Hello everyone!

Last weekend, my family and I set off for a refreshing weekend getaway in Khao Lak, Phang Nga—a beautiful province just north of Phuket🇹🇭. When people think of Phang Nga, they often picture its famous seas and limestone cliffs, but there’s so much more to see. Hidden in the forest is a gem of a waterfall called Ton Chong Fa Waterfall, our first stop on this trip.

We left home around 9 a.m. and arrived in Khao Lak by 10:40 a.m. Since check-in wasn’t until later, we decided to head straight to the waterfall.

Located in the Khuk Khak Subdistrict within the Takua Pa District of Phang Nga, Ton Chong Fa is part of Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park and is known for its serene forest setting and cool natural pools. The waterfall’s name, "Ton Chong Fa," means "Tree that Reaches the Sky," a fitting name for the lush jungle surroundings.

To get to the waterfall, we followed a narrow path through local rubber plantations. The road was a bit rough in some places, and without signposts, we were relying on the GPS—which has been known to lead us astray! 😜 At one point, we debated turning back to check into the hotel, but with the narrow road, making a U-turn was tricky, so we pressed on. The sense of adventure kept us going! 🤣

Finally, we arrived! There is an entrance fee to visit the waterfall: 200 baht for foreigners ($6), 20 baht for Thai nationals ($0.6), and free entry for children. Once we parked, it was time to start the hike, a 2-kilometer walk to reach the waterfall itself.

My husband, who had the brilliant (and slightly risky) idea of bringing his drone along, managed to snap just a few aerial photos before things took an unexpected turn. Barely five minutes after takeoff, a forest ranger came rushing over to give him a friendly reprimand. In hindsight, launching the drone right next to the ranger’s cabin wasn’t the best idea! 😂

The park has a strict no-drone policy due to the fire risk, which is a real shame because the view from above is breathtaking—at least from the little glimpse we managed to capture. So, my husband quickly complied and returned the drone to the car.

Looking at the few photos he captured, you can really see the vastness of the area and the dense greenery that surrounds this incredible place.

After our little drone mishap, we made a final check to ensure we had everything, and then left the car to begin our adventure through the lush, green wilderness.

The towering trees around us were breathtaking, reaching high into the sky as if they were touching the clouds. 🌳 The density of the forest was truly impressive, making us feel small and fully immersed in nature. 🌿 There was a peacefulness in the air, broken only by the sounds of birds and the rustling leaves.

This was the start of our expedition into the beauty of the Ton Chong Fa forest!

As we made our way up to the waterfall, we were delighted to encounter an enchanting scene: countless butterflies fluttering gracefully around us. 🦋 They seemed to be gathering near small patches of damp ground, most likely engaging in what’s known as "butterfly dry licks," where they sip moisture and nutrients from the soil.

It was magical to watch these delicate creatures in such a natural setting, their vibrant colors standing out against the earthy tones of the forest floor. The sight added a serene beauty to our hike, making the journey feel even more like an escape into a hidden paradise. 🌿✨

Along the way, we came across a cluster of berries from a wild palm tree, nestled among the dense foliage. These small green fruits, though easy to miss, hold their own charm and play an essential role in the forest's ecosystem. Local wildlife, especially birds, are drawn to these clusters, enjoying the bounty nature provides and helping to spread the seeds across the forest. It’s one of those little discoveries that make this journey even more special, a hidden gem in the greenery surrounding us. 🌿🍃

As we ventured deeper into the lush vegetation, a bit of anxiety crept in about the possibility of encountering the one creature you’d rather not meet—snakes! 🐍 In the tropical forests of Thailand, it’s not uncommon to come across various types of wildlife, including monitor lizards, wild boars, and, of course, snakes like the green pit viper or king cobra. Though rare, these animals often prefer to stay hidden and avoid human contact, but the thought of a surprise encounter kept us on our toes. Meanwhile, the incline of the trail grew steeper, making the hike a bit more challenging, much to the amusement of my husband who started feeling the burn! Hahaha. 😅

After trekking for about a kilometer, we started to hear the faint, soothing sound of rushing water. 🌊 Excited by the sound of the waterfall drawing near, we followed a narrow path that veered off the main trail, guiding us deeper into the forest and closer to our destination.

