1. Where is Khao Sok National Park?
Khao Sok is ideally situated on the mainland between Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, and Koh Samui—some of the most popular destinations in southern Thailand. It spans an area of 461,712 rai (~739 km² or 285 square miles) and includes the 165 km² (64 square miles) Cheow Lan Lake, created by the Ratchaprapha Dam. This national park is the largest virgin forest area in southern Thailand and is a remnant of ancient rainforests, older and more diverse than the Amazon. It’s a fantastic place to visit for a vacation.
You can enjoy activities such as up-close elephant encounters, jungle trekking, and canoeing, all of which promise unforgettable experiences. One of the most remarkable areas is the stunning Cheow Lan Lake, located in the heart of the park, featuring floating raft houses and luxurious tents—an unmissable destination!
2. When is the best time to visit Khao Sok National Park?
The best time to visit Khao Sok is during the dry season on Thailand's east coast, from December to April. You can also visit during the transitional months of May and November if you don’t mind occasional showers. The green season, from June to October, is best avoided as the trails become slippery, and it rains most days.
3. How to get to Khao Sok National Park?
3.1. From Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, or Koh Samui to Khao Sok
Fortunately, traveling from the islands on Thailand's east coast to Khao Sok is relatively easy. Many ferries head to Surat Thani, the main connection point on the mainland. I took the high-speed ferry at 7:00 AM from Koh Tao, which also stops at Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. With this ferry, I arrived at Khao Sok at 12:30 PM. The ferry ride to Surat Thani takes about 3 hours (from Koh Tao) or 1.5 hours (from Koh Samui). You can book a bus ticket combined with your ferry ticket through Lomprayah. Buses will wait for you when the ferry arrives, and you’ll be guided to the correct bus. Tickets can be purchased at many travel offices on the islands or booked online in advance at 12go.asia.
3.2. From Pai, Chiang Mai, or Bangkok to Khao Sok
If traveling from northern Thailand or Bangkok, the easiest option is to fly to Surat Thani Airport. From the airport, it’s about a 1.5-hour drive to Khao Sok. However, you can’t pre-book a minivan online on 12go.asia. Instead, you can go to the Phantip Travel counter at the airport upon arrival (make sure to arrive before 4:15 PM). Bus tickets cost 300 baht and include hotel drop-off. During peak season, this service might not operate, so you may need to take a taxi (taxis are available at the airport).
3.3. From Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, or Krabi to Khao Sok
From Koh Phi Phi, you can book a combined ferry + bus ticket to Khao Sok. The ferry departs at 9:00 AM, and there is only one connecting trip per day that includes the bus. Be sure to book in advance, especially during the peak season. From both Phuket and Krabi, buses/vans run multiple times daily and take about 4 hours.
4. Where to Stay in Khao Sok National Park?
4.1. Staying in the Village
At the entrance to the park is the small village road of Khlong Sok. This is Khao Sok’s main avenue, about 2 km long. It is very pleasant and an ideal place to stay near the park while enjoying a vibrant atmosphere.
In fact, if you’re looking for entertainment, we recommend staying here, as it offers a distinct local vibe. There are over a dozen restaurants, a few markets, and souvenir shops. The only attraction in the area, apart from the park, is Mae Yai Waterfall.
Being the gateway to the national park, this is the first place you’ll arrive at. Staying here also makes exploration easier. Indeed, this is the most convenient location for accessing the starting points of tours (boats, hiking), as you only need to follow the road to enter the park in less than 10 minutes. This is an advantage you shouldn’t overlook.
As for accommodations, this is where most visitors choose to stay. The majority of establishments are set within the rainforest, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature with the sounds of birds and flowing streams around you. Accommodations are often treehouses, bungalows, or bamboo huts. Prices are reasonable, with options for smaller budgets as well.
Other accommodations, quieter and more secluded in the forest, are located along the main road adjacent to Khlong Sok village road, allowing you to enjoy independence and tranquility.
Recommended Hotels
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Jungle Huts Khao Sok: 242 Khao Sok Tambon Khlong Sok, Phanom District, Surat Thani 84250, Thailand (+66 80 614 7935)
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Our Jungle Camp - Eco Resort: หมู่ที่ 6 123/1 Khlong Sok, Phanom District, Surat Thani 84250, Thailand (+66 88 577 6838)
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Silver Cliff Resort: 299 Moo6, Klong Sok, Phanom, Suratthani, Khao Sok National Park 84250 (+66 953 951 392)
4.2. Staying on Lake Cheow Lan
The stilt bungalows here are truly a peaceful paradise, the feature that makes Khao Sok a dream destination. Located on the 165 km² Cheow Lan Lake, they offer stunning views of the cliffs and emerald green water. The atmosphere here is different from the village: small bungalow clusters provide excellent views, allowing you to swim and relax in serenity.
