Highlights
- Swim in hidden jungle pools beneath a multi tier waterfall
- Walk a cave tunnel past stalactites and an underground river
- Cross the cave river on foot, or by boat in rainy season
- Tie a luck string at a temple holding four Buddha footprints
- End the day with Thai sweets before the drive back to Pattaya
Description
Most day trips from Pattaya go to the same handful of places. This one drives east into Rayong province instead, to a national park, a cave system with an underground river and a meditation temple that almost no tour bus reaches. Everything on the route sits within an hour and a half of the city, so the day is full of stops rather than full of driving.
The morning starts at Khao Chamao waterfall, inside the national park of the same name. It falls in several tiers down the mountain and the lower pools are deep enough to swim in. You have three hours here to climb between the levels, cool off in the water and take photos with the cascades behind you. Bring a swimsuit and a towel.
After a Thai style lunch at a local restaurant near the park, we drive to the Prathun caves. This is the part most people do not expect. Stalactites hang over a chamber that opens onto an underground river, and a tunnel through the rock leads to a small natural oasis on the other side. In the rainy season the water rises and that passage is made by boat instead of on foot.
Next is the Black Naga temple, officially Wangri Kiriwanaram, a working meditation temple rather than a photo stop. Four Buddha footprints are set at the top, and the viewpoint opens over the surrounding hills. Visitors tie a luck string here, a local practice connected to fortune and balance.
The day ends with tea and a tasting of traditional Thai sweets at a cafe on the way home, then the drive back to Pattaya and hotel drop off at around 19:30.
There are no shopping stops, no gem factories and no detours added to fill the schedule. Departures run on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Includes
Hotel pickup and drop off in Pattaya
Air conditioned van
English speaking guide
Bottled water
Thai style lunch
Thai dessert tasting
National park entrance fee
Cave entrance fee
Boat passage through the cave tunnel in rainy season
Excludes
Alcoholic drinks
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Important Information
- Dress code: the Black Naga temple (Wangri Kiriwanaram) requires modest clothing. Shoulders and knees must be covered. No tank tops, short shorts or beachwear inside the temple grounds.
Swimming: bring a swimsuit and a towel for the waterfall. Changing facilities at the park are basic.
Physical activity: the day involves walking on uneven ground, steps between waterfall levels and a walk inside the caves. Not wheelchair accessible. Pregnant travellers are welcome, rest areas are available at every stop.
Rainy season: when the water level rises, the rock tunnel at Prathun Caves is crossed by boat instead of on foot.
Punctuality: please be in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the agreed pickup time. Times can shift with traffic.
Communication: your guide will message you on WhatsApp or Telegram the day before to confirm the exact pickup time.
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
