Archiwa: River - Adventures No Limits

Tham Lod Cave

Adventures No Limits — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 14:06:27 +0000

10.10.2023

THAM LOD CAVE

Tham Lod Cave is one of the most famous caves in Thailand. This wonderful place, about 880 kilometers from the country’s capital Bangkok, attracts crowds of tourists who, in addition to exploring this cavern, want to take a canoe trip on the local river. While in the country, it is definitely worth adding this point on the map to your touring repertoire in this region of Asia.

DESCRIPTION

Tham Lod is one of the most impressive and accessible caves for tourists in Thailand. It is located in the province of Mae Hong Son. It owes this to its size and underground passageways, its limestone stalactite and stalagmite formations, and the so-called “coffin cave”, which is hidden in its deepest part.

Tham Lod is a system of three caves with a total length of 1,666 meters. The caverns are home to colonies of bats and common swifts, which can be seen in the cave’s vault. For almost its entire length, the Lang River (Nam Lang) flows through its center. Inside the cave, you will see more than 20-meter-high limestone formations in the form of columns, which were formed from the joining of stalagmites with stalactites. There is no lighting in the cave, and the only source of light when visiting this place is the guide’s lamp/flashlight. This makes the cave even more mysterious to visitors, and artificial light (if it had been installed) would probably take away from the charm of the place.

To get into the cave, we need to purchase entrance tickets with a guide. It is not possible to purchase the entrance ticket alone without a guide. Groups are limited to a maximum of three people. The limitation on such a number of people is because, at the beginning, the guide has to transport us on a bamboo raft to the cave so that we can explore the rest of the cavern. First, we will have to take a 15-minute walk from the ticket office, then cross several wooden bridges to get to a makeshift platform inside the cave, from where we will then take a raft along the river to walk down later into the depths of the cave. The parking lot is less than 500 meters from the ticket office.

At the beginning of the cave is a huge “entrance” hole, which is almost 50 meters high. This is where most common swifts are, and there is usually quite a lot of noise, but the effect is spectacular. The first cave is the so-called “Column Cave”. It owes its name precisely to the columns formed of stalactites and stalagmites. In addition, we can find limestone pillars and fossilized “waterfalls”.

To get to the next, second cave, the so-called “Dolls’ Cave”, we have to walk through a narrow and long corridor. There, in turn, we will encounter various rock formations, some of which may resemble the creatures of dolls or animals. In addition, we can see here faded cave paintings that show deer.

The last cave is the “Coffin Cave”. It got its name from the teak coffins found there, which are about 1000–1400 years old. In addition, bronze jewelry and metal tools were also found, suggesting that there was a tribal settlement in the area. This section of the cave is called “Pi Man” in Thai. Locals believe that these caves were created by spirits. If we want to go back to where we started the tour, we have to go over the bamboo bridge to the left of the entrance, and within fifteen minutes we will reach the first part of the cave.

BRIEFLY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS PLACE

Tham Lod cave was inhabited by the Hoabinhian tribe in ancient times (9,700 BC–5500 BC). However, some scientists claim that it may have been inhabited by representatives of Homo sapiens as early as 40,000 BC. The tribe was a community of Stone Age hunters and gatherers who used primitive tools such as short axes, stone hammers, tools made from animal bones, etc. The caves were first discovered in the 1960s by Chester Gorman, an American anthropologist and archaeologist. According to him, Hoabinhians learned to cultivate legumes and many other fruits or vegetables, such as almonds, betel, pepper, and lagebaria.

LOCATION AND HOW TO GET THERE

Cave Tham Lod is located about 11 kilometers north of the Pang Mapha District Office. Driving from Pai (which is less than 50 kilometers away) on road 1095, just at the entrance to Pang Mapha, turn right, heading for Cave Lodge and Tham Lod. In Pai, we can rent a car (about 1,200 THB for a full day), a scooter (about 150 THB for a full day), or a motorcycle (about 800 THB for a full day). However, due to the rather steep climbs and sharp turns, it is not recommended to rent a scooter for such a trip. The reason is that there is not much engine power in such a vehicle, so we may have a problem driving up the mountain itself (road No. 1095) in addition to our luggage. On the other hand, much lower rental prices, reaching about 20–25%, are in Chiang Mai. However, in this case, we must remember that this town is almost 180 kilometers away from Tham Lod. On the way, it is worth stopping at the beautiful viewpoint of Doi Kiew Lom.

