Mae Surint Waterfall

Mae Surint Waterfall

Located east of the provincial of Mae Hong Son this National Park a 396.60 km2 of rugged terrain. In a step to preserve representative natural features of this mountainous province, the park was established in 1981 as the 37th National Park of Thailand.

Topography

The park contains some of the more dominant peaks of the Thanon Tongchai mountain range with elevations varying between 300m. and 1700m. above sea level. These highlands give birth to numerous streams and small rivers which are important tributaries of the Pai river, the main river of this region.

Climate

The three distinct seasons of Northern Thailand offer varied conditions within Mae Surin Waterfall National Park throughout the year. With the mountain tops and river valleys often wreathed in mist, the cold season (Nov. – Feb.) affords beautiful scenery, lush vegetation, and comfortable temperatures for hiking and camping. This season is the favourite among tourists. The temperatures during the hot season (March – May) can be somewhat oppressive in the lowlands of Mae Hong Son with a mean high temperature of 39Celsius in the month of April Exploring the highlands or relaxing on the banks of the Pai river are a great way to beat the heat. With the majority of the 1230mm. Of annual rain falling during the months of June – October, the rainy season brings the forest into vibrant life and fills the rivers and their waterfalls to full capacity. While nature is at this time in its grandest state, hiking and travel are at most times troublesome at best. Careful planning should be made prior to visitation during this time of year to ensure safety.

Flora and Fauna

Within the borders of the park is a matrix of highly diverse habitat types ranging from the sparsely vegetated dry dypterocarp forest to lush and dense evergreen forest. Flora of interest are the famed Teak tree, stands of upland pine, and many species of orchid and wildflower, including an indigenous and rare Lady Slipper Orchid. Recent reported.

Sightings of animals of interest include: Malayan sun bear, serow, golden cat, common muntjac, gibbon, wild boar, python and cobra. The preliminary survey of species presence is currently under way, so little is known of the birdlife of the park. A computer generated list of possible species present identifies 386 species possible, and early results of the survey suggest highly diverse and abundant birdlife. Contact the headquarters for an updated bird list and information on good birding sites.

Thanks : thaiforestbooking.com

Tat Ton Waterfall

Tat Ton Waterfall

Tat Ton National Park located on Phu Lan ka Mountain range in Phu Lan Ka conservation forest. The park has total area of 217.18 km2. It was designated to be National Park on the 31st December 1980 as the 23rd national park of Thailand. This area is a part of Lum Pa Tao river source and flow to meet Shee River of which utilize Esarn People.

Topography
It is on Phu Lanka Mountains. Most of the land is on the highland and surrounded by mountains. In the central is lowland. There are three peaks: Phu Kaset, Phu Dee, and Phu Youk. Each peak is the water sources as well as Dtan-dta-nod Waterfall. The river is flowing though Muang District, Chaiyapoom.

Climate

There are three kinds of weather as the following:

1. Summer – between February-May, the weather is very hot. Most of tourists prefer to go to the waterfall.
2. Rainy – between June – September, Dtad-Ton waterfall is very beautiful during this time.
3. Winter – between October-January, the average weather is about 13c

Flora and Fauna

The Park consists of dipterocarp forest and dry evergreen forest, important flora are Shorea Obtusa, Shorea Siamensis, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus, Dipterocarpus obtusifollus, Semecarpus and Pterocarpus macrocarpus. Wildlife are found here e.g. barking deer, wild pig, mangoose, siamese hare, squirrel, shrew, red junglefowl and birds.

Thanks : thaiforestbooking.com

Erawan Waterfalls

The Erawan Waterfall has been famous
in Kanchanaburi for many years.
The clear water falling over the yellow
limestone into the green pool below is a sight
to be seen. When the sun is out, the light
reflecting off the water and the lush green
forest will make you believe you are in heaven.

Location
The Erawan Waterfall is located in
the Namtok Erawan National Park.
It borders Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Si Sawat,
and Amphoe Sai Yok in the
Kanchamabori Province.
This area has a mountainous landscape
surrounded by fields of green.
The National Park is located in Amphoe
Si Sawat.

The Erawan Waterfall is a limestone waterfall fed by a mountain creek.
The entire waterfall is one and a half kilometers long and has seven levels.
It is easy to reach the top and each of the levels is beautiful and unique.
The Erawan gained its name after the Erawan elephant, which has three heads.

The Nature Trails
The National Park has set up two trails, Mong Lai and Khao Hin Lan Pi, for visitors who wish to learn more about their environment. The Mong Lai route covers a distance of one thousand ten meters and follows the creek to the campsite on the third level of the Erawan Waterfall.



