Bangkok is cool, but have you been to…

Wondering if you should cut your visit to Khao Yai short in order to get more days in Bangkok? Three words: Don’t do it. There’s so much more to explore in Khao Yai, especially if you’re an outdoor person and a nature lover.

As a bonus, Khao Yai isn’t that far from Bangkok; 2 hours by car. Rent a car from Bangkok and visit Khao Yai, the charming town, with a national park, endangered species of wildlife, charming vineyards accompanied by great-tasting wine. And even then, we still haven’t even scratched the surface.

Khao Yai National Park is a haven for nature lovers. You can soak up the stunning hilly views, hike through beautiful trails, and check out the waterfalls while spotting awesome wildlife like gibbons, deer, and even elephants and bears.

Waterfalls:

The Khao Yai national park boasts more than 15 waterfalls, and we visited two with the most minimal hiking—Haew Narok and Haew Suwat waterfall. You can also do some wild jungle hiking here, which requires a guide and of course, leech socks. Although you can’t jump in or swim in either of these bodies of water, you can enjoy the view and the trails up to the sights which are every adventure lover’s dream.

Weather:

Don’t be misguided by the sunny landscapes, Khao Yai is actually quite cool, and you might even need light jackets during the evenings.

Vineyards:

Known for its Vineyards and the exceptionally aromatic blend of wine they produce, it’s worth it visiting at least one vineyard in Khao Yai, even better if you have the time for a tour and a workshop.

Gran Monte: If you only have time to visit one winery, you should be looking towards Gran Monte. Because contrary to popular belief, this is the best vineyard in Khao Yai. You’ll get a chance to do a wine tasting inside and then grab a glass with charcuterie in the vines. 

PB: The winery is very pretty and stunning, but the wine is nothing to write home about. But, the best thing about this winery might’ve been the pizza.

Wild animal sightings:

Locals keep an eye on the herds, so you might get a heads-up at the visitor center or from the rangers if the animals are nearby. There are plenty of trails to explore, making for a fantastic hiking experience. 

One of the rangers mentioned that many trails (where a guide is required) follow ancient elephant paths still used by the local wildlife. In addition to wild elephants, the main campground is home to a friendly deer population and curious porcupines that wander around at night.

Flower Parks:If you are in Khao Yai and you love flowers, you’ll love the many types and colors of flowers, especially witnessing them while enjoying the sunrise or the sunset at 4:30-5:30 PM. The Hokkaido Flower park known for its cafe and flower gardens, the Rai Maneesorn Sunflower Park with a landscape filled with thousands of golden sunflowers in full bloom while in season.