Declared a national park back in 1981 the Kaeng Krachan National Park is no ordinary natural sanctuary in Thailand. As the largest national park in the country this 2915km2 space is conveniently located within 1.5 hours driving distance from Hua Hin. Surrounded by 1200m high mountains and breathtaking verdant landscapes all around this idyllic natural wonder is perhaps best known for its most popular attraction the Pala-U Waterfall.
The stunning cascade is synonymous with the national park and is justifiably one of its most frequented points of interest by locals and tourists alike. The trip to the famous waterfall is also scenic as visitors will pass acres of picturesque countryside and mountainscapes on the drive there which takes 1.5 hours from the entrance to the national park. Located on the southern fringes of the park the waterfall is 60km from the heart of Hua Hin and visitors must trek up to the third tier to reach the site.
Consisting of 16 steps the Pala-U waterfall is the tallest in Thailand and travellers who trek to the summit of the cascade will have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of the Thai-Burmese border. The summit is located above the third level and is a challenging hike up for those willing to make the trip to the top. Encircled by virgin forests the region is littered with 1000 year old trees and endemic bird species as well as gibbons.
The area around Pala-U contains a massive pool of cool mountain water that is perfect for swimming. The foamy pool is also home to large fish species and visitors should be weary not to disturb the peaceful environment the creatures inhabit. Although the waterfall is open to visitors all year round the best time to visit the venue falls between the months of July and November when the rainy period has just concluded.
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