🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
This trip works best if you have your own car, because you cross Khao Yai National Park and public transport simply doesn't reach in there. The big draw of this route is getting two completely different moods in one trip: the Nakhon Nayok side leans into waterfalls and adventure activities, while the Pak Chong, Korat side is all about vineyards, cafes and mountain views. We drive up from the Noen Hom checkpoint on the Prachinburi–Nakhon Nayok side, cross the ridge, and come down at the Sala Chao Pho checkpoint on the Mu Si, Pak Chong side — which lines up perfectly.
The route at a glance before you set off
Khao Yai National Park has two main entrance/exit checkpoints: Noen Hom (the Prachinburi side, next to Nakhon Nayok) and Sala Chao Pho–Thanarat Road (the Pak Chong, Korat side). In this plan we go up from the Nayok side and down on the Korat side. The crossing over the top of the park is about 50 km, an easy 1.5-hour drive if you don't stop — but realistically you should budget the whole day, because there are a lot of stops along the way.
- Khao Yai park entry fee — 40 THB for Thai adults, 20 THB for children, 50 THB per car (foreigners pay more). The ticket is valid all day; keep it to show when you pass through the checkpoint on the other side.
- Checkpoint hours — you can drive up roughly 6am–6pm. The gates close after dark, so plan to cross to the other side before nightfall.
- Fill up before you head up — there are no petrol stations inside the park, and the twisty roads burn fuel. Top up in Nakhon Nayok town or at the foot of the mountain.
- Mobile signal — many stretches up top have no signal, so download offline maps before you go.
Pick the right direction
If you're coming from Bangkok or Nakhon Nayok, we'd go up the Nayok side in the morning and down the Korat side. That way you get morning light for the waterfalls and you're not driving against the evening flow of people heading home. On the last day you come down to Pak Chong and head back to Bangkok via the motorway, which is faster than retracing your route.
Book the activities in your Nakhon Nayok 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 — Nakhon Nayok waterfalls, then a night at the foot of the mountain
Nakhon Nayok: waterfalls + white-water rafting
Day one is about getting your fill of the water on the Nayok side, because tomorrow you'll be up on the mountain for a long stretch. If you come in the dry season (Dec–May) the waterfalls can be low — swap in a short forest walk or a bike ride around the dam instead.
Day 2 — Cross Khao Yai National Park, down to Pak Chong
Crossing Khao Yai: grasslands, waterfalls, wildlife
Don't rush on the mountain
The roads in the park have speed limits and wildlife crosses often. In the middle of the day the sun is harsh and the animals hide; your best chance of spotting them is early morning and near dusk. Drive slowly, roll the windows down and listen — you'll get far more out of it than rushing the crossing.
Day 3 — Korat vineyards and cafes before heading home
Pak Chong: winery + souvenirs
Korat–Pak Chong highlights you shouldn't skip
Once you come down off the mountain to the Mu Si, Pak Chong side, the mood shifts into a full-on tourist town, with cafes and vineyards lined up the length of Thanarat Road. These are the places people actually go to and that are still open.
GranMonte Vineyard and Winery
A Thai vineyard and winery known around the world, set in the Asoke Valley. There are vineyard tours, a tasting of 4 wines with snacks, and you can even stay the night on the estate.
PB Valley Khao Yai Winery
A bigger vineyard spanning over 2,500 rai. Ride through the vines, see the large winery operation and taste the wines — good for groups or families.
Lago di Khaoyai
A lakeside cafe with European-style decor on a large plot, complete with koi fish. You can shoot photos all day — it feels like you've slipped off to Europe.
Tellus Cafe Khaoyai
A minimal, modern cafe with open mountain views. The standouts are the coffee and bakery, and the average prices are easy to handle.
Please Don't Tell Khaoyai
A cafe with nature views and both indoor and outdoor zones, looking out over wide green mountains. Good for a long, lazy afternoon.
Khaam Khaoyai
A newly opened minimal Japanese-style cafe with standout green tea and a calm atmosphere, made for people who love clean, photo-friendly spaces.
Owen's Room Brunch and Eatery
A glass-house style restaurant and cafe wrapped in windows, cool, breezy and shaded — good for brunch before you head home.
The Creek Khao Yai
A restaurant inside a resort right by the Lam Takhong canal, shaded by trees with a cool riverside feel. Good for lunch.
Chokchai Farm
Pak Chong's famous livestock farm, with a cowboy show, farm activities and fresh milk — a popular souvenir stop before you head home.
Where should you base yourself
Night 1: foot of the mountain, Nayok–Prachin side
Stay around Noen Hom or in Nakhon Nayok town so you can reach the Noen Hom checkpoint early the next morning. Options range from streamside resorts to homestays.
Night 2: Mu Si–Pak Chong
Come down off the mountain and stay on the Korat side, close to the cafes and vineyards. Options range from mountain-view resorts to hotels in Pak Chong town.
The best time to go
In the rainy season (Jun–Oct) the Nayok-side waterfalls are full and the rafting is fun, but the road up the mountain gets slippery. In the cool season (Nov–Feb) Khao Yai and Pak Chong turn chilly, the vineyards look great and the cafes are buzzing — but it's crowded and stays cost more. Pick based on what you're after.
Want a deeper dive into the Nakhon Nayok side before crossing the mountain?
See the Nakhon Nayok travel guide →