3 Days Private Guided to Khao Yai and Phimai from Bangkok

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Bangkok - Khao Yai National Park
4 stops
1
Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai National Park is one of Thailand’s most impressive natural reserves and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around 3 hours from Bangkok, it offers a refreshing escape into lush forests, rolling hills, and rich wildlife. The park is home to elephants, gibbons, deer, and a remarkable variety of birdlife, including hornbills. You may also encounter reptiles such as snakes, as well as scorpions and spiders, while colorful butterflies are commonly seen along the trails. Visitors can enjoy scenic viewpoints, jungle walks, and waterfalls such as Haew Suwat. With its cooler climate and diverse landscapes, Khao Yai is ideal for nature lovers looking to experience Thailand beyond the cities. In the park, we will follow a hiking trail selected together with your guide based on your preference and fitness level. The walking distance ranges between 1 and 3 km. We recommend comfortable walking shoes, long trousers, and (high) socks. In the rainy season leeches are common.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
2
Khao Yai's 30th km Viewpoint
The 30th km Viewpoint in Khao Yai National Park is one of the park’s most scenic points along the main road. From here, you can enjoy wide views over the surrounding forest and rolling hills. It’s a great place to take a short break, stretch your legs, and spot wildlife, especially birds of prey soaring above the treetops. On clear days, the landscape opens up beautifully, offering excellent photo opportunities and a real sense of the park’s vast natural beauty.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Haew Suwat Waterfall
Haew Suwat Waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls in Khao Yai National Park. Surrounded by dense forest, the waterfall drops about 20 meters into a large pool below and is easily accessible via a short walk from the parking area. This waterfall gained international recognition after being featured in the movie The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. While the setting looks inviting, swimming is not allowed.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Haew Narok Waterfall
Haew Narok Waterfall is the largest and most dramatic waterfall in Khao Yai National Park. With the highest one at 80 meters, this three tiered waterfall has a total altitude of 150 meters and is the biggest waterfall in Khao Yai National Park. It offers a breathtaking display of nature, especially during the rainy season when the water volume is at its peak. Surrounded by dense jungle, the viewpoint is reached via a staircase that descends deep into the forest, adding to the sense of adventure. From the viewing platform, you can feel the raw force of the cascading water as it crashes into the gorge below. Haew Narok is one of the most impressive natural highlights of the park and a must-see for visitors seeking dramatic scenery and unforgettable photo opportunities.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Khao Yai National Park - Phimai - Korat
5 stops
5
Pak Thong Chai in Nakhon Ratchasima Province is famous for its traditional silk weaving. The local silk village offers a glimpse into a centuries-old craft, where skilled artisans produce high-quality handwoven silk using techniques passed down through generations. The silk from Pak Thong Chai is known for its fine texture and vibrant colors, making it one of the region’s most valued cultural products and a great place to find authentic handmade souvenirs.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Ban Dan Kwian Pottery Village, located in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, is one of the country’s most renowned centers for traditional ceramics. The village has a long history of pottery making, using local clay known for its strength and distinctive reddish-brown color. Visitors can see artisans at work shaping, carving, and firing pottery using both traditional and modern techniques. The village is lined with workshops and showrooms offering a wide range of items, from decorative pieces and sculptures to practical household goods such as pots and garden ornaments. Ban Dan Kwian pottery is especially known for its durability and unique earthy finish, making it both functional and artistic. A visit here offers an authentic glimpse into local craftsmanship and is a great opportunity to purchase handmade souvenirs directly from the makers.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
7
Phimai Historical Park feels less like a ruin and more like a forgotten city waiting to be rediscovered. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, it dates to the height of the Khmer Empire, most likely during the reign of Suryavarman I and later expanded under Suryavarman II, the same ruler associated with Angkor Wat. Unlike most Khmer temples, Phimai faces south, aligned with the ancient royal road leading directly to Angkor, over 200 kilometers away. This suggests Phimai was an important spiritual and administrative outpost of the empire. As you pass through its grand gates and walk along laterite paths, intricate carvings of Hindu mythology blend with later Buddhist influences, reflecting a shift in beliefs over time. Unlike the crowded temples of Cambodia, Phimai offers space and stillness, allowing you to wander, explore, and imagine the rituals and daily life that once filled this remarkable place.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
