2018 Exploring Khao Yai National Park (Day 2)


06.30am - Beautiful sunrise view from the rooftop of Varn Boutique Resort.


L-R: Ching Jin Yuan & Isabelle Ching, Ching Neng Bin & Catherine Oon, Ching Jin Wei & Teoh Qinqqi. We had very good breakfast together at Varn Boutique Resort.


Breakfast at Varn Boutique Resort.


Getting ready to drive 30km to Khao Yai National Park entrance. Drive another 15km to the Park Visitor Center.


Our rented SUV car.


Day 2 (Thu.06 Dec.2018) – On this day we drove a total of 215km exploring the Khao Yai National Park. Established in 1962 as Thailand's first national park, it is the third largest national park in Thailand. Situated mainly in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Khao Yai extends into Prachinburi, Saraburi and Nakhon Nayok provinces. The park covers an area of 2,168 km², including rain/evergreen forests and grasslands.

07.00am - We had very good breakfast at Varn Boutique Resort
08.30am - Drove 30km to Khao Yai National Park and 15km to Park Visitor Center.
10.30am - We arrived at Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center
11.20am - Visited Haew Narok Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park
01.19pm - Visited Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park
02.45pm - Visited Haew Su Wat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park
04.14pm - Driving out of Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center
05.07pm - At Wat Tham Sila Thong to visit the Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park
06.48pm - Dinner @ Kua Kampan (1,100 bath)



10.30am - We arrived at Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center. The park's visitor center, located at the park headquarters, provides a useful staring point for visitors. It contains information and interpretive facilities to entrance visitor's appreciation of the park.


The Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center also includes exhibits on the natural environment and wildlife of Khao Yai and has information about day hiking trails.


The Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center also includes exhibits on the natural environment and wildlife of Khao Yai and has information about day hiking trails.


The Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center also includes exhibits on the natural environment and wildlife of Khao Yai and has information about day hiking trails.


The Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center also includes exhibits on the natural environment and wildlife of Khao Yai and has information about day hiking trails.


Best time to visit Khao Yai for bird-watching is during the dry months and during March April when the big bird migration happens.


A big lake at Khao Yai National Park.


On the road to Haew Narok Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Narok Waterfall is accessible through a 1km long trail off the road. There are toilets and a restaurant as well as a parking area where the trail begins.


Haew Narok Waterfall is accessible through a 1km long trail off the road.


Haew Narok Waterfall is accessible through a 1km long trail off the road.


From the official car park, the walk started off flat and relatively wide through a dense jungle area. It eventually crossed over a bridge spanning a gorge and stream containing what would ultimately feed the waterfall.


Haew Narok Waterfall is accessible through a 1km long trail off the road.


A beautiful gecko the lizard on the trek at Haew Narok Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


These are the fence to prevent elephant from reaching the Haew Narok Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Right before walking down the stairs to the view point there is pavilion rest area where a steep trail starts. The trail has no sign or any information.


Haew Narok Waterfall - walking down the stairs.


Haew Narok Waterfall - walking down the stairs.


Haew Narok Waterfall - walking down the stairs.


At Haew Narok Waterfall - grandpa and grand-daughter taking a rest after the long walk down the stairs.


Haew Narok Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Narok Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Narok Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


This three tiered Haew Narok Waterfall has total altitude of 150 meters and is the biggest waterfall in Khao Yai National Park.


This three tiered Haew Narok Waterfall has total altitude of 150 meters and is the biggest waterfall in Khao Yai National Park.


On the road to Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


01.19pm - Visited Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


Pha Deaw Dai Cliff is accessible by a 600 meters long trail.


The 600m steps down to Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


As part of the Khao Yai National Park, the Pa Deo Die Cliff is the perfect vantage point for an incredible view of the surrounding area.


Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


Behold the sights of untouched beauty from the top and take in the fresh air around you.


Behold the sights of untouched beauty from the top and take in the fresh air around you.


Behold the sights of untouched beauty from the top and take in the fresh air around you.


At the edge of Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


At the edge of Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


At the edge of Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


At the edge of Pha Deaw Dai Cliff, Khao Yai National Park.


Lam Takong Camp Site is 6km from the visitor center is quite central to most other attractions around the national park.


Bird-watching at Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park. If the 20-meter high Waterfall looks familiar, you might have recognized from the jump scene in Leonardo DiCaprio's The Beach.


Ching Jin Yuan setting up the camera at Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


This famous 20 meters high waterfall from Leonardio Di Caprio's The Beach (the novel by Alex Garland) is 13 km from the visitor center.


Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park. If the 20-meter high Waterfall looks familiar, you might have recognized from the jump scene in Leonardo DiCaprio's The Beach.