The benefit of staying here is that you don’t need to go far for activities. These establishments have their own restaurants, and tours can depart directly from the hotel. Many also include one or two sunrise excursions in their packages. Kayaks are also available for self-exploration.
With the wide range of services, prices here are higher than in other areas. If you’re on a budget but still want to admire the beauty of the national park, we highly recommend staying here.
Recommended Hotels
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Panvaree the Greenery: Ratchaprapha, Khao Phang, Ban Ta Khun District, Surat Thani 84230, Thailand (+66 89 132 0007)
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500 Rai Floating Resort: รัช ช ประภา Khao Phang, Ban Ta Khun District, Surat Thani 84230, Thailand (+66 77 953 013)
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River View Resort at Cheow Lan: Khao Phang, Ban Ta Khun District, Surat Thani 84230, Thailand (+66 83 180 0446)
5. What to See in Khao Sok National Park?
5.1. Night Safari Trek
Night trekking in Khao Sok offers a unique opportunity to experience the rainforest and wildlife at night. Our accommodation arranged a night trek for us, included in the Grand Jungle package. We were picked up from the hotel and driven to the entrance of Khao Sok National Park, where we began the trek.
The entrance fee is 300 THB per person, so make sure to keep your ticket to re-enter the next day. The trek is about 3 km long and easy for all fitness levels. While wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, we were fortunate to see bats, spiders, snakes, lizards, frogs, and even a monkey. Our guide spoke excellent English and had a great sense of humor, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Overall, it was a unique and memorable way to end the evening!
5.2. Cave Exploring
The shores of Cheow Lan Lake, formed by limestone cliffs covered in rainforest, hide many secret caves, with Coral Cave and Nam Ta Lu Cave being the most impressive. Although you can’t explore both caves in one day, full-day tours to the lake often include trekking to one of them.
If you’re staying at a floating resort, you can book this activity directly with them. Coral Cave (Pa Ka Rung Cave) features large stalactites and stalagmites resembling coral formations. To get there, you’ll take a boat, then walk about 20 minutes through the forest, and finally ride a bamboo raft to the cave entrance. We experienced this activity while staying at 500 Rai Resort and highly recommend it!
5.3. Khao Sok Canoeing
Canoeing is another fantastic activity to enjoy while staying in Khao Sok village. I highly recommend experiencing river canoeing during your visit to Khao Sok. The guide will handle all the paddling, allowing you to relax and take in the scenery.
As we floated along the river, we admired massive limestone cliffs and rock formations surrounded by lush rainforest. The guide pointed out snakes resting on branches and tiny frogs along the banks. We even saw a family of gibbons crossing the river right in front of us!
Midway through the canoeing adventure, we stopped for a coffee break, where the guide brewed fresh coffee in bamboo cups. We also enjoyed a refreshing swim in the river before concluding our canoeing journey.
5.4. Jungle Trekking
Khao Sok National Park covers a vast area with numerous opportunities for hiking. There are a few short nature trails along the river in Khao Sok village and around the park entrance that you can explore on your own. However, if you want to fully immerse yourself in the forest, you’ll need to join a guided trek.
Guides will take you deep into the forest, pointing out significant trees, plants, and wildlife. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes, and preferably long pants. Bring sunscreen, a hat, plenty of water, and mosquito repellent if you plan to venture into the jungle.
6. Is Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake Worth Visiting?
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The images in this Khao Sok travel guide illustrate all the compelling reasons why you shouldn’t miss a visit to Khao Sok Lake when in Thailand. The lake, with its tranquil waters and breathtaking scenery, offers a unique experience entirely different from the hustle and bustle of cities.
Staying in one of the charming floating bamboo bungalows allows you to fully immerse yourself in nature, providing an idyllic escape from urban life.
In addition to serene accommodations, the rainforest surrounding the lake is teeming with wildlife, making for an exciting adventure for nature lovers. During a boat safari, you may see various animals, including cheerful gibbons swinging through the trees and majestic elephants roaming freely.
Each trip on the lake brings new opportunities to connect with the natural world. Finally, one of the best experiences is waking up on the tranquil lake and enjoying the stunning sunrise over the horizon, creating unforgettable reflections on the water.
Source: https://www.khaosok.com/