This week I did a three-day journey to Khao Yai by practice. The spotlight was a day lengthy tour within the nationwide park. I went with my good friend Mike from Thailandee.com. We stayed at Greenleaf Guesthouse. Should you guide a full day tour with them, they’ll choose you up at no cost from the practice station.
DATE OF TRAVEL: Twenty eighth-Thirtieth March 2023
🚂 Good morning from Speedy No. 135 practice going from Krung Thep Aphiwat to Pak Chong in Northeastern Thailand. The journey time is 3 hours and 40 minutes. Ticket worth for third Class is 85 Baht.
[2] The practice journey into Isaan is sort of scenic as you must climb over a hill. Because the practice has to go slowly as a result of hills, they’re constructing a tunnel and a 50 metre excessive viaduct as a shortcut. This can be opened subsequent yr and will present some incredible views.
[3] Our practice arrived slightly late at Pak Chong Railway Station. Ready for us was a songtaew driver from Greenleaf Guesthouse. We can be staying with them and as we booked a tour as effectively, they provide a free choose up on the station.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/qs6bCegvZfcNmt…
[4] We had the choice to take the free songtaew straight to the guesthouse however we determined to pay the motive force to go to a few locations first. Wat Khao Wanchai Nawarat caught my eye because it’s constituted of sandstone but it surely seems like wooden.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/1pyhxJ4QxLCBqY…
[5] Lunch was at Banmai Chay Nam in Pak Chong. That is an uncommon restaurant as additionally it is a museum of collectibles. It’s price exploring if you are ready on your lunch to be cooked.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/uho7zj1DNU5WhG…
[6] We’re staying at Greenleaf Guesthouse. Their rooms are fairly primary however clear. There isn’t a air-con or sizzling water bathe. However it’s only 300 Baht an evening. In addition they choose you up on the station at no cost should you guide a tour with them.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/amYBQf3FEZXnTD…
[7] Greenleaf has two totally different excursions. The one we’re becoming a member of at this time is a half day tour that prices 500 Baht. The tour tomorrow is all day and is in Khao Yai Nationwide Park. This one prices 1,500 Baht and consists of the admission worth. Should you guide each excursions then it’s 1,800 baht.
[8] The primary cease on our afternoon tour with Greenleaf was at Ban Tha Chang Spring in Pak Chong. This can be a widespread spot for swimming. There’s no entrance price.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/Wrh97y5whoaTET…
[9] Our second cease was at Wat Sa Nam Sai in Pak Chong. There’s a cave right here that has a whole bunch of bats. Our tour information took us deep inside. I’ve been in bat caves earlier than however our information was so educated and I discovered loads.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/Vtzak1aMxV6psB…
[10] Our third cease on the tour was the spotlight for certain. Our information took us to a stretch of highway the place it was potential to witness numerous hundreds of bats go away a cave to exit looking at sundown. Very magical to observe them.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/wfuupFb5NeFxpp…
[11] We completed our tour again at Wat Sa Nam Sai the place there’s a big Seated Buddha on the high of a hill. At night time it’s superbly lit up. From the highest of the hill there may be additionally some nice views.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/aiuoU1czs9z99o…
DAY TWO
[12] Good morning from Pak Chong in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. I slept effectively final night time regardless of no air-conditioning. I believed it will be uncomfortably sizzling. However the chilly bathe was a problem. 🤣
[13] I ate dinner final night time at Greenleaf guesthouse. I had my traditional stir-fried basil with minced pork and fried egg. For breakfast I had Khao Tom which is a rice soup. Breakfast shouldn’t be included because the room is simply 300 Baht.
[14] At present we did a wonderful day lengthy tour inside Kao Yai Nationwide Park with Greenleaf. Our information was not solely very educated however she additionally had an eagle eye recognizing wildlife that I wouldn’t have seen if I had gone there alone.
[15] The guides don’t work alone as they’ve a community of different guides within the park that assist when wildlife had been noticed. A number of occasions our information obtained experiences of elephants. A number of occasions we rushed there solely to be too late. Then lastly we acquired to see an elephant within the wild.
[16] The day lengthy tour value 1,500 Baht which included the 400 Baht admission price to the park, lunch, and in addition free pickup and drop off on the railway station. I feel that was actually nice worth for cash. I extremely suggest this tour firm.
[17] One among our group took the night practice again to Bangkok. My unique plan was to do this in addition to it will have been a neat one-night two-day tour to Khao Yai by practice that anybody may do on the weekend. However I made a decision to take my time and go residence within the morning as a substitute.
[18] We stayed the primary night time at Greenleaf Guesthouse which value solely 300 Baht. Their web site additionally marketed Farada Resort subsequent door which has just a few further comforts like air-con and sizzling water bathe. The fee was 600 Baht. I made a decision to maneuver their tonight to do a comparability.
DAY THREE
[19] Good morning from Greenleaf Guesthouse in Pak Chong. We had an ideal tour in Khao Yai Nationwide Park yesterday. I’m actually pleased we noticed an elephant within the wild in the long run. This morning we’re catching the practice again to Bangkok. It has been an ideal journey and simple to do.
[20] Whereas ready for the practice this morning we determined to hire a songtaew to take us to a few locations close to our guesthouse. The primary one we went to was Wat Simalai Songtham in Pak Chong. It’s constructed on a hill with a cave close to the bottom.
[21] Every stage as you climb up has some extraordinary paintings with numerous non secular and pop cultures themes. It’s an incredible temple that’s price visiting should you’re within the space.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/WeJpvrtBbVsBeW…
[22] On the way in which again to our guesthouse we determined to cease at Wat Tham Phetpiman. There are a selection of cave temples in Pak Chong. That is one other of them. Nevertheless this one has simpler entry and there may be good lighting.
📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/U7eNsYW3prRPgY…
[23] We are actually on Categorical No.72 heading again to Bangkok. The house owners of Greenleaf Guesthouse dropped us of on the station at no cost as we had gone on their tour yesterday. Ticket worth this time is 185 Baht for third Class. Journey time is three hours.