Took the chance to visit picturesque Khao Yai on our Bangkok trip as it's only a short 3 hours drive away! Here is a short 2 days 1 night itinerary/guide you may follow that includes travel tips, accommodation, food and attraction recommendations.
- Travel there early
Just like travelling from Singapore to Johor Bahru/Malaysia, the tip is always to leave early as to avoid the jam.
- Prepare some snacks or have breakfast before leaving
As the drive is about 3 hours (longer on weekends), it'll be best to eat something before setting off. Pitstops along the way is necessary too!
- Rent a car (or hire a driver)
It will most definitely be a plus point if you are able to drive to and in Khao Yai. We hired a driver only to send us there without realising that you actually need a car to get around as there is very little taxi or public transport options, resulting in us hiring a driver from the hotel which obviously cost a lot more. Driving is relatively easy though most of the signages are in Thai but with a GPS, you should be set.
Getting around is also highly accessible as most of the attractions are all within driving distance, some taking you less than 10 minutes.
- Weather check
We all know how hot and sweltering Bangkok's weather is but in Khao Yai, it's slightly cooler and it gets rather chilly after the sun sets. Don't forget to bring a cardigan (especially if you're planning to hike the National Park)!
Recommendation: Thames Valley or Atta Lakeside Resort
picture from Google
Really wanted to stay at the highly raved about Thames Valley but it was fully booked even months before. If you have the opportunity to stay at this resort, please do - it's so beautiful!
Instead, we booked our stay at Atta Lakeside Resort which is also super pretty! Located in Kirimaya Golf Resort Spa on landscaped territory surrounded by artificial lake, we were mesmerised by it's beauty upon driving in.
The luxurious view of the pool overlooking the lake and mountains is absolutely splendid and to die for.. this view is my favourite.
We booked the two-bedroom suite for our family and it was amazing! Large living space (P.S. the sofa is humongous and so comfortable) that comes with a kitchen and of course, my sister's favourite: a free mini bar. We ordered room service for dinner and dined at the balcony while enjoying the chilly weather, absolute perfection.
We woke up to peace and serenity. Our family paid $300/night for a two-bedroom suite, it was in my opinion worth every cent and more!
- Mid Winter Green restaurant
This breathtaking restaurant in Pak Chong can be the sole reason to visit Khao Yai. It's European-theme made me feel like I was in a living post card. Food wise, it was amazing!! You have to try the Midwinter's Pizza - consisting of cheese, rockets, parma ham, tomato topped off with truffle oil *win*
- The Castle Restaurant & Tea room (at Thames Valley)
If you can't stay at Thames Valley, you should at least go down to enjoy lunch/tea at The Castle Restaurant and Tea Room! We ordered the Cha Thai Toast and macarons to accompany our TWG tea (and uh, red wine for my mother).
- The Great Hornbill Grill (at PB Valley)
I'm not exaggerating when I say the best tom yum I had in all my Bangkok trips is found here, in an unassuming restaurant inside a winery. They serve up an authentic mixture of Italian, Western and Thai food. We had lunch here before our Vineyard and Winery tour at 1:30 pm (more details below). If you book the tour, you also get a slight discount dining at this restaurant!
Others:
- Lookkai Khao Yai (restaurant with similar vibes to Midwinter)
- 382 Space Coffee (your hipster coffee house)
- The Witches Brew Khao Yai (Western & Thai Food)
- The Mew (Western & Thai Food)
- Ribs Mannn (Meat)
- Primo Piazza
Breathe tranquility and soak in the tuscan atmosphere at Primo Piazza! With an entrance fee of 100 baht ($4), it allows you to be transported into an Italian-like farm house where you can feed Sheeps, Alpacas and Donkeys!!
Though feeding animals is such a kiddy thing to do, the big kid in me was soooo excited!! Especially about meeting Alpacas for the first time! How cute are they? *screams*
- Thames Valley
This is literally the third time i'm mentioning this place in my post so obviously it's worth the hype haha!! Spend 1 to 2 hours here over tea and you will not regret it. It'll be even more lovely if you could get an accommodation here (ok mentioned that way too many times but I really want to stay here T_T)!
