Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TRANSPORT TO/FROM SOPPONG
DESTINATION
BUS
MINIVAN
Chiang Mai
105B; 6hr; 10.30am
250B; 5hr; hourly from 8.30am to 5.30pm
Mae Hong Son
45B; 2hr; 1pm
150B; 1½hr; hourly from 9.30am to 6.30pm
Pai
45B; 1½ hr; 10.30am
100B; 1hr; hourly from 8.30am to 5.30pm
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Soppong
Tham Lot
About 9km north of Soppong is Tham Lot (pronounced
tâm lôrt
and also known as
tâm
nám lôrt
), a large limestone cave with impressive stalagmites, 'coffin caves' and a wide
stream running through it. Along with Tham Nam Lang further west, it's one of the largest
known caves in Thailand. The total length of the cave is 1600m, and the stream runs
through it for 600m.
At the entrance, you must hire a gas lantern and guide for 150B (one guide leads one to
three people) to take you through the caverns; visitors are not permitted to tour the caves
alone. From the entrance to the exit and taking in the Column Cavern, Doll Cave and
Coffin Cave, the rafts (up to three people) cost 400B return, or 300B one way. If going
one way you can walk back from outside the cave (20 minutes), but only during the dry
season (from approximately November to May). In the dry season it may be possible to
wade to the Doll Cave and then take a raft through to the exit (300B return, 200B one
way). Try to be at the exit at sunset when hundreds of thousands of swifts pour into Tham
Lot and cling to their bedtime stalagmites.
Apart from the main chamber there are also three side chambers - Column Cavern,
Doll Cave and Coffin Cave - that can be reached by ladders. It takes around two hours to
explore the whole thing. Depending on the time of year, it is necessary to take a bamboo
raft for some or all of the journey through the caves. Access to parts of the cave may be
limited between August and October because of water levels.
A
Nature Education Centre
( 8am-5.30pm)
on the grounds has basic displays on the area as
well as displays of pottery remains found in the cave.
