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Khao Sam Roi Yot travel guide
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Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Whenever a national park appears at the top destinations list of a country, there has to be a reason why. Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is undoubtedly worth a visit. The ‘mountain with 300 peaks’, as Khao Sam Roi Yot is translated into English, owes its name to the countless limestone hills reaching up as high as 600 meters. But not only the karst mountains make this park a special place to visit. Through its beaches, mangroves, coastline, caves, freshwater wetland, and variety of birds and smaller animals, Khao Sam Roi Yot is among the most varied parks you can find in Thailand.
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Phraya Nakhon Cave in Khao Sam Roi Yot
Phraya Nakhon Cave
The Phraya Nakhon Cave is one of the most famous attractions of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. It comprises of two open chambers that have their own miniature jungle ecosystems. Inside the cave, visitors can find a royal pavilion that was built by King Rama V. The cave is especially breathtaking during the morning hours (from 9 AM to 11 AM) when shafts of sunlight burst into the cave.
The hike to the cave itself takes around 2.5 hours, so visitors should be in good physical shape to do the hike. To get to the starting point of the trek, visitors can either take a boat (for a separate fee that is not included in the entrance ticket price) or walk (which takes around 15 minutes and is signposted).
If you’re looking for another interesting cave to visit, Tham Kaeo Cave near Ban Pu village is definitely worth a visit. The rocks in the cave sparkle like diamonds due to the mineral deposits that have formed over the last few centuries. Friendly guides outside the cave entrance offer their services, and the tour of the cave takes about 2 hours.
Khao Daeng Trip from Khao Sam Roi Yot
Khao Daeng Trip
Once you reach the village of Khlong Khao Daeng, you will find long tail boats operated by the national park that offer tours of the river and sea. These tours will take you through the lush mangrove forests, around impressive limestone formations out to the sea, passing through the village piers. During the trip, you will be able to spot some smaller inhabitants of the park such as crab-eating macaque monkeys and several bird species.
If you’re up for a challenge, it’s worth taking a steep and tough 30-minute hike to Khao Daeng Viewpoint. The starting point is near Khlong Khao Daeng village. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of a wide section of the park. However, you should have a decent level of fitness to do the hike. Don’t forget to bring water and a snack.
Bueng Bua Marsh in Khao Sam Roi Yot
Bueng Bua Marsh
The Phraya Nakhon Cave is one of the most famous attractions of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. It comprises of two open chambers that have their own miniature jungle ecosystems. Inside the cave, visitors can find a royal pavilion that was built by King Rama V. The cave is especially breathtaking during the morning hours (from 9 AM to 11 AM) when shafts of sunlight burst into the cave.
The hike to the cave itself takes around 2.5 hours, so visitors should be in good physical shape to do the hike. To get to the starting point of the trek, visitors can either take a boat (for a separate fee that is not included in the entrance ticket price) or walk (which takes around 15 minutes and is signposted).
If you’re looking for another interesting cave to visit, Tham Kaeo Cave near Ban Pu village is definitely worth a visit. The rocks in the cave sparkle like diamonds due to the mineral deposits that have formed over the last few centuries. Friendly guides outside the cave entrance offer their services, and the tour of the cave takes about 2 hours.
a perfect day trip to Khao Sam Roi Yot
A Perfect Day Trip
Once you reach the village of Khlong Khao Daeng, you will find long tail boats operated by the national park that offer tours of the river and sea. These tours will take you through the lush mangrove forests, around impressive limestone formations out to the sea, passing through the village piers. During the trip, you will be able to spot some smaller inhabitants of the park such as crab-eating macaque monkeys and several bird species.
If you’re up for a challenge, it’s worth taking a steep and tough 30-minute hike to Khao Daeng Viewpoint. The starting point is near Khlong Khao Daeng village. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of a wide section of the park. However, you should have a decent level of fitness to do the hike. Don’t forget to bring water and a snack.
more fun activities in Khao Sam Roi Yot
More to Explore
Still not getting enough of Khao Sam Roi Yot? There is more to explore in this beautiful national park. For a more leisurely afternoon, do it Thai style and hit one of the beaches of Hat Sam Phraya or Hat Leam Sala bringing some snacks and drinks.
For the bird lovers among you, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park inhabits several bird species which you can spot best between November and January, among them the purple swamphen. Special birdwatching tours can be organized through the park.
Another kind of animal can be found in the porcupine cave, which you can visit by heading to the park headquarters. While there, you can also check out a small museum that features an impressive rhinoceros skeleton. Park rangers will provide you with a torchlight so you can explore the cave on your own. Be sure to keep an eye out for details like huntsman spiders, thousand-year-old oyster shells, cave crickets, porcupines, and little snakes and lizards.
travel information about Khao Sam Roi Yot
good to know
Since Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park covers almost 100km², walking the park is not an option to see several attractions in one day. If you don’t bring your car, you can join a tour and pick the places you want to visit. It is recommended to arrange a tour in advance with an agency to get the most out of your money. There are also several options provided by the rangers at the entrance of the park and the ticket office. Furthermore, you should bring water, food, and sunscreen as well as swimwear and your camera. Sam Roi Yot town just outside the national park offers a variety of good and decent accommodations.