Khao Chamao Waterfall

Khao Chamao falls in eight tiers down a forested slope, with a trail following the stream from the headquarters up past pool after pool - the first two or three tiers are an easy walk and the upper ones need more effort. The fish are the reason it is known: the pools hold large numbers of pla phluang, soro brook carp, protected within the park and entirely unafraid, and standing in the shallow water means being surrounded by them. Feeding is discouraged, which distinguishes this from the more commercial fish-feeding sites. The park covers about 84 square kilometres of hill forest and holds a small elephant population, which occasionally comes into conflict with surrounding orchards. Flow is seasonal, running strongest from July into November and much thinner in the hot season. Rocks along the stream are slippery and the upper trail involves scrambling.

What you actually see

• The carp - protected soro brook carp swarming the pools, unafraid of waders.
• The eight tiers - the trail following the stream up the slope.
• The forest - hill forest with a small resident elephant population.
• The pools - shallow and cold, walkable at the lower tiers.

When to go

July to November for full flow. The hot season leaves the tiers thin. Weekdays are quieter than Thai weekends and holidays.

Honest expectations

Much reduced in the dry season. Rocks are slippery and the upper tiers involve scrambling. Do not feed the fish. Facilities are basic. Foreign entry fees are higher than Thai.

Nearby

Klaeng and the Rayong coast are south; Ko Samet is reached from Ban Phe to the west.