The Phra That Cave : The Phra That Cave is located twelve kilometers from the National Park. While inside, there are many stalagmites and stalsctites to be admired. If you choose to have a government guide take you through the area, you should contact the National Park Office.

How to get there
From Kanchanaburi, take Highway 3199 to Si Sawat. When you reach the Dan, cross the bridge leading to the market. From here you should be able to find the National Paek Office. The total distance for this trip is sixty-six kilometers.
To contact the Namtok Erawan National Park call : 0-3451-6530

Thanks : tripsthailand.com

Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls

The Huai Mae Khamin Waterfall is
one of the most popular places in Kanchanaburi.
Huai Mae Khamin has been a popular destination
for many years, particularly during the rainy season.
One of the attractions is the tall limestone
walls and dense forest that surround the area.

Location
The Huai Mae Khamin Waterfall, in the
mountainous Khuan Si Nakharin National Park,
is located in Amphone Sai Yok and Amphoe
Thong Pha Phum in the province of Kanchanaburi.
The waterfall itself is located near the National Park Office.


The Huai Mae Mae Khamin Waterfall : The Huai Mae Khamin Waterfall is a moderate-sized
limestone waterfall. It has seven levels. Visitors here feel at peace while watching the
clear water fall down the steps of each level. Because this is a limestone waterfall, the area surrounding it is not slippery and doesn’t support algae. The most stunning level is the fourth, called Chat Chat Kaco. To make the area safer for visitors, the park officials erected a path that goes all the way to the top.


The Si Nakharin Dam : In addition to seeing the waterfall, the Si Nakharin Dam is also a popular tourist spot. The dam was originally buit to provide water and power to the rice farmers in the area. While here, it is possible to rent a boat and explore the man-made lake.

: In addition to seeing the waterfall, the Si Nakharin Dam is also a popular tourist spot. The dam was originally buit to provide water and power to the rice farmers in the area. While here, it is possible to rent a boat and explore the man-made lake.



Visiting the Caves : In the National Park there are several beautiful caves for amateur spelunkers to explore. The Neramir Cave, has many stalagmites and stalagmites and stalactites formed over thousands of years. This limestone cave also has a domed roof, which is perfect for taller travelers. The Phra Cave is the home of an ancient Buddha statue. This cave was used by Thai solsiers hiding from the Bormese Army back in the eighteenth century. In addition, there are two hot springs where you cam bathe and soak your sore muscles from your adventure.

How to Get There
Form Kanchanaburi, take Highway 3199 for seventy kilometers and turn left to National Park Office for thirty-eight kilometers. The total for thirty-eight kilometers. The total distance of this trip is 108 kilometers.
To contact the Khuan Sri Nakharin National Park call: 0-3451-667

Thanks : tripsthailand.com

Yumbilla Catarata

Catarata de Yumbilla is a thin 890m waterfall plunging in several tiers. Although it is taller than Catarata Gocta,only about 600m of the overall drop is visible and its volume is also less. Nonetheless, the 1.5-hour hike (it was very soggy when we did it) to the mirador (viewpoint) from Cuispes is rewarding, but you'll need a local guide to not only support the locals but also to avoid getting lost and trespassing as the paths are unmarked.

Catarata Gocta

Catarata Gocta is perhaps the most impressive waterfall in all of Peru. "Discovered" by westerners in 2006, this attraction that wasn't a big deal to the locals here is now looked upon as perhaps one of the major attractions in the country outside of Machu Picchu. Strangely (and humorously) enough, we learned that the name is derived from the sound resident monkeys make :)

Plunging in a 230m upper leap and a 541m lower leap, National Geographic once called this the third highest waterfall in the world. Of course, that claim is disputable as waterfall height is a surprisingly complicated topic and neighboring waterfalls like Yumbilla is said to be even taller!

Regardless of waterfall height semantics, this is indeed an impressive waterfall and the trails to get closer (there are two of them) are worth the effort. The relentless uphill trail to the base of the upper falls starts from the village of San Pablo and passes through gorgeous mountain scenery, a tiny farm, and some rock art. The up-and-down trail to the base of the lower falls starts from the village of Cocachimba and passes through more mountain scenery, some Chachas ruins, a variety of indigenous flora and fauna, and even ancient fossils. Both trails will require around 2.5-3 hours each way so get an early start!

Thanks : world-of-waterfalls.com

Three Sisters Falls

The triple set of waterfalls dubbed the “Three Sisters” is an amazing San Diego County feature not many have seen. In full flood, these cascades put on a show reminiscent of Yosemite’s show stoppers — except at a reduced scale. Since some of the upstream drainage of Boulder Creek comes from Cuyamaca Reservoir, regulated releases of water there can greatly affect the volume of water flowing over the falls.

