Day 44: Pak Chong Trekking in the Rain

Today we had to get up early again because we were going to Khao Yai National Park. This national park is the oldest national park in Thailand.

Today's program included searching for and observing many animals and birds.

We drove about 30 minutes from the guesthouse on a pickup truck to the national park. When we arrived at the national park, our truck slowed down significantly and our guide continuously searched for animals to show us. On the way through the park, we saw hornbills, gibbons, and a monitor lizard. We made a quick stop at the visitor center. While we were comfortably reading some information inside, it started raining heavily outside. So our guide changed the plan: we will visit a waterfall, have lunch, and then hike for 2 hours through the jungle. Done and done... The waterfall was really beautiful, and the rain gave the rainforest a very special mystical atmosphere. Fortunately, the rain stopped so heavily after lunch, and we were able to start our hike through the jungle. The atmosphere here was also very special due to the wet undergrowth. On the way through the jungle, our guide showed us various insects, trees, and plants and explained many things to us. But the absolute highlight of the hike was the crocodile in the river, along which we mostly walked. After two rain-free hours, our pickup picked us up at the end of the trail. Since there are many wild elephants in this national park, our guide of course wanted to show them to us. However, after almost 2 hours of driving back and forth in the park without seeing any elephants, we had to return to the guesthouse without a sighting.