Kanchanaburi

The Erawan Waterfalls

 Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi 71250

Erawan Waterfalls, nestled within the picturesque landscape of Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, stand as a testament to nature's unparalleled beauty. Regarded as one of the country's most enchanting natural wonders, these cascading falls have captured the hearts of many with their ethereal charm.

Located amidst the rugged terrain of the Tenasserim Mountain range, the national park was established in 1975, spanning an expansive area of 550 square kilometers. Its diverse ecosystem comprises lush mixed deciduous forests, interspersed with pockets of deciduous dipterocarp and dry evergreen forests. The park's rugged terrain is punctuated by limestone hills and meandering streams, offering a sanctuary for biodiversity.

Erawan Waterfalls, the crown jewel of the park, boast seven distinct levels of cascades, each with its own unique allure. While some enthusiasts claim the seventh level to be the most spectacular, reaching it entails a challenging hike through the forest, deterring many day-trippers. The journey to the upper levels involves trekking along well-defined paths, navigating gentle slopes and steep inclines alike.

For visitors with limited mobility, the paved path to the first level offers a glimpse of the falls' splendor, complete with amenities such as a coffee shop and restroom facilities. Adventurous souls can immerse themselves in the refreshing waters, where the playful nibbles of fish create a natural spa experience, particularly in levels one through three.

Despite the allure of the lower levels, the park's true magic unfolds higher up the hills, where fewer venture. As daylight wanes, hiking beyond level three ceases by late afternoon, ensuring ample time for return before dusk settles over the park.

Erawan Waterfalls beckon nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, inviting them to embark on a journey through lush forests and cascading waters, where the timeless beauty of the Thai landscape awaits.

1. The Road Tha Kradan

The junction to the Erawan National Park

2. The Road Tha Kradan

Further up - another Road sign, another very famous Waterfall - Huay Khamin

3. The Turn Off

A small settlement

4. Finally dedicated road to the Park

Last direction sign

5. The Sign board for the Erawan National Park

This was one picture taken during the

6. The Sign board for the Erawan National Park

This was taken

7. The Sign board for the Erawan National Park

A totally new signage at another location. Lately even this signage was mo longer seen

8. Amenities -Toilet

Dont do your business in the forest or in the waterfalls. Empty your bladder or bowels first before entering

9. Cascades after all the Waterfalls

Upon entering the Park -Scene of the River, down stream after all the waterfalls

10. Nice Emerald green water, gour pools cascades

Very colorful scene and captivating ambience

11. Paved Path to the Waterfall No. 1

Nice pleasant walk, even one with wheel chair could do it on their own

12. The Leaf Insect

This is a brown colored Leaf Insect

13. Waterfall Board with details - 2nd generation

Board providing details to all the 7 tiers of waterfalls

14.  Waterfall Board with details - 3rd generation

Had gone there so often to record these changes taking place

15. Waterfall Board with details - 3nd generation

Same board with clearer rdetails

16. Signage to remind Visitors

No feeding of Animals

17. More "Gour Pools" on the down stream

Back ground - glimpse of the 1st Waterfall

Waterfall # 1  – ไหลคืนรัง - Lai Khuen Rung

18. Waterfalls No. 1 -  20 meters away from Signage

Same angle with the picture above Different time, slightly different details

19. Waterfalls No. 1

Now this is the main and waterfall No.1

 Waterfall # 2 – วังมัจฉา Wang Macha

20. Waterfalls No. 2 - 170 meters away from Signboard

One view

21. Waterfalls No. 2

Unobstructed view - low camera speed for cotton effects

22. Waterfalls No. 2

One more view with more background

23. Waterfalls No. 2

A Close-up

24. Waterfalls No. 2

With our model

25. Waterfalls No. 2

This time with the much talked about fishes

26. Waterfalls No. 2

Direct close frontal shot. This is the most photographed Waterfall

27. The signage

Walking away from the center of attraction, the most frequented patch and up towards the less tramped upper waterfalls

28. The Blue Mahseer Fish

The adults prefers pristine clear forested streams and rivers are are found in that segment of swift flowing waters. The fish would not share its habitats when human activities are present. They degrade aquatic habitats, as practiced by other members of the genus. Blue Mahseer are predators though they also feed on some types of plant matter, particularly fruits
 

 Waterfall #3  – ผาน้ำตก Pha NamTok

29. Waterfalls No. 3 - 220 meters away from sign board

Looking at the distance not very far from waterfall No.2  but round a corner and up a small slope. This is the lower part of waterfall No. 3

30. Waterfalls No. 3

Ha! Ha! now up the slope towards the top of the waterfall

33. Waterfalls No. 3

But before walking the full height, there is a level portion where this more dramatic Waterfall No,  can be admired This is the only Waterfall among the 6 lower tiers that has some height

34. Waterfalls No. 3

A large pool but very swallow, so no swimming here

35. Waterfalls No. 3

A far away view of this Waterfall

 

The first 3 waterfalls are beautiful and the terrain pleasant to walk around for almost all the visitors. We rate these Waterfalls to be "Grandmother's" Falls.