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE CAVE

The best time of year to visit Tham Lod Cave is during the dry season (January–July). During this period, there are bamboo boat tours to the inside of the cave. During the rainy season (August–December), boat tours may not be available due to high water levels, and some deeper parts of the caves may not be accessible. Pending the rainy months, of course, you can still explore the caves on foot.

During the rainy season (July–August to December, depending on the river level), Cave Lodge organizes interesting canoe trips. Some canoe routes pass through Tham Lod and then continue downstream for 6–12 km. On some tours, you can visit other deserted caves along the way.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO TOUR THAM LOD?

The Tham Lod cave tour takes about 2 hours, including the time it takes to walk from the parking lot to the cave and return from the cave back to the point where the ticket office is located.

PRICE LIST AND OPENING HOURS

If you plan to visit Tham Lod cave on your own without any tourist bureau, then the cost is 650–800 THB (about £15 or $20 for 2023). This amount includes:

Entrance ticket: 200 THB per person for entry to the first cave (column cave), 250 THB per person for the two caves (column cave and doll cave), and 500 THB per person for all three caves (column cave, doll cave, and coffin cave, including rafting).

Rafting: 400 THB (up to 3 people if you choose the option to visit one or two caves).

Guide: 150 THB (you cannot enter the cave without a guide).

Each person must purchase an entrance ticket, but the price of the guide and boat can be shared among the group. Example: If a group of three people wants to visit Tham Lod Cave, the total price is as follows: 600 baht (for three entrance tickets), 400 baht for the boat, and 150 baht for the guide. A total of 1150 baht for the group (about £24 or US$30).

Tham Lod Cave is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 p.m.

Please note: the cave is inaccessible to wheelchair users.

If you would rather not take care of organizing the trip yourself, you can look for a tourist office in Pai town along the main road that organizes trips to Tham Lod.

ACCOMMODATION

If we would like to stay longer in this place, the best option would be to look for accommodation in Pai village. The village is a beautiful little locality located in the jungle. Pai has many places to stay, plenty of charming little restaurants and cafés, and a market selling food, clothing, and souvenirs. The village also has a very picturesque river with bamboo bridges.

Recommended apartments:

Oia Pai Resort – a tidbit, we move around the hotel in canoes.

Reverie Siam Resort – is a 5-star hotel.

Golden Hut Chill Bungalows – bungalows next to the bank of the river.

Pencave Homestay, Jungle Guesthouse, Pai Village Boutique.

USEFUL INFORMATION

We will mainly walk around the cave on slippery rocks and wooden bridges. It is advisable to wear footwear with a good sole/lug (not athletic shoes).

Be sure to check and monitor your fuel level before traveling, as there are no gas stations near the cave. Gasoline in Thailand costs about 40–50 THB per liter (2023).

If you plan to stay there for a longer period of time, don’t forget to take some essentials such as snacks, drinking water, sunscreen, headgear (a hat, cap), sunglasses, and, of course, a camera 😊. You can take a flashlight with you into the cave, BUT we only use it if we will be walking through the cave to shine under our feet as we walk. We do NOT shine it on the walls or the vault to avoid scaring the birds there and the bats.

Remember to tell the ticket agent at the checkout what kind of ticket we want to buy (how many caves we would like to see). If you forget to do so, don’t be surprised if you get an entrance ticket for only one cave when, for example, you wanted to visit all of them.

Plan your visit around 5:00–6:00 p.m. because at this time hundreds of bats fly out of the cave for their nightly insect hunt and about 300,000 common swifts return to their nests.

