**** Star Sight

Erawan Waterfalls - Kanchanaburi

The most spectacular natural formation in Kanchanaburi province are the Erawan Waterfalls which lie within the Erawan National Park. These waterfalls are so beautiful and majestic that certain tour guides describe them as the greatest natural feature of Thailand and a sight truly not to be missed. Possible an exaggeration but certainly the Erawan Waterfalls should be visited while in Kanchanaburi.

The Erawan Waterfalls cascade down the side of a steep stepped hill and this has given rise to the natural phenomenon of seven connected waterfalls. Each of the seven waterfalls plunge into deep pools which are coloured either vivid blue or emerald green due to the chalk underlying rock..

 

If the Erawan waterfalls can be experienced before the arrival of the mass tourist coaches and organised tours the waterfalls can be an enchanting and magical location. Each of the seven waterfalls of Erawan is unique with the constant flowing water carving out numerous channels to flow down the hill side. The river which forms the Erawan waterfalls is a tributary to the Mae Nam Khwae Yai river.

 

Life is teaming in the deeper pools and the pools are the natural environment of the feet eating fish. This gimmicky form of pedicure has spread the world over but it is here that the fish will naturally eat the dead skin from between your toes, or more depending on how much you wish to submerge yourself.

Some of the Erawan pools are deep enough to allow for bathing and swimming and if part of an organised tour remember to bring swimming outfit and towels. The water falls derive their name from the apparent shape of the seventh pool which is said to resemble the Hindu god Erawan. Erawan’s form is of a three headed elephant and I must be honest I have never really seen the resemblance, must have been looking from the incorrect vantage point!

 

A common activity of the Erawan waterfalls is to climb the semi-permanent path all the way to the top and the largest pool (the Erawan shaped pool) and waterfall. This climb (or hike) takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes depending on the number of visitors and the level of the oppressive humidity and is approximately 2km.

 

The climb is a great method to leave the crowds of tourists and some of the later falls are spectacular but caution must be also consider while climbing wet rocks with some very nasty drops. Every year there are tourists who risk a little too much and end up paying with either a major injury or even their life, Thailand has a very blunt approach to health and safety.

There is an entrance fee to explore the national park of 200THB and the Erawan waterfalls close relatively early at 4pm. This can be a shame for those visitors who made the journey using their own transport. The common method to visit the Erawan waterfalls is to catch the morning bus at 8:00 from Kanchanaburi and return on the last bus of the day at 16:00.

Kanchanaburi Tourist Guide

Kanchanaburi Introduction - 3 Day Itinerary - Image Tour - Weather - Tiger Temple - Erawan Waterfalls - Erawan National Park - Hellfire Pass - Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery - Bridge Over the River Kwai - Death Railway