There are many truly heavenly places on our planet. One of them is the island of Phuket in Thailand. It is famous for its white sandy beaches, exotic cuisine, amazing fruits, polite and friendly people. Being on the island and not visiting Phuket's freshwater waterfall is just a crime against yourself. Moreover, there are several of them, and they do not frighten like huge mountains from the waters in America and Africa. These are not majestic sights, but sweet pleasures that locals and tourists love.
A little information about the island
Phuket is located to the west of Thailand and borders the Andaman Sea. It is connected to the country by a bridge. Mostly Buddhists live here, although there are also Muslims and representatives of the Chinese community. Residents earn income by serving tourists. However, prices by Russian standards are quite acceptable.
In a cafe on the street, lunch or dinner will cost about four hundred rubles. In chain international cafes - twice as expensive.
Mostcheap means of transport - tuk-tuk (tricycle or motorcycle). Several blocks on it will cost 15 rubles. Air-conditioned taxis are about 16-17 times more expensive.
The island can be reached directly by charter flights or with a stopover in Bangkok. From the capital, you can fly to Phuket by plane, take a bus that has 4 comfort classes, or take a taxi. It will be a very scenic route along an interesting road and will take nine hours. With children or the elderly, this trip is very convenient.
When is the best time to visit Phuket
The climate on the island is monsoon. During our winter and spring (December-May) they are hot and there is no rain. Prices have gone up at this time. There are heavy rains in summer and autumn, and the cost of the trip drops. Many Russians take advantage of this and go to Phuket during the rainy season. They win not only in terms of money. At this time, it is best to visit Phuket's waterfalls, which are fed by fresh rainwater. And our people endure the rains calmly. One of the tourists spoke about them something like this: "Ten to twenty minutes of rain, and then - the sun." Locals experience the hottest time of the year not on the beaches, but at Phuket's shady waterfalls. They are so nice to swim in!
How many waterfalls are on the island
All waterfalls are in forests. They are very pleasant to merge with the world of exotic nature and separate from the noise of resort places. There are five in total: Ton Sai, Bang Pe, Ton Prai, Kathu, Ao Yon. But mostly three or four are popular. The last one mentionedfor some reason, it is not often visited by Russian tourists, although foreigners visit it and take photos of Phuket waterfalls. Here he is, Ao Yong.
It is located near Cape Panwa near the beach, from which a small path leads to it. The path is not very easy and runs through dense thickets, fallen tree trunks, large roots and stones, but it has several pools in which it is pleasant to splash. The picturesque area and silence are conducive to relaxation.
Bang Bae
Thais and all travelers most often come to him, although he is located outside the tourist zone in the national park.
There are a lot of snakes that often attack people. Be careful! From a steep cliff, the height of which is approximately equal to a 4-storey building, water falls in a stormy stream. At the bottom, she formed a pool in which everyone bathes. How to get to Phuket's Bang Pae and Ton Sai waterfalls?
The road to the airport leads to the first one.
Then you need to make a right turn at the Heroines Monument and drive another 9 km. Then you need to follow the signs, and they will lead directly to Bang Pae. Entrance to it is paid, and the ticket must be kept. On it, at no extra charge, you can visit the Ton Sai waterfall, which is located in the Khao Phra Theo National Reserve, within the same day. Between them there is a road leading through the jungle, about 8 km long, but it is not recommended to use it. The primates that live there are quite unfriendly.
Ton Sai
After driving along the road to the airport and the ring with the monument, you must continue straight ahead to the police station. Turn right near it, and a straight road will lead to the waterfall. At this waterfall in Phuket, the water does not spill widely, but flows in a narrow picturesque stream. At the bottom there is an artificial reservoir in which you want to plunge after a hot road. Ton Sai is best visited during the rainy season when it is full of water. In the dry season, a small stream remains from it. Walking paths are arranged around, around which ancient trees grow, and exotic birds sing their songs. On the territory there is a small restaurant where you can eat, a small playground for children, an information center. It booked excursions around the waterfall.
Ton Prai
In the Tai Muang reserve in the vicinity of the island there is another very small Phuket waterfall. Its height is 25 meters. Water flows down the gentle slope in a wide “river”, which turns into a narrow stream during a drought. This place is worthy to visit, because the tourist will meet a real jungle with bamboo, mango, palm trees and other unknown plants, as well as many elegant birds and reptiles. A guide is required here.
To get to Ton Prai follows from the bridge that connects the mainland and the island, you should go to the city of Tai Muang, then cross it and go to Ranong. After 6 km there will be a sign with a turn to the left, which will lead after 3-4 km to the Ton Prai waterfall.
Very popularlocation
Kathu Waterfall in Phuket is loved by many. It is small and low (130 m), but conveniently located on the road from Phuket to Patong. Entrance to it is free. Kathu is very beautiful, has three amazing cascades. The most picturesque is the second one. A convenient stone staircase is laid through the jungle to it, on which there are gazebos and benches. And huge tropical butterflies flutter around. The waterfall is located in the village of Kathu next to the school, and it is always full of children.
Phuket Waterfalls: Traveler Reviews
One thing to note first. Not every Russian tourist has visited all Phuket waterfalls. Most chose one and were limited to this. Since the easiest way to get to Kathu, various reviews were left about him. Someone was interested, someone was upset that the waterfall does not make a vivid impression, just a stream, and the water in the bowls is cloudy. The Bang Pae waterfall also left different impressions from each other. Someone writes that this is a complete delight, and swimming is a pleasure. For some, the water seemed too cold, someone dismissively called it a small swamp. In general, we can conclude that, how many people, so many opinions. And you can make your own only by going to Phuket and looking at the waterfalls.
