Khao Yai National Park tour from Bangkok: wildlife and waterfalls

Jungle trek, two waterfalls, and a chance at wild elephants

A guided tour of Khao Yai National Park from Bangkok includes a 3 to 4 km forest trek, visits to Haew Suwat and Haew Narok waterfalls, park entry, English-speaking guide, and air-conditioned transport from your meeting point. Groups stay under 10 people. Wildlife sightings—elephants, gibbons, hornbills—are possible but never guaranteed, as animals roam freely in the park's dense vegetation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Khao Yai National Park and Waterfalls

• Drive from Bangkok to Khao Yai
• Trek 3-4 km through forest trail
• Spot wildlife and plants with guide
• Visit Haew Suwat Waterfall
• Visit Haew Narok Waterfall viewpoint
• Return to Bangkok

The Experience

Khao Yai National Park sits three hours' drive from Bangkok, and the tour handles the journey in an air-conditioned vehicle with your guide. The park spans over 2,000 square kilometers of mountains, dense jungle, and waterfalls—Thailand's oldest national park and a UNESCO-listed site. You'll walk a 3 to 4 km trail through the forest where your guide points out animal tracks, plant life, and the sounds of the jungle. The trail suits normal fitness levels, though the terrain is uneven and the pace depends on what the group encounters.

Two waterfalls anchor the day. Haew Suwat is the waterfall where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed his dive in The Beach; Haew Narok is the park's highest, cascading over three tiers with the final drop plunging 80 metres into a deep pool—though only the first level is open to visitors. A hillside viewpoint lets you photograph Haew Narok clearly, and the sight is especially dramatic during the rainy season. Between the trek and the falls, you're watching for wildlife: wild Asian elephants, gibbons, hornbills, and over 400 bird species live in the park. Sightings are never guaranteed—the animals move freely through dense vegetation—but that unpredictability is what makes the park raw and real instead of staged.

Bring long-sleeved clothing for protection against insects and snakes. The tour includes one bottle of drinking water, park entry (THB 400 per person), and pickup and drop-off from your meeting point. The full day runs 10 hours including travel time to and from Bangkok. Groups are capped at 10 people, and your guide speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport from your meeting point.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• Khao Yai National Park entry.
• one bottle of drinking water.
• pickup and drop-off from Bangkok.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by WanderSiam Chiang Mai

Is this one for you?Choose the private option if you want a dedicated guide and vehicle for your group alone; the small group options work better if you're comfortable sharing the experience with up to nine other travelers and want to keep the cost lower. Either way, the tour's fixed schedule and included transport mean you don't arrange the three-hour drive or navigate the park on your own—the guide handles the route, the timing, and the wildlife spotting.

Top questions

What's the difference between the three purchase options for this tour?

Small Group With Entrance Fees and Small Group: Ticket+Transfers both include park entry and transport for a shared group of up to 10 people; Private: Ticket & Transfers is a private vehicle and guide for your party alone, with the same entry and transport included. All three options cover the same trek, waterfalls, and guide time.

Can I really see wild elephants in Khao Yai National Park?

Khao Yai is one of the best places in Thailand to spot wild Asian elephants, and your guide will look for them along the trail. However, sightings are never guaranteed because the elephants roam freely through the park's dense vegetation and move unpredictably.

How difficult is the jungle trek?

The 3 to 4 km trail is suitable for people with a normal level of fitness. The terrain is uneven and you'll be walking through forest, so wear sturdy shoes and long sleeves. The pace adjusts to what the group can manage and what wildlife the guide spots along the way.

What is Haew Narok waterfall like?

Haew Narok is the highest waterfall in Khao Yai, dropping 80 metres into a deep pool below. It cascades over three tiers, but only the first level is open to the public—the other levels are too steep and dangerous. You'll view it from a hillside viewpoint where you can photograph it clearly, and it's especially dramatic during the rainy season.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, your English-speaking guide, one bottle of drinking water, Khao Yai National Park entry (THB 400 per person), and pickup and drop-off from your meeting point. Lunch is not included.

How long is the full tour, and what's the schedule?

The tour runs 10 hours total, including three hours of driving to and from Bangkok. The time in the park covers the jungle trek, both waterfalls, and guide-led wildlife watching. Your guide will arrange the day's pace based on what the group can manage and what animals appear along the trail.