Erawan Falls
Seven Tier Limestone Waterfall In Erawan National Park, Named For The Three Headed Elephant Of Hindu Myth · Si Sawat, Kanchanaburi
Erawan Falls is the waterfall most Thais picture when they think of one: a limestone stream that tumbles down seven tiers through the forest of Erawan National Park, about 65 km north-west of Kanchanaburi town, each tier pouring into a pool of milky turquoise water. The name comes from Erawan, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu myth ridden by the god Indra, which the top tier is said to resemble. A trail of roughly 1.5 to 2 km climbs from the first tier near the visitor centre to the seventh, easy and paved at first, then a steeper path of roots, rock steps, bridges and short ladders that is slippery near the top. Families swim in the lower pools where small fish nibble at feet, and the calcium-rich water builds travertine ledges and natural slides between the tiers. Food is not allowed beyond the lower tiers, bottles carry a deposit, and macaques watch for bags. A local bus runs from Kanchanaburi in about 1.5 hours, and the park also holds Phra That cave and the edge of the great Srinagarind reservoir, with bungalows and camping for an overnight stay.
Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan, Si Sawat, Si Sawat, Kanchanaburi, 71250, Thailand
NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: Erawan National Park and the waterfall trail open every day of the year, with no weekly closing day, from about 8 am to about 4:30 pm, with ticket sales stopping somewhat before closing; the upper tiers close earlier, often around 3 to 3:30 pm, and the trail may be closed at any time after heavy rain. Phra That cave keeps shorter hours when it is open and may close in the wet season. The local bus back to Kanchanaburi has left in the late afternoon, around 4 pm. The traps that ruin a day are arriving after noon on a weekend, reaching the upper trail after it has closed, missing the last bus, carrying food past the lower tiers, and coming after a storm to find brown water and closed pools. Confirm current times before relying on them.