Jungle Tours

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Full day at the Park (basic programme) (EVL A-01)

At 6.00 a.m. we will have a solid breakfast at Eco Valley Lodge before we leave for Khao Yai National Park. Before we start the trekking we will provide you all with special socks and spray to avoid unpleasant insects.

Around 8.00 a.m. we start a 2 to 3 hours walk through various habitat where you get a good impression of Thailand's natural vegetation and wildlife (the jungle). Just listening to the sounds of the jungle is an outstanding experience.

After a short stop at the visitors center we drive through the park to Khao Kiew, a viewpoint located 1188 meters above sea level, where we enjoy our lunch.

From the viewpoint we drive to Haew Suwat which is one of the largest waterfalls in the National Park. If you wish to swim in the pool below the waterfall you may do so, if not just enjoy this beautiful oasis.

Now the time is approx. 4.30 p.m. and the inhabitants of the jungle start to wake up. We drive to a watchtower in an open area, to see some of them in their original habitat. We leave the watchtower after sunset.

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Full day at the Park including Bat Cave (EVL A-02)

A combination of the Full Day Park Tour (EVL A-01): 
After Haew Suwat we will drive to the Bat Cave to see more than 1 million bats flying out to hunt insects during the night. This swarm of bats continues for more than half an hour and is a magnificent sight.
Arrival at Eco Valley Lodge around 19.30h.

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Full day at the Park, including Bird Watching (EVL A-03)

Start from Eco Valley Lodge between 5.30h and 6.00h in the morning.
This tour is a combination from the Basic Park Tour (EVL A-01) with the main point in Bird Watching.

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Tour to Bat Cave (EVL A-04)

Starting at Eco Valley Lodge at 16.30. After half an hour drive we will reach the Bat Cave to see more than 1 million bats flying out to hunt insects during the night. This swarm of bats continues for more than half an hour and is a magnificent sight.
Arrival at Eco Valley Lodge around 19.30h.

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Tour Elephant trekking (EVL A-05)

We drive to the Elephant camp where we prepare the ride and feed the elephants. After that we start trekking through the wilderness, crossing rivers etc., and even there is a chance to sit on the head of the elephant like the local mahuts.
Back to Eco Valley Lodge.

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Horse Riding at OK Coral (EVL A-06)

Khao Yai is known as the cowboy county of Thailand and indeed Pakchong is known as the Cowboy City of Thailand. The local people are very proud of their heritage working with horses and cows. The area is full of Wild-West flavour and in keeping with this we will be going to Bonanza Valley for the horse riding. First we will stop at the Bird Park to see many tropical birds including Parrots, Arras, Toucan, etc. our next stop is at the Rose Garden which will give us a beautiful view of the valley.

Our horse riding begins at the OK Coral in Bonanza where you will be instructed in the art and safety of riding and then with an instructor/guide you will set off for an 16 km ride through the beautiful area.

Mountain Bike Experience

We are living in the beautiful rolling foothills of Khao Yai National Park and what better way to see the natural beauty of the area than to take one of our mountain bikes and ride the back tracks, see stunning views you would otherwise not see, meet local country villagers and experience the real Thailand.

We have 14 first class Trek 21 gear mountain bikes that are well maintained for your safety and sizes are available for ladies and children. Should you wish to have a guided tour of various places of special interest we will be happy to take you, or you can use our GPS. You can also arrange for our vehicle to follow on the longer tours for your peace of mind.

So whether you just want to enjoy a leisurely ride for a couple of hours or partake in a tour come and ride with us at Eco Valley Lodge and experience the real Thailand.

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Biking to the Magic Cave, half day (EVL B-01)

Departing from Eco Valley Lodge with our bicycling guide. We ride through beautiful valleys with farmland and small farmer villages for approx. 7.5 km. We arrive at Wat Tum Trirat which is build around an underground cave system. We will walk through this wonderful Magic cave system for about 30 - 45 minutes. Hereafter there are 7.5 km back home through even more stunning landscapes. Just ride along at the speed suiting you.

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Biking to Bonanza Valley, half day (EVL B-02)

Departing from Eco Valley Lodge with our bicycle guide and riding through the beautiful country side, passing small villages and reach the waterwheel temple after approx. 10 km. We can have a short stop and look at the temple along the small river with his old, but functionable waterwheel. We carry on driving in direction to Bonanza Farm. At Bonanza area we are passing the OK Coral, where they are teaching Western Riding in an absolute authentic american atmosphaere. 

After total 15 km, we are passing Panthers Creek, a Hotel built as an old american western town. Just 500 m more we have a rest in a typical Thai village shop, selling water and soft drinks. Now we have 19 km left. These kilometers will take us through beautiful valleys, scienic areas and different kinds of farmland back to Eco Valley Lodge.