Immediately from the 3rd Waterfall onwards, the terrain becomes naturally hilly. Only those outdoor persons accustomed to activities in the wilderness would not mind venturing out. So with lower traffic in this upper stretch would also see the track getting narrower.

 When getting higher for more Waterfalls, the slopes of the hill side goes through a series of gentle slopes with a few steep climbs.  It is only at the patches with steep changes in gradient that water falls over rocks not one but many rocks. We tried to figure out which drop would be meaningful to be classify as Waterfall No. 4 or so on. That goes to say, for waterfalls No. 4-6,  don't expect any stunningly repeat of waterfalls as seen in No. 1-3. There would be drops here and there. Among them, one could still single out that among the many drops, there would be one or two waterfalls which are considered scenic

Level 4 – อกผีเสื้อ  Oke Nang Peesua
 

36. Waterfalls No. 4 -520 meters hike

This a steep slide into a large deep pool

37. Waterfalls No. 4

Having second look - this is not such a large pool afterall

38. Waterfalls No. 4

As I was aying after passing the 3rd Waterfall, which would be the real the upper waterfalls at each stage. Here is a picture of other minor waterfalls in the same area

40. Waterfalls No. 4

There you are - more waterfalls in this region of Waterfall No. 4

Level 5 – เบื่อไม่ลง Bue Mai Long
 

41. Waterfall # 5 - 1120m

This region of Waterfalls is about 600 m some distance away from the region containing all the waterfalls designated Waterfalls No. 4

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42. Waterfall # 5 -2

The scenes slightly different, with lots of Gour pool type waterfalls

43. Waterfall # 5 -3

Another view of this forest waterfall area

44. Waterfall # 5 -4

There is also a slide here

45. Waterfall # 5-5

And also scenic waterfalls, just like level 4, a collection of waterfalls

46. Waterfall # 5 -6

Could see that volume of water is visibly lower

Level 6 – ดงพฤกษา Dong PruekSa

48. Waterfall # 6  - distance is 1,420 m

So another 300m climb this is Waterfall No.6. Second last in the series

49. Waterfall # 6-2

Again I can say that the decrease amount of water for the river was very clear

50. Waterfall # 6-3

Maybe! The camera pointing at the wrong Waterfall

51. Waterfall # 6-4

Oh! Such a dramatic scene while I was complaining about having little amount of water

51. Waterfall # 6-5

Level 7 – ภูผาเอราวัณ Phu Pha Erawan
 

52. Waterfall # 7 Distance 1,550

Just another 130 m climb, we could see water gushing down a tall vey steep slope.

53. Waterfall # 7

Sorry, the photo not doing justice to the situation. Actually against the brown background of the hill slopes, water was pouring down. Maybe, the volume was not that large to generate the white foam needed for the camera to pick up. The last leg of the fall can be clearly seen. Collectively the volume of water was not bad at all.

Level 7 – End of the Trail
And so ended our quest and also the search for the 7 waterfalls of Erawan

Now that you Have seen pictures of the whole place. I say as a Waterfalls lover, that this is one destination that is worth going to. Again, depends on how much one enjoy the place and also depends on what was the person expecting. To me the first 3 Waterfalls could be considered as real Waterfalls. They are solitary and distinct. While those "waterfalls" encountered in level 4- 7 are a varieties of falls. The hard water in this area with high level of lime dissolved in it, deposit the heavier solids  helps to create level rims over which the water spills over. With the build up water just got over in a very uniform sheet of fall creating a graceful sight. Then the pools below the falls gets its nearly turquoise color from the hard water. That's the scene you are seeing

Next angle that i saw -  To me, a person who was constantly searching for waterfalls in the wilderness, I so accustomed to meeting up with those nice undisturbed waterfalls, enveloped inside in a pristine forest setting. While the whole place of the Erawan waterfalls is still in a protected forest setting, the surroundings around the waterfalls area were trampled smooth thought at the time also kept in manicured conditions The place looks clean, with clear water, peaceful setting and beautiful surrounding, it lost that adventurous ambience. That salient point!

Imagine for those who had trekked all the way uphill, to harvest the full benefit of the effort made to reach Kanachanburi, I say, it is not a wishful thinking to expect a "out of this world" setting. Erawan is a touristy waterfall destination that had inherited a grandma ambient. Oh no! I can confirm that making the way up that slope is daunting for many younger person, leave alone grandma and people who are like my present level of fitness.

 So what kind of reward is befitting?
 

 

 With  Will  Will  Wander