How To Plan A Trip To The Erawan National Park

In between hopping from island to island around Thailand, it’s well worth checking out Thailand’s other beautiful natural wonders – its national parks. Thailand has a number of national parks located all around the country, yet it could be argued that none are as stunning as Erawan National Park. Located in Kanchanaburi, there are tons of things to do, so here’s how to plan a trip to make sure you don’t miss anything out.

Plan around the weather

Thailand’s weather can be pretty unpredictable – some days in rainy season can be dryer and hotter than days in hot season – but you can use the seasons as a rough guide for when to visit. If you’re visiting in rainy season – that’s May to October – there’s a chance that the weather could scupper any of your plans for trekking or exploration. On the other hand, heading to Erawan in the height of hot season – from February to April – you may find it too uncomfortable to take advantage of any of the physical activities, and the humidity can make it unbearable. The best time to visit is when the weather is cool. Cooler weather can be found from November to January, and whilst it’s still hot at an average of 30 degrees Celsius, you’ll still be able to see and do most of the activities on offer in this wonderful national park.

Double check your itinerary

Make sure you have a good idea of where to go and where to stay before you arrive at Erawan National Park. Whilst the star attraction here is the Erawan Watefall – a seven tiered waterfall that spans 1.5 kilometers – there are other interesting things to see here besides. There are a number of incredible caves with awesome stalactites, such as Phra That, Ta Duang and Wan Ba Dan, which are all located further away from the main headquarters of the park. If you’re planning on visiting them – and you should – make sure you leave yourself enough time to get to see them, and arrange for transport if your hotel is too far from them to make the trek. There are a number of tour companies who can take you to and from the points of interest in the national park and, whilst your time at each stop may be limited, it can be an easier way to experience this wonderful rainforest.

If you’re staying overnight, there are a number of hotels near to the waterfall and in the park itself. Be warned though – some don’t have aircon and only have fans to keep you cool, so if you’re worried about getting a comfortable and cool night of sleep before an action packed day, be careful to check where you stay.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNYgpBDBW55/?hl=en&tagged=phrathatcave

Pack appropriately

As already mentioned, a national park in the height of hot season can be extremely hot and sticky, so make sure to wear light and breathable clothing, particularly if you’re planning on strenuous activities like elephant or regular trekking. Ensure that you pack sensible footwear; whilst the first few levels of the Erawan Waterfall are doable in flip-flops or sandals, it does get a lot trickier, and wearing inappropriate footwear can be pretty dangerous. Don’t forget to pack swimwear – the waterfall and the natural pools that are found in the national park are great places to swim, and feature incredibly blue and emerald coloured waters.

Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Sub-district Kanchanaburi 71250, Thailand