Khao Phanom Bencha National Park

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, located in Krabi, is one of the most visited and favoured spots for travellers who are seeking a getaway in the lap of nature. This park is named after Khao Phanom Bencha, which is a mountain at 1,397 meters above sea level. This is a small park sitting at an altitude of 1,397 meters above the sea level which is the highest altitude in Krabi, and covering an area of about 50 km² spanning across Maung, Ao Luek, and Khao Phanom districts north of Krabi. For nature lovers, there is no better place to visit than this national park as it offers a spectacular view of nature and forest. The park is widely visited by travellers of all ages, right from kids who come along with their parents to get a breath of fresh air, to old age people who want to relax and bask in the glory of nature. This amazing natural park is bestowed with hiking trails for which you would require a decent amount of fitness to cross through, a couple of thundering waterfalls, meandering trails, and mysterious caves.

The Khao Phanom Bencha National Park houses several wild animals and over 218 bird species, thus ensuring everyone who visits this park will have an exhilarating experience and will enjoy quality time.

How to Reach Khao Phanom Bencha National Park

The park is located approximately 27 kilometres north to the Krabi city centre. There is a very limited transportation facility available in this area, and there are no public transportation options to access this park. The best way to reach the park is to hire a cab with a driver from Krabi, who would help you reach the place. A cheaper alternative could be hiring a car or a scooter, but ensure you are confident about the route before you decide to self-drive.

The entrance fees to the park for foreigners are 100 THB for adults, and 50 THB for children. Cars to be charged up to 30 THB for parking.

Huay Toh Watherfall - National park Panom Bencha — Image credits: Wikimedia

Best Time to Visit Khao Phanom Bencha National Park

Although the Khao Phanom Bencha National Park is suitable for visiting all throughout the year, the best time to visit would be between the months of October – March. This is because the climate during this season is very pleasant and chill, and also the humidity is very low. This will ensure you have a pleasant sightseeing experience as the physical activity can become slightly strenuous, and a good climatic condition will ensure you don’t end up exhausted.

The park is open all seven days a week, barring public and government holidays. The park is open between 8 am – 4 pm.

Attractions in Khao Phanom Bencha National Park

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park is truly a paradise for nature lovers. Although there are several spots of attraction inside the park, the waterfalls are the most popular attraction.

There are two waterfalls, namely Huai Tu Falls and Huai Sakhe Falls. The Huai Tu Falls is the more famous attraction, which consists of a massive 11 tiers with 5 major falls. Some ponds are available for relaxing dips for the tourists, whereas some of them stand a towering height of 70-80 meters. The initial few tiers are easily accessible, but as you go further and further, it becomes gradually steep and ends up becoming very difficult to walk. The Huai Sakhe Falls is a 3-level waterfall with pristine ponds.

The park also has a cave, named Khao Pheung Cave. This cave is located roughly 2 kilometres away from the visitor centre. This cave is quite spacious and has many larger and smaller chambers. You can navigate through the caves by following the signboards placed in the cave. The cave is not advisable for kids, or for people who will not be able to endure rocky terrains and climbing. You can either visit the cave on your own, or you can hire a tourist guide who will be helping you get through the caves, and will also show you other caves higher up the same mountain.

If you are looking for a peaceful retreat in the lap of nature and animals, the park’s forest has tree species like Takian, Teak, Dipterocarpus Alatus, Lagerstroemia, Magnolia champaca and Parkia Speciosa, and you find Bamboo and Calamus palms in lower elevations. There are also a plethora of animals in the park, like Leopard, Tapir, Asiatic Black Bear, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Sumatran Serow, Dholes, stump-tailed Macaque, and many more. Watching the animals in this park will entertain the kids. The park also houses several bird species like White-crowned and Helmeted Hornbill, Argus Pheasant, and White-rumped Shama. You also find interesting reptile species like Gurney’s Pitta in this park. Although, you have to keep in mind that mammal spotting in this park is quite rare, and don’t get deceived by any guide inside the park who promises mammal spotting!

For adventure junkies, there is no other place you have to be apart from the Khao Phanom Bencha National Park. Khao Phanom Bencha Peak is the most favored destination for hiking in Krabi. There are two circular trails, namely Dog slide Trail and Nature Trail, to reach the summit of the peak. The two trails start from the same spot near the visitor center and split into trails at around 340 meters above sea level. The Dog slide Trail is about 2.4 kilometers and the Nature Trail is 2.9 kilometers long. Both the trails are amazing and offer spectacular views of natural vegetation, caves, waterfalls, wildlife, and also even a sea of clouds. The highest elevation is at around 540 meters above sea level. You also get to experience the amazing view of the whole Krabi city from viewpoints. This hiking is recommended only for people who are physically fit, as the hiking tends to get very strenuous. It is also recommended to carry 2-3 water bottles with you as you tend to get dehydrated.

If you are looking to stay in the areas adjacent to the Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, there are several spots to pitch a tent and camp. You also have the option to stay in bungalows and properties on the area leading to the national park, but you will have to book well in advance as the options are limited and tend to sell out quickly.

Bueng Boraphet — Image credits: Wikipedia

If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle city life of Thailand, and looking forward to a relaxing getaway in nature’s lap, there is no better place to visit than the Khao Phanom Bencha National Park. With stunning views all around, this park appeases travellers of any and every age group and has something to offer for everyone who visits the park. Visiting this national park needs preplanning and in case you are interested in accommodation in that area, it has to be pre-booked as well.

A well-planned trip to the Khao Phanom Bencha National Park will ensure you cover all the major attractions and experiences, without facing any last-minute hassles. Trust travel experts of Pickyourtrail to curate amazing Thailand tours for you! Pack your bags and get ready for the most relaxing and exhilarating experience, and ensure you make nothing but memories that last forever!