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 WaterfallsUpon 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 InsectThis is a brown colored Leaf Insect
13 . Waterfall Board with details - 2nd generationBoard providing details to all the 7 tiers of waterfalls Board with details - 3rd generation Had gone there so often to record these changes taking place
15. Waterfall Board with details - 3nd generationSame 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 Rung18. Waterfalls No. 1 - 20 meters away from Signage Same angle with the picture above Different time, slightly different details
19. Waterfalls No. 1Now 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 FishThe 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 boardLooking 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. 3Ha! Ha! now up the slope towards the top of the waterfall
33 . Waterfalls No. 3But 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. 3A large pool but very swallow, so no swimming here
35 . Waterfalls No. 3A 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. 4Having 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. 4There 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 p 4 2. Waterfall # 5 -2The scenes slightly different, with lots of Gour pool type waterfalls
4 3. Waterfall # 5 -3Another view of this forest waterfall area
4 4. Waterfall # 5 -4There is also a slide here
4 5. Waterfall # 5-5And also scenic waterfalls, just like level 4, a collection of waterfalls
4 6. Waterfall # 5 -6Could see that volume of water is visibly lower
Level 6 – ดงพฤกษา Dong PruekSa 4 8. Waterfall # 6 - distance is 1,420 mSo another 300m climb this is Waterfall No.6. Second last in the series
4 9. Waterfall # 6-2Again I can say that the decrease amount of water for the river was very clear
50 . Waterfall # 6-3Maybe! The camera pointing at the wrong Waterfall
51 . Waterfall # 6-4Oh! 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 # 7Sorry, 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
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? |
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