Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Approximately 1km north from the park entrance is
Pom Pee substation
. From here you can
hire long-tail boats to cross the reservoir to Pha Pueng or Kai Uu substations, or head back
to the Mon settlement of Wang Kha (or Ka). Hiring a boat with eight people costs around
2000B. Pom Pee also has a campsite and
bungalows
(
0 2562 0760;
www.dnp.go.th
; r from 900B),
whereas the main park only offers camping facilities.
Approximately 12km south from the park entrance is the 15m-high
Dai Chong Thong
wa-
terfall. The park headquarters are 28km south of Sangkhlaburi. From Thong Pha Phum,
sŏrng·tăa·ou
go to Kroeng Kravia Swamp (35B, one hour, every 45 minutes).
Lake House Adventure
(
www.visitbeyond.com
;
dm 13,500B, d from 15,900B)
runs four-night trips on its
houseboat from Khao Laem. The boat has well-fitted dorms as well as double rooms;
prices are seasonal. Park entry fees are included.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
HELPING TO NURTURE NATURE
The largest mainland conservation area in Southeast Asia is comprised of
Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctu-
ary
and
Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
. Designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1991, the sanctu-
aries, which cover 6200 sq km, host an incredible range of fauna and flora.
Set in the northeastern corner of Kanchanaburi and sprawling into neighbouring provinces, the sanctuaries are
largely a mountainous wilderness with rivers and streams separating the grassy lowlands and valleys.
The sanctuaries are protected areas, not national parks, and so visitors require prior permission to enter. One
way to do this is via P Guest House in Sangkhlaburi.
The sanctuaries are one of the last natural habitats for around 700 tigers, who share space with 400 types of
bird, 96 reptiles and 120 mammals, including leopards, gaur, bears and maybe even the Javan rhinoceros.
Thung Yai Naresuan (large field) takes its name from its enormous central grassland plain and the fact that
King Naresuan once used the area as a temporary army base. Huay Kha Khaeng has more amenities and camping
sites, though there are no restaurants or bungalows. The park includes the Khao Hin Daeng nature study route,
which can be reached by private transport via Uthai Thani by following Hwy 333, then Hwy 3438.
There are two camping areas within Huay Kha Khaeng:
Cyber Ranger Station
and
Huay Mae Dee
. Cyber
Ranger Station is 7km from the main office and has several waterfalls and valleys within trekking distance. The
37km off-road track to Huay Mae Dee passes a Karen village and is set within thick forest. Thai-speaking guides
can be hired from both sites.
Camp sites
(per tent 30B) are available, but you will need to bring all your own
equipment.
The main office is best reached by private transport. The closest buses or trains run to Lan Sak, from where it is
a 35km drive to the office.
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