Plan A Dreamy Holiday To Khao Kho, Thailand With Views Above The Clouds!

Compared to hectic Bangkok, this undiscovered gem 6-hours North of the busy capital is instead serene and laidback. Teeming with undisturbed nature and spellbinding views, Khao Kho should definitely be on your travel bucket list, especially if you'd much prefer escaping to where the crowds are thin rather than spending hours shopping and braving the traffic in the city. Thankfully, it's not difficult to plan a road trip from Bangkok to Khao Kho, and you can reach this mysterious and charming town in under 6 hours!

Khao Kho is located approximately 5-hours to 6-hours away from Bangkok by car. You can get to Khao Kho via several ways – by bus, car, or flight.

The cheapest way is by bus from the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mochit 2) to Lomsak Transport Station followed by another bus from the Lomsak District to Khao Kho District. The journey by bus from Bangkok to Khao Kho is about 9 to 10 hours.

Besides that, you can also get a 4-hour flight from Don Mueang International Airport to Phitsanulok Airport followed by a 2-hour bus to Khao Kho. The total time of the journey is about 6 to 7 hours.

Out of all options, the most convenient way to get from Bangkok to Khao Kho, however, is to go by car. You can choose to rent a car (from RM68/day) or book a private car charter on Klook. The journey takes 5 to 6 hours - the fastest and most direct amongst all the other options. Besides that, you'll have full flexilibilty and also won’t have to worry about getting around the different destinations in Khao Kho if you opt to go by car!

💡 Want even more convenience? Book a tour like the 5D4N Khao Kho private tour or a shorter 3D2N Khao Kho tour from Klook, with the itinerary all planned out for you. Getting around might be tricky if you’re unfamiliar with the area, so there’s no need to worry about navigating around if you book a private tour!

Although there are different activities and attractions in Khao Kho at different seasons, generally travellers prefer to visit during the second half of the year. If you’re visiting Khao Kho for the view of the sea of clouds, they are the most apparent during the rainy season from July to September. The second most popular period to travel to Khao Kho is from November to January - these months are usually the coldest and you'll get to catch a glimpse of blooming sunflower fields! 🌻

While there are many undiscovered lookout points in Khao Kho, here are a few favourites that are guaranteed to give you breathtaking views and stunning photos.

The tallest mountain in the Phetchabun province, Phu Thap Boek is one of the top attractions of Khao Kho. At a height of 1,768 metres, visitors can enjoy cool weather all year round but the magic truly happens during the rainy season. Thick and heavy clouds engulf the hills, creating a picturesque scene you can only imagine in your dreams.

Besides the sea of clouds that visitors come for, there’s also a hidden gem in Phu Thap Boek. From December to January, you can even witness a pink field of cherry blossoms!

Source: tanrak.com

Source: tanrak.com

A well-known restaurant in Khao Kho, Tanrak Talaymok is a favourite not just amongst tourists but locals well. Aside from filling your tummy, the location of the restaurant allows its patrons to enjoy the view of the valley below.

With a sweeping panoramic view of misty hills, make sure you don’t neglect the restaurant’s wide garden area with well-manicured lawn and vibrant flowers. Accommodation is also available at Tanrak Talaymok for those who are keen on staying longer.

It’s easy to think you’ve reached the heavens when visiting Wat Prathat Phasornkaew with it’s regal 5 sitting Buddha statues, enveloped by the thick white clouds of mist. Also known as Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, this beautiful Buddhist monastery and temple will take your breath away!

Besides the distinct, Wat Prathat Phasornkaew is also made up of a surrounding garden, preaching hall, and pagoda. Over 5 million colourful mosaic tiles and pottery shards decorate the main temple’s main pagoda as well as surrounding buildings, certainly making it a sight for sore eyes.

Source: Pino Latte Resort & Cafe

Grab a giant orange bean bag and lounge around the outdoor lawn of Pino Latte Resort & Cafe as you soak in the cool weather. With a view of the Wat Prathat Phasornkaew in the distance and surrounding hills, this chic resort and cafe a great place to relax with a cup of coffee.

Also serving a good selection of food, pastry and drinks, it’s no wonder that Pino Latte is a favourite spot for many visitors and locals. If you can’t get enough of the view, you can even choose to stay there!

While Khao Kho is more known for its view of the clouds, there are many more facets to this undiscovered town. Here are just a few of other famous attractions amongst visitors.

The wind turbine power generators standing amongst a green field by paddy field might not be the obvious choice of an attraction but is quite popular amongst visitors! Who knew that renewable energy source could be a tourist attraction, right? Depending on the season, you can also find rows of ripe strawberries lining the farmland.

 

Source: Wikimedia Commons (L) (R)

If you’re an adventure seeker or a nature lover, you certainly wouldn’t shy away from a trip to the Khao Kho National Park. Explore the best of nature with its scenic steep valleys, mountainous terrains, mysterious caves, impressive waterfalls and more.

Go for a trek through the lush forest of the national park or have a dip at the Than Thip Waterfall, with waters flowing from the rocks at 26 meters height and 30 meters width. Depending on your luck, you might also be able to spot wild animals like wild boar, common muntjac, macaques, palm civets and more.

Source: tourismthailand.org

Held every Saturday from 5pm to 10pm, the Lomsak Walking Street turns into a busy night market selling everything from street to clothes, handicrafts, and more. You can walk the streets of the market or along the wooden platform by the water, both lined with stalls.

There’s also a stage for visitors to watch the occasional Thai dance performance or have fun with the music! Lit with bright lights and filled with a lively atmosphere, a holiday Thailand is incomplete without a visit to a night market.

Located in Saraburi along the route from Bangkok to Khao Kho, the beautiful Muak Lek Sunflowers Fields is the perfect pitstop while you embark on your road trip toward Khao Kho. Set against a backdrop of grassy mountains and affectionately known as the "field of a thousand blooming suns", the sunflower fields of Muak Lek are usually in full bloom from November to January - you'll be in luck if your trip coincides with these months!

There is still plenty more to discover in Khao Kho than the places mentioned above. It can be tricky planning a trip to this undiscovered gem in Thailand if you don’t understand the local language since information is scarce.

Hence it’s worth it to join a 5D4N Khao Kho private tour or 3D2N tour of Khao Kho, with the itinerary all planned out for you for the full experience. You’ll even be brought to places that only the locals know how to find, like the sunflower field in a nearby town. Alternatively, rent a car on Klook from RM68/day for more flexibility and a taste of adventure. You can take your pick from compact vehicles to spacious SUVs, pickup trucks, and even commercial vans that can fit up to 10 pax!