🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The charm of this trip is how close everything sits together. Nakhon Nayok town and Prachinburi town are only about 30 km apart along Highway 33 (Suwannason Road) — roughly a 40-minute drive — so you can easily roll both into one trip without relocating your base over long distances. Day 1 you tackle the waterfalls and dam on the Nakhon Nayok side, day 2 you cross over to Prachinburi to raft and hike, and day 3 you visit a temple and pick up local treats before heading home. Driving yourself is by far the easiest way to do this, because the sights are spread out and public transport doesn't reach a lot of them.
When to go for the full experience
If you want the waterfalls running full and the Hin Phoeng rapids open, come in late rainy season — July to November — when the water is high and the rafting season is on. In the dry months of March to April, several waterfall tiers run dry and the Hin Phoeng rapids close to rafting. If you do come in the dry season, lean into hiking the Thap Lan fan-palm forest, the temples and the cafes instead.
Day 1 — Waterfalls and the dam on the Nakhon Nayok side
Day 1
Sarika – Nang Rong – Khun Dan Dam
08:00
Leave Bangkok, heading for Nakhon NayokAbout 110 km along the Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok road, roughly 1.5–2 hours. Stop for breakfast in Nakhon Nayok town before heading up the hills.
10:00
Swim at Sarika WaterfallA tall, multi-tier waterfall that cascades down in stages, about 15 km from town along Highway 3049 then 3050. Entry is 40 THB for adults, 20 THB for kids, open 08:00–17:00. In late rainy season the water runs strong and clear.
12:30
Lunch at a stream-side spot in the Sarika areaThere are restaurants here with tables set right by the stream — grilled fish, fried chicken, som tam — and you can sit with your feet in the water. It's the kind of setting people come to Nakhon Nayok for.
14:00
Stop at Nang Rong WaterfallA stepped rock waterfall with pools you can wade into, managed by the Nakhon Nayok provincial authority. The water is clear and cool, good for an afternoon soak, and there are shops in the area.
15:30
Visit Khun Dan Prakan Chon DamThe longest roller-compacted concrete dam in Thailand, with a reservoir view ringed by mountains. Take the tram along the dam crest for 30 THB/person — about 20 minutes — or hire a boat to see Khao Chong Lom for around 1,500 THB for a group of 1–7 people.
17:30
Check in to a campground or stream-side resortThe Sarika area has plenty of campgrounds; most charge 150–200 THB/person for a tent pitch, and some rent out tents and A-frame huts. If camping isn't your thing, there are stream-side resorts with rooms starting around 800 THB.
18:30
Dinner by the stream, with the water as your soundtrackCarry in a moo kratha or barbecue set and eat by the water. Evenings here are cooler than in the city — it's the first night that really feels like a break from town.
What to pack for the waterfalls
Bring non-slip sandals or water shoes — waterfall rocks get very slippery. Pack a waterproof phone pouch, a change of clothes, and mosquito repellent for the evening. Mobile signal is weak at some campgrounds, so bring a power bank too.
🎟️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.
🎟️ See all Nakhon Nayok tours & activities (Klook) Day 2 — Cross into Prachinburi for rafting and a fan-palm forest hike
On the second morning, pack up and drive across to the Prachinburi side along Highway 33 — about 40 minutes from the Sarika area. The nature here shifts to big forest and river rapids, with the highlights in Na Di district, right up against the Khao Yai zone and Thap Lan National Park.
Day 2
Hin Phoeng Rapids – Thap Lan fan-palm forest
08:00
Pack up the tent, drive across to PrachinburiFrom the Sarika–Khun Dan area, head out on Highway 33 toward Na Di district — about 60 km, roughly 1 hour. You can stop for breakfast along the way.
09:30
Raft the Hin Phoeng RapidsRocky rapids in the middle of a wide, clear river inside the Khao Yai park zone on the Na Di district side — the famous rafting spot of eastern Thailand. It only opens for rafting in the rainy season, roughly July to November. Resorts around the rapids run packages with rafts, life jackets and guides, costing from a few hundred up to around a thousand THB per person depending on the route.
12:30
Lunch at a riverside resort by the rapidsThe Hin Phoeng area has several riverside resorts and restaurants. Rest and change out of your wet clothes after rafting, then order made-to-order dishes or river fish before moving on.
14:00
Hike the fan-palm forest at Thap Lan National ParkThap Lan is the second-largest national park in Thailand, and its standout feature is a vast forest of lan (fan palms), some of them several hundred years old. Entry is 80 THB for adults, 30 THB for kids, and there are shady nature trails that are perfect for a late-afternoon walk once the sun softens.