Ching Jin Yuan setting up the camera at Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park.


This famous 20 meters high waterfall from Leonardio Di Caprio's The Beach (the novel by Alex Garland) is 13 km from the visitor center.


This famous 20 meters high waterfall from Leonardio Di Caprio's The Beach (the novel by Alex Garland) is 13 km from the visitor center.


This famous 20 meters high waterfall from Leonardio Di Caprio's The Beach (the novel by Alex Garland) is 13 km from the visitor center.




On the road down to the park entrance.


On the road to Wat Tham Sila Thong to visit the Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park.


The lorry caring sugar cane on the road to Wat Tham Sila Thong, Khao Yai National Park.


On the road to Wat Tham Sila Thong to visit the Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park.


On the road to Wat Tham Sila Thong to visit the Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park.


At Wat Tham Sila Thong we were told that the bigger Bat Cave is about a km from here.


At Wat Tham Sila Thong to visit the Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park.


Wat Tham Sila Thong to visit the Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park.


Wat Tham Sila Thong to visit the Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park.


We drove about 1km down a dirt road and parked in an open field with a other cars containing tourists.




Everybody were waiting anxiously for the bats and listening to a guide talking about the history of the cave and the lives of the bats while we waited for the bats to make their their big appearance.


The bat cave is on this hill.


The bat cave is on this hill.


The bat cave is on this hill.




And then we saw the bats coming out. First, they trickled out a few at a time, but quickly they formed into a thick ribbon swirling and snaking around the sky above us.


Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park - At first only a few in visible from the cliffs, but soon a huge and unmistakable river of bats weaves over the fields like a snake.


Like a shadow rising up from the hill, a cloud of small black shapes stream through the twilight. They are bats, thousands upon thousands of them emerging to hunt insects as they do every night at Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park.


Like a shadow rising up from the hill, a cloud of small black shapes stream through the twilight. They are bats, thousands upon thousands of them emerging to hunt insects as they do every night at Bat Cave Khao Yai National Park.


A guide there told us that up to 3 million wrinkled-lipped bats lives in this cave. During the sunset a long cloud of bats can be seen out from the cave for hours, creating a spectacular view. This spectacle occurs for hours every night before the last bats exit the Bat Cave at Khao Yai National Park.


It was a magical night and as we set off back for dinner, we concurred that it was time well spent and we were grateful for the opportunity to have had seen the bats.


Getting ready to drive out after the amazing free show of nature.


On the road back we passed by this spectacular iconic 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' at Toscana Village.


On the road back we passed by this spectacular iconic 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' at Toscana Village.


06.48pm - Dinner at Kua Kampan​ at Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand.


Dinner at Kua Kampan at Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand.


Dinner at Kua Kampan at Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand.


The fried omelette at Kua Kampan at Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand.


Dinner at Kua Kampan at Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.


Dinner at Kua Kampan at Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.


Dinner at Kua Kampan at Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.


Dinner at Kua Kampan at Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.


Spectacular show of lights along the road.


Back home at Varn Boutique Resort.


Back home at Varn Boutique Resort.


Back home at Varn Boutique Resort.


Back home at Varn Boutique Resort.


Drinking Chang Beer at Varn Boutique Resort before calling it a night.


Drinking Chang Beer at Varn Boutique Resort before calling it a night. Goodnight everybody!!

 
The 3 tiered Haew Narok Waterfall in Khao Yai National Park.

The 3 tiered Haew Narok Waterfall in Khao Yai National Park.

Haew Su Wat Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park

A telescope view of the Bat Cave, Khao Yai National Park

Bat Cave, Khao Yai National Park

Click below to view:

Day 1 (Wed.05 Dec.2018) - Kuala Lumpur - Bangkok - Khao Yai

Day 2 (Thu.06 Dec.2018) - Exploring Khao Yai National Park

Day 3 (Fri.07 Dec.2018) - Exploring Khao Yai, Thailand

Day 4 (Sat.08 Dec.2018) - Khao Yai to Bangkok 

Day 5 (Sun.09 Dec.2018) - Bangkok exploring Chocolate Ville

Day 6 (Mon.10 Dec.2018) - Bangkok to KL @ 7.40pm

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1 comment:

  1. I've come across this blog when I was researching about Thailand! Such wonderful life experiences you've had. If you're a backpacker, remember to consider options such as digital nomading, Couchsurfing, Workaway, Worldpackers, housesitting, and petsitting. I love budget backpacking using hostels to make friends and socialize. My favourite part of travel is street food and going on nature walks! I found out Skyscanner and Google Flights gives really good flight deals. Guesthouses and homestays give good deals for accommodation. Hope you visit more of your favourite countries!

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