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Biking to Wat Pra Khao
the White Buddha, half day (EVL B-03)

Departing from Eco Valley Lodge with our bicycling guide and riding through the beautiful country side in direction to the White Buddha. We will reach the Buddha after 22 km and here are waiting 625 steps to be climbed up to the statue, which is placed 125 m up at the mountain side and from here you can overlook the beginning of the Isaan plateau. After a short rest and refreshments we take the 25 km back to Eco Vallery Lodge. A very nice ride!

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Biking to PB Valley Vineyard, full day (EVL B-04)

Departing from Eco Valley Lodge with our bicycling guide at 09.00h. The ride goes through patchwork countryside in the direction to PB Valley Vineyard. We cycle through the valley, that offers some excellent views in a very beautiful area. The roads are in a very good condition, there are some steeper ups and downs, but it can be handled by most people.
First break after 31 km are at the Hornbill Restaurant, which belongs to PB Valley Vineyard and Khao Yai Winery. Here will have our lunch.

After lunch we start our way back, which is now more uphill than downhill. These roads are on the other hand extremely beautiful through valleys and mountain sides, changing continuously from dirt roads to paved roads. Half way back, approx. 16 km, we stop for a rest and refreshment in a small typical village shop. After here we have 19 km left to come back to Eco Valley Lodge.

Cultural Tours

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Tour to the Magic Cave (EVL C-01)

Departure from Eco Valley Lodge at your discretion. Wat Tum Trirat invites us to visit the Magic Cave which were inhabited 4,000 years ago, with skeletons to prove it. They contain some stunning underground chambers with wonderful features and a lot of stalagmites and stalactites. The walk through the cave will take approx. 45 minutes.

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Tour to the White Buddha in Muak Lek (EVL C-02)

Departure from Eco Valley Lodge at your discretion. After 30 minutes driving we will see the biggest sitting Buddha Statue in Asia at Muak Lek. About 1250 steps have to be climbed to reach the platform of the statue. The weight is 3000 t and the wide reach 27m, the statue is 45m high. This big Buddha was built in only 2 years, from 1967 to 1969. From the platform a magnificent view waits for you.

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Tour Local night market (EVL C-03)

We drive to Pakchong city in the afternoon. Here the local community sets up a shopping area on the main street every evening. This is a cultural and good experience because this market is for the locals and not a tourist set-up. Choice the food your dinner, buy some fruits or just take some photos.
Back to Eco Valley Lodge.

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Full day Tour to Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya, Lopburi (EVL C-04)

Breakfast at 07.30h - Departure 08.00h - Arrival at Eco Valley Lodge approx. 18.30h

Arrival at Bang Pa In around 10.00h. Visit the Summer Palace
The Royal Palace and Bang Pa-In has a history dating back to the 17th century. According to a chronicle of Ayutthaya, King Prasat Thong (1629 - 1656) had a palace constructed on Bang Pa-In Island in the Chao Phraya River. A contemporary Dutch merchant, Jeremias van Vliet, reported that King Prasat Thong was an illegitimate son of King Ekathotsarot (1605 - 1610/11), who in his youth was shipwrecked on that Island and had a son by a woman who befriended him. The boy grew up to become a Chief Minister. After having usurped the throne, he became known as King Prasat Thong.
The King founded a monastery, Wat Chumphon Nikayaram, on the land belonging to his mother on Bang Pa-In Island, and then had a pond dug and a palace built to the south of that monastery. The chronicle records the name of only one building, the Aisawan Thiphayaart Royal Residence, which was constructed in 1632, the year of the birth of his son, the future King Narai (1656 - 1688). It is not known whether or not the palace was in use till the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767.
Lunch in a local restaurant.

Arrival in Ayuthaya around 13.00h. We will have 2 hours time for looking around. 

The ancient city of Ayutthaya, Thai capital for 417 years, is one of Thailand's major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced Southwards by northern neighbours. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. 
The Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, a vast historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, which has been included in UNESCO list of World Heritage sites since December 13, 1991.

Arrival in Lopburi around 16.00h.

Lopburi, the City of Monkeys

The macaques of Lopburi are very fortunate monkeys, indeed. They are fed by the city, residents, and tourists. Unfortunately, they eat too much food that is not good for them and they become overweight. They will often hop rides on the train to Chiangmai and back and beg for food at train stations.
Arrival at Khao Yai 19.00h

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Full day Tour to Dan Kwian, Korat and Phi Mai (EVL C-05)

Breakfast at 07.30h – Departure 08.00h – Arrival at Eco Valley Lodge approx. 18.00h

Starting at Eco Valley Lodge, we will take the Mithrapap Road in direction to Korat. We pass the Lam Tha Kong water reservoir, where several small restaurant at the lakeside serving fresh fish (Bla Tap Tim) and Lobster in a special Isaan style.

