Khao Mai Kaew Cave
A community-guided caving experience through a jungle-covered limestone hill, with chambers, stalactites, a slippery climb and a small cave pool; done with a local guide and headlamp.
- Category
- Caves
- Entrance fee
- Guided tour / guide fee, varies (roughly 200-300 THB as of 2026); confirm locally
- Hours
- By guided tour during daytime; confirm locally
- Best time
- Nov-Apr dry season; trails and cave are slippery and best avoided in heavy rain
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours (jungle walk plus cave)
- Difficulty
- Moderate to challenging (jungle hike, ladders, tight dark passages, a small climb-down)
About Khao Mai Kaew Cave
This is a proper little caving adventure, not a stroll. You hike through jungle to a limestone hill, then a local guide leads you in by headlamp through chambers with stalactites, down ladders and a slippery climb-down, and past a small cave pool. If you like getting your hands dirty and squeezing through tight spots, it's a highlight.
Honest take: it's worth it for the adventurous, but not for everyone. If you're claustrophobic, nervous in the dark, or not physically up for ladders and scrambling, this one isn't for you. The passages get tight and pitch dark.
You must go with a local guide, so do not try to enter alone. Come in the dry season, since the trails and cave get slippery and are best avoided in heavy rain. Wear shoes you don't mind trashing.
Highlights
- Guided headlamp trip through limestone chambers with stalactites
- Ladders, a slippery climb-down and tight passages for a real adventure
- A small cave pool inside the hill
- Jungle hike to reach the cave entrance
Tips
- Go only with a local guide, never enter the cave alone
- Skip it if you're claustrophobic or not up for ladders and scrambling
- Visit in the dry season, the cave and trail get slippery in heavy rain
- Wear grippy shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty
How to get there
From Saladan drive ~18-20 km south toward Khlong Nin then inland to the signed trailhead (~35-40 min by scooter); local guides meet visitors at the entrance