Thai National Parks

Yes. The tour is designed as a general introduction to Khao Yai, combining wildlife watching, forest hiking and some of the park's main natural attractions.

It is a combination of both. Wildlife watching is an important part of the day, but the tour also includes hiking, waterfalls, scenery and learning about the forest. Visiting scenic sites adds an additional reason to explore more of the park. Animals may also be seen during the jungle walks or in the vicinity of these various scenic attractions.

Yes. The tour is private, meaning you will not be joined by unrelated guests. This also gives us more flexibility to adapt the day to your interests and the conditions in the park. However, if you prefer to form a larger group, feel free to let us know. Perhaps we can find additional participants to join you.

The tour normally starts around 8:00–8:30 am and finishes around 5:00–6:00 pm, depending on the day's conditions and your agreed pickup and drop-off locations.

The itinerary is flexible. Weather, trail conditions, temporary closures, wildlife activity and other circumstances can require changes during the day. We will adapt the itinerary to make the best use of the available conditions.

No. Khao Yai is a genuine wild forest, not a safari park, so elephant sightings can never be guaranteed. We will spend time checking areas where elephants are known to occur, but ultimately the animals decide whether we see them.

Possible sightings include elephants, gibbons, pig-tailed macaques, deer, wild boar, hornbills, monitor lizards and many other species. Exactly what you see depends on the season, weather, time of day and, of course, luck.

Elephants are regularly encountered in Khao Yai, but sightings are unpredictable. A one-day visit gives you a reasonable opportunity, but it is important to understand that there is no guaranteed percentage or guaranteed location for seeing wild elephants.

Gibbons are relatively common in Khao Yai, and we have a good chance of hearing them. Seeing them clearly in the forest is more difficult because they spend much of their time high in the trees.

Hornbills occur in Khao Yai and can sometimes be seen flying between trees or feeding in the canopy. They are wild birds, however, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Yes. Several monkey species occur in Khao Yai, and macaques are among the animals visitors may encounter. We will observe them without feeding or disturbing them.

Khao Yai is home to many species of snakes, but seeing one during a day tour is a matter of luck. We may encounter snakes while walking or driving, particularly if conditions are favourable.

Khao Yai is home to bears, but they are extremely difficult to see. A one-day tour should not be booked with the expectation of seeing a bear.

There hasn't been any record of tigers in Khao Yai National Park for nearly 2 decades, they are probably extirpated (locally extinct). There have been tiger sighting along the road between Khao Yai and the neighbouring Thap Lan National Pak, but no evidence of one crossing the road yet. The short answer is "no".

There are no leopards in Khao Yai National Park. Clouded leopards are present but sighting is extremely rare, it is one of the most elusive cat species in the world.

Wildlife watching in Khao Yai is unpredictable. Even without major animal sightings, the tour includes forest hiking, plants, animal tracks and signs, waterfalls and the opportunity to learn about the ecosystem. We cannot control what the wildlife chooses to do on any particular day.

No. We never guarantee sightings of particular wild animals. We can use our knowledge and experience to improve your chances, but Khao Yai's wildlife is completely free to move wherever it chooses.

No. Khao Yai is a protected natural forest where animals live freely. There are no feeding stations or guaranteed viewing areas, so wildlife encounters are unpredictable and genuine.

The tour includes a jungle walk, but the exact distance and difficulty can be adjusted according to the group (or even skipped, if you prefer). The jungle walk typically takes about 2:30 - 3:30 hours. The overall grade is easy to moderate, although forest trails can be uneven, muddy, or slippery depending on weather conditions.

If following the standard itinerary, you should be comfortable walking on uneven natural trails. You do not need to be an experienced hiker, but the tour is typically not completely vehicle-based, and some walking through the forest is involved. However, we can adjust the itinerary and we have even operated tours for clients with mobility issues, completely skipping the jungle walking activity.

Yes. You do not need previous hiking experience. We can adapt the walking portion to your fitness level and interests.

Yes. Children can join the tour. The guide will adjust the pace to the group's ability. For very young children, it may be advisable to bring a child carrier to carry your child on your back or belly if you wish to do a standard jungle walk.

Yes, provided they are comfortable walking on uneven ground. Please let us know about any mobility limitations in advance so we can plan the day accordingly.

Yes, it is possible to skip the jungle walk. It is also possible for part of the group to wait at the tour vehicle or in the visitor center area if only some members of your group would like to go for a walk. Alternatively, the walk can be reduced to make sure the entire group is able to join in.

Leeches can occur in Khao Yai, particularly during wet conditions. They are more likely on some trails and during the rainy season. Long trousers and suitable socks can help protect against them. Leech protection socks are provided on our Khao Yai tours.

The tour normally continues regardless of the weather, although the itinerary may be adjusted when necessary. During heavy rain, the guide may decide to do some driving first and wait for conditions to improve before going for a jungle walk.