Although the round-trip hike measures only four miles from the nearest road, visiting the falls is a task for expert hikers, not beginners. Take along drinking water, and be prepared for some strenuous climbing, both up and down, on marginal pathways and on no trail at all near the falls themselves.

To get to the trailhead from San Diego, exit Interstate 8 at Highway 79 (Descanso exit) and drive north. After 1.3 miles turn left on Riverside Drive. Continue 0.6 mile to the main crossroads (post office, etc.) of the hamlet of Descanso. From there take Oak Grove Drive 1.6 miles to the intersection of Boulder Creek Road on the right. Follow Boulder Creek Road north for 13.0 miles (first half paved, then dirt) to a hairpin turn where unpaved Cedar Creek Road joins from the west. Park there, taking care not to block traffic, and post a National Forest Adventure Pass on your car (the parking area and falls lie in Cleveland National Forest territory).

On foot now, follow the remains of an old ranch road (not Cedar Creek Road) due west for 0.7 mile to a saddle, where an old mining road on the left slants southeast and descends into Sheep Camp Creek. You can both see and hear the falls from this saddle.

Descend southwest on the mining road for 0.4 mile, cross Sheep Camp Creek, and switch back onto a narrow path cut into the south slope. After about 0.3 mile, the trail veers sharply left and passes over a saddle in the divide between Sheep Camp Creek and Boulder Creek.

Next, you negotiate an abrupt drop of 500 vertical feet through chaparral on a primitive — and in places excessively steep and slippery — trail cut by hikers’ footsteps. At the bottom you can either forge a route through the brush and angular rocks along the left side of the creek or (if the water level is not too high) rock hop and wade toward the falls. Great masses of poison oak, intermixed with wild grape vines, lie along the banks. Be very cautious of slippery rocks.

When you reach the base of the waterfalls, all the previous thrashing about will have been worth it. The “middle sister” is impressive, with water sliding 50 feet down a smooth channel worn in the bedrock into a kidney shaped pool about 80 feet long and at least 10 feet deep. Watch your footing — it’s deceptively easy to slip on the smooth rock and perhaps be seriously injured. It’s difficult and dangerous to climb up to the uppermost waterfall, though some agile climbers have done it.

This article contains information about a publicly owned recreation or wilderness area. Trails and pathways are not necessarily marked. Conditions can change rapidly. Hikers should be properly equipped and have safety and navigational skills. The Reader and Jerry Schad assume no responsibility for any adverse experience.

Thanks www.sandiegoreader.com

Tugela Falls

Tugela Falls

While the Tugela Falls may not be a household name, they should be. At a total height of 3,110 feet (947 meters), these waterfalls in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa are the second highest falls in the world, after the Angel Falls in Venezuela. They are found in the Drakensberg (Dragon’s Mountains) in the Royal Natal National Park, near the eastern coast of South Africa. Because the falls are made up of five different tiers or layers, views from above or below are particularly impressive.

The most popular (and satisfying) way to check out the Tugela Falls is to walk one of three popular trails that lead to various parts of the waterfalls. If you want to start in Witsieshoek, you can park your car in the Sentinal car park and then follow a five-hour (return) trail to the summit. There are then two steel chain ladders that you can climb to reach the very top; you can walk half an hour further to be on the edge of the amphitheater, looking down into the gorge below. Alternatively, you can take a longer walk (7 km) from the Royal Natal National Park which takes you through forests to the foot of the falls and a spectacular view. Finally, there is also a popular walk along the river to a natural tunnel which then leads to a great view of the Tugela Falls, but although this walk is relatively easy, it is 23 kilometers in length.

If you’re more comfortable on a tour, there are also several options available. Generally, organized tours will cover a number of sights of the

Drakensberg mountain area, and could also include activities like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, abseiling, rock climbing and quad biking. It’s also possible to explore wildflower trails (at the right time of year) and to see genuine rock art created by bushmen over the centuries.

The best place to pick up a tour that includes the Tugela Falls is from the city of Durban. The Drakensberg Tourism website lists a number of reputable tour agencies, each of which offers different kinds of tours. These range from self-drive holidays that have an organized itinerary and accommodation schedule attached, through SUV-style tours and camping, to week-long luxury coach tours taking in a larger list of attractions in South Africa. You can even add a safari in the Kruger National Park if you’re keen to experience and photograph some of those great African animals.

Thanks kathika.com