Located in the northern province of Tak, adjacent to the border with Myanmar, Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a conservation area in 1989 to provide a protected habitat for wildlife and preserve natural resources. Featuring mountains, dense forests and spectacular waterfalls, this is one of Thailand’s most impressive natural locations. Reaching Umphang requires more effort than most National Parks in Thailand, and this has kept visitor numbers down and helped the area remain off the tourist trail.
(Photo: Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT Media Assets)
Western Forest Complex
Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary is located within Thailand’s Western Forest Complex. This vast protected area is renowned for its pristine rainforest, which is managed with strict conservation principles to safeguard wildlife and ecosystems.
What to see and do
This area is ideal for adventurous explorers who’d like to experience natural attractions in a corner of Thailand that most tourists do not visit.
Thi Lo Su Waterfall
At the heart of the sanctuary’s appeal is Thi Lo Su Waterfall, widely regarded as not only the most spectacular waterfall in Umphang but also the largest in Thailand. At 250 metres (820 feet) high and 450 metres (1,480 feet) wide, Thi Lo Su (the name translates as ‘Black Waterfall’ in the local Karen language) cascades down several tiers through the forest.
(Photo: Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT Media Assets)
The falls can be reached via a jungle trek or rafting upstream via the Mae Klong River, followed by a forest walk. After the strenuous effort to get here, swim in the refreshing natural pools and admire the impressive scenery.
(Photo: Anirut Thailand / Shutterstock)
While Thi Lo Su is the most impressive of the waterfalls in Umphang, other noteworthy falls include Thee Lor Lay, Pi Tu Gro, and Thi Lo Jor.
Jungle trekking
The trail to Thi Lo Su is one of the best known in Umphang, but there are several others in the area. The hikes range in length and difficulty, with longer jungle trails requiring a local guide. The hikes take you through dense rainforest with the opportunity to see waterfalls and traditional villages. On longer hikes, overnight camping can be arranged.
(Photo: n0thing / Shutterstock)
Cultural experiences
An estimated 28,000 people live in the remote Umphang area, with Karen hill-tribe communities accounting for a large share of the population. Some expeditions in Umphang combine trekking with homestays in Karen villages and the chance to learn about local crafts.
(Photo: kalapangha / Shutterstock)
Wildlife and nature
Although sightings aren’t guaranteed, the sanctuary is home to a variety of fauna and flora. From tropical birds to unique amphibians and rare orchids, Umphang is a great choice for nature lovers.
Spotting wildlife might not be guaranteed, but the opportunity to relax in natural hot springs near Thi Lo Su is a certainty and the perfect way to soothe tired limbs after a long hike.
When trekking with guides, they can show you viewpoints such as Doi Hua Mot, which provide impressive views over the jungle valleys.
Advice for visiting Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary
Access to the sanctuary and key sites like Thi Lo Su typically requires a permit from forestry authorities and is best undertaken with experienced local guides. The roads are rugged, often requiring four-wheel drive vehicles, and the sanctuary emphasises low-impact travel to preserve its ecosystems.
To be a responsible traveller, always stay on marked trails and keep noise low to avoid disturbing wildlife. Longer hikes can be arranged through responsible tour operators such as Go Beyond, who will also be able to advise you on what equipment to pack. If you need any hiking equipment (lightweight sleeping bags, hiking shoes, leech protectors, etc.), these can be purchased locally at branches of Decathlon in locations including Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Online delivery is also available.
Travel to Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary
Umphang is located in Tak province. While we are all for independent travel, this is one destination where it can be best to book through a specialist tour organiser such as Go Beyond. The starting point for trips like this is usually Mae Sot. On arrival in Mae Sot, a guide will meet you, and you will stay overnight in Mae Sot town before travelling the following day to Umphang.
Mae Sot to Umphang
From Mae Sot, you will usually travel by songthaew to Umphang. The remoteness of Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary means that it is still a long drive from Mae Sot (around five hours), but on organised trips you will have the chance to stretch your legs and eat en route. This is also a route with lots of bends in the road, so be prepared if you are prone to motion sickness.
Chiang Mai to Mae Sot
From Chiang Mai, there are regular buses to Mae Sot with the Green Bus company providing comfortable buses on this route for the six hour journey.
Bangkok to Mae Sot
If you are travelling from Bangkok, you can fly to Mae Sot (around one hour flight) with Nok Air from Don Mueang Airport. Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) take approximately 12-13 hours travelling via Kamphaeng Phet or Tak town. Alternatively, take the train to Phitsanulok (see below).
Other routes
There is the option to travel via Tak town or take a minibus from Kamphaeng Phet or Sukhothai to Mae Sot (around three hours).
There is no railway station at Mae Sot, but you can travel by train from Bangkok or Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok. From Phitsanulok, minibuses to Mae Sot run from early morning to early afternoon with a journey time of around four hours. Note that if you do opt to travel by minibus, luggage space can be limited, and if travelling with large bags/rucksacks, you may be asked to pay for two seats.
(Photo: Kantiya Kosolwitthayanant / Shutterstock)
Organised trips
Go Beyond is our top pick for organised trips to Umphang. This specialist travel operator has a strong focus on off-the-beaten-track and responsible travel in Thailand. They offer several itineraries for Umphang that cover multiple days and combine cultural and natural highlights:
Umphang Adventures is a local tour operator offering a range of trips in and around the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. Umphang Tour provides guided nature trips in the Umphang area with activities such as rafting and trekking. TrekkingThai offers multi-day tours to Thi Lo Su waterfall that bundle transport, accommodation, meals, and local guide support. In addition to these local companies, some wider Thailand tour companies like Baboo Travel include Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary or jungle treks within longer trips that also cover Chiang Mai and other northern highlights.
Whichever tour operator you travel with, check the company’s responsible tourism policies to make sure they align with your expectations. You should also be clear on what is and isn’t included (transport, meals, permits, guide fees, etc.) for the price you are quoted.
