🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
This route works well if you're already based in Tak, or just passing through on Highway 1 (Phahonyothin). It's about 60 km from Tak down to Kamphaeng Phet, roughly 1 hour, on good road the whole way. Driving yourself is by far the easiest option because the sights on the Kamphaeng Phet side are spread out — both the old city zone and the Khlong Lan forest, which is another 50 km or so beyond town.
Trip at a glance
- Day 1 — Leave Tak, drive down to Kamphaeng Phet, walk the Historical Park (Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Phra That, the Aranyik zone, Wat Chang Rop), and stay overnight in town.
- Day 2 — Pay respects at Wat Phra Borommathat Nakhon Chum, then head into Khlong Lan to swim at Khlong Lan / Khlong Nam Lai waterfalls before looping back.
- Getting around — A private car or rental is recommended. You can reach Kamphaeng Phet by bus, but the waterfall side needs a chartered vehicle.
- Best time to go — The waterfalls are at their best in late rainy season and early cool season, around October to December, when the water runs full and clear.
Book the activities in your Tak 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 — The old city of Kamphaeng Phet
Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park is part of the same UNESCO World Heritage listing as Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai, but the mood here is clearly different. There are plenty of trees, lots of shade, and the ruins are built from reddish laterite. With far fewer visitors, you can wander and take photos without fighting anyone for an angle.
Tak city → Kamphaeng Phet old city
Tip
The walled-city zone and the Aranyik zone have separate tickets, and driving into the outer zone adds a vehicle fee — keep some cash handy. Bring a hat and water too, since you'll be walking in the sun for a fair bit.
Day 2 — Nakhon Chum stupa + Khlong Lan Waterfall
On the second morning, stop to pay respects at Nakhon Chum, across the Ping River, then head into the Khlong Lan forest about 50 km from town. Khlong Lan Waterfall is a single tier over 100 metres high and roughly 40 metres wide, with a big pool to swim in. It's a short walk in from the car park.
Nakhon Chum → Khlong Lan National Park
Fees and opening hours to know
- Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park — Open daily 08:30–16:30. Entry 10 THB for Thais, 30 THB for foreigners. The outer (Aranyik) zone charges a vehicle fee of 50 THB per car.
- Khlong Lan National Park — Standard national-park entry fees apply. There are campgrounds and bungalows; book via nps.dnp.go.th.
- Wat Phra Borommathat Nakhon Chum — Free to enter and open all day.
- Key distances — Tak → Kamphaeng Phet ~60 km (~1 hr) · Kamphaeng Phet town → Khlong Lan ~50 km.
Can you do it in one day?
If you only have one day, picking one or the other works out better. Drive down from Tak, spend half a day at the Historical Park, then head back — or if you'd rather swim, go straight to Khlong Lan. Cramming both into a single day means rushing, since the waterfall sits in a different direction from the old city and you'd burn a lot of time driving back and forth.
History day
Spend the full day on the old city of Kamphaeng Phet, covering both the walled-city and outer zones at an unhurried pace.
Nature day
Head straight to Khlong Lan from the morning, swim at the waterfall for a good long while, and return in the evening.
Straight talk
On the Khlong Lan side during the dry season (March–May), the waterfalls drop a lot, sometimes down to just a thin trickle. If you're coming specifically to swim, skip the dry months — late rainy season is far more worth it.
Want a place to stay in Tak before the trip?
See the Top 10 Tak Hotels →