Enjoy “7 Levels of Natural Beauty” at Erawan Waterfall
Kanchanaburi the land in the west of Thailand is a drenched land with the rain shower and wild forest. The forest in Kanchanaburi claimed as one of the most abundant woods in the world. As the home of the adventure attractions in Thailand, Kanchanaburi is rich with its tourism resource to serve any travelers who fancy venturing in the place surrounded by the greenery forest and rivers. With its plentiful in natural properties, so it is unsurprising, there are many exciting tourist attractions in this province, including the waterfall. And the waterfall that is the most famous in Kanchanaburi cannot be other but Erawan Waterfall with the guarantee for its glory by the award from the Thailand Tourism Industry as the most prodigious being the award in the natural attractions category in 2006.
About the Erawan Waterfall
Erawan Waterfall is a 2-km continuously in its length cuddled by a variety of plants. It settles in Erawan National Park, Si Sawat district in Kanchanaburi about 500 meters from the national park office. With its height that varies between 100 – 400 meters, Erawan Waterfall, which falls into a series of cascades down towards the river Kwai Yai in the area of the park office. The clear water splashes down over the 7 steps of limestone with 1,500 m of distance from the lowest tier to the top.
Formerly, the waterfall was known in a name “Sadong Mong Lai” waterfall followed to the Huai Mong Lai which is an origin of the fall that runs down from the 2 km tall of the mountain. Erawan Waterfall is a huge waterfall that is very beautiful. The water descended over the layers of the limestone created the distinctive shape similar to the head of Erawan Elephant (3-head elephant), thence the place was renamed as “Erawan” waterfall. Each tier of the cascade offers a cold and fresh pond that allows the visitors to play in the transparent turquoise water leisurely.
Beauty of the crystal-clear water
The crystal-clear water allows seeing through the water to spot lots of fish swimming in the pond. The clear teal water caused by the characteristics of the mountain at the national park is the limestone range resulted from the shells, crab shells and coral piled up for ages. Therefore, the water runs from the limestone mountain contains the calcium carbonate solution in the water. And when the calcium carbonate in the water crystallizes causing in the limestone stain appearance. The limestone cascade is bright on the upper pool and is turbid at the bottom, and it reflects the sunlight making the color of the water to be turquoise or teal graciously.
The 7 Tiers Waterfall
Erawan Waterfall is a 7-stories cliff. Each story which is not only different in its name but the beauty is also unique. To visit all 7 tiers of the waterfall takes time about 3 hours estimate for round trip.
Tier 1: Lai Keun Rang
The water here is pleasant and can swim. And it is suitable for relax and chill out.
Tier 2: Wang Maj Cha
It is perfect for water playing since it is a pond with plenty of water. Moreover, there is the group of Mahseer barb living in this area as well.
Tier 3: Pha Namtok
The water drops from the high level. And the visitors can enjoy the pool at this location.
Tier 4: Ok Phi Sue
A highlight of this tier is a natural slider to the below basin. So, it is ideal for one who loves something is excited.
Tier 5: Bue Mai Long
The vast area of this spot is perfect for water play.
Tier 6: Dong Prueksa
The diverse species of plants nestle the cascade here.
Tier 7: Phu Pha Erawan
It is the top of the waterfall that is the most magnificent of the place.
Nonetheless, most of the tourists prefer to take a tour in the area of tier 1, 2 and 3. The waterfall is a home for principle species of fish which is the Mahseer barb, a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae (carps). It often found around the area of waterfall, creek, brook with clear water. Moreover, the 2nd tier of the fall features the beauty of water screen that the tourist can access to the space behind the curtain.
Besides, the tourists can enjoy the 30-minute nature trail that the national park offers the visitors into 2 directions which are;
- The route is dry rainforest Mong Lai is 1,010 meters distance. It is a trail along the edge of Huai Mong Lai brook, starts from the bridge at the camping site and merges to the road to the 3rd tier of the fall.
- Route Khao Hin Lan Pee is 1,940 meters, starts from the parking to merge with a way to the bridge at the 4th tier of the cascade.
The Admission Fee
Erawan National Park opens daily between 7.30am – 4.00pm. and the admission fee is;
- Thai: Adults = THB40 / Children = THB 20 / person
- Foreigner: Adults = THB200 / Children = THB100 / person
- Buggy service: THB20 / person / trip
The Facilities
The Erawan National Park offers the accommodations in cabin and camping style including shops and many food stalls. For any inquiries about housing and information, please contact the Erawan National Park Office.
Remark: The park allows the visitors to bring in any food within the area of the 3rd tier of the waterfall to keep the area to be clean and save the condition of nature. And the further is prohibited area.
Travel to Erawan Waterfall
1. By Car:
Drives on the Petchkasem Road or Borommaratchachonnani Raod passes Nakhon Chai Si, Ban Pong, Tha Maka, Tha Muang, until reach Kanchaburi which is 129 km in total. It is about 1.30 hours from the city town of Kanchanaburi to the Erawan Waterfall. The journey starts from the city and drives on the highway number 3199 until the area of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand-Srinagarindra Dam. Then, crosses over the bridge to the Srinagarindra Dam Market and head towards to entrance to the Erawan National Park. The distance of the route is 15 km approximate. Then, makes the left turn and keeps drive along the road number 3199 more 25 km and will arrive at the destination.
2. By Bus:
There is both regular and air-conditioning bus depart from the Southern Bus Terminal every 15 minutes between 4.00am – 8.30pm daily. The duration time of the trip is about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. Then, gets the bus service number 8170 (route Kanchanaburi – Erawan) at Kanchanaburi Bus Station. The bus departs from the station every hour from 8.00am – 5.20pm. And gets off at the National Park Office and walk more 500 meters to the waterfall. The fare of the bus is THB40, and the duration of the journey is 1.30 hours.
Another option is getting the bus at Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, first floor, row 21 route Bangkok – Three Pagodas Pass operates between 5.00am – 7.00pm. The bus stops by at Kanchanaburi Bus Station. It takes time about 2 hours and 30 minutes to arrive the station. Then, gets the bus route Kanchanaburi – Erawan to travel to the Erawan Waterfall.
3. By Train:
There are two trains departs from Bangkok Noi Railway Station to Kanchanaburi daily. Both stop at Kanchanaburi, the Bridge of the River Kwai, Tha Kilen, and Nam Tok stations. Departure time: 7.50am and 1.45pm.
