Origin
Greetings. This post discusses a friend's desire to go tent camping due to their weariness of city life. After researching, we decided on Erawan National Park, which offers overnight tent camping within the park.
Erawan Waterfall is a popular tourist destination located near Bangkok, Thailand. It is easily accessible by public transportation, making it a convenient option for those without a private vehicle. The waterfall offers a refreshing escape from the city's heat, with its cascading tiers and cool pools. Visitors can enjoy swimming, picnicking, and camping amidst the lush natural surroundings. The affordability of the trip makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers.
### Erawan Waterfall, I think many people have been there. But I would like to share my story with everyone and those who have not been there yet. To be some information for you. If there is any wrong information, I apologize and ask for your advice.
Additional advice.
- Depart as early as possible.
- Prepare your body as you will need to hike uphill for a total distance of 1.5 kilometers.
- Fresh food is not available for sale in the park. If you want to have a picnic, you need to bring your own food.
- Shops and restaurants close around 6:00 PM. It's a good idea to prepare some snacks for the evening.
- Bring a small fan, as it can get hot sleeping in a tent at night.
- The park will be closed from the 4th floor upwards at 4:00 PM. If you arrive late, there is no need to rush to the top as you will not be able to get down in time and it will be very dark in the forest. You may get lost. You can come back and climb again another day.
Let's go on a trip.
The journey begins with an early morning train ride from Thon Buri Railway Station. Upon arrival, exchange your ID card for a free train ticket. Train number 257 departs Thon Buri for Nam Tok at 7:50 AM. There are many ways to get to Kanchanaburi, so choose the one that best suits your needs, whether it be by private car, van, bus, or train.
It took almost 3 hours to reach Kanchanaburi Railway Station.
Red pickup trucks are available in front of the train station to take you to Erawan Waterfall for 100 baht. This involves sharing the ride with other tourists. However, my friend wanted to experience the local atmosphere by taking the blue bus. We walked to the main road and boarded a bus heading to the bus terminal. From there, we took another bus to Erawan National Park for 50 baht. If you don't want to waste time, you can take the red pickup truck, which is more convenient.
Upon arrival, I immediately purchased a ticket from Kanchanaburi to Erawan National Park, securing a seat on the 11:50 AM bus. With ample time to spare, I decided to grab a bite to eat near the bus terminal to fuel up for the long journey ahead.
Transportation from Kanchanaburi to Erawan Waterfall
Kanchanaburi to Erawan Waterfall:
- 8:00 AM
- 8:55 AM
- 10:45 AM
- 11:50 AM
- 1:30 PM
- 3:00 PM
- 4:20 PM
- 5:40 PM
Erawan Waterfall to Kanchanaburi:
- 5:40 AM
- 6:20 AM
- 7:00 AM
- 8:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
- 4:30 PM
It takes about 2 hours to reach Erawan National Park. Before entering, there will be officers to collect the park entrance fee. Adults 100 baht / Children or students 50 baht.
Upon arrival, proceed to the tent rental counter. Present your identification card and complete the rental form. A staff member will then direct you to the equipment pick-up and tent pitching area.
Once you are done, follow the instructions provided by the staff to collect your tent and equipment.
After a short walk, you will reach the tent and equipment rental area. The staff will ask you what you would like to rent. There are many items available for rent. You can pay for your rentals the next day. Once you have finished, carry your rented items to the campsite.
I visited during the holidays, and it was very crowded. All the large tents were taken, so I had to settle for a small one. But at least there were some left! I set up my tent right by the water's edge, and the view was amazing. It was truly a heartwarming experience.
After setting up the tent, we went to play in the water. The waterfall is not far from the camping spot.
**Tier 1 Waterfall: Returning to the Nest**
This tier of the waterfall is not particularly scenic, but it is suitable for swimming. It is popular with tourists and features a concession stand and seating areas for enjoying meals by the water.
The Second Tier: Wang Matcha
Just 100 meters from the first tier, the second tier, Wang Matcha, is where most tourists choose to swim. The clear water forms a pool, with fish swimming freely. Be cautious, however, as some areas are deep.
The total distance of all the waterfalls is 1.5 kilometers. It is not easy to reach the 7th level.
Waterfall Level 3: Pha Namtok
This level features a waterfall cascading down a high cliff. While some tourists may be seen enjoying the water, it's important to note that food is prohibited beyond this point. Visitors will be checked by officials before ascending, and only water bottles are permitted. A deposit is required for these bottles, which must be exchanged upon descent.
The path to the 4th floor is a bit far and steep, but there are stairs provided. There is also a 1,010-meter nature trail through the Mong Lai dry evergreen forest that you can take separately. However, I took the stairs. After climbing the stairs, I came across the viewpoint shown in the picture.
**Tier 4: Nang Phi Sua Waterfall**
Continuing a short distance, you will reach the fourth tier. This tier features two rocks resembling a woman's breasts, hence the name "Nang Phi Sua" (Butterfly Lady's Breasts). Water flows down the rocks into a pool below, where visitors can swim. Be aware of some deep sections in the pool.
The trail from the 4th to the 5th tier of the waterfall is quite long and becomes increasingly difficult, with a continuous steep incline all the way to the top.
Tier 5: No descent
This tier features small pools suitable for soaking.
