Khao Yai National Park day tour from Bangkok: Private guide

Two waterfalls immortalized in The Beach, plus bears, gibbons and elephants in one afternoon.

A private day tour of Khao Yai National Park departing from Bangkok with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle. The tour runs 12 hours from 7am to 7pm, covering more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland where you walk trails past the 150-meter Haew Narok waterfall and the 20-meter Haew Suwat (both featured in Danny Boyle's film The Beach), and spot wildlife including bears, gibbons, elephants and hornbills. Driver, drinking water, petrol and tolls are included. Park entrance fee (300 baht) is paid separately on arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Khao Yai National Park

• Depart from Bangkok at 7 am
• Visit Khao Yai National Park
• Pay entrance fee (300 baht) yourself
• Explore park's waterfalls and wildlife
• Return to Bangkok by 7 pm

The experience

The park spreads across more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland in central Thailand, with over 50 kilometers of hiking and biking trails winding through it. Your guide leads you through the preserve on foot, and the two main waterfalls (Haew Narok at 150 meters and Haew Suwat at 20 meters) are the ones that appeared in The Beach. The wildlife you might encounter includes bears, gibbons, elephants and hornbills, though sightings depend on the day and the time you spend on the trails.

Pickup happens from your Bangkok hotel, and the driver handles the 2.5-hour drive each way in an air-conditioned vehicle. The 12-hour day runs from 7am to 7pm, which gives you a full afternoon inside the park itself. You pay the park entrance fee of 300 baht when you arrive. Everything else (the vehicle, the driver, drinking water, fuel and tolls) is covered. If you want to stay longer, overtime runs 300 baht per hour, paid directly to the driver.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• English-speaking guide.
• drinking water.
• petrol and tollway fees.
• hotel pickup from Bangkok.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 07:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tingly Tours and Transport

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private vehicle and guide for the full day: the 12-hour window and dedicated driver mean you set the pace through the trails and waterfalls without coordinating with other groups.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4).

What are the two waterfalls in Khao Yai that were in The Beach?

Haew Narok, which stands 150 meters tall, and Haew Suwat, which is 20 meters high, are both featured in Danny Boyle's film The Beach and are the main waterfall stops on the tour.

What wildlife might I see in Khao Yai National Park?

The park shelters bears, gibbons, elephants and hornbills, though sightings are not guaranteed and depend on the trails you walk and the time of day.

How long is the drive from Bangkok to Khao Yai?

The drive takes roughly 2.5 hours each way, so the 12-hour tour includes about 5 hours of travel time and the rest in the park itself.

What's included in the tour price and what do I pay separately?

The tour includes the driver, air-conditioned vehicle, drinking water, petrol and tolls. You pay the park entrance fee of 300 baht on arrival, and lunch is not included.

Can I extend the tour if I want to stay longer in the park?

Yes, overtime is available at 300 baht per hour, which you pay directly to the driver on the day.