🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
This route works best if you have your own car or a rental, since several of the sights are spread out beyond the towns and public transport doesn't reach them easily. The main route itself is very simple: Highway 1 (Phahonyothin) runs straight from Kamphaeng Phet down to Nakhon Sawan. The drive is flat, through plains and rice fields, easy going, with petrol stations and roadside coffee shops at intervals. If you'd rather take a longer way with extra stops, you can detour through Phichit, but the main plan below keeps to the straight line so it's easy to follow.
Route overview and how the days break down
The idea behind the plan is to start in Kamphaeng Phet, since its highlights are the old city and the nature to the west. Once you've covered those, you move down to Nakhon Sawan, the larger city with more places to stay and eat, which makes it a good final stop. The driving legs between points aren't long. The most tiring day is the first, when you head out to Khlong Lan; the rest are relaxed.
- Day 1 — The Kamphaeng Phet World Heritage city in the morning, then out to the Khlong Lan nature area in the afternoon, overnight in Kamphaeng Phet town.
- Day 2 — The temples outside the old city walls in the morning, drive down to Nakhon Sawan around midday, walk Pak Nam Pho in the afternoon and evening, overnight in Nakhon Sawan.
- Day 3 — Bueng Boraphet at dawn, a stop at Pasan at the source of the Chao Phraya before heading home.
Rough distances
Kamphaeng Phet to Nakhon Sawan is about 120 km on Highway 1, around an hour and a half. Kamphaeng Phet town to Khlong Lan Waterfall is about 60 km, so budget half a day for the round trip.
Book the activities in your Kamphaeng Phet trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 1 — World Heritage city + Khlong Lan nature
The old city of Kamphaeng Phet, then out to the forest in the west
If you'd rather not go far
If driving into the Khlong Lan forest isn't convenient, swap it for a deeper walk through the old city, or visit the Kamphaeng Phet National Museum in town instead. The trip still feels full.
Day 2 — Temples outside town, then down to Nakhon Sawan
Cover the Aranyik temple group, then drive down to Pak Nam Pho
Day 3 — Bueng Boraphet + the source of the Chao Phraya
Thailand's largest lake, ending at Pasan
Where to base yourself for the nights
This plan has two nights. We suggest the first night in Kamphaeng Phet town so it's easy to head out to Khlong Lan and catch the temples in the morning. For the second night, stay in Nakhon Sawan around Pak Nam Pho, the larger city with a wider range of hotels and food, and close to Bueng Boraphet where you'll go first thing the next morning.
Stay in Kamphaeng Phet town (Night 1)
Near the Historical Park and the Ping River, easy for heading out to Khlong Lan and catching the temples in the morning.
Stay in Pak Nam Pho, Nakhon Sawan (Night 2)
Right in the city center with plenty of restaurants, close to Bueng Boraphet and Pasan.
Food not to miss along the way
Kamphaeng Phet chicken noodle soup
The province's signature dish that locals actually eat, with a well-rounded chicken broth and tender chicken. Old established shops are scattered around town; good for breakfast or lunch before heading out.
Kamphaeng Phet egg bananas
The province's famous fruit, small, sweet and fragrant with thin skins. Eat them fresh, grilled, or buy them processed as a gift to take home.
Pak Nam Pho clown-knifefish ball noodles
A Nakhon Sawan highlight, with bouncy fresh-made clown-knifefish balls. The well-known shops in the Pak Nam Pho quarter have been open for decades, and some also serve fish cakes and fried snacks.
Pak Nam Pho congee and rice soup
Pak Nam Pho is a Chinese-community quarter, and breakfast staples like minced-pork congee and rice soup with toppings are everywhere. Great for breakfast before heading to Bueng Boraphet.
Nakhon Sawan 100-Year Riverside Market
Evening and night food, with stalls lined up along the river, from rice dishes and rat na to fried oysters and desserts, all easy on the wallet.
Bueng Boraphet freshwater fish
Around the lake there are restaurants serving freshwater fish straight from local waters. Try grilled fish or fish tom yum for a local meal that suits the setting.
Tips to make the trip smoother
- Bird season at Bueng Boraphet — Nov–Feb is migratory-bird season; come at dawn for the best shots.
- Khlong Lan Waterfall is best in the rainy season — Jun–Oct has the most water, but you can still visit in the dry season.
- Start early — both Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park and Bueng Boraphet are cooler and less crowded in the morning.
- Fill up before the forest — petrol stations are sparse on the Khlong Lan road, so it's safer to fill up in town first.
See the full Kamphaeng Phet travel guide to plan your trip more easily
See the Kamphaeng Phet guide →