8
Sai Ngam is one of the largest and most impressive banyan tree groves in Thailand. What appears at first glance to be a small forest is actually a single living organism, as the banyan’s aerial roots have grown down into the ground over decades, forming countless trunks that spread across a wide area. Walking beneath the dense canopy feels like stepping into a natural maze, with filtered light creating a cool and peaceful atmosphere. Locals consider Sai Ngam a place of quiet significance, often associated with spirituality and rest. It’s a perfect spot to escape the heat, take a short walk, and experience one of nature’s most fascinating forms of growth up close.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
9
NBK Night Market is a lively local market where residents of Nakhon Ratchasima come together in the evening to eat, shop, and relax. The market offers a wide variety of street food, from freshly grilled meats and seafood to local Isaan dishes, snacks, and desserts. It’s the perfect place to experience authentic Thai flavors in a casual setting. Besides food, you’ll also find stalls selling clothes, shoes, accessories, and small souvenirs at affordable prices. The atmosphere is vibrant and informal, giving you a real glimpse into local daily life. During the tour, we enjoy a local dinner here, allowing you to taste different dishes and experience the friendly, social vibe of a typical Thai night market.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Korat - Bangkok
4 stops
10
In the morning you visit the Mae Kim Heng Market, a local market where daily life in Nakhon Ratchasima unfolds at its most authentic. As the city slowly wakes up, the market is already in full motion. Vendors arrange fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits in neat piles, while the scent of grilled meats and simmering soups drifts through the narrow aisles. This is not a place designed for tourists, but a genuine meeting point for locals. You’ll see early morning shoppers selecting ingredients for the day, monks collecting alms, and food stalls preparing traditional dishes that have been passed down through generations. From colorful spices and handmade snacks to freshly prepared noodle soups, every corner offers something new to discover. Walking through the market is a sensory experience, filled with sounds, aromas, and friendly interactions. It’s a chance to observe everyday Thai life up close, taste local specialties, and experience the rhythm of the city beyond the usual sights.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
11
Thao Suranaree Monument, also known as Ya Mo, is one of the most important landmarks in Nakhon Ratchasima. The monument honors Thao Suranaree, a revered local heroine who is believed to have played a key role in defending the city against an invading army in the early 19th century. For local people, Ya Mo is much more than a statue. She is deeply respected as a symbol of courage, protection, and good fortune. Many residents come here to pray, make offerings, and ask for blessings, especially before important events or journeys. During our visit, we will also take part in this tradition by making merit at the monument. This offers a meaningful cultural experience and a chance to better understand the spiritual connection between the people of Korat and their beloved heroine.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
Wat Phayap Phra Aram Luang is one of the most respected temples in Nakhon Ratchasima and holds the status of a royal temple (“Phra Aram Luang”). Located in the heart of the old city, it offers a peaceful contrast to the busy streets outside. What makes this temple especially unique is its cave-like sanctuary, where a large reclining Buddha rests inside a cool, dimly lit chamber with natural rock formations and flowing water. This unusual setting creates a calm and almost mystical atmosphere, quite different from typical Thai temples. The temple is also known for its elegant architecture, serene gardens, and well-maintained grounds. It is a place where locals come to pray, meditate, and make merit, offering visitors a quiet and authentic glimpse into everyday Buddhist life in Korat.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
13
You will experience a truly local lunch in the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima. This simple, no-frills restaurant has been a well-known spot among locals for decades and is especially famous for its flavorful chicken rice. The setting is modest and authentic, with a steady flow of local customers coming in for their daily meal. Dishes are prepared quickly and served fresh, reflecting the fast-paced rhythm of everyday Thai life. Besides chicken rice, the menu also includes a variety of local favorites such as grilled pork satay, soups, and traditional side dishes. Eating here is not about luxury, but about atmosphere and authenticity. Surrounded by locals, you get a genuine taste of Korat’s food culture, making it a memorable and down-to-earth dining experience. After lunch, we leave Korat and begin our journey back to Bangkok, where you will be dropped off at your hotel.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• If a booking is made for 3, 5, or 7 persons, one of the rooms will be arranged as a triple room with an additional roll-away bed for the third guest.
• Due to limited space in the minivan, we kindly ask each guest to bring only one suitcase per person.

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