TIDBITS

There are plenty of fish to feed in the shallow waters of the cave. Food for them costs 50 THB per bag.

If we would like to get from Pai village to Tham Lod cave by cab, it is possible. The price per person is about 800 THB.

Several scenes for the movie “Thugs of Hindostan” (filmed by Bollywood) were shot in this cave.

More than 100,000 people visit this cave every year.

SUMMARY

In conclusion, Tham Lod Cave is a must-see for anyone visiting the northern part of Thailand. Its natural beauty, cultural significance, and rafting on the river that flows through its center make it an unforgettable experience. In addition to exploring the cave and marveling at the local limestone formations and paintings, let’s not forget that every evening a fantastic spectacle takes place here in the form of bats flying out to hunt at night and common swifts returning to their hiding places.

Author Vyacheslav Argenberg, source commons.wikimedia.org.

Author icon0com, source pxhere.

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Martvili Canyon

Adventures No Limits — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 18:39:48 +0000

14.12.2022

MARTVILI CANYON

Georgia is well-known for its beautiful scenic views and attachment to nature. Other than the mountains, valleys, and beaches of the Black Sea, you can also visit the in this country numerous canyons. One of them is Martvili Canyon, located in the northwestern part of Georgia, shy of than 300 kilometers from the capital, Tbilisi. This canyon owes its popularity, not thanks to the turquoise and clear water, but also the opportunity to swim one of its sections rafting boat under the tutelage of a tutor.

DESCRIPTION

Martvili Canyon have been discovered by the Dadiani princely family in the 19th century. They were so enchanted by the local area that they ordered the creation of a path to the canyon along the river. The Dadiani family, which ruled Georgia until 1867, loved to take a bath here. To get to the pools, they used private paths and stairs, which can still be walk today. This historic path has been transformed into a paved walking trail about 700 meters long, which starts directly at the visitor center. Special care should be taken when arriving at the trail during the rain, as the stones can be slippery, and it is easy to have an accident in these cases.

The canyon’s visitor center is located in the village of Inchkhuri. Today there are 2 bridges, 3 viewing platforms and a 30-foot limestone historic stairs. The path offers good views of the Fur Bridge, Dadiani Baths and a 12-meter waterfall. The biggest attraction, however, is a short pontoon boat ride (mandatory with a guide) down the Abasha River, which shows us the true beauty of the place. Carved by the river, the 2.4-kilometer gorge has 50-70-meter rock walls and several cascading waterfalls. You can read about rafting by pontoon later in this article. The time to explore the entire canyon not counting the Abasha River rafting is less than 1.5 hours.

There are some things which make Martvili a different canyon from the rest of Georgian gorges. First, its “presence.” In the canyon, you’ll find beautifully twisted trees with spindle-shaped branches and giant boulders covered with moss that hang over the sparkling turquoise-blue water. The vegetation here is dense, and the slopes are winding. The whole area resembles a fairy tale world. High humidity and subtropical climate make, that it is “green” here practically all year round. Secondly, Martvili Canyon is a Protected Area of the National Parks of Georgia, so you won’t see any vandalism carried out on the local flora and fauna.

LOCATION

Martvili Canyon is located in the municipality of Martvili, in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svanet region. It is located 50 kilometers from Kutaisi. The gorge there is between the village of Gachedili and the town of Marvili. At the entrance to Martvili there are paid parking lots (GPS 42.45856, 42.37752). The price in 2021 was 2 Georgian lari (GEL) per hour.

ACCESS

From the Central Bus Station in Kutaisi to the Martvili area, there is a bus on average every hour between 8am, 6pm. There are no typical bus stops in Martvili, so you have to ask the driver to stop in this town (we have to watch our way!). The trip takes about 1.5 hours. The price of the ticket for 2022 was about 5 Georgian lari.

You can take a cab in Kutaisi and buy a ride to Martvili. Prices in 2022 started at 100 GEL.

