A 2025 Walkthrough: Khao Yai Park, Haew Suwat Waterfall & The KM 33 Hike

by

A 2025 Walkthrough: Khao Yai Park, Haew Suwat Waterfall & The KM 33 Hike

Khao Yai National Park Entrance

So, you’re thinking about a trip to Khao Yai National Park, and frankly, you picked a good one. It’s almost like stepping into a different world just a few hours from Bangkok’s chaos. We decided to try the tour that takes you to Haew Suwat waterfall and then on a pretty decent hike to the Nong Pak Chi watchtower at KM 33, you know? To be honest, this specific path gives you a little bit of everything the park is famous for. You get the iconic sights and, at the end of the day, a genuine jungle feel. It’s sort of a perfect mix if you ask me. I mean, we were looking for that feeling of real exploration without going completely off-grid. This plan, basically, felt just right for us.

Actually, there’s this raw appeal to Khao Yai that’s pretty hard to put into words. You just feel the age of the forest around you. This tour is, in a way, structured to show you that. You start with something amazing and then work your way into the deeper, quieter parts of the park. It’s a very clever way to organize the day. Honestly, the anticipation builds up really nicely. You’re sort of wondering what animals might appear around the next bend. It’s a completely different vibe from a city tour or a beach day, and in some respects, far more memorable. You kind of get a sense of Thailand’s wild heart, which is seriously cool.

The First Stop: The Legendary Haew Suwat Waterfall

Haew Suwat Waterfall

Okay, so our first major stop was Haew Suwat Waterfall, and, frankly, it lives up to the hype. You have probably heard of it from that movie, ‘The Beach’, right? Anyway, seeing it in person is a totally different thing. You just walk down a set of stairs, and then, bam, you’re there. The sound of the water is, you know, kind of powerful. It’s pretty much the first thing you notice. You can feel the cool spray on your face even from a distance, which is actually super refreshing after the warm walk down. We just stood there for a bit, sort of taking it all in.

What’s really neat about Haew Suwat is its accessibility; I mean, it’s not some crazy difficult trek to get to this incredible view. Obviously, this means it can get a bit crowded sometimes. We went on a weekday, which was apparently a good call. There were other people there, of course, but it wasn’t, like, a total mob scene. You could still find a quiet spot on a rock to sit and watch the water plunge into the pool below. It’s a beautiful, powerful place and, basically, a perfect introduction to the natural wonders you’re about to see more of in the park. It really gets you excited for the next part of the day.

The Main Event: Jungle Hiking to KM 33 Nong Pak Chi

Jungle Hiking Trail in Khao Yai

Next, we got into the main part of the tour, which was the jungle hike. The trail starts not too far from the waterfall area and goes for a few kilometers, you know, finishing at a viewpoint called KM 33, or Nong Pak Chi. To be honest, this is where the adventure really begins. You step off the paved road and are, like, instantly inside the jungle. The air gets a little cooler, and the light changes because of the thick canopy overhead. The sounds of the cicadas are just, like, everywhere. It’s an incredibly immersive feeling, seriously. You almost forget the modern world exists for a little while.

The Trail Itself: A Walk on the Wild Side

The trail is a bit of a mixed bag, which actually makes it interesting. Sometimes, it’s a clear, well-trodden path where you can walk easily. Then, you know, you’ll hit a section with some tree roots you need to step over or a slightly muddy patch. It’s not a super-difficult hike, so don’t worry about that, but it definitely feels like you’re properly hiking. You can see these massive trees with huge buttress roots, which are pretty incredible. Our guide was really good, basically pointing out things we would have just walked past. For example, he showed us some strange-looking insects and spots where wild pigs had been digging in the ground. You just feel more connected to the place, in a way.

Wildlife in Khao Yai National Park

Wildlife Hopes and What We Actually Saw

Of course, a big reason to go hiking in Khao Yai is for the wildlife. At the end of the day, you have to be lucky, and you have to be quiet. We heard gibbons calling in the distance, which was honestly a magical sound. It’s this beautiful, haunting whooping sound that just echoes through the trees. We also saw some incredible hornbills flying overhead; I mean, those birds are just huge and so impressive. The guide pointed out a pit viper sleeping on a branch, which was, like, right next to the path. Seriously, we would never have seen that on our own. You don’t always see elephants on these shorter hikes, but apparently, you sometimes can, so you should definitely keep your eyes open.

Reaching Nong Pak Chi Observation Tower

So, the trail finally opens up into a large grassland area, and in the middle of it is the Nong Pak Chi Observation Tower. After being in the dense jungle, the wide-open space is, you know, a really nice change. You climb up the wooden tower, and you get this amazing panoramic view of the plains and the surrounding forest. It’s the perfect place to just stop, have a drink of water, and scan the area for animals. We actually spent a good thirty minutes up there with binoculars. We saw a few sambar deer grazing peacefully way off in the distance. It was pretty much a perfect, quiet ending to the hike itself. It felt like a real reward for the walk, I mean.

Nong Pak Chi Observation Tower Khao Yai

A Few Practical Tips for Your Hike

Alright, so if you’re going to do this trip, there are a few things to keep in mind. Honestly, being prepared just makes the whole experience way more enjoyable. You don’t need to bring a massive backpack or anything, but some items are pretty much non-negotiable for a good day out. Basically, think about comfort and protection from the elements. This isn’t a walk in a city park, right?

  • Good Shoes: This is a must. You don’t need, like, full-on mountaineering boots, but wear sturdy trainers or hiking shoes with good grip. The path can be uneven and sometimes a little slippery, so, you know, flip-flops are a really bad idea.

  • Leech Socks: Okay, this might sound gross, but during the wetter season, there are leeches. They are apparently harmless, but it’s just not pleasant. You can buy leech socks at the park entrance, and they are totally worth it for peace of mind, seriously.

  • Water and Snacks: It gets hot and humid, even under the trees. You definitely need to bring plenty of water. A few small snacks, like fruit or a granola bar, are also a great idea to keep your energy up during the hike. Basically, stay hydrated.

  • Insect Repellent: You are in a jungle, so of course, there are going to be mosquitoes and other bugs. Just use a good repellent before you start the hike, and you’ll probably be fine.

  • Binoculars: These are actually super useful, especially for the Nong Pak Chi tower. It lets you get a much better look at any wildlife you spot far away. It just makes the experience that much better, in my opinion.

I mean, at the end of the day, the best advice is to just go with a licensed guide. They know the trails, they can spot wildlife you’d miss, and they just make the whole experience safer and more informative. It’s a completely different and better experience, to be honest.

Read our full review: Khao Yai National Park Tour Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Khao Yai Adventure)