ate. And by then, I was about over it already. Monkeys climbing on the table scavenging for food was something I no longer find amazement from. I’ve been victimized too much by them to say the least.
We also saw a lot of deers of all kinds roaming around the campsites and even at the cafeteria. There they were, just minding their own business.
I was sad that we didn’t come across the elephant herd, but whatever your circumstances are, it’s not always guaranteed that you’ll come across them, or where you’ll find them. That’s the beauty of the wild though, isn’t it? Everything happens by chance, not by a scheduled ordeal. Whatever animal it is, I think there’s something magical about meeting animals in their natural habitat and sharing even just a split second making eye contact with them.
Another popular attraction at Khao Yai park that we missed out on was the bats. There is a bat cave somewhere in the park that we somehow we couldn’t locate despite our drivers’ ability to communicate fluently in his native tongue, where millions of bats make an appearance by sunset. We drove around for over an hour looking for it, but it just didn’t happen. Too bad. Imagine how amazing it would have been to witness that. But oh well. Maybe another time in another place.
It turned out to be a wonderful day, regardless of what we missed out on. What better way to end our day than with local Thai beer? Singha for me and Chang for him. Then off we went to our two hour ride back to the city to start another adventure. This is just one of the many reasons I’ll never get tired of Thailand. The adventure never ends.
Have you been to Khao Yai National Park? How was your experience? Let’s chat! Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram fro more updates and inspiration by yours truly 🙂
Oh I loved Khao Yai! Saw some crazy animals there! I’d reckon a knowledgeable guide next time, nevertheless I’m glad you enjoyed the day 😉
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What an awesome visual tour! I would love to see those waterfalls myself. It’s too bad you can’t swim in them, that would’ve been a fun experience.
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The waterfalls look spectacular and Im sure a welcome site after a long hike. I agree with you about monkeys, they aren’t always the most friendly.
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Thailands hidden beach and falls have been commercialized because of the hollwoods films like the beach . Its great to see those places for sure
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I would love to visit Khao Yai National Park! It’s so beautiful and also perfect to bring a special someone! Haha! Again, great photos ;D
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That photo of you in the bikini, where did you swim? Everything i read here says you can’t swim at the falls you went to.
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Didn’t swim. I had it on and it was appropriate so I took off my yoga pants for the pictures 😂
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The name itself already tells me it is a place in Thailand.. Haha! Never been to Khao Yai National Park, but been to others. Guess the experience is similar~ Just that I didn’t see deer!
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Love the photo of you on that big rock! So cool~ Love how you are confident of your body… I’m glad the monkey didn’t do any stunts and grab you! teehee
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Looks like a beautiful place! Will definitely keep it in mind next time I’m in BKK. Who needs proper hiking gear anyways ^^?
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Wow! I am stunned by the waterfall! Khao Yai, pleased to meet you! 🙂 It’s my first time to hear about it. And yes, I wanna go there too!
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wow this place looks great – we will be in thailand in feb next and will definitely look up Khao Yai National Park – we will seek the bats out for you and send you some photos – or feature in our travel video series !
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Not really a fan of exploring waterfalls because they are found inside forests which is kind of scary. But I do appreciate photos of them.
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The water falls looks really beautiful. The park also has a lot of flora and fauna attractions.
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Love that there were a lot of wild life around the area too. It’s so sad you can’t swim here but well I love the park already.
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I wish i could see more of these vast national parks. In our country, development is taking over at such a fast rate it seems, I am very concerned about these places and the wildlife in them. – Fred
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This looks like an awesome adventure! You saw quite a lot of wild life! And that waterfall looks like such fun! Thanks for sharing!
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Very nice place to explore and really amazing to interact with wild life. The rocks and water are really refreshing to stay.
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ow this is my first time heard of Khao Yai National Park. This place is really serene and beautiful for relaxation.
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This place looks soooo coooll.. You look liked you realy enjoyed the trip.. I wish I can go here someday.. 🙂
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It’s amazing how many animals are around most of your pictures. It looks so awesome around there.
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I’ve never been there but those waterfalls look lovely.
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Thailand’s 3rd largest park and I’d never heard of it. The shame! Looks like a stunning place to visit, and so convenient from BKK. Have to say I’m with you on the monkeys though, vicious little things sometimes aren’t they!
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I love going hiking in National Parks, so I’ll have to put Khao Yai on my list! Great pics
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I never been to Khao Yai National Park, but would love to visit someday 🙂
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I never been to Khao Yai National Park, but would like to visit it someday 🙂
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The waterfalls look stunning! I missed this the last time I was in Thailand so I’ll just have to put it on my list for next time! 😉
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No better way to end the day than with a cold Thai beer 🙂 Those monkeys would have scared the crap out of me!
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this looks really beautiful, I can’t wait to head over here next year. Hope you see an elephant herd some other time!
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Wauw, looks like a beautiful place! Saw some parcs in the north of Thailand, some less visited ones, and loved that too! Think there really is some good nature to discover in here 🙂
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This is so awesome! Researching Thailand now so I am going to add this straight to the list!
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I only saw monkeys in cages, would love to see them in the jungle ( as long as they are safe and friendly) 😉
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This looks amazing! I love all the monkey photos and it looks like the weather was perfect!!
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Gotta love monkeys and waterfalls!!
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That national park looks nice for a day trip…..hmmm hiking picnic plus waterfalls perfect getaway I would say.
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There’s absolutely new things and places you get to learn from the internet. I never heard of this beauty however it sure does look like an amazing place to hike!
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Very nice! I prefer national parks to cities, because I can charge my energy better in the nature! 🙂
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No, I haven’t been to Khao Yai, actually I haven’t been to Thailand. But I sure wouldn’t mind taking the hike if I ever get there, I love that falls, it’s beautiful. I like how you call it, the Leonardo di Caprio falls hahaha…
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Awesome trip. Me and my wife are planning to visit the park soon and hoping to see the wild elephants but not too close! lol
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