Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi province is most popular for the Erawan Falls, a series of waterfalls named after the erawan, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology. The seven-tiered falls are said to resemble the erawan though I didn’t see it (perhaps my imagination is lacking). The park is very popular with Thai, though I did see quite a few foreigners. I did not jump into the waters since I had my camera equipment, but let me to. The park is located in the Tenasserim Hills. The key word being “hills.” The hike was mostly uphill across uneven ground, some of it muddy, rocky and covered in logs. I even had to climb across the stream on wet rocks at one point. I suppose it goes without saying, it was also quite hot and humid. The national park is in the middle of the jungle.
The falls certainly appears different at different times of the year and the amount of rainfall has a huge impact on the falls. Even though I was visiting during the rainy season, the falls were not as full as they probably would be in October, toward the end of the rainy season. Still, the falls are quite spectacular and the clear turquoise water is really stunning. The falls are being damaged by all the tourists climbing over them. They used to be white from the calcium deposits, but that it barely noticeable today. Mostly they are broken and muddy. Nonetheless, Erawan is still worth a visit.
There are seven tiers to the falls. The lower falls are easy to get to and quite nice. The pools are a bit larger than the others. The mid level tiers are not too difficult to get to, though they get progressively more difficult as you go along. The final tiers are a slog and much more challenging to reach. There is a nice pool at the very top, and perhaps during the rainy season their might even be water splashing over the top waterfall that pours down into the gully. Doubtful though, so don’t count on it. Water levels have dropped and weather changes has meant that most of the falls are not nearly as wet as they used to be. Honestly, you are not missing much if you stick the lower and mid levels.