Arrival in Dan Kwian about 9.30h, where we can visit several of small ceramic companies, still working with simple equipment in the old fashion style.
Known as the ‘land of ceramics’, Dan Kwian is Nakhon Ratchasima’s main ceramics centre. Previously an area where bull-carts would stop on their way to nearby Korat, generations of Dan Kwian residents have been involved in making local pottery which is famed for a rough texture and a rust-like colour. The geographic particularities of this district mean that it is the only place in the country this type of pottery is produced. Aside from the usual bowls and dishes, the pottery is shaped in a variety of everyday implements such as utensils and tools. As interest in the area’s pottery has grown more ‘artistic’ items have been produced – jewellery, chimes, figurines and vases are all now firmly on the craftsmen’s menu. The pottery is not just here for tourists, the international sales of the craftsmen’s work plays an important contribution to the local economy. Virtually everywhere you go ceramics are on sale.
Arrival in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) ca. 11.00h. We will have a short stop at the Thao Suranani Memorial, which honours a Thai woman who, with her citizens’ army, expelled Lao aggressors in the early 1800s. Local s make offerings to her spirit for protection, and traditional Korat folk singing (financed by grateful worshippers) is a nightly event opposite the memorial. Thao Suranani also has her own festival; Korat’s biggest, from late March to early April. This involves folk singing, drama (Li-Kay), parades and beauty pageants.

Lunch in a local restaurant near the biggest and oldest Boddhi-Tree from Thailand.

Continue to visit the Phimai National Museum and Historical Park. The Phimai site has been of importance since prehistoric times but the attractions today are the remains of the Khmer city. The first phase of construction was finished by the beginning of the 11th century, before even the great Angkor Wat in which is now present day Cambodia, had been built. Phi Mai is the most complete of the several Khmer religious sites in present day Thailand. Every year in November the famous Phi Mai Festival is held with many attractions such as illuminations, traditional Thai dancing and traditional Thai Longboat racing.

After visit Phi Mai Historical Park, just 1 km away we will see the abundance of banyan trees, all originating from a single tree which is about 350 years old.
The Banyan Tree covers an area of over 15,000 sqm, named as ‘Sai Ngam’, (beautiful tree) from Her Royal Highness, the 5th Queen Prasiprachalintara, visited Phi Mai on the 21st of Jan. 1911.

Driving back to Eco Valley Lodge, arrival approx. 18.00h.

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Half day Tour to PB Valley, Khao Yai Winery (EVL C-06)

We can offer 2 different times for this tour, it depends if you would like to have a nice lunch or a nice dinner at the Great Hornbill Restaurant from Khao Yai Winery.
After arrival at the meting point the tour starts, duration about 1.5h. This guided tour includes following:

• Guided tour of the vineyard with explanation about the various grapes for winemaking as well as table grapes grown in the valley.
  This tour also includes some spots where other kinds of fruits are grown such as dragon fruit and more
• Harvest demonstration,
• Video presentation about winemaking at PB valley,
• Tour of the Winery which includes a barrel testing,
• Set Lunch or Dinner at the Hornbill Restaurant – your choice Thai or Western Dishes
• A glass of wine or grape juice during lunch
• Souvenir brochure about the tour in Thai or English.

Khao Yai Winery is one of Thailand’s largest vineyards in the heartland of highly acclaimed ‘wine country’. PB Valley, situated on the edge of the Khao Yai National Park, is the birthplace of the Khao Yai wine region. The valley is 300 to 350 meters above sea level and is home to the PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, named after the initials of its owner, Piya Bhirombhakdi.

The winery sits amidst a lush 320-hectare plantation, of which 80 hectares (550 rai) is dedicated to growing grapes. Now into the sixteenth year of operation, the winery has become the birthplace of Thailand’s premium wines, the PB Valley Khao Yai is Thailand’s only fully accredited winemaker.

This tour can be booked including Set Lunch/Dinner or to order a la carte.

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EVL-Special:
Magic Cave, White Buddha, Elephant Ride (EVL C-07)

Departure from Eco Valley Lodge at your discretion. Wat Tum Trirat invites us to visit the Magic Cave which were inhabited 4,000 years ago, with skeletons to prove it. They contain some stunning underground chambers with wonderful features and a lot of stalagmites and stalactites. The walk through the cave will take approx. 45 minutes.

After 20 minutes drive we will see the biggest sitting Buddha Statue in Asia at Muak Lek. About 1250 steps have to be climbed to reach the platform of the statue. The weight is 3000 t and the wide reach 27m, the statue is 45m high. This big Buddha was built in only 2 years, from 1967 to 1969. From the platform a magnificent view waits for you.

The next stop will be the local fruit market, here you can choice between many different kinds of local fruits which are growing in this area.

We will pass the Khao Yai wine area with a beautiful landscape when we are driving to the elephant camp. The local mahouts prepare the ride and we have time to feed the elephants. Afterwards we start the trekking through the wilderness, crossing rivers, etc., and even there is a chance to sit on the head of the elephant like the local mahouts.

Back to Eco Valley Lodge.