The Most Beautiful Caves In Thailand

Thailand is not only famous for its stunning beaches, delicious food and friendly people, it is also home to some of the world’s most stunning caves! Check out our list of the most beautiful caves in Thailand, you’ll be surprised by what you will discover.

You can now experience the best Thailand has to offer with Culture Trip on our specially curated small-group adventure to Northern Thailand or Southern Thailand.

1. Tham Lot, Pang Mapha

Archaeological site, Natural Feature

Exploring the Tham Lod Cave by kayak, Pang Mapha Thailand

Tham Lot Cave is roughly a 40 minute drive south of Pai in Sappong. There are two options to explore this stunning cave, both require the expert help of a local guide. The first option is to go both ways on a raft through the cave, the other option is to go into the cave on a bamboo raft and then walk back through the forest. This adventure requires a fair level of fitness as you’ll climb up and down staircases discovering the caves highlights. Contact Cave Lodge for exciting caving, kayaking and hiking adventures.

2. Tham Chiang Dao, Chiang Dao

Natural Feature

Wat Tham Chiang Dao temple, cave in Chiang Mai province, Thailand

Explore the wonders of the limestone temple caves in Chiang Dao. There are over 100 caves in the complex that extend over 10 kilometres into the mountain range. Many of the caves have shrines, statues and Buddha images. There is a small entrance fee and to explore deeper into the caves it is expected that you hire a local guide to lead the way. Chiang Dao is also famous for its hiking trails.

4. Phi Hua To Cave, Krabi

Natural Feature

Landscape inside ancient cave Tham Pee Hua Toe or Big-headed Ghost Cave in Krabi province, Thailand.

Phi Hua To Cave, or otherwise known as “big-headed Ghost Cave”, is Krabi’s most famous cave located close to the Than Bok Khorani National Park. The limestone caves are surrounded by mangrove forests and are adorned with prehistoric paintings depicting humans and marine animals. The name “big headed Ghost Cave” is apt considering the site is believed to have been a burial site over 3,000 years ago. A large number of skulls have been uncovered here. The cave is also known for a tiger paw which is embedded in the stone.

5. Viking Cave, Koh Phi Phi Ley

Natural Feature

Viking cave on Maya island, Thailand in a summer day

A stunning limestone cave with beautiful drawings of ancient Viking ships on the walls. The cave is also a popular site to harvest a certain type of bird nest that is used in a traditional Chinese soup. The cave is no longer open to tourists however boats will get you as close enough to check out this stunning cave.

6. Tham Lum Khao Ngu (Snake Mountain Cave), Kanchanaburi

Natural Feature, Park

Be prepared to be awe-struck. Tham Lum Khao Ngu houses the tallest cave column in the world at a mighty 62 meters tall (200 feet)! This impressive structure looks like a mega-church organ and is truly a breathtaking sight.

7. Monkey Cave (Wat Tham Suwan Khuha Cave Temple)

Natural Feature, Buddhist Temple

Wat Tham Suwan Khuha Buddhist Cave, Phang Nga Bay, Krabi Province, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

This cave is home to a magnificent reclining gold Buddha statue. The cave is also very light with plenty of room, so a perfect caving option for those that get claustrophobic in tight spaces. As the name implies there are numerous monkeys jumping about outside of the cave. Be careful they can be feisty.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.