Lost World: Khao Chamao - Khao Wong

Khao Chamao - Khao Wong

The park is located in the 2 provinces - Rayong and Chanthaburi and became the 13th on account of the national park in the country. It was opened in 1975. Spread over an area of ​​85 km2, this island of wildlife serves as a catchment basin for the entire region. Heavy rains fill the waterways of the park from May to October and change tourists into high rubber boots, and therefore the best time to visit is from November to April. In addition to caves and waterfalls, travelers are attracted by foot routes several kilometers long, where you will meet elephants, deer, banteng (rare wild bulls), and about 50 species of birds. In the park you can even spend the night, paying 600 baht for a double bungalow or renting a tent for half the amount.

How to get here

The distance to Khao Chamao from Pattaya is about 130-150 km.

Public transport to the park does not go, so we use a car or motobike, or we collect a group and rent a minibus. The route of traffic on the car is as follows: track number 7 - track number 36 - track number 3 - route number 3406 to the signpost of Khao Wong. For those traveling on motorbike, we recommend to go to Sukhumvit: the condition of the road surface is much better there, and the path itself is safer because of fewer trucks.

To reach the caves, look at the temple complex with huge statues: after it immediately turn left.

Photo: Siamese

Photo: Siamese

Coordinates of the caves and the entrance to the National Park.

Photo: Siamese

Photo: Siamese

The park is open from 8:00 to 17:00. After 16:00, the checkpoint only works on the exit.

Photo: Siamese

Outfit

Before the rainy season comes from special equipment, you will only need a powerful lantern (for caves) and comfortable shoes. Plus removable clothing (after a few lifts you will be thoroughly wet), a bottle of water and a GPS-navigator in case you get lost.

Khao Wong Caverns

At the entrance to the cave you will be met by a watchman and will offer to rent rubber boots and flashlights. There is no fixed entry fee - you can be asked for 50 baht or simply silently point to the donation box. Leaving the transport in front of the barrier, you dive into the copse with creepers, spines and high bushes. During the rainy season rubber boots will be vital: from the caves you will be separated by the similarity of a shallow river, and then the water will be everywhere.

Keep in mind: the caves are hot enough. In addition, we advise you to bring your headgear - flying bats from light flashlights can take revenge on you, by coping with sniper precision.

Photo: Siamese

Photo: Siamese

Remember the road you came from, and if you decide to cut the path through forest, leave the GPS-tags on the output. Lovers of extreme except for orientation on the terrain of the cave are offered slippery ledges and shaky ladders - but this is optional.

The nearest store is about a kilometer away, but near the parking lot there are toilets and water taps to wash.

During a one-day excursion, we recommend visiting caves in front of waterfalls: this will create a contrast and increase the buzz from the cold water of natural lakes.

Waterfalls

The second attraction of Khao Chamao is also called Klong Nam Sai & raquo ;. The waterfalls consist of seven levels, the length of the ascent to the highest one is 1660 m. Comfortable shoes are also useful here: here and there hang signs warning of slippery stones.

To visit the waterfalls, you will have to pay the entrance to the national park - 40 baht for holders of Thai rights or work permit and 200 baht for ordinary tourists. Additionally, parking fees are charged: motobike - 20 baht, machine - 30.

In the dry season, the water flow noticeably weakens and the waterfalls become like a mountain stream with small natural lakes. Through the transparent water can be seen schools of fish, catching which, of course, is prohibited. Bathed, you will feel light biting, and throwing food into the water, you will witness a crazy battle. By the way, before going up to the waterfalls you will be asked to leave all food, and for the fish you will be offered a special vegetable treat.

Photo: Siamese

Photo: Siamese

Guests of Khao Chamao are mostly Thai. Therefore, there are no inscriptions in Russian, and the prices in the nearby cafes are very democratic. Schoolchildren will waved your hands and ask to be photographed - a sure sign that you managed to escape from the tourist ghetto. But we recommend visiting the national park on weekdays, when it is almost deserted. Then Khao Chamao will give you a unity with untouched nature under the singing of running water over the rocks.