Please note, this visit requires a hike in a very steep environment, in the middle of a tropical forest. It is necessary to have good shoes which hang on wet rocks ("Converse" or "Flip-flops" to be avoided, rather closed shoes). We do not recommend this tour in wet or rainy weather.
The visit is usually done in the morning to benefit from the most beautiful light in the cave. It can be done in the afternoon, however, if done early enough, with the site closing at 3 p.m.
To make this visit, you must be able to devote time to it. First the start is located at Bang Pu Beach in the small village of the same name about 45 ’south of Hua Hin. You then have to take a long-tail boat to reach the beach located below the cave which takes about fifteen minutes. Depending on the tide, the boat gets closer or closer to the beach, so bring shorts and flip flops as there is no pier. When you land on the beach, an infrastructure is available with a small shop (handy for buying a little water, something to eat and especially mosquito repellent!) And toilets. The start of the trail to access the site is well signposted in the middle of the few buildings.
The start of the trail is completely flat for 150m which is extremely misleading! The distance to the goal indicated at the bottom of the trail is only 430m, but the sign opposite warns optimists: "Anyone with Medical Conditions - Please consider your ability before entering". The tone is set, this visit is only possible by visitors in physical shape, and having no balance concerns! The trail is actually a staircase carved into the rock or made from flat stones set between other sharper stones. It is very steep and sometimes slippery even in dry weather. So we go up, step by step.
A point of view on a platform is fixed at about a quarter of the distance to be traveled. For those who are struggling, now is the time to stop, the sequel is still long and very physical. At the end of the course, the slope reverses and we descend into the cave. Due to the ambient humidity streaming down from the top of the cave, the ground between the stones becomes even more slippery. Barriers have been set up in the most difficult parts, so don't hesitate and hang on to them in tricky passages. We can then make out a stone bridge over the opening of the cave. This is the first room.
The end of the walk takes place in a passage where part of the path has been laid out, but where there is very little light. A flashlight or that of a cell phone may be welcome, but at a distance of about twenty meters. Finally we reach the main cave with the Royal pavilion.
As much during the ascent to the cave, the participants in the walk encouraged each other, and had fun with each other's skill, as much on arrival in the cave a great silence settled. The place imposes by its majesty, its size and the serenity it exudes. Out of respect, all visitors suddenly lower their tone and sometimes even the emotion generated by the beauty of the place overwhelms the most sensitive. I saw one person cry at the sight of this scene, touching… The cave is about 30 meters deep. The edges are composed of sharp rocks like those encountered in the climb. An ocher colored mound rises in the cave and the Royal Pavilion has been built there. It is decorated with gold, blue and pink, Royal colors. The 3 kings who visited the site (King Chulalongkorn The Great (Rama V), King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) and and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)) left their signatures on the wall. The place is magical ...
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