A 12-hour small-group nature day from Pattaya into Rayong: hiking the six-level Khao Chamao waterfall, walking the golden Tung Prong Tong meadow and kayaking ancient forest wetlands. It is the premium escape — around ฿12,300 (from $341.94 on GetYourGuide), rated a perfect 5.0★ from 31 reviews. Budget DIY alternative: drive to Khao Chamao yourself, park entry 200 THB.
Tour Highlights
- Khao Chamao–Khao Wong National Park: a six-level jungle waterfall hike
- Tung Prong Tong — the “golden meadow” of seaside grass and mangrove flats
- Kayaking through quiet, ancient forest wetlands
- Small-group, private-feel format — rated a perfect 5.0★ (31 reviews)
- A side of the Eastern Seaboard almost no Pattaya tourist sees
Itinerary
- 1Early morningPickup in Pattaya and drive east into Rayong province — about 1.5–2 hours, watching resorts give way to fruit orchards.
- 2MorningKhao Chamao–Khao Wong National Park: hike the stepped jungle trail past the waterfall’s levels and their carp-filled pools. The full climb takes around an hour up at an easy pace.
- 3MiddayLocal Thai lunch in Rayong countryside style.
- 4AfternoonTung Prong Tong golden meadow — boardwalks across a plain of shimmering seaside grass at the Prasae river mouth.
- 5Late afternoonPaddle kayaks through calm forest wetlands and mangrove channels, with birdlife instead of jet skis.
- 6EveningDrive back to Pattaya, arriving roughly 12 hours after you left.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Pattaya
- Transport throughout the day
- Guide
- Kayaking equipment
- National park visit (confirm fee inclusion at booking)
Not included
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Anything not named in your specific listing — read the inclusions line
Who is this tour best for?
- Nature lovers who came to Thailand for jungle, not jet skis
- Couples and small groups wanting a private-feel guided day
- Repeat Pattaya visitors who have done every island already
- Photographers — the golden meadow at the right light is remarkable
Where to book & compare
| Provider | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guided hike & kayak day (this) | around ฿12,300 (from $341.94 on GetYourGuide) | 5.0★ from 31 reviews — 12 hours, small-group private feel, everything organised. The premium option, priced like one. |
| DIY: Khao Chamao–Khao Wong NP | 200 THB entry (foreign adult) | Children 3–14 pay 100 THB, parking ~30 THB; park open roughly 08:30–16:00. You need a rental car — about 1.5–2 hours from Pattaya — and you skip the guided kayaking. |
| Koh Samet day trip (alternative) | from ~1,700 THB | Also in Rayong province but a beach day, not a jungle day — see our Koh Samet page. |
Frequently asked questions
Why is this tour so much more expensive than other Pattaya day trips?
Because it is a different product: a roughly 12-hour, small-group day covering 200+ km with a guide, park visit and kayaking gear — closer to a private tour than a coach excursion. All 31 GetYourGuide reviews score it 5.0, which is rare. If the price stings, the DIY route below gets you the waterfall for 200 THB — minus the guide, meadow logistics and kayaks.
What is Khao Chamao–Khao Wong National Park like?
A proper jungle park in Rayong famous for its multi-level waterfall — six tiers of pools stepped up a forested valley, some swimmable and full of soro brook carp. The hike to the upper levels takes about an hour up and 30–40 minutes down on a rooty but manageable trail. Foreign adults pay 200 THB entry; the park runs roughly 08:30–16:00.
What is Tung Prong Tong, the “golden meadow”?
A plain of seaside grass and mangrove flats at the Prasae river mouth in Rayong that glows gold in the right light — a locally loved photo spot with boardwalks over the wetland, virtually unknown to foreign tourists. It is the sort of stop you would never find without a guide, which is half this tour’s value.
Is the kayaking hard? Can beginners join?
No experience needed — the paddling is on calm, sheltered wetland and mangrove water, not open sea or rapids. It is a wildlife-watching float rather than a workout. The hike is the more physical part of the day: expect sweat, steps and river-rock scrambles appropriate for anyone reasonably mobile.
Can I do this day myself without the tour?
Partly. With a rental car you can reach Khao Chamao (about 1.5–2 hours from Pattaya, 200 THB entry, ~30 THB parking) and Tung Prong Tong is also drivable. What is hard to replicate solo is the guided wetland kayaking and the local knowledge stitching it into one smooth 12-hour loop. Budget travellers: DIY the waterfall; experience travellers: take the tour.
When is the best season to go?
The waterfall runs strongest during and just after the rainy season (roughly June–November), while trails are driest December–February — a good compromise window is November to January. In peak dry months (March–May) the upper falls can shrink to a trickle; ask the operator about current water levels before booking.