Besides, on the GoTrip website, you can look for transportation to Martvili Canyon from anywhere in Georgia. However, you should keep in mind that the driver may, not know our language, so it may happen that we will have difficulty finding suitable a connection for us. On the other hand, if we know although some Russian or English, then there should be no problem with finding transportation.

You can also use Local Rent if you want to rent a car in Georgia. Prices are attractive and often deposit is no required.

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE CANYON

The canyon is open all year round. Most people visit Martvili between June and September. The downside, of course, is that during this period there are definitely more people on the trail than usual. The walking paths are cramped, so the moment they fill up with tourists, visiting the place becomes unpleasant. Like most popular tourist sites in Georgia, it is better to visit during the off-season. There will be certainly fewer what, will allow us to enjoy the walk and the views. Martvili is famed for its wonderful autumn weather and this is undoubtedly the best time to visit this place. To avoid crowds in summer, it is recommended to visit this place in the morning, when the canyon is open, or at lunchtime. The boat trip takes 15-20 minutes, so the latest possible rafting is half an hour before the canyon closes.

HOW TO DRESS AND WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

Comfortable walking shoes with soles with good traction are a necessity. In summer, you can take trekking sandals instead of boots. If there is even the little chance of rain, it is worth to take with you a cape or rain jacket with you. The route is mostly shaded, but in summer, it won’t hurt to take a hat or cap.

You can stock up on snacks or sandwiches for the road. In summer, it is mandatory to take water with you, whereas in winter, it will be a good idea to take a thermos with warm tea.

Of course, it’s a good idea to take a camera 😊. For the pontoon, you can take only small-sized bags (well, they should be waterproof).

TICKET PRICES AND OPENING HOURS

Ticket prices for Martvili Canyon for 2022.

Adults: 17.25 GEL.

Children (6-18 years old): 5.50 GEL.

Children under 6 years of age enter free.

Georgian citizens and residents qualify for discounted tickets in hight 10.35 GEL. Georgians who buy tickets with a discount must show their ID card or passport to the staff controlling the entrance. In case of lack this a document, a person will have to buy a regular ticket.

Tourist agency guides can visit the canyon for free if an deal is signed between the tourist agency and the Protected Areas Agency.

Rafting by pontoon – 15 GEL.

Entrance tickets can be purchased at the visitor center mediately cash or credit card. Tickets can also be purchased online. The link to the sites is here and here.

Gorge opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00

RAFTING

The rafting trip takes 15-20 minutes and is 300 meters long. The route passes through the northern part of the canyon, which cannot be seen from the walking route, as it leads south. In addition, the cruise gives a different perspective of admiring the canyon. The path is high up, so the only way to see the rock walls and waterfall from below is rafting the boat. Before boarding the boat, we will be given a life jacket, paddles and a safety helmet if we want. A maximum of 6 people can fit into the pontoon. During the rafting we have to paddle ourselves, but there is a helmsman on board who will help when it will be need. If the water level is too high or the current too strong, rafting in the gorge is canceled. This usually happens in spring and always after heavy rains. Children under the age of 5 or shorter than 1 meter are not participated in rafting. The boat trip ends at the same place where it begins, and there is a waiting area near the pier for those members of the group who did not want to attend in the rafting trip. If we are lucky and there are not many people and there won’t be many keen to cruise, we have a chance to get at ownership the pontoon where, we will be and the helmsman. This gives you a lot of freedom while of making stops, to take souvenir photos.

WHAT NOT TO DO IN THE CANYON

Martivili Canyon is under protection, so it is forbidden, among other things: swimming, climbing rocks, littering, making noise, destroying nature and infrastructure, digging up plants, smoking, fishing and bring animals along.

DAY TRIPS

In Kutaisi are dozens of companies that organize day trips to Martvili. An often recommended agency that organizes trips to the canyon (and other places in Georgia) is Budget Georgia. Prices are affordable and the guides are reputable.

You can find an other offer for a trip to the canyon here.