Waterfall Level 6: Dong Phrueksa
Continuing from Level 5, you will encounter a fork in the path leading to Level 7 and Level 6. Take the right path for Level 6. This level lacks a swimming area and appears unremarkable, living up to its name, "Dong Phrueksa," which translates to "Forest of Trees."
The Seventh Tier of Erawan Waterfall: A Breathtaking Oasis
The seventh tier of Erawan Waterfall, known as Phupa Erawan, is a sight to behold. A towering cliff face cascades crystal-clear, turquoise water into a refreshing pool below. This tier is widely considered the most stunning of all, offering a truly unforgettable experience.
My companions and I decided to take a break at this particular tier, captivated by the vibrant color of the water, which perfectly matched the photographs we had seen. The climb to reach this point was undoubtedly strenuous, but the breathtaking view instantly washed away any fatigue.
After playing in the water for a while, we had to get out because it was getting dark. The walk back was long, about 1.5 kilometers, and we were starting to get hungry. We changed our clothes and went out to find something to eat in front of the tent rental office. There are shops and restaurants there, but they close around 6:00 PM. After that, there won't be anything to eat unless you bring your own food or buy instant noodles at the tent rental office.
After a satisfying meal, we returned to our tents. The scenery was breathtaking, but I was too exhausted from the day's journey to take any pictures. Instead, we sat and chatted, imagining ourselves in the scene before us. It was pure bliss.
In the morning, there was fog floating above the water. I wasn't able to take a picture of it, as my camera suddenly stopped working. However, it started working again after a while, so I was able to capture some of the morning atmosphere.
Around mid-morning, we packed up our tents and equipment and returned them to the park rangers, paying the fees. On day 2, if there's time, we might go play at the waterfall again. Or, for those who haven't reached the 7th tier yet, you can go conquer it! Missing any tier would be a huge regret. Alternatively, you can explore the city center, whatever suits you. To return, take the same vehicle we came in, Erawan - Kanchanaburi. In the evening, catch the train from Nam Tok to Thon Buri at 5:45 PM. It arrives at Thon Buri Railway Station at 6:00 PM. Alternatively, you can take a van or bus from the Southern Bus Terminal, no need to wait around like me haha.
THE END '
Total expenses for this trip:
The bus fare to Thon Buri Railway Station is 12 baht.
The food on the train costs 40 baht.
Bus (Kanchanaburi Railway Station - Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal) 10 Baht
The bus to Erawan Shrine costs 50 baht.
Lunch 37 baht.
The entrance fee to Erawan National Park is 50 baht.
Som Tum Restaurant Food (390 Baht / 3) 130 Baht
Tent rental fee (2 tents 355 baht / 3) 118 baht
The Erawan-Kanchanaburi bus costs 50 baht.
Total: 497 Baht
The cost is around 1,000 baht, but I traveled round-trip using the free train service, so I saved a lot of money.
This concludes my trip. I encourage everyone to visit this place. You can enjoy swimming, hiking, mountain climbing, and camping by the river surrounded by nature. If you have friends, invite them. If you have a partner, bring them along. If you don't have anyone to go with, go solo! This place will not disappoint you.
F A C E B O O K P A G E : I N B O X - เที่ยวไทย
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Additional travel information.
>>> By private car
Follow Phetkasem Road or Borommaratchachonnani Road towards Kanchanaburi Province. From Kanchanaburi City, head to Erawan National Park via Highway 3199. Pass the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's Srinakarin Dam, cross the bridge to the Srinakarin Dam Market, and continue to the Erawan National Park headquarters. The total distance is approximately 200 kilometers.
>>> Happy Van
- Southern Bus Terminal (Borommaratchachonnani) Park at the arrival platform (right side of the main building) Tel. 0852972772
- Southern Bus Terminal (Old) Pinklao, Ticket Booths 38 and 43, Tel. 0844147979. Look for the "Smiling Moon" logo.
- BTS Mo Chit-Mo Chit 2, ticket booths 15, 16, 17. Please inform that you want to go with Win Happy, phone number 0822437387.
- The fare is 120 baht (Southern Bus Terminal). Buses depart every hour or when full. The first bus departs at 5:30 AM, and the last bus departs at 7:30 PM. The last bus from Kanchanaburi departs at 7:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 PM on Fridays-Sundays.
>>> Air-conditioned bus No. 1 '
- Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) takes 2.00 - 2.30 hours and costs 100 baht.
Bangkok - Kanchanaburi: 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM - Departures every 20 minutes
Kanchanaburi - Bangkok: 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM - Departing every 20 minutes
- Mo Chit, travel time 3.00 - 4.00 hours, price 122 baht.
Bangkok - Kanchanaburi: 5:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Departing every hour
Kanchanaburi - Bangkok: 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM - Departing every hour
Train 🚂
- Train 257 from Thonburi to Nam Tok departs at 7:45 AM and arrives in Kanchanaburi at approximately 10:25 AM.
- Train 259 from Thon Buri to Nam Tok departs at 13:55 and arrives in Kanchanaburi at approximately 16:17.
- Train 260 Waterfall - Thon Buri departs Kanchanaburi at 7:17 AM and arrives in Thon Buri at 10:10 AM.
- Train 258 Nam Tok - Thon Buri departs from Kanchanaburi at 5:44 PM and arrives at Thon Buri at 5:35 PM.
Note: Information may be subject to change. Please research further before traveling.
I N B O X - T E A W T H A I
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 10:26 AM