Visit the Beauty of Pala-U Waterfalls

On your next visit to Hua Hin, experience the lush beauty of a jungle environment by walking the trails to Pala-U waterfall. Now is the perfect time to visit this waterfall near Hua Hin, as it runs at its fullest during the rainy season.

The waterfall is located in Kaeng Krachan National Park, one of the largest national parks in the country, straddling the border with Myanmar. The park is located about 65 kilometres from Hua Hin and takes about an hour and a half to drive to. The drive out to the park takes you through some stunningly beautiful countryside and is a treat in itself.

The entrance and checkpoint to the national park are on road 3219, and the waterfall opens from 8:30 to 16:30 daily. The national park entrance fees are THB 300 for foreign national adults and THB 200 for their children. Thai citizens pay THB 100 and THB 40, respectively. There is also a THB 30 entrance fee for every vehicle.

Many tour companies in Hua Hin can arrange transportation and a guide for a day’s outing to the waterfall. This is the best way to experience it as they can offer handy tips to make the most of the outing.

It should be noted that while the park itself is closed during the rainy season months of August to October, Pala-U stays open as it is most spectacular during this time of year. So, while you won’t be able to explore the park, the waterfalls themselves and the surrounding jungle environment will offer enough beautiful and exotic sights to impress even the most seasoned adventurer.

Wildlife of Kaeng Krachan National Park

All seven of the known species of broadbill birds in Thailand also inhabit the park, as well as seven of the fourteen species of hornbills. The park is a leading attraction for butterfly watchers, and over three-hundred species of butterflies have been counted within the borders of the park.

Hiking Along the Waterfall

There is an approximately 4.5-kilometre path from the checkpoint and visitor's centre to the falls. The path is rocky and increases in steepness the farther up the waterfalls you go. This is one of the highest waterfalls in Thailand.

Of the sixteen-levels of the falls, the easiest to reach are the first three. Small children should not attempt climbing above the fifth level, and they may be just as happy to stop on level three and spend some time swimming in the natural pool created by the falls. There are fish in all the pools along the falls, but, as this is a national park, no fishing is allowed.

For a fairly-fit climber, it will take about 45-minutes to reach level five of the falls. Beyond the fifth level, the climb becomes difficult, and climbers rely on ropes hanging from the trees along the path to help them negotiate the climb. If you're a pretty fit climber with a lot of stamina, reaching the top level of the falls will reward you with sweeping views of the park and the mountains of both Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar.

What to Bring to Pala-U

You should always wear comfortable, breathable and loose-fitting clothing when you climb the path at Pala-U. You might also bring a swimsuit if you want to take a dip along the way. The path up the falls is rocky, so sturdy, ankle-supporting boots are recommended as well.

You should also bring a small backpack packed with water and food if you plan to spend the entire day at the falls. You'll be in the middle of the wilderness, and there are no 7-11s around to grab a quick snack! Consider packing some insect repellent, particularly if you’re planning on walking back to the checkpoint at the end of the day when mosquitoes come out to feed.

It goes without saying that you should make sure your cameras and phones are fully charged to get pictures of the incredible falls. But also for the chance to snap some of the exotic wildlife during your hike. If you have a DSLR camera and a zoom lens, this will be the perfect opportunity to make use of them. Most wildlife species can be shy and tend to stay far away from tourists. Being able to capture a clear shot of a rare animal would be a highlight for any amateur nature photographer. Being in this park provides you with a unique opportunity to be in proximity to these beautiful and seldom-seen animals.

Enjoy a Long-term Rental in Hua Hin

Booking a long-term rental in Hua Hin provides you with the opportunity to visit more parks like Kaeng Krachan National Park. National parks and wildlife preserves surround the town of Hua Hin to the west. With the beauty of the coastline to the west, Hua Hin is the ideal location to enjoy a lengthy holiday exploring the natural beauty of Thailand.

Rental for the Holidays has modern and spacious condos for rent across Hua Hin. We offer both single and multi-bedroom units to suit any size family. Rental for the Holidays provides condos that everyone loves to come home to after a day of exploring the parks, beaches and city sights of Hua Hin. For the ultimate in long-term rentals in Hua Hin, make Rental for the Holidays your first choice.

As the year is winding down, Rental for the Holidays would like to offer our ultimate promotion for 2020. Simply book a stay at any of our featured, modern condos in Hua Hin and enjoy a 15% discount on your holiday rental. Then you can use your savings to explore even more attractions in Hua Hin!

Simply book your accommodation between 1 September and 31 December 2020 for a stay between 15 October 2020 to 30 June 2021 and enjoy the natural beauty of Hua Hin for less. With no limit on the amount of bookings you can make during the promotional period, it’s the perfect time to book a getaway or two!