- Chocolate Factory
I was super excited about visiting this place because I thought it'd be a literal factory where I could take a tour and explore the creation of chocolate but it was more of a restaurant/cafe. Nonetheless, I was running all over and checking out all the different types of chocolates and pastries they were selling. Decided to order their Iced Chocolate and it made the whole trip to this so called factory worth it!! It was the best chocolate drink I've had, ever!
- Palio Piazza
*skip if you have no time, there isn't much
Dubbed the "Italy of Thailand", this place boasts to have over a hundred shops. Sadly, most of them were not open and there was barely anything to see. It's a nice photography spot though so only go if you have time to kill. Also, don't get this place confused with Primo Piazza!
- PB Valley
I've been wanting to go on a Winery tour since forever and Khao Yai was the perfect chance. With a reasonable fee of 300 baht ($12) a 75 minutes tour, we got to see one of the largest vineyards in Khao Yai featuring a wide variety of grape plantation.
The wine tour featured many informative details about the process of making wine and concluded with tasting of their red wine, white wine and roseé. For kids, they offered fresh grape juice which was really lovely! I bought their grape slush and it was the best thing to beat the afternoon sun.
Others:
- Khao Yai National Park
- Jim Thompson Farm
- The Bloom (Flower Garden)
- Saraburi Sunflower Field
-
Can't wait to head back to Khao Yai again x
- Mid Winter Green restaurant
This breathtaking restaurant in Pak Chong can be the sole reason to visit Khao Yai. It's European-theme made me feel like I was in a living post card. Food wise, it was amazing!! You have to try the Midwinter's Pizza - consisting of cheese, rockets, parma ham, tomato topped off with truffle oil *win*
- The Castle Restaurant & Tea room (at Thames Valley)
If you can't stay at Thames Valley, you should at least go down to enjoy lunch/tea at The Castle Restaurant and Tea Room! We ordered the Cha Thai Toast and macarons to accompany our TWG tea (and uh, red wine for my mother).
- The Great Hornbill Grill (at PB Valley)
I'm not exaggerating when I say the best tom yum I had in all my Bangkok trips is found here, in an unassuming restaurant inside a winery. They serve up an authentic mixture of Italian, Western and Thai food. We had lunch here before our Vineyard and Winery tour at 1:30 pm (more details below). If you book the tour, you also get a slight discount dining at this restaurant!
Others:
- Lookkai Khao Yai (restaurant with similar vibes to Midwinter)
- 382 Space Coffee (your hipster coffee house)
- The Witches Brew Khao Yai (Western & Thai Food)
- The Mew (Western & Thai Food)
- Ribs Mannn (Meat)
- Primo Piazza
Breathe tranquility and soak in the tuscan atmosphere at Primo Piazza! With an entrance fee of 100 baht ($4), it allows you to be transported into an Italian-like farm house where you can feed Sheeps, Alpacas and Donkeys!!
Though feeding animals is such a kiddy thing to do, the big kid in me was soooo excited!! Especially about meeting Alpacas for the first time! How cute are they? *screams*
- Thames Valley
This is literally the third time i'm mentioning this place in my post so obviously it's worth the hype haha!! Spend 1 to 2 hours here over tea and you will not regret it. It'll be even more lovely if you could get an accommodation here (ok mentioned that way too many times but I really want to stay here T_T)!
- Chocolate Factory
- Palio Piazza
*skip if you have no time, there isn't much
Dubbed the "Italy of Thailand", this place boasts to have over a hundred shops. Sadly, most of them were not open and there was barely anything to see. It's a nice photography spot though so only go if you have time to kill. Also, don't get this place confused with Primo Piazza!
- PB Valley
I've been wanting to go on a Winery tour since forever and Khao Yai was the perfect chance. With a reasonable fee of 300 baht ($12) a 75 minutes tour, we got to see one of the largest vineyards in Khao Yai featuring a wide variety of grape plantation.
The wine tour featured many informative details about the process of making wine and concluded with tasting of their red wine, white wine and roseé. For kids, they offered fresh grape juice which was really lovely! I bought their grape slush and it was the best thing to beat the afternoon sun.
Others:
- Khao Yai National Park
- Jim Thompson Farm
- The Bloom (Flower Garden)
- Saraburi Sunflower Field
-
Can't wait to head back to Khao Yai again x
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