In Northern Thailand, we had one of the coolest experiences—exploring the famous Nam Lod Cave (Tham Nam Lod). If you’re planning to visit the Mae Hong Son area, this is something you definitely shouldn’t miss. – Nam Lod Cave Tour
For more tips before traveling to Thailand, check out our Things to Know Before Visiting Thailand guide.
Where is Nam Lod Cave?
Nam Lod Cave is located near a small town called Soppong, about 1 hour from Pai and 2.5 hours from Chiang Mai. We were on a road trip through Northern Thailand, so we drove there in our rental car. The drive itself was beautiful with lush green mountains, winding roads, and fresh air all around.
How Much Does It Cost to take Nam Lod Cave Tour?
The cave tour is super affordable:
- 600 THB if you want to explore all three cave chambers (which we did). You can also do just one or two cave instead of 3.
- Additionally they sell fish food. Get one packet. Its more than enough to feed the fishes.
The guides are locals, and you can’t go into the cave without one. They carry old-school gas lanterns and explain everything during the tour.
Our Experience – What It Was Like
We got there around noon. The parking was easy and free. We paid for the full cave tour and then quickly we were paired with our guide. We took a quick restroom break before starting and we walked to the trail start with our guide. She lighted up her lantern and led the way.
It was just the two of us and our guide. The vibe was peaceful, almost magical. Once we stepped inside, it was quiet except for the sound of the water and the flicker of the lantern. At first you will feel cold, but quickly the temperature rises inside and it get pretty warm and humid.
The Three Caves
1. The First Cave (Main Chamber): This one was huge. We walked over wooden bridges and looked up at massive stalactites. The river runs through it, and we saw hundreds of swallows flying around the roof of the cave.
2. The Second Cave (Coffin Cave): We climbed up steep wooden stairs to get here. It was a bit of a workout, but so worth it. There were ancient wooden coffins inside—our guide said they were more than a thousand years old! It gave us chills (in a good way) to think about the history.
3. The Third Cave (Exit Cave): This part was special. We hopped on a bamboo raft and floated along the river inside the cave. It was dark, calm, and so quiet. The water reflected the lantern light, and the ceiling had beautiful rock formations. We felt like we were in a movie. Downside is that, this cave has smelly bat shit everywhere. So, only touch the underside of the stair rails. Wash your hands after the hike.
How Difficult Is It?
It’s not too hard, but wear good shoes. There are lots of stairs and uneven paths, and it gets slippery in some places. If you’re okay with a bit of climbing and walking, you’ll love it.
Tips If You’re Going:
- Bring cash for the entry fees, fish food
- Wear sneakers or hiking sandals.
- Use restroom before you start
- A light jacket helps—it’s cooler at the start but inside the cave it get hot, humid with all the lantern heat.
- Try to go early to avoid big tour groups
- Wash your hand and legs after the tour. Those bat shit are not good.
- Have delicious food after the hike at the local restaurant. We had our meal at Nong luk Restaurant and we highly recommend it.
Final Thoughts
The Nam Lod Cave tour was one of the most memorable things we did in Northern Thailand. We felt like explorers discovering something ancient and untouched. Floating inside a dark cave on a bamboo raft, guided only by a small flame—it was peaceful, exciting, and just magical.
If you’re anywhere near Pai or Mae Hong Son, definitely add this to your list. It’s a hidden gem that feels like a real adventure.
