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Nestled in the wild beauty of Tak province of Thailand, Thi Lo Su waterfall is like a green gem in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. This waterfall is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage and is the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. With a height of about 250 meters and a width of nearly 450 meters, this destination is so majestic and beautiful that visitors cannot take their eyes off it.
Thi Lo Su Waterfall is like a mysterious gem in the forest (Source: Royal Vacation)
In particular, this waterfall is renowned for its wild beauty and is completely unaffected by industry or urban development. The landscape surrounding the waterfall is covered with lush green tropical forests, creating a wild and close-to-nature scene. This is an ideal place for visitors to relax, and escape the noise and hustle of daily life.
At Thi Lo Su Waterfall, visitors can take part in mountain climbing trips, jungle walks or visit indigenous villages to learn about the unique local culture and customs.
Before opening to tourists about 20 years ago, Thi Lo Su Waterfall was mainly known to local ethnic minority communities such as the Karen and Lisu. These communities live around the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary and consider the waterfall a natural wonder and an indispensable part of their lives.
The existence of the waterfall began to attract broader attention in the early 2000s when efforts were made to open it to tourism while preserving its natural beauty.
Today, Thi Lo Su is still a tourist attraction with its wild beauty, untouched by industry or urban development. The lush green rainforest completely covers the waterfall and creates a beautiful natural scene. This place attracts not only domestic tourists but also many foreigners.
Thi Lo Su has two distinct seasons for visitors to choose from according to their preferences. No matter which season, we believe that you will have wonderful moments and full of experiences here.
Dry Season is the best time to visit Thi Lo Su (Source: World of Waterfalls)
See more: Thailand Tour 12 days
Rafting on Mae Klong River
You will first travel to Tha Sai Pier on the Mae Klong River and board an inflatable boat for the 3-hour journey. This activity will offer visitors a thrilling and impressive adventure. As you navigate the winding sections of the river, you’ll immerse yourself in the majestic natural landscape of lush tropical mountains and beautiful small waterfalls.
Inflatable boats ready for a trip exploring the Mae Klong River (Source: Tripadvisor)
While on the boat, you can observe several small waterfalls that flow from the cliffs directly into the river. Depending on when you pass Rainbow Falls (Thi Lo Cho), rainbows will appear in the mist. There are many bird species to observe along the river banks. You can easily watch Bee-eaters and kingfishers on the branches that overhang the river.
Camping at Thi Lo Su Waterfall
This will be a fantastic experience for nature lovers seeking to immerse themselves in pristine landscapes. The camping area near the waterfall will help you feel the sound of flowing water and birds chirping. This natural picture will help you relax and temporarily put aside the hustle and bustle of urban life.
When the night falls, you can enjoy the fresh air, watch the starry sky, and enjoy the tranquility of the rainforest. Camping activities for you include preparing outdoor dinner and enjoying dinner next to the majestic scenery of the waterfall.
Swimming in the refreshing water
Swimming at Thi Lo Su waterfall is an activity not to be missed for those who love the coolness and want to soak in the cool water. At the foot of the waterfall, natural pools are formed from falling water. This has created clear and cool pools of water waiting for you to explore. While relaxing and swimming comfortably, you will also enjoy the majestic beauty of the waterfall.
Swimming in the cool water of Thi Lo Su Waterfall (Source: World of Waterfalls)
While swimming in the dry season is a great experience, swimming in the rainy season is much more limited due to the strong current. No matter the season, swimming will bring you interesting experiences and refresh your soul in the beautiful natural scenery of Thi Lo Su.
Trekking and hiking
Trekking and hiking at Thi Lo Su Waterfall offer an exciting adventure amidst one of Thailand’s most stunning natural landscapes. The trekking journey will take you through lush tropical forests, small streams, and rugged terrain. Besides that, you will enjoy the breathtaking view of a multi-tiered waterfall pouring down sheer cliffs.
Trekking and Hiking at Thi Lo Su Waterfall (Source: Umphang Adventures)
The hike to the top of the waterfall will give you a unique perspective and expansive views from above. Each step along the trail reveals beautiful scenes of lush greenery and diverse flora and fauna. This experience not only challenges your endurance but also allows you to explore the pristine beauty of Thi Lo Su, creating unforgettable memories here.
Overnight in Kho Tha Karen Village
After having enough fun at the waterfall, a 3-4 hour hike will take you to the rustic Karen village of Kho Tha. This will help you satisfy your curiosity about life deep in the forest and explore the unique customs of this ethnic minority community.
During the visit, you can meet the lovely children at the village primary school and interact with some locals. After engaging with them and learning about their lifestyle, you will discover that some households in Kho Tha raise elephants for work. The main occupations in the village seem to be tourism services, rice and vegetable farming, and hand weaving.
Visit Kho Tha Karen Village to learn about the customs of the Karen people (Source: The Wildlife Diaries)
You can spend the afternoon in the village or move to the nearby Kho Tha waterfall. Located in a more remote and less impressive area than Thi Lo Su, it is mainly visited by locals. In the evening, you will have dinner with a local family and spend the night in one of the houses here. This activity helps you gain a deeper understanding of the lives and lifestyles of the friendly Karen people.
By car: This is a popular way to get to Thi Lo Su Waterfall. Visitors can drive their car or rent a car from nearby cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The waterfall is about 350km from Tak and takes 6-7 hours to drive from Bangkok and about 450km (8-9 hours) from Chiang Mai.
By bus: Visitors can use public buses to get to Thi Lo Su Waterfall. From Bangkok, take a bus from Mochit or Sai Tai Mai bus station to Tak. Then there are local buses from Tak that will take travelers to Thi Lo Su Waterfall. Please remember that bus times and schedules may change, so it’s essential to check the schedule and travel information.
By air: Another option for visitors is to fly to Tak airport and use means such as taxis or shuttles to get to the waterfall. Normally, Tak Airport serves domestic flights from Bangkok and some other destinations.
