Soppong

Soppong Thailand, cave, caving, Thailand, Northern Thailand, adventure, trekking, caving, pictures, photo, video, rafting, caving Thailand, kayaking, tam lot cave picture,  river resort.

Soppong is a very scenic small village along the Soppong river and the great Tam Lot or Coffin Cave,

Soppong is on the road between Mae Hong Son and Pai, the drive between Mae Hong Son, Soppong and Pai is a great scenic experience, spectacular views along a winding mountain road with 'sharp curves and hairpin switchbacks'. Stop at scenic overlooks and enjoy the beautiful views along the way. Soppong and the Soppong river
with the Soppong river inn is surrounded by steep hills with several Thai hill tribe villages. 

Along the Soppong river are some resorts and other accommodation and guesthouses. Kayaking, trekking and a elephant ride is on the program, the people are very friendly just ask if you want to see or do anything, there is usually also somebody who speaks some English if not they will search for someone.

Around the Tham Lot cave is the Huai Nam Dang Thailand National Park with some small river, just the right Thailand tour destination. The area together with Pai, a little bit further east is a great northern Thailand trekking destination. From the peaks of he jungle mountains you can see Burma or Myanmar, actually the people living in the hills are the same in Burma as in Thailand. This are Lisu, Lahu, Shan and Karen. Further east is Chiang Mai abd at north east is Chinag Rai.

Don't miss a canoe or kayak tour on the Sopping river which just runs partly close to the road, its a great river tour. Check for a festival if you are there, there is always something going on, just ask at the guesthouse or river resort.

The area here and in many places elsewhere in Thailand remembers

Once you have seen the Tam Lot or Coffin Cave you have virtually seen every cave in Thailand. Through this huge stalactite - stalagmite cave complex a river runs through, now navigated by bamboo rafts, one way Baht 300,- two way Baht 400,- .

I took the two way ride and had a great time. To move on the bamboo raft through the dark mystery is a unique experience. The ride is good organized and its on you to wear real good shoes, the higher the shoes or boots the better. The reason, its slippery and at a part of the cave exploration the adventurer wade through piles of bat and swift let droppings. I wouldn't like to go through this with slippers and you better don't do this either.

Bizarre limestone formation at Soppong, thousands of bats, giant stalactites and a river runs through and we move on the small river on a bamboo raft.

This cave is a real Thai underground attraction. We glide into the dark tunnel which opens from time to time into huge halls like cathedrals showing a fascinating world

We move between stalactites with spectacular forms and sometimes leave the bamboo raft to walk deeper into cave. There are bat droppings everywhere on about 20 cm in height.

The bamboo rafting comes down to a moderate outdoor adventure.

The guide is always in front with the kerosene lamp but this wont help in this case.

One comment on the “coffins”, they rather looking like ancient dug outs, coffins are not 4-6 meters long and have a cover.

Around Soppong in the hills are several Lisu, Lahu, Shan and Karen villages, only accessible by steep narrow roads into the valleys around.

If one visit this hill tribe villages you wont see anyone because during the day everyone is out for work, only elderly and kids are around.

Some small resorts along the river invite to stay for a while,
it's typical rural Thailand, real beautiful.

Soppong cave and vicinity is a clean, fresh and exiting environment.

Soppong Cave

Black Lahu

Northern Thailand

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