Khaoyai in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Khaoyai

30°C (86°F) High Temp

18°C (64°F) Low Temp

25mm (1 inch) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect hiking weather - cool mornings 18-22°C (64-72°F) ideal for Khao Yai's 50+ trails without the exhausting heat of hot season
Peak wildlife viewing season - cool, dry conditions bring animals to water sources, especially Asian elephants and hornbills active 6-9am
impressive sunrise visibility - minimal rainfall (only 25mm/1 inch) means clear skies for Khao Yai's famous sunrise viewpoints at Nong Pak Chi and Pha Kluai Mai
Comfortable camping weather - nighttime temperatures drop to 18°C (64°F), perfect for tent camping without needing heavy gear

Considerations

High accommodation demand - March is peak season for Thailand residents escaping city heat, book vineyard resorts 4-6 weeks ahead or pay 30-40% premiums
Early morning commitment required - best wildlife viewing happens 5:30-8:00am when temperatures are coolest, not ideal for late sleepers
Occasional morning mist - can obscure sunrise viewpoints 2-3 days per month, though usually clears by 8am

Best Activities in March

Pre-dawn Wildlife Safari Drives

March's cool mornings create perfect conditions for spotting Khao Yai's wildlife. Elephants, deer, and over 300 bird species are most active 5:30-8:00am when temperatures are 18-22°C (64-72°F). The dry conditions mean animals congregate at water sources, making sightings more predictable. Road conditions are excellent with minimal mud.

Booking Tip: Book certified park guides 2-3 weeks ahead through the park's official booking system. Safari tours typically cost ฿2,500-4,000 per vehicle (up to 8 people). Choose early morning slots (5:30am departure) for best wildlife chances. Reference booking widget for current tour availability.

Multi-tier Waterfall Hiking

March offers ideal conditions for tackling Khao Yai's waterfall trails. Haew Narok and Haew Suwat waterfalls have good flow from recent dry season water retention, while cool morning temperatures make the 3-5km (1.9-3.1 mile) hikes comfortable. Trails are dry and stable, perfect for photography.

Booking Tip: Park entrance ฿400 for foreigners, ฿40 locals. Guided waterfall hikes cost ฿1,500-2,500 per group. Start by 7:00am to avoid midday heat. Bring sturdy shoes - some trails have 200m (656ft) elevation changes. Check current trail conditions in booking section below.

Vineyard Tours and Wine Tasting

March is harvest season at Khao Yai's high-altitude vineyards like PB Valley and Village Farm. Cool morning temperatures 18-20°C (64-68°F) are perfect for touring grape fields at 400-800m (1,312-2,624ft) elevation. Many vineyards offer special harvest experience packages during March.

Booking Tip: Vineyard tours range ฿800-1,500 per person including tastings. Book 1-2 weeks ahead as March is peak harvest tourism. Some vineyards offer pick-your-own-grapes experiences for ฿500 additional. Transportation from Thailand typically ฿2,000-3,000 for private groups.

Sunrise Photography Expeditions

March offers the year's clearest sunrise conditions with only 3 rainy days and minimal morning mist. Pha Kluai Mai viewpoint and Nong Pak Chi reservoir provide spectacular 360-degree views. Cool pre-dawn temperatures 16-18°C (61-64°F) make the 4:30am starts comfortable.

Booking Tip: Photography tours cost ฿2,000-3,500 including transportation and guide. Independent visits require park camping permits (฿30 per person) booked 7 days ahead. Best sunrise occurs 6:20-6:40am in March. See current sunrise tour options in booking section below.

Night Safari and Camping

March's mild nights 18-20°C (64-68°F) create perfect camping weather in Khao Yai. Night safaris reveal nocturnal wildlife like civets, owls, and flying squirrels. The dry conditions mean excellent stargazing with minimal cloud cover.

Booking Tip: Campsite permits ฿30 per person, tent rental ฿150-300. Night safari tours ฿1,800-2,800 per group. Book camping spots 2 weeks ahead through park website - March fills up quickly with Thailand weekend visitors. Equipment rental available at park headquarters.

Thai Cooking Classes with Garden Tours

March's cool mornings are ideal for exploring organic herb gardens before cooking classes. Many resorts and cooking schools in Pak Chong area offer garden-to-table experiences taking advantage of the pleasant 22-25°C (72-77°F) midday temperatures.

Booking Tip: Cooking classes range ฿1,200-2,500 per person including garden tour and meal. Half-day programs typically 9am-2pm to use cool morning hours. Book through resort concierges or local cooking schools 3-7 days ahead. See current cooking class options in booking section below.

March Events & Festivals

Mid March

Khao Yai Wine Festival

Annual celebration of grape harvest season featuring wine tastings from local vineyards, live music, and farm-to-table dining. Multiple vineyards participate with special harvest tours and grape-stomping activities.

Early to Mid March

Wild Sunflower Blooming Season

Mexican sunflower fields (tithonia) bloom across Khao Yai's roadsides and meadows, creating spectacular golden landscapes perfect for photography. Peak blooming coincides with cool, dry March weather.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight long pants - protect against leeches on hiking trails and provide warmth during 18°C (64°F) early mornings

Moisture-wicking base layers - 65% humidity combined with morning mist requires breathable fabrics, avoid cotton

Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support - waterfall trails have loose rocks and 200m (656ft) elevation changes

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index hits 8 at 800m (2,625ft) vineyard elevations with minimal tree cover

Compact headlamp with red filter - essential for 5:30am wildlife safaris and night camping, red light doesn't disturb animals

Light fleece or windbreaker - temperatures drop 12°C (22°F) from day to night, critical for sunrise viewings

Insect repellent with DEET 30% - mosquitoes and leeches active in forest areas despite cooler weather

Waterproof phone case - protect electronics during waterfall hikes and unexpected brief showers

Binoculars 8x42 minimum - essential for wildlife viewing at 50-100m (164-328ft) distances from vehicles

Insider Knowledge

Park gates open 6:00am but wildlife guides gather at 5:30am at the visitor center - arrive early for best animal spotting positions before tour groups

Local restaurants in Pak Chong town offer lunch for ฿60-120, compared to ฿300-500 at resort restaurants - try khao pad sapparot (pineapple fried rice)

Gas stations near park entrance charge premium prices - fill up in Pak Chong town to save ฿5-8 per liter, especially important for multiple-day visits

Many Thailand visitors drive up Friday evenings causing traffic jams - leave Thailand before 2pm Friday or after 10am Saturday to avoid 3-hour delays on Highway 2

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking accommodation too late - March is peak Thailand escape season, popular vineyard resorts fill 4-6 weeks ahead, leaving only expensive last-minute options

Wearing shorts on hiking trails - leeches are active even in dry season, long pants essential for forest walks despite warm 26-30°C (79-86°F) afternoon temperatures

Arriving at sunrise viewpoints after 6:00am - best colors happen 20 minutes before actual sunrise, and parking fills quickly with photography tour groups