USEFUL INFORMATION

One of the best and recommended restaurants near Martvili Canyon is Oda Family Marani. It specializes in preparing delicious regional dishes and serves excellent Georgian wines. Previous reservations during peak season are a must.

In addition to the canyon, other interesting places await tourists. In the area there are The Nokalakevi Archaeological Museum, Levan Dadiani Palace in Salkhino and Dadiani Wine Cellar.

Before traveling, check the weather forecast. In case of rain and snow, rafting trips are canceled. You can find the current weather in Martvili here.

WHERE TO STAY ON NIGHT

In the canyon area there are many apartments where, you can stay. Some of the most recommended residences by tourists are:

Karma Hostel enjoys one of the best reviews in Martvili. They serve delicious homemade food here, and also the prices are not exorbitant.

In the town of Balda near Martvili is Parna Cottage. The decor of this place is typically Georgian, which makes that the atmosphere here is unique.

TIDBIT

Martvili Canyon is called Gachedili Canyon by some. However, at the official website looms the name “Martvili Canyon”.

SUMMARY

Undoubtedly, a country like Georgia has a lot to offer tourists, such things as showing beautiful “monuments” of nature. One such place is Martvili Canyon. Although the whole canyon can be visited in 2.5 hours, including with swimming a 300-meter section in a pontoon, it is worth seeing this place. Not because only of the lovely turquoise water, but also to see how beautifully nature has can be incorporated the local vegetation among the 50, 70-meter high vertical rock walls.

Lasha Ge, source commons.wikimedia.org.

Paata Vardanashvili, source commons.wikimedia.org.

Nika Tchokhonelidze, source Unsplash.

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Artykuł Martvili Canyon pochodzi z serwisu Adventures No Limits.

Partnach Gorge

Adventures No Limits — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 19:23:57 +0000

17.05.2022

PARTNACH GORGE

The Partnach Gorge was declared a natural monument in 1912. It is one of the most beautiful ravines located in Bavaria. This amazing place is open for tourists all year round, where in winter the scenery is even more magical. Being there, a person can feel the power of nature which is in it in the form of noise of flowing water.

CREATION OF THE GORGE

During the Triassic period, about 240 million years ago, when part of today’s Alps was a sea bed, shelly limestone was settled here. By the “overlapping” of mudstone and limestone was formed the so-called saddle (anticline). The gorge was formed during the last ice age about 10,000 – 12,000 years ago. From now on, the Partnach River has managed to cut into the hard limestone bedrock, creating the remarkable Partnachklamm Gorge. The river begins at Reintalanger and is one of the largest karst springs in the Bavarian Alps. It is mainly power by meltwater from the Schneeferner, a remnant of an Ice Age glacier on the Zugspitzplatt.

WHAT WAS THE RIVER PARTNACH ORIGINALLY USED FOR?

Centuries ago, people used the torrential stream to transport tree trunks felled in the mountain forests. At the top the tree was felled and cut into meter long pieces. In spring, when the water was higher, they were thrown wood into the Partnach so them could be let down into the valley. In 1886 was built here, a makeshift path. This made it easier for highlanders and lumberjacks to access felled trees when it accidentally got stuck. Such river transport was maintained until the mid-1960s. Later, however, “drifting” – transporting wood on water – was discontinued. The reasons were that it was too dangerous and not profitable.

APPROACH

If you decide to come to the Partnach Gorge by car, it is best to park in front of the Olympic Ski Stadium (large parking lot and local bus stop), because entrance to the gorge it is impossible. The parking area can be reached via the B2 road.

(Satellite navigation: Karl-und-Martin-Neuner-Platz, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen).

The Partnachklamm can be reached on foot in about 25 minutes or can be reach by barouche, which leaves directly from the parking lot.

From the station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you can reach your destination using the local bus lines 1 and 2.

Here you can find an exemplary route from Munich to the Partnach Gorge (train, bus and car).

