Surrounded by the natural beauty of nature and breathtaking views after a hard climb, Wat Tham Suea is your ideal place to visit if you have been looking for a spiritual place to visit in Thailand.This temple, commonly popular as Tiger Cave Temple, is one of the finest wonders of Thailand. We await your visit and the happiness of having experienced this beauty. In this travel guide, let’s get to know everything that you need to know before you visit this stunning beauty of Thailand- Wat Tham Suea.
Exciting Reasons To Visit Wat Tham Suea
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Wat Tham Suea is home to numerous natural caves with imprints of tiger paws. Situated in the middle of a green-lush forest, the area is survived by quite many Buddhist Monks. Archaeologists and historians have spotted the footprints of Buddha, which is one of the major attractions in Wat Tham Suea.
With a perfect mix of cultural exploration and natural scenic beauty, your trip to Wat Tham Suea is always going to be memorable and happiness-inducing. You need to climb approximately 1237 steps to reach the top of the temple—the limestone tower. Upon reaching the top, a panoramic view of the limestone cliff formations, tropical islands, Andaman Sea, and rainforests awaits you.
Further, visitors are advised to be careful and not rush through the stairs, as they get steeper as they climb up.
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Places To Visit Near Wat Tham Suea
Here are a bunch of activities you could do while visiting the Wat Tham Suea or Tiger Cave Temple:
1. Krabi Elephant Sanctuary
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Krabi Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand supports and stands for ethical tourism. The place cares for overtired elephants after working in the industry and fields. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful sight of elephants happily soaking in the sun in their natural habitat.
You can also feed and walk along with the elephants and caress them under supervision, but riding on these elephants is strictly prohibited.
Located far away from the chaotic structure of the city, the Krabi Elephant Sanctuary is the first one of its kind in Krabi. The sanctuary focuses on the well-being and protection of the species. Also, it has several natural and small water bodies amidst the lush greenery for elephants to play around. Krabi Elephant Sanctuary is a physical paradise for all the animal lovers, especially for the ones’ who can’t take their eyes off the charm of the elephant.
Distance from Wat Tham Suea to Krabi Elephant Sanctuary: 46.3 km
Open Hours: 8: 30 am 5 pm
Ticket fare: 2400 Baht
Transportation: Taxi with a fare of 18 Baht and a local bus with a fare of 16 Baht
2. Emerald Pool
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A swim in the Emerald Pool in Krabi is a much-loved and refreshing activity to do after your hike to the Tiger Cave Temple. Surrounded by lush greenery, swimming in the Emerald Pool is quite an experience and rejuvenating in nature.
Distance from Wat Tham Suea to Emerald Pool: 52.1 km
Open Hours: 8 am – 5 pm
Ticket fare: 400 Baht for Adults, 200 Baht for children and 30 Baht for citizens
Transportation: The available mode of transport to Emerald Pool: Taxis and buses are available, and ticket fares change with the season
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3. Hot Spring At Krabi
Feel the water flow through the hot springs at Krabi and embrace the beauty of nature at its finest. This activity is enjoyed equally by adults and children and is indeed engaging when you are in Krabi, Thailand. This natural jacuzzi in Thailand is a must-visit spot. The pool’s mild heat is due to the location’s underlying geothermal activities. Due to their high mineral content, these hot springs are said to cure many bodily ailments. The velvety, lush green around the hot spring adds to this beautiful creation of nature.
Distance from Wat Tham Suea to Hot Spring, Krabi: 25.4 km
Open Hours: 8 am – 5 pm
Ticket fare: 100 Baht
Transportation: Taxis and buses are available, and ticket fares change with the season
4. Enjoy Steak In The Thai Style
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Steak King Kong Thai Style Krabi is a famous restaurant for steaks of all kinds. Located 3.68 km from Wat Tham Suea, you deserve to enjoy a good steak and your favourite drink and be hit with some laughter at the table. It will be one of the best steaks you have ever had, and that’s a Thai promise. Indulging in good food is a great way to relax and enjoy the little happy moments of the trip. The Steak King Kong Thai Style Restaurant in Krabi is undeniably a perfect place to try some delicious cuisines and get a bit of rest before setting out to the next destination, Krabi, Thailand.
Distance from Wat Tham Suea to Restaurant: 3.68km
Open Hours: 10 am – 6 pm
Transportation: Taxis and tuk-tuks are available
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Closeby Accommodation Options
After understanding your requirements and desires, accommodation facilities can be tailored to your needs. All types of rooms and Airbnb’s are available in Krabi district. Below are a few of our top suggestions:
- NAP Krabi Hotel
- Palm Driving Range and Resort
- A Nighttime
- Wanarom Residents Hotel
- Srisawat Home Bungalow
- Mountain View Hostel, Krabo
- Ignam Pool Villa
- Palm Kaew Resort, Krabi
- Phuhi Hotel
- Tiger Cave Home
Best Time To Visit wat tham Suea
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November to February is the ideal time to visit because of the favourable climate and ease of climbing. Additionally, in your holiday itinerary- visiting Wat Tham Suea is better accommodated as an early morning or evening outdoor activity to avoid exposure to the harsh noon sun.
The temple is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free for visitors, regardless of foreign nationals or localities.
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How To Get There?
Located in the Krabi Noi, Mueang Krabi District, of Krabi, Wat Tham Suea is just 3 kilometres away from Krabi Town and can be reached either by minibus or tuk-tuk. Upon availing of the service, you get a special pick-up and drop-off taxi service.
By Bus: Bus services from Wat Tham Suea to Krabi are available from Ao Nang. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes and costs around 60 Baht.
By Taxi: Taxi services are available from Ao Nang to Wat Tham Suea. The journey takes approximately 22 minutes and costs around 373 Baht.
Essential Tips To Remember
Since the temple and the whole route to the Tiger Cave temple are very closely aligned and mingled with nature, you might come across animals, especially monkeys; here is what you need to take care:
- Ensure that you don’t harm or provoke animals
- Maintain a safe distance
- Dress respectfully to the temple
- Do not make huge noises, as it’s a religious setting
- Do not litter the place, and do not disturb the natural habitat
- Heart patients and asthma-affected individuals need to check their blood pressure before being allowed to explore the temple
- Carry essential medicines and water just in case of emergency
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Hope we can help you plan your trip to Krabi better and well-informed in advance through this travel guide. Whether you are travelling solo or with family and friends, add Wat Tham Suea to your itinerary to not miss out on the breathtaking view and the hot spring shower for a relaxing experience. Plan your trip to Thailand Now!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Wat Tham Suea
How to visit Wat Tham Suea from India?
Thailand's Government is very tourist-friendly, and Indian citizens can get a tourist visa on arrival by presenting their passports, recent photographs and return ticket details. Krabi Airport is the nearest airport to Wat Tham Suea.
How long does it take to hike the tiger cave?
By considering an average normal-speed trek, it will approximately take somewhere around 40-45 minutes to reach the top.
How high is Wat Tham Suea?
Wat Tham Suea or Tiger Cave is 280 metres high. One needs to climb 1264 steps to reach the top and get to experience the aura of the peak and watch the panoramic view. It is always recommended to carry some water and snacks on your trek and please make sure not to litter the place.
When does the gate get closed for climbing the stairs to visit Wat Tham Suea?
By 5 pm the gates get closed, and visitors are not allowed to start their hike post 5 pm. The functioning hours of Wat Tham Suea is 8 am to 5 pm
Which is the nearest airport to Wat Tham Suea- The Tiger Crave?
The nearest airport to Wat Tham Suea is Krabi International Airport. Tourists can use this to reach to the Thailand.
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