{"id":7078892,"date":"2026-10-07T04:15:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T04:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7078892"},"modified":"2026-10-07T04:15:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T04:15:15","slug":"een-must-do-vanuit-kanchanaburi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7078892","title":{"rendered":"een must do vanuit Kanchanaburi"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Erawan National Park is an absolute must when you are in Kanchanaburi. The Erawan waterfalls are incredibly spectacular\u2014some of the most beautiful waterfalls you\u2019ll see on the Thai mainland, at least in my opinion. I didn\u2019t know much about them before my first visit to Thailand in 2005, so I went to the falls with no expectations. I visited them for a second time in October 2025 and loved it just as much. In this article, I\u2019ll tell you all about it!<\/p>\n

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Table of Contents | Inhoudsopgave<\/p>\n

Toggle<\/span><\/svg><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

About Erawan National Park and waterfalls<\/h5>\n

The Erawan Falls are among Thailand\u2019s most famous waterfalls and are located in Erawan National Park, in Kanchanaburi Province. The waterfall consists of no fewer than seven levels, connected by a walking trail approximately 2 kilometers long. Along the way, you will pass various natural pools with clear, turquoise water where you can swim at several locations.<\/p>\n

The waterfall takes its name from Erawan, the three-headed elephant from Hindu mythology. According to legend, the uppermost level resembles the head of this elephant. The various levels each have their own character: some are relatively easy to reach, while the higher sections require a bit more climbing. Erawan Falls are located approximately 65 kilometers from Kanchanaburi, making them an ideal destination for a day trip.<\/p>\n

\"Erawan
Erawan National Park Thailand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Off to the Erawan falls<\/h5>\n

We drove our rental car from Kanchanaburi to Erawan National Park. Google Maps estimated the drive at one hour and twenty minutes, but in reality, and as is often the case in Thailand, it took longer. There isn\u2019t much to see along the way, so we didn\u2019t make any stops and drove straight to Erawan National Park. As a result, we arrived at the waterfalls around 10 am. We were visiting on a Sunday, and we understood that it could get very crowded with local visitors.<\/p>\n

Note: You also have to pay a fee for your car (though it isn\u2019t officially labeled as a parking fee); we paid 30 baht to park.<\/p>\n

After paying the entrance fee of 300 baht per person, we were allowed to enter.<\/p>\n

\"De
The road from Kanchanaburi to Erawan National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Our first steps in Erawan National Park<\/h5>\n

Upon arrival at Erawan National park, we find a small visitor center and restrooms, which we decide to use before setting off. A short while later, there is a security check, as bringing food and drinks into the park is prohibited. You can only bring water so we simply walk right through. It is 32 degrees today, so heading out without water isn\u2019t an option. It is amazing how easily it all goes.<\/p>\n

Next, we reach the life jacket rental station. Wearing a life jacket is mandatory in Erawan National Park if you want to swim at the waterfalls. Compliance is strictly enforced, though mostly at the lower-level waterfalls. We decide to rent just one life jacket between us (20 Baht) because we don\u2019t want the hassle of constantly lugging around two of them.<\/p>\n

And then, it is finally time to set off!<\/p>\n

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\"Entree
Entree Erawan National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Info
Info Erawan National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
\"Lifevest
The lifevest rental<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
About the waterfalls in Erawan National Park<\/h5>\n

Erawan Falls consists of seven levels, though you essentially follow the river the entire way up. The first level is the most visited, as a paved trail leads to it, making it accessible to people with disabilities and those with strollers. The entire hike covers about 2.4 kilometers one way, and particularly near the final waterfalls, you have to do quite a bit of scrambling over a muddy path.<\/p>\n

Keep an eye out for monkeys along the way, as they can be very aggressive. I had a run-in with a monkey that attacked me, probably because of the banana I had in the side pocket of my backpack. I realized later that wasn\u2019t very smart, so make sure to keep all your food and drinks in a sealed bag. It\u2019s also wise to keep valuables, such as your sunglasses and mobile phone, close at hand.<\/p>\n

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\"Monkey
Onze terror aap<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Beware
Let op voor de apen!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
Our hike to the Erawan Falls<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The first two waterfalls are the busiest. Entire families picnic here, and everyone seems to be swimming in the bright blue water; at times, it feels like a big playground. After the second waterfall, we quickly hike on, leaving the real crowds behind. Many Thai people don\u2019t bother walking all the way to the top we have noticed.<\/p>\n

We go for the occasional swim along the way, but the downside is that your life jacket gets soaking wet and you have to hang it on your bag (or carry it, though that\u2019s not practical when you occasionally need to do some hand and footwork when going further up). About half way uo, there\u2019s a side trail leading to a viewpoint. It\u2019s great to see where you are, since all the waterfalls are tucked away in the jungle, meaning you\u2019re constantly walking beneath a canopy of leaves.<\/p>\n

\"De
The first waterfall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Viewpoint
Viewpoint Erawan Falls National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Onwards to the highest Erawan Falls<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The trail is fine up to level 4, but it becomes a bit more strenuous after that. Since we are traveling during the rainy season (October) and it rained last night, it\u2019s quite slippery and muddy in places. Steps have been built in a few spots to make hiking up easier. If you have trouble walking, I wouldn\u2019t attempt this section. You really have to watch your footing at times, and climbing the steps is tough, especially in the heat. But\u2026 it\u2019s definitely worth it!<\/p>\n

Once you reach the top at level 7, there is a sign reading \u201cYou are the conqueror\u201d, meaning you\u2019ve made it! Up here, no one seems to care about the mandatory life jackets anymore, and people are swimming everywhere without vests. And to be fair, it is truly beautiful here. To me, it looks just like Jurassic Park<\/em>: a massive waterfall right in the middle of the jungle. It\u2019s quite crowded though, but I guess that comes with visiting a major tourist attraction. <\/p>\n

We stay here for a while to swim and sunbathe before eventually heading back down. The walk down takes us about an hour. We decide to grab a bite to eat at one of the food stalls next to the parking lot and then drive back to Kanchanaburi.<\/p>\n

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\"Highest
Arrival at the highest waterfall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bij
In Jurassic Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
\"Highest
Arrival at the highest waterfall in Erawan National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Practical tips for your visit to Erawan National Park<\/strong><\/h5>\n

I will end this article about Erawan National Park with some practical tips for your visit and things that are good to know and\/or keep in mind:<\/p>\n