16:30
Take in the view at Khao Ito – Chakraphong ReservoirIf you have time left, stop at Khao Ito, Prachinburi's in-town forest, with the wide Chakraphong Reservoir, a mountain viewpoint and a cycling route. It's where Prachinburi locals come to unwind.
18:00
Settle in at your accommodation in Prachinburi townPrachinburi town has hotels and resorts to choose from, with prices starting in the few-hundreds. Save your energy for the cultural sights the next morning.
Book your rafting ahead
On rainy-season weekends, the Hin Phoeng rapids get busy. Call ahead to book a package with a resort and ask about water conditions before you go. On days when the water runs too strong, the park may close rafting for safety, so have a backup plan — hiking and temple visits make a good substitute.
Day 3 — Prachinburi culture and treats before heading home
Day 3
Bodhi tree – herbal medicine – local treats
08:30
Pay respects at the Sri Maha Bodhi treeWat Ton Pho Sri Maha Bodhi in Si Mahosot district is home to the Sri Maha Bodhi tree, believed to be the oldest in Thailand and a spiritual centre for Prachinburi's Buddhists. It's shady and peaceful — a good place to start the day slowly.
10:00
Explore the ancient town of Si MahosotNear Wat Ton Pho is the Si Mahosot archaeological site, traces of an old Dvaravati-era town with a moat and ancient ponds. A gentle bit of history to walk through before heading into town.
11:30
Wander the Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr MuseumA yellow European-style old building inside Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital, now a museum of Thai traditional medicine and herbs. There's a shop selling Abhaibhubejhr herbal products — a genuinely good local gift to take home.
12:30
Lunch in Prachinburi townFind a made-to-order spot, a noodle shop, or a local restaurant for a meal. Prachinburi sits on the Prachinburi River, so there are several riverside restaurants to choose from.
14:00
Relax at a cafe before the drive backBoth around Prachinburi and on the way back through Nakhon Nayok there are garden cafes with mountain views. Sip a coffee and rest before the long drive — it also helps you dodge the Sunday-evening traffic.
15:30
Pick up local treats, then drive back to BangkokThe treats people buy from these two provinces: on the Nakhon Nayok side, dried bananas and candied madan; on the Prachinburi side, Abhaibhubejhr herbal products and pai tong bamboo shoots. Stop at a roadside shop before getting on the road home.
Choosing a base — which side to sleep on
Because the two provinces sit side by side, you could pick one side to sleep on and drive back and forth. But for this 3-day trip, sleeping on a different side each night makes better use of your time. The first night, stay in the waterfall area of Nakhon Nayok for the camping vibe; the second night, shift over to Prachinburi so you can do the cultural sights the next morning without rushing.
Nakhon Nayok · BudgetCampground in the Sarika area
Tent pitches run around 150–200 THB/person, and some places rent tents and bedding. Great for the first night when you want to wake up to a stream right in front of you.
Prachinburi · AdventureRiverside resort by the Hin Phoeng Rapids
In the Na Di district area, with rooms starting in the few-hundreds. Many places have rafting packages built in — handy if you're hitting the water on day two.
Prachinburi · ComfortableHotel in Prachinburi town
Air-con rooms with hot water in town, prices starting in the few-hundreds. Good for the second night when you'll visit the temple and museum in the morning.
Order your stops by direction
Driving in one loop saves the most time. Start from Bangkok into the Nakhon Nayok waterfall side first, then work your way down to Prachinburi via Na Di district and the town. On the last day, the drive home passes back through Nakhon Nayok anyway — no need to retrace your route.
Want to trim it to 2 days or add Khao Yai
This plan stretches and shrinks to fit your time and tastes. If you only have two days, or want to extend on to Khao Yai, there are a few ways to adjust.
- Down to 2 days, 1 night — Combine days 1 and 2: focus on Sarika Waterfall in the morning, then cross over to raft the Hin Phoeng rapids in the afternoon, and stay one night in Prachinburi.
- Pure nature — Cut the culture day, add a full day of hiking at Thap Lan, and catch the sunset at Pha Kep Tawan cliff in the evening.
- Extend to Khao Yai — Prachinburi borders the southern edge of Khao Yai, so you can drive up via the Noen Hom checkpoint and add another 1–2 days.
- Travelling with family — Swap the rafting for splashing in shallow waterfalls and the dam tram, and add the Ganesha Park in Nakhon Nayok so the kids have somewhere to walk.
