| Tips for visiting Erawan Falls
Thailand's most beautiful waterfalls
Discover the serene beauty of Erawan Waterfalls, nestled in the heart of Thailand’s lush Erawan National Park. This natural retreat offers a peaceful escape from the everyday, guiding visitors through a verdant jungle to the soothing sounds of cascading water. The journey is filled with small wonders, from the playful nibbles of fish offering a free natural spa experience to the refreshing embrace of crystal-clear pools.
The true allure of Erawan lies in its waterfalls, flowing gracefully over seven tiers to create natural swimming spots that are as inviting as they are beautiful. This blog is your gateway to exploring one of Thailand’s most picturesque destinations, providing all the tips and insights you need for a memorable visit to this tranquil paradise.
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About the park
Erawan National Park is about a 70 km drive from Kanchanaburi, and is set within the province that carries the same name. Founded in 1975 as Thailand’s 12th National Park, Erawan National Park covers an area of 550 km², with its emerald green waterfalls being its most sought after attraction.
The Erawan Falls are named after the mythical three-headed white elephant (from Hindu religion), which they are said to resemble. There are seven waterfalls that are officially earmarked as “waterfalls” that you can hike, over what is generally a nicely paved trail. But in reality you’ll walk past so many more (smaller) waterfalls, and the whole place is just like moving through a fantasy world. A major part of this is the emerald green colour of the water, which comes from the way it is filtered through the limestone.
It is difficult to put into words just how beautiful this place is. The pictures Maurits took along the way do a much better job of telling this story.
–> Want to learn how you can make such stunning images of waterfalls yourself? Check out our blog about photographing waterfalls.
Important general information for visiting Erawan Falls
Location: See this link to Google Maps
Opening hours: From 8:00am to 4:30pm, but please note that the upper tiers already close around 3:00pm.
Entrance fee: 300THB for adults and 200THB for children. Please note that you must pay cash and that the nearest ATM is not within walking distance.
Best time to visit: All year round, but the falls are at their most beautiful in the rainy season from May to October. It is also advisable to avoid weekends and local holidays as this is when many Thai people visit the falls and it can be very busy.
If you want to photograph the falls without many people, it’s best to visit early in the morning. People who want to swim in the park are required to rent and wear an orange vest. And if your main objective of your visit to Erawan National Park is to photograph the falls in all their natural splendour, this can form quite a challenge.
Food and drinks: These can be purchased outside and inside the park. Please note that eating from the second plateau onwards is strictly prohibited. You also have to pay a deposit here for bringing a bottle. On your return, you will get your deposit back if you have your bottle with you. All this is to prevent pollution of the park.
Duration of visit: Only a few hours are needed to visit the first plateaus. If you also want to visit the higher falls, you will need more time.
Difficulty: Average. You can reach the first plateaus quite easily, but the hike becomes more and more challenging as you go higher.
Beware! There are thieving monkeys in the park. In their search for food, they sometimes also steal/smash valuable possessions.
Prepare for a considerable hike
The total hike to the upper most waterfall is 2 km and will take some time because of the altitude and humidity. Beware that the higher tiers are quite a bit more difficult to get to than the first two. Especially after the third tier, the trails will become steeper and less well paved.
Overview of the different tiers and their distances from each other
Tier 1: the Hlai Khuen Rung is 500 metres from the entrance
Tier 2: the Wang Macha is 100 metres further on
Tier 3: the Pha Namtok is 100 metres away
Tier 4: the Oke Nang Peesau is 350 metres further on
Tier 5: the Buea Mai Long is 500 metres away.
Tier 6: the Dong Prucksa is 200 metres further on
Tier 7: the Phu Pha Erawan is 250 metres further on.
And from here it is another 2 km down 😉 .
Please beware! Although the park is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, the rangers start closing the upper tiers at about 3:00 pm.
Swiming in the waterfalls
You’re allowed to swim in the waterfalls, but you’ll need to wear a life vest which you can rent inside the park between the first and second waterfall.
Animals in the park
There are various birds and animal species in the park, but most of them live deeper in the forest and will not show themselves near the trails, like deer, elephants, gibbons, hornbills, cobras and tigers. Species you’re likelier to encounter are wild boar, water monitors and crab-eating macaques. Warnings are placed for the macaques as they are known to sometimes steel goods in search for food.
Tips on how and when to visit Erawan National Park
Getting to Erawan National Park is about an hour’s drive from Kanchanaburi city, while it takes about three hours from Bangkok. It’s best to visit the park by driving there yourself, either by car or by motorbike, or take a taxi. Most Thai people book their taxis using the services of the Grab app for short distances, for long distances it is best to go with 12GoAsia, here you can also check for bus lines.
Another good way to visit the Erawan Falls is through a (private) day tour. Some of these combine a visit to the waterfalls with other highlights of Kanchanaburi, like a visit to the historically significant Death Railway or Elephant Haven Thailand (where they care for rescued elephants).
Where to stay near Erawan Falls?
One of the nice things about Kanchanaburi province is that you can stay at unique accommodations on the River Kwai. Here you sleep on a floating hut in the jungle. The facilities are often basic, but it is also possible to stay in luxury on the river. On our visit this time, we stayed in the four-star Float House River Kwai resort, which is highly recommended (see the video below).
For a budget option, you could also choose to stay at River Kwai Jungle Rafts. We did this during a previous trip. This resort is more back to basics, as there is no electricity in the rooms. But this actually creates a very special atmosphere. Especially when the lanterns are lit in the evening. Also, this resort is run by the Mon people, an ethnic minority in Thailand who settled here long ago. The houses are shaped like their traditional huts. Traditional Mon food is also served in the restaurant.
Another option is to stay at the Erachon Raft Resort. This is a slightly different resort in a slightly different location. Namely at only 5 km distance from the Erawan Falls. You can stay here in a normal modern hotel room with a view on the river, or in one of the floating houses.
Any other questions about Erawan National Park?
Erawan National Park offers an exquisite blend of natural beauty, adventure, and tranquility, making it a must-visit destination for any traveler to Thailand. From the gentle caress of fish in crystal-clear waters to the majestic cascade of the seven-tiered Erawan Falls, this is a place where memories are made and the soul is rejuvenated.
We encourage you to not just dream of such beauty and adventure, but to make it your reality. Whether you’re planning a solo journey, a family vacation, or a photographic expedition, Erawan National Park and its surroundings offer an unparalleled experience. Dive into the emerald waters, tread along paths less traveled, and witness the majesty of nature in its purest form.
We hope our curated tips are helpful in discovering this absolute Thai gem, but if you still have questions about visiting the Erawan Falls, please let ut know in a comment below.
Hi, we are Samira & Maurits, a travel-hungry couple with a passion for photography.
With our free travel guides, we hope to inspire you and help you plan your dream holiday. We also provide important tips and tricks for making new journeys, but also for capturing those precious memories in your own travel photos.
All the photos on this site were taken by us.
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2 Responses
I was just there 11/26/2023. The park no longer takes cash as an entry fee. They wanted card payment. You do have to pay cash for coupons to get the life jackets required for swimming, water, etc. I was told by our guide that it was to reduce corruption.
Thank you Lani! We will add this new information to our blog a.s.a.p.