PARTNACHKLAMM GORGE IN NUMBERS

HOW TO WEAR

It is worth taking rainwear with you because in many places you can be “splashed” by water flowing from the waterfalls. You should wear shoes with a good sole to avoid slipping. Taking an umbrella is not advisable as the trail often leads through tunnels. In winter, you should dress warmly because the temperature there falls well below zero.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Opening hours:

June – September: 08:00 – 20:00.

October – May: 08:00 – 18:00.

* Last entrance to the gorge is 30 minutes before closing time.

Before visiting in winter, please make sure that the gorge is open (e.g. due to icing, it may be temporarily closed).

Prices (2022):

Adult: 6,00 EUR

Adult with guest card: EUR 5,00 EUR

Children from 6 to 17 years: EUR 3,00 EUR

People with disabilities: 4,00 EUR

Dog: 1,00 EUR (leash compulsory)

Current prices and opening hours can be found here on the official website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Dogs must be kept on a leash.
For safety reasons, kayaks, bicycles and baby carriages are not permitted in the gorge.
Wheelchair access is unfortunately not possible.
Shoes with a good sole and rainwear are necessary for the hike through the gorge.

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GO?

When visiting the Partnach Gorge, you can also climb the Ecbauer. It is a small mountain with a height of 1237 meters above sea level with views to the Zugspitze, Alpspitze, Wetterstein and Karwendel. The hike takes around 1 hour (one way). From there it is not far to the ski lift which takes you down to the parking lot next to the Olympic Ski Stadium.

TIDBITS

About 200,000 people visit the Gorge each year, what making, that this place is quite popular.

On June 1, 1991, about 5,000 cubic meters of rock broke away from the western rock wall at the southern end of the gorge and formed a 15-meter-high wall.

In March 2003, another landslide of rock of about 500 cubic meters occurred in the northern part of the gorge.

SUMMARY

When you are near the ski jumps in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Partnachklamm Gorge is worth a visit. The gorge is located less than 30 minutes from the ski jumps and can be reached on foot or can be reach by barouche. It’s a great idea for a trip for the whole family in order that to see closely the power of rushing water. Visiting this place, you can break away for a moment from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Alex Holzreiter, source Unsplash.

Patrick Baum, source Unsplash.

Mike Bowman, source Unsplash.

Daniel Sessler, source Unsplash.

Sara Kurig, source Unsplash.

Daniel Stuben, source Unsplash.

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GERLACH PEAK

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THE CITY OF ROCKS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Artykuł Partnach Gorge pochodzi z serwisu Adventures No Limits.

Archiwa: River - Adventures No Limits

Tham Lod Cave

THAM LOD CAVE

DESCRIPTION

BRIEFLY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS PLACE

LOCATION AND HOW TO GET THERE

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE CAVE

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO TOUR THAM LOD?

PRICE LIST AND OPENING HOURS

ACCOMMODATION

USEFUL INFORMATION

TIDBITS

SUMMARY

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AL QUDRA LAKES

MARTVILI CANYON

YALA NATIONAL PARK

Martvili Canyon

MARTVILI CANYON

ACCESS

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE CANYON

HOW TO DRESS AND WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

TICKET PRICES AND OPENING HOURS

RAFTING

WHAT NOT TO DO IN THE CANYON

DAY TRIPS

USEFUL INFORMATION

WHERE TO STAY ON NIGHT

TIDBIT

SUMMARY

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SEE ALSO

AL QUDRA LAKES

YALA NATIONAL PARK

UÇHISAR CASTLE

Partnach Gorge

PARTNACH GORGE

CREATION OF THE GORGE

WHAT WAS THE RIVER PARTNACH ORIGINALLY USED FOR?

APPROACH

PARTNACHKLAMM GORGE IN NUMBERS

HOW TO WEAR

USEFUL INFORMATION

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GO?

TIDBITS

SUMMARY

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SEE ALSO

GERLACH PEAK

GROSSGLOCKNER ALPINE ROAD

THE CITY OF ROCKS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC​

THE CITY OF ROCKS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC