The Erawan Waterfall was really an impressive series of seven waterfalls each with a shape and character all its own. All the waterfalls typically fell over limestone cliffs resulting in colorful plunge pools as well as interestingly rounded rock formations reminiscent of something that would belong in a cave. Moreover, we also saw some unsigned waterfalls that seemed legitimate but didn't appear to count towards the seven.
In any case, we thought this waterfall had it all - the scenery, the swimming, and the exercise. It was no wonder why it was popular and quite busy here. Of course, given how typically hot it was in this part of Thailand, I guess the swimming or playing in the many plunge pools of beneath these waterfalls were enticing as well as scenically alluring. It seemed like this waterfall epitomized the universal appeal of swimming beneath waterfalls in the typically humid tropical climate.
From the car park, the trail started off flat and mostly paved as it ultimately reached the first waterfall, which was called Ly Kung Lung (I also saw it spelled Hlai Keun Lung). A sign indicated that it was only a 20m walk from the visitor center area. Believe it or not, it was possible to bypass this section of walking by taking a tram to that visitor center area. We didn't do the tram option as we thought it was a little overkill.
Fish swimming before the first waterfall This waterfall didn't seem to have many swimmers though there were a handful of people scrambling around for a closer look. And maybe the lack of people in the water here might have been a big reason why we saw lots of fish in the travertine pools further downstream of the falls. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time we had seen so much fish before a waterfall in any of our waterfalling excursions. And the travertine pools really reminded me of Havasu Falls.
Yet we weren't totally sure why there were fewer people swimming at this waterfall given how pretty it was and how there was the presence of travertine pools. Since we didn't take a dip ourselves, we couldn't tell you ourselves whether there was something off about the pool at this falls.
A short distance later (170m from the visitor center), the activity picked up and there were lots of people swimming, wading, and even scrambling into a small alcove behind the second waterfall (see photo at the top of this page). We thought this waterfall was one of the more scenic ones given its unusual rounded underlying limestone over which the water flowed. According to the signs here, this falls was called Wung Macha.
People playing at some cascades below the 2nd waterfall Given how pretty the falls was, it was no wonder why there was such bustle of activity. We had a good time taking photos from here while also chilling out and basking in the atmosphere of the scene. Come to think of it, perhaps the first waterfall might have been a perfectly fine swimming hole, but the second waterfall completely overshadowed it thereby causing it to become a victim of the lemmings effect.
After having our fill of the second waterfall (I recalled we spent quite a bit of time here), we finally started the race against time and climbed up to the waterfalls further ahead. It was a race against time because the park was said to close at 4:30pm with the last admissions at 4pm. We started hiking at 1:30pm.
On the way up, we were stopped at a check point where we had to register with the authorities there. In addition, I recalled having to leave some kind of collateral (a Thai baht deposit I believe) in exchange for the plastic water bottles we were carrying with us. Perhaps the thought was that the deposit would cover the potential clean-up costs in case the plastic was left behind.
I thought it was a good system (to minimize the amount of litter in the ecologically sensitive areas) though they probably should've charge a little more money to really make it attractive to bring the water bottles back here and get back the desposit.
The third waterfall with fish in the plunge pool It took a few more minutes of uphill hiking before we finally encountered the third Erawan Waterfall, which was called Pha Num tok (or Pha Nom Tok) and 220m from the visitor center. And like the first waterfall, this one also had lots of fish swimming in its plunge pool because most of the people chilled out at the second waterfall. However, this one was significantly taller than the first two (possibly 20-25m I think) though not nearly as wide.
Adding to the scenic allure of this waterfall was the colorful blue-green water of the plunge pool keeping us from getting all the way to the falls without swimming. It was up there with the 2nd waterfall as one of our favorites in the lot.
Further up the hike, the fourth Erawan Waterfall was more of a water slide. It also had a larger drop further downstream, but it was hard to see. We saw one person scoot himself on the rounded rock of the waterslide before finally letting gravity take over. This falls was called Oke Nank Phee Seah, and it was about 520m from the visitor center.
Continuing beyond the fourth waterfall, the trail became a little less steep as it followed the watercourse responsible for all the Erawan Waterfalls. Along the way, we noticed quite a few trees wrapped around with prayer flags as well as colorful silk-like garments. Our guide said that these were meant to have religious significance while also doubling as informal trail markers.
Prayer garments tied around a tree fronting the start of the fifth Erawan Waterfall The 5th waterfall (called Bua Mai Long and 1.12km from the visitor center) was just another set of small cascades set amongst limestone with lots of travertine pools in the area. Given the relative calm and accessibility of these smaller travertine pools, we saw a handful of people swimming and chilling out here. Since it definitely lacked the amount of activity of the 2nd waterfall (probably due to the increased amount of exertion to get here), we could understand why this spot was a good alternative swimming hole to the second falls.
The trail got increasingly a little rougher beyond the 5th waterfall as there started to be some sections requiring ladders while the trail narrowed even more. Some sections of the trail (becoming more like a scramble) required a fair bit of stream walking.
Contrasting the drama of the more primitive hiking conditions, we did spot a few more unnamed or "unofficial" waterfalls en route, which seemed to be even more naturesque than before. But ultimately, this fairly immersive part of the hike terminated at the sixth waterfall, which was a wide multitiered cascade with some lower tiers. This waterfall was called Dong Prouck Sa, and it was 1.42km from the visitor center.
The trail got increasingly wet and less defined the higher up we went The plunge pool beneath the sixth falls had a nice color, which I'd imagine would've been even more vibrant had the sun been out. Unfortunately for us, the sun hid behind the clouds when we finally made it up to this part of the hike.
Continuing further upstream, it seemed like we were close enough to the seventh waterfall that the sixth waterfall could've been thought of as the base of the seventh falls. The signs indicated that it was still 300m beyond the sixth waterfall. Yet to get to that last waterfall, we had to earn it as that last stretch of trail was even more adventurous than before.
This part of the trail involved more stream walking, more rickety ladders, and even a few narrow and drop-off-exposed sections. The drop-offs weren't tall enough to induce butterflies in our stomachs, but they were enough to cause injury with a slip and fall. It didn't seem like there were many people willing to go through the effort to go all the way here, but the relative peace and quiet from making it all the way here really made the exertion worth it.
Here's a sign showing what Erawan looked like, which was supposed to be how the 7th waterfall was to resemble in full flow When we finally made it up to the end of the trail, we were presented with a view of the last waterfall, which was called Phu Pha Erawan. During our visit, we only saw its lower sections flow. There was supposed to be three upper segments coming down over a rounded limestone precipite that would've given the falls the appearance that there were three elephant trunks.
Perhaps this was how the entire waterfall system got the name Erawan, which was a three-headed Hindu God where each head resembled that of an elephant's head. Unfortunately, our guide told us that the full-flow state that would've revealed all three "trunks" hadn't been witnessed in a while due to diminishing rainfall. Could this be a consequence of the global climate change and subsequent instability? In any case, it didn't happen for us so we didn't linger here much longer.
On the return hike going back the way we came, it went by much faster as it was all-downhill. However, we still had to go back through the scrambling paths and rickety ladders both between the fifth and seventh waterfalls. It wasn't until we made it past the scrambling section that the hike was pretty smooth sailing for the most part.
When we got back to the second waterfall, Julie and I were quite surprised at how it seemed like there were even more people frolicking in the area. Wasn't the park supposed to be closed? Nonetheless, this further made it apparent to us that while the Erawan Waterfalls were a popular attraction, it was really the second waterfall where the vast concentration of visitors remained.
Our visit to all seven of the Erawan Waterfalls took us about 3.5 hours. It very easily could've been longer if not for the fact that the park was closing during our trip, which hastened our pace. Although we were accompanied by our guide, it probably wasn't necessary to do this hike with a guide since the entire trail was well-marked except for the very end (which
น้ำตกเอราวัณได้จริง ๆ ชุดเจ็ดน้ำตกแต่ละที่ มีรูปร่างและอักขระทั้งหมดประทับใจของตนเอง น้ำตกทั้งหมดมักจะตกไปในสระว่ายน้ำที่มีสีสันเป็นเรื่องน่าสนใจปัดหินของสิ่งที่จะอยู่ในถ้ำหินปูน นอกจากนี้ เรายังเห็นน้ำตกบางรับรองที่ดูเหมือนถูก แต่นั้น นับเจ็ดเราคิดว่า น้ำตกแห่งนี้มีทั้งหมด - ฉาก จักรยาน และการออกกำลังกาย พบเหตุมันเป็นที่นิยม และค่อนข้างยุ่งที่นี่ได้ แน่นอน ให้วิธีโดยทั่วไปร้อนก็ในภาคนี้ ผมคิดว่า การว่ายน้ำหรือเล่นในสระว่ายน้ำหลายของใต้น้ำตกเหล่านี้ได้ล่อลวง รวมทั้งติดเสน่ห์ ดูเหมือนน้ำตก epitomized อุทธรณ์สากลของว่ายน้ำใต้น้ำตกในภูมิอากาศเขตร้อนชื้นโดยทั่วไปจากที่จอดรถ ทางเริ่มออกแบน และปูส่วนใหญ่สุดถึงน้ำตกแรก ซึ่งถูกเรียกว่าลุงกุ้งลี (ผมยังเห็นมันสะกด Hlai เกินปอด) เครื่องหมายระบุว่า เป็นเพียง 20 เมตรเดินจากผู้เยี่ยมชมเซ็นเตอร์ เชื่อหรือไม่ ก็สามารถข้ามส่วนนี้โดยการมุ่งที่ผู้เยี่ยมชมเซ็นเตอร์ เราไม่ได้ทำตัวรางเราคิดมันเป็น overkill เล็กน้อย ปลาที่ว่ายน้ำก่อนน้ำตกแรกน้ำตกนี้ไม่ได้ดูเหมือนจะ มีอกีหลายว่ามีกำมือของคนที่แปลงเป็นรอบ และอาจจะขาดคนน้ำที่นี่อาจมีเหตุผลใหญ่ทำไมเราเห็นของปลาในสระ travertine ปลายน้ำของน้ำตกเพิ่มเติม ในความเป็นจริง ผมไม่สามารถจำได้ว่า ครั้งสุดท้ายที่เราได้เห็นปลามากก่อนน้ำตกในห้อง waterfalling ของเรา และสระ travertine จริง ๆ เตือนฉันของคฮาวาซูฟอลส์แต่เราไม่แน่ใจว่าทั้งหมดทำไมจึงมีคนน้อยที่ว่ายน้ำที่น้ำตกแห่งนี้สวยถูกและการมีอยู่ของพูลโปรแกรม travertine เนื่องจากเราไม่ได้แหวกเอง เราไม่สามารถบอกตนเองว่า มีอะไรปิดเกี่ยวกับสระว่ายน้ำที่น้ำตกนี้กิจกรรมรับระยะสั้นหลัง (170 เมตรจากศูนย์นักท่องเที่ยว), และมีหลายคนที่สระว่ายน้ำ สระ และแม้กระทั่งแปลงเป็นแอลโคฟอโศกเล็กหลังน้ำตกสอง (ดูภาพด้านบนของหน้านี้) เราคิดว่า น้ำตกนี้เป็นหนึ่งในสวยงามมากให้ปกติปัดเน้นปูนที่น้ำไหล ตามสัญญาณที่นี่ น้ำตกนี้ถูกเรียกว่าวังมัจฉา คนเล่นที่น้ำตกบางด้านล่างน้ำตก 2 ให้เป็นน้ำตกสวย พบจึงมีกิจกรรมวุ่นวายดังกล่าว เรามีเวลาถ่ายจากในขณะยังออกหนาวและท่ามกลางบรรยากาศของฉาก มาถึงคิดดูของมัน อาจเป็นน้ำตกแรกอาจมีหลุมว่ายน้ำอย่างดี แต่น้ำตกสองสมบูรณ์ overshadowed มันจึงทำให้กลายเป็น เหยื่อของผล lemmingsหลังจากที่มีของเราเติมน้ำตกสอง (ผมยกเลิกใช้ของที่นี่เวลา), เราเริ่มต้นการแข่งขันกับเวลา และปีนขึ้นน้ำตกต่อไปข้างหน้า มันเป็นการแข่งกับเวลาเนื่องจากสวนกล่าวปิดที่ 4:30 pm โดยรับสมัครสุดท้ายเวลา 16.00 น. เราเริ่มต้นเดินป่าที่ 1:30 pmบนทางขึ้น เราได้ถูกหยุดที่จุดตรวจสอบที่มีการลงทะเบียนกับหน่วยงานมี นอกจากนี้ ฉันเรียกคืนต้องปล่อยบางชนิดของหลักประกัน (ไทยบาทเงินฝากผม) แลกเปลี่ยนขวดน้ำพลาสติกที่เราได้ดำเนินการกับเรา อาจคิดได้ว่า เงินฝากจะครอบคลุมต้นทุนการล้างเป็นไปได้ในกรณีที่พลาสติกถูกทิ้งฉันคิดว่า มันเป็นระบบที่ดี (ให้กระบะในพื้นที่ระบบนิเวศสำคัญ) แม้ว่าพวกเขาอาจจะได้ค่าเงินน้อยจริง ๆ ทำให้น่าสนใจจะนำขวดน้ำสำรองที่นี่ และกลับมา despositน้ำตกสามปลาในสระที่ใช้เพิ่มเติมกี่นาทีของการเดินป่าปั่นก่อนเราก็พบน้ำตกเอราวัณสาม ซึ่งเรียกว่าน้ำตกผา Num (หรือผานม Tok) และ 220 เมตรจากศูนย์นักท่องเที่ยว และเช่นน้ำตกแรก นี้ยังมีปลาที่ว่ายน้ำในสระนั้นเนื่องจากคนส่วนใหญ่ที่แช่เย็นออกมาที่น้ำตกสองมากมาย อย่างไรก็ตาม นี้ได้อย่างมีนัยสำคัญสูงกว่าสองชนิดแรก (อาจจะ 20-25 เมตรคิด) ว่าไม่กว้างเป็น เพิ่มการล่อใจที่สวยงามของน้ำตกนี้มีน้ำเขียวสีสันของสระว่ายน้ำที่ทำให้เราจากการเดินทางทางไปน้ำตกโดยว่ายน้ำ มันเป็นค่าที่นั่นมีน้ำตก 2 เป็นหนึ่งในของโปรดของเราในล็อตเพิ่มเติม ค่าเดินป่า น้ำตกเอราวัณสี่ได้มากกว่าน้ำนิ่ง มันยังมีหล่นใหญ่เพิ่มเติมน้ำ แต่ก็ยากที่จะดู เราเห็นหนึ่งคนสายการบินสกู๊ตเองบนหินมนของสไลเดอร์ก่อนสุดท้ายซักแรงโน้มถ่วงจะเหนือ น้ำตกนี้ถูกเรียกว่าโอคลอดจ์ Nank ผี Seah และก็ประมาณ 520 เมตรจากศูนย์นักท่องเที่ยวต่อเหนือน้ำตกสี่ ทางเริ่มสูงชันเล็กน้อยน้อยเท่านั้นตาม watercourse ชอบน้ำตกเอราวัณทั้งหมด เขา เราพบเที่ยวต้นไม้ห่อรอบ ด้วยธงสวดมนต์ ตลอดจนสีสันเหมือนผ้าไหมเสื้อผ้า แนะนำว่า ที่ นี้มีความหมาย มีความสำคัญทางศาสนาในขณะที่ยัง จะเป็นแนวทางที่เป็นเครื่องหมายPrayer garments tied around a tree fronting the start of the fifth Erawan Waterfall The 5th waterfall (called Bua Mai Long and 1.12km from the visitor center) was just another set of small cascades set amongst limestone with lots of travertine pools in the area. Given the relative calm and accessibility of these smaller travertine pools, we saw a handful of people swimming and chilling out here. Since it definitely lacked the amount of activity of the 2nd waterfall (probably due to the increased amount of exertion to get here), we could understand why this spot was a good alternative swimming hole to the second falls.The trail got increasingly a little rougher beyond the 5th waterfall as there started to be some sections requiring ladders while the trail narrowed even more. Some sections of the trail (becoming more like a scramble) required a fair bit of stream walking. Contrasting the drama of the more primitive hiking conditions, we did spot a few more unnamed or "unofficial" waterfalls en route, which seemed to be even more naturesque than before. But ultimately, this fairly immersive part of the hike terminated at the sixth waterfall, which was a wide multitiered cascade with some lower tiers. This waterfall was called Dong Prouck Sa, and it was 1.42km from the visitor center. ทางมีฝนมาก และน้อยกำหนดขึ้นสูงเราไปสระว่ายน้ำใต้น้ำตกหกมีสีดี ที่จะคิดจะเคยยิ่งระดับดวงอาทิตย์ได้ออก แต่สำหรับเรา อาทิตย์ซ่อนอยู่หลังเมฆเมื่อเราทำในที่สุดมันถึงเดินป่าแห่งนี้อย่างต่อเนื่องต่อไปต้นน้ำ เหมือนเราได้ปิดพอน้ำตกเจ็ดที่น้ำตกหกสามารถได้รับคิดเป็นฐานของน้ำตกเจ็ด สัญญาณบ่งชี้ว่า มันยังคง 300 เมตรเหนือน้ำตกหก ยัง เข้าไปที่น้ำตกสุดท้าย เราได้รายได้เป็นยิ่งผจญภัยกว่าก่อนยืดที่สุดท้ายของเส้นทางทางส่วนนี้เกี่ยวข้องกับกระแสเดินขึ้น สาธารณขึ้นบันได และส่วนแคบ และ drop-off สัมผัสแม้แต่น้อย Drop-offs ไม่สูงพอที่จะก่อให้เกิดผีเสื้อในรำลึก แต่พวกเขาเพียงพอที่จะทำให้บาดเจ็บกับใบ และตก มันไม่เหมือนมีหลายคนยินดีผ่านพยายามหาทุกวิธีที่นี่ แต่ความเงียบสงบญาติทำทุกทางที่นี่ทำใช้ออกแรงคุ้มจริง ๆHere's a sign showing what Erawan looked like, which was supposed to be how the 7th waterfall was to resemble in full flow When we finally made it up to the end of the trail, we were presented with a view of the last waterfall, which was called Phu Pha Erawan. During our visit, we only saw its lower sections flow. There was supposed to be three upper segments coming down over a rounded limestone precipite that would've given the falls the appearance that there were three elephant trunks.Perhaps this was how the entire waterfall system got the name Erawan, which was a three-headed Hindu God where each head resembled that of an elephant's head. Unfortunately, our guide told us that the full-flow state that would've revealed all three "trunks" hadn't been witnessed in a while due to diminishing rainfall. Could this be a consequence of the global climate change and subsequent instability? In any case, it didn't happen for us so we didn't linger here much longer.On the return hike going back the way we came, it went by much faster as it was all-downhill. However, we still had to go back through the scrambling paths and rickety ladders both between the fifth and seventh waterfalls. It wasn't until we made it past the scrambling section that the hike was pretty smooth sailing for the most part. When we got back to the second waterfall, Julie and I were quite surprised at how it seemed like there were even more people frolicking in the area. Wasn't the park supposed to be closed? Nonetheless, this further made it apparent to us that while the Erawan Waterfalls were a popular attraction, it was really the second waterfall where the vast concentration of visitors remained.Our visit to all seven of the Erawan Waterfalls took us about 3.5 hours. It very easily could've been longer if not for the fact that the park was closing during our trip, which hastened our pace. Although we were accompanied by our guide, it probably wasn't necessary to do this hike with a guide since the entire trail was well-marked except for the very end (which
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The Erawan Waterfall was really an impressive series of seven waterfalls each with a shape and character all its own. All the waterfalls typically fell over limestone cliffs resulting in colorful plunge pools as well as interestingly rounded rock formations reminiscent of something that would belong in a cave. Moreover, we also saw some unsigned waterfalls that seemed legitimate but didn't appear to count towards the seven.
In any case, we thought this waterfall had it all - the scenery, the swimming, and the exercise. It was no wonder why it was popular and quite busy here. Of course, given how typically hot it was in this part of Thailand, I guess the swimming or playing in the many plunge pools of beneath these waterfalls were enticing as well as scenically alluring. It seemed like this waterfall epitomized the universal appeal of swimming beneath waterfalls in the typically humid tropical climate.
From the car park, the trail started off flat and mostly paved as it ultimately reached the first waterfall, which was called Ly Kung Lung (I also saw it spelled Hlai Keun Lung). A sign indicated that it was only a 20m walk from the visitor center area. Believe it or not, it was possible to bypass this section of walking by taking a tram to that visitor center area. We didn't do the tram option as we thought it was a little overkill.
Fish swimming before the first waterfall This waterfall didn't seem to have many swimmers though there were a handful of people scrambling around for a closer look. And maybe the lack of people in the water here might have been a big reason why we saw lots of fish in the travertine pools further downstream of the falls. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time we had seen so much fish before a waterfall in any of our waterfalling excursions. And the travertine pools really reminded me of Havasu Falls.
Yet we weren't totally sure why there were fewer people swimming at this waterfall given how pretty it was and how there was the presence of travertine pools. Since we didn't take a dip ourselves, we couldn't tell you ourselves whether there was something off about the pool at this falls.
A short distance later (170m from the visitor center), the activity picked up and there were lots of people swimming, wading, and even scrambling into a small alcove behind the second waterfall (see photo at the top of this page). We thought this waterfall was one of the more scenic ones given its unusual rounded underlying limestone over which the water flowed. According to the signs here, this falls was called Wung Macha.
People playing at some cascades below the 2nd waterfall Given how pretty the falls was, it was no wonder why there was such bustle of activity. We had a good time taking photos from here while also chilling out and basking in the atmosphere of the scene. Come to think of it, perhaps the first waterfall might have been a perfectly fine swimming hole, but the second waterfall completely overshadowed it thereby causing it to become a victim of the lemmings effect.
After having our fill of the second waterfall (I recalled we spent quite a bit of time here), we finally started the race against time and climbed up to the waterfalls further ahead. It was a race against time because the park was said to close at 4:30pm with the last admissions at 4pm. We started hiking at 1:30pm.
On the way up, we were stopped at a check point where we had to register with the authorities there. In addition, I recalled having to leave some kind of collateral (a Thai baht deposit I believe) in exchange for the plastic water bottles we were carrying with us. Perhaps the thought was that the deposit would cover the potential clean-up costs in case the plastic was left behind.
I thought it was a good system (to minimize the amount of litter in the ecologically sensitive areas) though they probably should've charge a little more money to really make it attractive to bring the water bottles back here and get back the desposit.
The third waterfall with fish in the plunge pool It took a few more minutes of uphill hiking before we finally encountered the third Erawan Waterfall, which was called Pha Num tok (or Pha Nom Tok) and 220m from the visitor center. And like the first waterfall, this one also had lots of fish swimming in its plunge pool because most of the people chilled out at the second waterfall. However, this one was significantly taller than the first two (possibly 20-25m I think) though not nearly as wide.
Adding to the scenic allure of this waterfall was the colorful blue-green water of the plunge pool keeping us from getting all the way to the falls without swimming. It was up there with the 2nd waterfall as one of our favorites in the lot.
Further up the hike, the fourth Erawan Waterfall was more of a water slide. It also had a larger drop further downstream, but it was hard to see. We saw one person scoot himself on the rounded rock of the waterslide before finally letting gravity take over. This falls was called Oke Nank Phee Seah, and it was about 520m from the visitor center.
