Bamboo rafts
On a river under the mountain.
Apisit Wilaijit — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Vyacheslav Argenberg — CC BY 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Vyacheslav Argenberg — CC BY 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0
One of the largest and most beautiful caves in northern Thailand, in the forest near Soppong north-west of Pai, with the Lang River flowing through it from entrance to exit for a long way under the mountain. Its three great chambers are visited with a local guide carrying a gas lantern, among huge limestone columns, stalagmites and stalactites glittering in the light. The tour moves between chambers on bamboo rafts poled by the guides over the river, then up wooden ladders into the upper caves. One holds ancient wooden coffins carved from tree trunks, left by peoples who lived here many centuries ago, along with early drawings on the walls. At the exit, just before sunset, thousands of swiftlets stream back into the cave in wave after wave as the bats fly out, an unforgettable sight. A guide is compulsory, about one hundred and fifty baht with the lantern in the latest listings, the raft costs extra per small group, about four hundred baht, and it opens from about eight in the morning until half past five. At the height of the rains, roughly August to October, rafting inside the cave stops because of high water. It is about an hour and a half by car from Pai on a winding mountain road, so make it a day trip and stay until sunset to see the birds return. Wear shoes with a good grip, as the ladders and rocks are damp.
On a river under the mountain.
Carved from tree trunks.
Thousands of swiftlets at dusk.
Near Soppong, Pang Mapha district, about 50 km north-west of Pai
No: a local guide with a gas lantern is compulsory, paid at the entrance.
Just before sunset, at the cave exit; ask the guide for the time and stay until dusk.