If you are looking for a scenic and relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, Khao Yai is the perfect destination for you. Khao Yai is a region in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima, about 3 hours drive from the capital city. It is home to the Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts diverse wildlife, lush forests, and majestic waterfalls. Khao Yai is also known for its European-style villages, wineries, cafes, and hotels that will make you feel like you are in a fairy tale.
Whether you are a nature lover, a culture enthusiast, or a foodie, Khao Yai has something for everyone. In this article, we will show you the best things to do, when to visit, and how to get to Khao Yai, so you can plan your trip and enjoy this scenic paradise.
How to Get to Khao Yai
There are two main options to get to Khao Yai from Bangkok: booking a private car charter custom tour or renting a car and self-driving. Both options have their pros and cons, depending on your preferences and budget.
Booking a private car charter custom tour
This option is ideal if you want to enjoy the convenience and flexibility of having a driver and a guide who can take you to the best spots in Khao Yai. You can customize your itinerary according to your interests and schedule, and avoid the hassle of navigating the roads and finding parking.
You can also learn more about the history and culture of Khao Yai from your guide, and get insider tips and recommendations. The price of a private car charter custom tour varies depending on the number of passengers, the duration of the tour, and the type of vehicle. You can book your tour online with reputable websites and enjoy discounts and deals.
Renting a car and self-driving
This option is ideal if you want to have more freedom and adventure in exploring Khao Yai at your own pace. You can rent a car from Bangkok and drive to Khao Yai, which takes about 3 hours on average.
You can choose your own route and stop at any attractions or viewpoints along the way. You can also save money on the transportation cost, especially if you are traveling with a group of friends or family. However, you need to be comfortable and confident in driving in Thailand, as the roads can be busy and confusing. You also need to pay for the tolls, gas, and parking fees. You can rent a car online with reputable websites and compare prices and reviews.
When to Visit Khao Yai
The best time to visit Khao Yai is between November and April, when the weather is cool and clear, and some seasonal attractions are open, such as the sunflower fields and the strawberry farms. This is also the peak season for tourism, so you can expect more crowds and higher prices.
If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy lower prices, you can visit Khao Yai between May and October, which is the wet season. However, you need to be prepared for the rain, which can affect your travel plans and the visibility of the scenery. You also need to be careful of the leeches and mosquitoes that are more active during this time. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the weather and the climate in Khao Yai:
- Wear comfortable and breathable clothes, as the temperature can range from 15°C to 35°C throughout the year.
- Bring a jacket or a sweater, as the nights can be chilly, especially in the higher altitudes.
- Pack a raincoat or an umbrella, as the rain can be unpredictable, especially in the wet season.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as the sun can be strong, especially in the dry season.
- Wear sturdy and waterproof shoes, as the terrain can be rough and muddy, especially in the national park.
- Bring insect repellent, as the insects can be annoying, especially in the wet season.
Best Things to Do in Khao Yai
Khao Yai offers a variety of attractions and activities that are scenic, fun, or unique. You can spend a day or two exploring the national park, or visit the European-inspired villages, wineries, cafes, and hotels. You can also enjoy the views and food at the various restaurants and lodges, or have a chocolate feast at the chocolate factory. Here are some of the best things to do in Khao Yai, organized into categories:
Culture
Get artsy fartsy cultural at Khao Yai Art Museum: This is a modern art museum that showcases the works of Thai and international artists, as well as sculptures, paintings, and installations. You can admire the art pieces, take photos, and learn more about the artists and their inspirations.
The museum also has a cafe and a souvenir shop, where you can relax and buy some gifts. The entrance fee is 100 baht per person, and the museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Visit the European-inspired villages of Primo Piazza and Palio Khao Yai: These are two of the most popular and photogenic attractions in Khao Yai, where you can experience a slice of Europe in Thailand. Primo Piazza is a village that resembles an Italian town, with red-brick buildings, cobblestone streets, and a clock tower. You can feed the sheep, alpaca, and donkeys at the barn, or enjoy a gelato or a pizza at the cafe.
The entrance fee is 200 baht per person, and the village is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Palio Khao Yai is a village that resembles a Tuscan town, with colorful buildings, fountains, and statues. You can shop for souvenirs, clothes, and accessories at the boutiques, or enjoy a coffee or a pastry at the bakery. The entrance fee is 150 baht per person, and the village is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Experience a European fairytale at Thames Valley Khao Yai Hotel: This is a hotel that resembles an English countryside, with a castle-like building, a river, and a bridge. You can stay at one of the luxurious rooms or suites, or enjoy a meal at the restaurant that serves English and Thai cuisine.
You can also relax at the spa, the pool, or the garden, or take photos at the various spots that are decorated with flowers, bicycles, and umbrellas. The hotel also offers activities such as horse riding, kayaking, and cycling. The price of a room or a suite varies depending on the season and the availability, and you can book online with reputable websites.
Nature
Explore the Khao Yai National Park and see the wildlife and waterfalls: This is the main attraction in Khao Yai, and one of the oldest and largest national parks in Thailand. It covers an area of over 2,000 square kilometers, and hosts a variety of flora and fauna, such as elephants, gibbons, deer, hornbills, orchids, and ferns. You can hike on the trails, camp at the sites, or join a guided tour that can take you to the best spots in the park. You can also see the waterfalls, such as the Haew Narok Waterfall, the Haew Suwat Waterfall, and the Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall, which are stunning and refreshing. The entrance fee is 400 baht per person for foreigners, and 40 baht per person for Thais, and the park is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. You can book your tour online with reputable websites and enjoy discounts and deals.
Relax in a natural hot spring at The Greenery Resort: This is a resort that offers a natural hot spring that is rich in minerals and beneficial for your health and skin. You can soak in the hot spring, which has a temperature of about 40°C, or enjoy the other facilities, such as the sauna, the jacuzzi, the pool, and the spa. You can also stay at one of the comfortable rooms or villas, or enjoy a meal at the restaurant that serves Thai and international cuisine.
The price of the hot spring is 200 baht per person, and the resort is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The price of a room or a villa varies depending on the season and the availability, and you can book online with reputable websites.
Witness the spectacular Haew Narok Waterfall at Khao Yai National Park: This is one of the most impressive and popular waterfalls in Khao Yai National Park, and the largest waterfall in the park. It has a height of about 150 meters, and consists of three tiers. You can see the waterfall from a viewpoint that is accessible by a 1-kilometer walk from the parking lot, or hike down to the base of the waterfall, which takes about 30 minutes.
You can enjoy the view and the sound of the water, or take photos, but be careful of the slippery rocks and the steep stairs. The waterfall is especially beautiful in the rainy season, when the water volume is higher, but it can also be dangerous, so follow the signs and the instructions of the park rangers. The entrance fee to the Khao Yai National Park is 400 baht per person for foreigners, and 40 baht per person for Thais, and the park is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Adventure
Enjoy a scenic ride on a vintage train at Farm Chokchai: This is a farm that offers a variety of activities and attractions for the whole family, such as cow milking, ice cream making, petting zoo, and rodeo show. One of the highlights is the vintage train ride, which takes you around the farm and lets you enjoy the views of the fields, the animals, and the mountains. You can also learn more about the history and the operation of the farm, which is one of the largest dairy farms in Asia. The price of the train ride is 150 baht per person, and the farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Explore the Hobbit-inspired houses at Ban Suan Noi: This is a resort that offers a unique and whimsical experience of staying in a Hobbit-inspired house, complete with round doors, windows, and furniture. You can choose from different types of houses, such as the Shire, the Rivendell, or the Tree House, and enjoy the cozy and comfortable amenities, such as the fireplace, the TV, and the Wi-Fi. You can also take photos at the various spots that are decorated with props, such as the Gandalf’s hat, the Bilbo’s ring, and the Gollum’s cave. The price of a house varies depending on the season and the availability, and you can book online with reputable websites.
Witness the stars at Khao Yai Observatory: This is an observatory that offers a chance to see the stars and the planets in the night sky, using a telescope and a guide. You can learn more about the astronomy and the constellations, and marvel at the beauty and the mystery of the universe. You can also enjoy the view of the Khao Yai National Park from the observatory, which is located on a hill. The price of the observatory is 200 baht per person, and the observatory is open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Food
Dine in a glasshouse surrounded by flowers at The Bloom: This is a restaurant that offers a romantic and elegant setting for a meal, as it is located in a glasshouse that is surrounded by flowers and plants. You can enjoy the view of the garden and the mountains, as well as the natural light and the breeze. You can also taste the delicious and fresh food, such as the salads, the soups, the steaks, and the desserts, that are made with organic ingredients from the farm. The price of the food varies depending on the menu, and the restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Indulge in a chocolate buffet at Chocolate Factory: This is a chocolate lover’s dream, as it offers a chocolate buffet that features a variety of chocolate treats, such as the cakes, the brownies, the cookies, and the fondue. You can also enjoy the other dishes, such as the pasta, the pizza, and the burgers, that are served at the restaurant. You can also learn more about the chocolate making process, and buy some souvenirs, such as the chocolate bars, the chocolate balls, and the chocolate boxes, at the shop. The price of the chocolate buffet is 350 baht per person, and the restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Sample wine at PB Valley Estate: This is a winery that offers a wine tasting and a tour that can introduce you to the wine production and the vineyard. You can sample different types of wine, such as the white, the red, and the rosé, and learn more about the grapes, the fermentation, and the bottling. You can also enjoy the view of the vineyard and the mountains, and take photos at the various spots that are scenic and charming. The price of the wine tasting and the tour is 300 baht per person, and the winery is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Khao Yai is a region in Thailand that offers a scenic and relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. It has a variety of attractions and activities that are scenic, fun, or unique, such as the Khao Yai National Park, the European-inspired villages, the wineries, the cafes, and the hotels.
You can visit Khao Yai between November and April, when the weather is cool and clear, and some seasonal attractions are open. You can also get to Khao Yai by booking a private tour or renting a car and self-driving, depending on your preferences and budget.
Khao Yai is a destination that will make you feel like you are in a fairy tale, and you will not regret visiting this scenic paradise. Happy Travels!