The place was absolutely stunning! 🌿✨ The natural pool at the foot of the waterfall looked so inviting, surrounded by lush greenery. But if you plan to swim here, be cautious—the rocks are coated with a layer of moss that makes them quite slippery. My husband learned this the hard way! 😅 He took a rather ungraceful tumble, landing flat on a very solid rock. Thankfully, nothing was broken, though he did end up with some aches and a few bruises—a sore rib, a bruise under his jaw and on one cheek, and a slightly swollen finger that wasn’t quite ready to bend completely. It was a close call, but we couldn’t help but laugh it off later!

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My youngest son, on the other hand, enjoyed cooling his feet in the refreshingly cool water, where tiny fish gathered to gently nibble and clean them. This natural foot spa experience was far better than any paid fish spa in Phuket—plus, it’s free here! 🐟

In Thailand "fish spas" have become a popular attraction. Tiny fish, typically Garra rufa (also called "doctor fish"), gently nibble on the dead skin of your feet, providing a natural exfoliation. This practice is believed to leave the skin soft and refreshed, and many people find it relaxing and therapeutic. However, there's nothing quite like experiencing it in nature, surrounded by a beautiful waterfall and serene greenery!

Even though this waterfall is smaller than I expected, it has a unique charm that makes it special. The lush forest around it is incredibly vibrant, filled with dense greenery and thriving wildlife. The shady, cool atmosphere here brings a sense of tranquility, making it the perfect spot to relax and reconnect with nature. 🌿💧

I had a feeling that there must be a larger waterfall deeper in, as I had seen pictures of it before—a grand cascade hidden further along the trail. So, I asked my husband and children to wait for me back at the car while I ventured onward to explore this peaceful, quiet forest. With only a handful of other visitors, it felt like I had the whole place to myself, adding to the sense of adventure and solitude. 🌲💦

After walking for about a kilometer through the lush, tranquil forest, I finally reached a larger waterfall—a true hidden gem, more impressive than the smaller cascades we had encountered earlier. The sight and sound of the water tumbling down was mesmerizing, and I felt a renewed sense of awe for the natural beauty surrounding me. 🌿💧

This upper waterfall was much taller and grander than the one we had seen earlier. The pool at its base was waist-deep, perfect for a refreshing dip, though I had to be careful with every step. The rocks beneath the water were sharp and slippery, and I almost lost my footing a few times! It reminded me that nature's beauty often comes with its own little challenges. 💧🌿😊

I decided that I deserved a "fish spa" experience too! Why should only my son enjoy it, right? 😄 Without hesitation, I dipped my feet into the refreshingly cool water. As soon as my legs were in, all the little fish darted straight for my feet. It was an unexpectedly pleasant sensation, like a natural massage in the heart of the forest. 🐟💧🌳

After enjoying my fish spa for about 15 minutes, I quickly made my way back to the car. My husband and son had been waiting patiently, and with the sky darkening, there was a chance of rain on the way.

The waterfall trek had definitely drained our energy, and we were all in need of some food! So, we decided to stop for a quick bite before heading to the hotel to check in and unwind after an adventurous day. 🍃🍲

I admit, I indulged myself a bit by ordering a few extra dishes—sometimes you need a good meal to recharge after a long day of adventure! Once we were all satisfied and full of energy again, we set off towards our final destination for the night, the beautiful La Vela Khao Lak Resort. Interestingly, there's a mini hot-air balloon exhibition happening at the resort, but I’ll leave that exciting story for the next post! 😉

Thank you so much for joining me on this little journey! If you enjoyed reading about our adventure, don’t forget to reSteem, follow for more travel stories, and leave a comment to let me know your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you! 💖✨

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Until next time, stay curious, kind, and adventurous!

Sawadee kha! 🙏💛
@Baiboua