Continuing beyond the fourth waterfall, the trail became a little less steep as it followed the watercourse responsible for all the Erawan Waterfalls. Along the way, we noticed quite a few trees wrapped around with prayer flags as well as colorful silk-like garments. Our guide said that these were meant to have religious significance while also doubling as informal trail markers.
Prayer garments tied around a tree fronting the start of the fifth Erawan Waterfall The 5th waterfall (called Bua Mai Long and 1.12km from the visitor center) was just another set of small cascades set amongst limestone with lots of travertine pools in the area. Given the relative calm and accessibility of these smaller travertine pools, we saw a handful of people swimming and chilling out here. Since it definitely lacked the amount of activity of the 2nd waterfall (probably due to the increased amount of exertion to get here), we could understand why this spot was a good alternative swimming hole to the second falls.
The trail got increasingly a little rougher beyond the 5th waterfall as there started to be some sections requiring ladders while the trail narrowed even more. Some sections of the trail (becoming more like a scramble) required a fair bit of stream walking.
Contrasting the drama of the more primitive hiking conditions, we did spot a few more unnamed or "unofficial" waterfalls en route, which seemed to be even more naturesque than before. But ultimately, this fairly immersive part of the hike terminated at the sixth waterfall, which was a wide multitiered cascade with some lower tiers. This waterfall was called Dong Prouck Sa, and it was 1.42km from the visitor center.
The trail got increasingly wet and less defined the higher up we went The plunge pool beneath the sixth falls had a nice color, which I'd imagine would've been even more vibrant had the sun been out. Unfortunately for us, the sun hid behind the clouds when we finally made it up to this part of the hike.
Continuing further upstream, it seemed like we were close enough to the seventh waterfall that the sixth waterfall could've been thought of as the base of the seventh falls. The signs indicated that it was still 300m beyond the sixth waterfall. Yet to get to that last waterfall, we had to earn it as that last stretch of trail was even more adventurous than before.
This part of the trail involved more stream walking, more rickety ladders, and even a few narrow and drop-off-exposed sections. The drop-offs weren't tall enough to induce butterflies in our stomachs, but they were enough to cause injury with a slip and fall. It didn't seem like there were many people willing to go through the effort to go all the way here, but the relative peace and quiet from making it all the way here really made the exertion worth it.
Here's a sign showing what Erawan looked like, which was supposed to be how the 7th waterfall was to resemble in full flow When we finally made it up to the end of the trail, we were presented with a view of the last waterfall, which was called Phu Pha Erawan. During our visit, we only saw its lower sections flow. There was supposed to be three upper segments coming down over a rounded limestone precipite that would've given the falls the appearance that there were three elephant trunks.
Perhaps this was how the entire waterfall system got the name Erawan, which was a three-headed Hindu God where each head resembled that of an elephant's head. Unfortunately, our guide told us that the full-flow state that would've revealed all three "trunks" hadn't been witnessed in a while due to diminishing rainfall. Could this be a consequence of the global climate change and subsequent instability? In any case, it didn't happen for us so we didn't linger here much longer.
On the return hike going back the way we came, it went by much faster as it was all-downhill. However, we still had to go back through the scrambling paths and rickety ladders both between the fifth and seventh waterfalls. It wasn't until we made it past the scrambling section that the hike was pretty smooth sailing for the most part.
When we got back to the second waterfall, Julie and I were quite surprised at how it seemed like there were even more people frolicking in the area. Wasn't the park supposed to be closed? Nonetheless, this further made it apparent to us that while the Erawan Waterfalls were a popular attraction, it was really the second waterfall where the vast concentration of visitors remained.
Our visit to all seven of the Erawan Waterfalls took us about 3.5 hours. It very easily could've been longer if not for the fact that the park was closing during our trip, which hastened our pace. Although we were accompanied by our guide, it probably wasn't necessary to do this hike with a guide since the entire trail was well-marked except for the very end (which
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