Erawan National Park & Phra That Cave, Kanchanaburi.

[Swamp Thing]

Last week, I decided to take a trip over to Kanchanaburi. (From Pattaya).

I arrived in K. early evening and the next morning I rose early and set off up the 3199 to Erawan National Park.

A very relaxing route and a pleasant change from scooting around Pattaya.

My target for the day was to walk the path alongside the 7 levels of Erawan Falls. I realised that, in this season, the falls would be less than gushing, but I thought it would be a nice walk anyway. And it was.

The first level, Hlaikeunlung.

[Swamp Thing]

The second level, Wang Mut Cha.

I was enjoying this walk very much. Very scenic.

A view from a bridge.

Level 3, Pha Nam Tok.

[Swamp Thing]

I had originally intended to take a pic at each level of the falls and have this be my photo series, but I found the path itself to be interesting and worthy of pics.

Going up!

I very much enjoy walking in natural areas. This was ideal.

A well maintained path and handrail.

[Swamp Thing]

A particularly rooty section of the path. I remember this section for the sound of multiple cicadas and birdsong.

Fresh air, nobody around, I was like Bear Grylls. But without the camera crew. Or the support team.

I was tempted to eat a raw snake, but I'm not partial to snake.

This was a lovely spot to sit and cool down. It was starting to get hot up there.

Very nice.

[Swamp Thing]

Consistently enjoyable views from the path.

And so to level 7. The end of the trail. It was surprisingly crowded with many people scattered around on the ground, asleep. (!)

I was in the mood for a spot of lunch and a snooze myself, but first I had to go all the way back down and ride back to Kanchanaburi.

It was a very enjoyable walk. Memorable. Strenuous in parts, but well worth the effort.

This pool had swimmers on the way up, but I got this pic on the way down.

[Swamp Thing]

The next morning, I was up bright and early and set off for Phra That Cave.

Looking back down the long and winding path..that leads to the cave. 600 metres of steps, apparently.

A guide was waiting at the entrance of the cave, to show visitors around by the light of a paraffin lamp.

The lamp brought back some memories of my younger days. Camping in a canvas tent, the hiss and slight roar of the lamp, the air tinged with paraffino, jumpers for goalposts, we were happy...

Anyway, Phra That Cave.

A relatively large cave, the guide told me it is 20 metres high at one point.

It has many interesting mineral formations.

[Swamp Thing]

This pic has a nice eerie glow.

Can anybody see the face in the middle of this formation? (No? That's worrying...).

This one brought to mind vegetation.

I enjoyed the trip to this cave. Well worth the walk up the steps...

The next day, I came back home and rested.

Really rested.

Out like a light rested.

[tingtong]

nice pics.

few years back I did this trip, though it was both 2 in 1 day. by car from Bkk.

I think my favorite from all national parks/falls/caves I have seen in Thailand so far.

hope you got the swim too. cool to swim in waterfall.

[grumpyoldman]

Did you make it to level 7 (?) as for reasons unknown to me, (maybe the rocks and lack of dirt?) the water is a very different color. much more blue. Also the nibbling fish are interesting as long as it doesn't bother you (didn't me).

Also, above 7 (rock climb) is another pool and waterfall, note my Grumpy Old Trumpy skank upon reaching there.

To avoid the crowds and have at least a bit of serenity at the very top, get on the trail at 7:30AM and head right up there.

[grumpyoldman]

Pool 7, sorry, suppose to be in last post but having a heck of a time with the photo uploader

[jonnyscot]

Nice pics swamp thing, I ride up past that general area many times, but stopped at the first level of the falls only once a couple years back with the wife and kids when I took the car, sometimes I enjoy the ride too much to stop when I'm on the bike,, your pics may make me reconsider,,,, well maybe

[Swamp Thing]

Did you make it to level 7 (?) as for reasons unknown to me, (maybe the rocks and lack of dirt?) the water is a very different color. much more blue. Also the nibbling fish are interesting as long as it doesn't bother you (didn't me).

Also, above 7 (rock climb) is another pool and waterfall, note my Grumpy Old Trumpy skank upon reaching there.

To avoid the crowds and have at least a bit of serenity at the very top, get on the trail at 7:30AM and head right up there.

Yes, I made it to level 7.

I also saw the extra pool and waterfall. All good.

I was intending to arrive at the trail at 7:30am, following your tip in another thread, but the best laid plans and all that...

[grumpyoldman]

Did you make it to level 7 (?) as for reasons unknown to me, (maybe the rocks and lack of dirt?) the water is a very different color. much more blue. Also the nibbling fish are interesting as long as it doesn't bother you (didn't me).

Also, above 7 (rock climb) is another pool and waterfall, note my Grumpy Old Trumpy skank upon reaching there.

To avoid the crowds and have at least a bit of serenity at the very top, get on the trail at 7:30AM and head right up there.

Yes, I made it to level 7.

I also saw the extra pool and waterfall. All good.

I was intending to arrive at the trail at 7:30am, following your tip in another thread, but the best laid plans and all that...

Sure, understood. I think I was up at 5:30 AM on the road by 6:00 to pull that off, so for sure, not for everyone. Cheers, GOM