The Erawan Waterfalls are one of the most popular and, seriously, most charming attractions in Western Thailand. Located in the heart of the jungle within the National Park of the same name, this spot is so famous that you can even visit it on an organized day trip from Bangkok. However, for those with a bit more time, it’s best to explore them while staying in Kanchanaburi.
This was just one leg of our road trip adventure—we’ve covered more incredible places and attractions in our Thailand with Kids guide.
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O tym przeczytasz
Erawan National Park and its Waterfalls
Founded in the mid-1970s, Erawan was Thailand’s 12th national park. Its name might sound a bit strange or hard to pronounce at first, but it has a cool backstory. In Hindu mythology, Erawan is the king of elephants and the mount of the god Indra. In temples and art, he’s usually shown as a three-headed słoń, though in the myths, he actually has 33 heads! The name Erawan is also linked to the falling rain. Once you see the place, you’ll understand why it feels so special.
The park itself covers over 550 $km^2$, but the star of the show is the seven-tiered waterfall.
Trekking the Seven Tiers of Erawan
The trail to the top level starts right after the park entrance. Just a few meters in, a sign will tell you exactly how far you have to go. The hike to the very top takes about 45 minutes to an hour—not counting the time you’ll inevitably spend soaking in the pools at each level! The trail is relatively easy, even for small children.
Keep in mind: you don’t have to climb to the seventh level. We saw plenty of families with kids who decided to set up camp at level three or four and were perfectly happy there.
| LEVEL | NAME OF WATERFALL | DISTANCE FROM ETRANCE |
| 1 | Hlai Khuen Rung | 20 m |
| 2 | Wang Macha | 170 m |
| 3 | Pha Namtok | 220 m |
| 4 | Oke Nang Peesau | 520 m |
| 5 | Buea Mai Long | 1120 m |
| 6 | Dong Prucksa | 1420 m |
| 7 | Phu Pha Erawan | 1550 m |
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Most visitors rush straight to the top level, which ironically has the smallest pool. It’s just human nature, isn’t it? We always think “higher and further” means “better.” In this case, that’s not necessarily true. While Level 7 is beautiful, its size makes it feel very crowded. There’s barely any room to put your things down, let alone change your clothes.
Almost every level offers a pool where you can swim. Some have natural, smooth rocks that act like perfect slides for both kids and adults.
A “bonus” attraction in every pool is the fish. They’ll give you a natural fish spa treatment by nibbling on your skin. It’s a pretty bizarre sensation and definitely not for everyone! Small kids might find it a bit scary at first, so you’ll just have to see for yourself how they react.
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Trail Essentials: What to Pack to Erawan
As you might guess, comfortable shoes are a plus, but you can easily do this trail in sturdy sandals.
Swimsuits & Towels: These are a must.
Large Sarong/Towel: There are no changing rooms at the higher levels (they only exist near the bottom), so you’ll need to get creative when swapping into dry clothes.
No Plastic Bottles: You are strictly forbidden from bringing plastic bottles past a certain point. They check this at the entrance!
The Deposit System: If they catch you with a plastic bottle, you’ll have to pay a deposit. You get it back at the exit if you show them you brought the bottle back out. Our advice? Just use reusable flasks or canteens.
Important!
The Life Jacket Rule Near the first levels, you’ll see life jacket rentals. We thought we didn’t need them—who wants to lug five bulky vests to the top? Big mistake. When we tried to swim in the lower pools on our way back down, the guards wouldn’t let us in. From Level 4 upwards, life jackets are mandatory. We ended up having to borrow vests from other people on the trail. If you want your own, rent them at Level 1 or 2!
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When is the best time to visit Erawan Waterfall?
We really don’t like reading headings like the one above ourselves.
In this case, however, information on when to visit Erawan is quite important. Due to its popularity and its proximity to the Bridge on the River Kwai, Erawan is a fairly crowded attraction in Thailand, especially on holidays and weekends.
This means the earlier you arrive, the better. The Park gates open at 8:00 AM. This means that if you don’t have your own transport, it’s better (though not financially) to take private transport—you’ll be at the entrance exactly at 8:00 AM. In the case of a trip from Bangkok and a distance of nearly 200 km, it is possible, but it’s an extremely exhausting journey. You must be back at the parking lot before 4:30 PM.
Importantly, Erawan National Park is open year-round. However, it’s better to visit when there’s more water in the falls, i.e., from May to October.
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Entrance to Erawan National Park
At the time of writing this post (January 2024), the cost of entry for a foreigner is 300 THB (about 35 PLN per person). Children pay 100 THB less. Additionally, if you’re driving your own car, you’ll pay an extra 30 THB for parking.
Where to Eat at Erawan Waterfalls?
Right before the park entrance, there is a typical Thai market where you can buy something quick to eat, but you can also comfortably have something more substantial after coming off the trail. There’s no particular reason to worry about the food there, as the tourist turnover is so high that all products are likely to be super fresh (this rule applies to everywhere in Thailand—the more people in a given eatery or at street food, especially locals, the safer it is).
If the potential crowds at Erawan deter you, remember that a bit further, but still relatively close to Kanchanaburi, you have an alternative in the form of the Huai Mae Khamin waterfalls.
Stay with us for more!