Yes. Khao Yai is open throughout much of the year, and the rainy season can be an excellent time to visit because the forest is particularly lush and waterfalls are often at their best. However, trails can be muddy and weather conditions can change quickly.

Temperatures in Khao Yai can be considerably cooler than in Bangkok, particularly in the morning and during the cool season. A light jacket or sweater can be useful.

We recommend long trousers, comfortable hiking or sports shoes and clothing suitable for walking in the forest. A rain jacket, insect repellent and sun protection are also recommended.

Bring comfortable shoes, long trousers, drinking water, insect repellent, sunscreen, a rain jacket and a light jacket. Binoculars and a camera are highly recommended if you are interested in wildlife and birds.

The tour normally starts with pickup from your hotel or another agreed location in the Khao Yai/Pak Chong area. The location of your hotel must be in our main service area, not too far off route.

For an additional cost, a private transfer from Bangkok to Khao Yai can be arranged separately.

Usually yes, provided the hotel is within our normal service area. Please confirm your hotel with us before booking because some properties are too far away or do not allow tour operators to pick up guests directly.

Yes, we can pick up from Pak Chong town.

If the drop off location is within our main service area, yes we can drop off at alternative places. Please let us know your desired drop-off location when booking so we can confirm whether it is possible.

The tour uses pickup trucks suitable for travelling through Khao Yai and for wildlife watching.

Yes, lunch is included. It is normally a simple Thai meal at one of the restaurants inside or near the park.

Vegetarian options can normally be arranged. Please let us know in advance if you have dietary requirements.

Vegan options can normally be arranged. Please let us know in advance if you have dietary requirements.

Please inform us about any food allergies when booking. We can advise you on what options are available and communicate your requirements to the restaurant. However, always remind the guide about any food allergies when ordering food.

Yes, you can bring any snacks you fancy, particularly if you have specific dietary requirements.

Yes, to a certain extent, but within some boundaries. This depends on what is logistically possible, and the guides may also have specific limitations regarding what they are comfortable with. Please make sure to communicate any specific preferences with us before confirming your booking so we can inform you about the possibilities.

Please contact us if you have specific target species. We can then discuss the possibilities with you in more detail.

Yes. We offer birding tours.

Each tour day typically includes a jungle walk, but the guides have set some limitations on the duration and distance. We focus more on wildlife watching than specifically on physical exercise.

Even though it is possible to skip a visit to the waterfall, we would like to explain that visiting a waterfall doesn't mean you won't see any wildlife. Even at the most popular waterfalls, we regularly see animals, sometimes even rare species. The roads in the park exist because they lead to scenic sites such as waterfalls. Therefore, visiting a waterfall means you will get to see more of the park and experience different habitats, increasing the chance of seeing more animal species.

Yes, where conditions allow. However, spending more time searching does not guarantee a sighting because wild elephants are free to move throughout the park.

When booking with us, advance booking is a must, at the latest one day before the tour. However, we don't recommend leaving the booking process until the last couple of days before the planned tour date. Our team of guides is fairly small, and therefore we often get booked out well in advance, sometimes even months in advance, particularly on popular dates during the peak seasons, such as July-August and November-February. Even during the lower-season months, it is not uncommon for us to get fully booked.

Sometimes, depending on guide and vehicle availability. However, we recommend booking in advance rather than relying on last-minute availability.

We operate tours throughout the year, subject to guide availability and any temporary park closures or restrictions.

National park authorities may temporarily close trails, viewpoints or other areas because of weather, safety concerns, maintenance or other reasons. If this happens, we will adapt the itinerary to the conditions on the day.

Yes, the national park entrance fees are included in the tour price.

Yes. The tour includes a private English-speaking guide.

Yes. The tour can be booked by a single traveller as a private tour. The price per person is similar to the total price for a couple because the vehicle and guide are not shared with other guests.

Yes. Two people can book the entire tour privately, with no unrelated guests joining the group.

When booking with us, advance booking is a must, at the latest one day before the tour. However, we don't recommend leaving the booking process until the last couple of days before the planned tour date. Our team of guides is fairly small, and therefore we often get booked out well in advance, sometimes even months in advance, particularly on popular dates during the peak seasons, such as July-August and November-February. Even during the lower-season months, it is not uncommon for us to get fully booked.

There is a reasonable amount of driving because Khao Yai is a large national park, and its attractions and wildlife areas are spread out. The driving is an important part of the wildlife-watching experience, as animals - particularly larger charismatic species - are often more commonly encountered along the park roads than on the walking trails.

It is a full day, normally lasting around 9–10 hours, with a combination of driving, walking, and sightseeing. Most people who are comfortable with a full day outdoors should find it manageable, but it can be tiring for visitors who are not accustomed to hiking or spending a full day in nature. You can always let the guide know if you would like to relax for a while or finish the tour earlier than initially planned.