Khao Sok

Why Khao Sok? Ancient rainforest around the fairytale-like Cheow Lan Lake with floating bungalows among limestone peaks.

Inland from the Andaman coast lies one of the oldest rainforests on the planet, and at its heart the fairytale Cheow Lan Lake - emerald water studded with jagged limestone peaks, where you can sleep in a bamboo bungalow floating on the surface. Khao Sok is a proper nature immersion and a striking contrast to the beaches, with dawn mist, gibbon calls and dense jungle all around.

One or two nights is enough, and it is worth arranging so that at least one of them is out on the lake itself. The park sits neatly between the Gulf and Andaman coasts, so it fits easily into a route linking Koh Samui with Phuket, Krabi or Khao Lak.

What to do in Khao Sok?

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• NatureCheow Lan Lake floating bungalowsSleep on emerald water beneath towering limestone karsts - the trip's highlight.
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• AdventureJungle trek & cavesHike one of the world's oldest rainforests to river caves and wildlife.
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• AdventureDawn kayak on the lakeGlide across glassy water at first light as gibbons call.
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• NatureEthical elephant experienceFeed and walk with rescued elephants at a welfare camp near the park (no riding).
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• NatureNight safariSpot deer, civets and fireflies on a guided evening walk.
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• NatureRafflesia bloom trekSeasonal hike to the world's largest flower (Dec-Feb).
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• AdventureBamboo rafting & river tubingDrift the Sok River through the jungle.
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• AdventureNam Talu river-cave trekWade and swim through a dramatic cave river (guided, seasonal).
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• NatureWildlife & hornbill spottingGibbons, hornbills and macaques in one of Earth's oldest jungles.
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• AdventureRiver tubing on the SokFloat the gentle river past towering karst cliffs.
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• FoodJungle Thai cookingCook a southern-Thai meal at a riverside homestay.
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Getting there & around

Khao Sok sits roughly midway between Surat Thani, Krabi and Phuket - about 2 to 2.5 hours by road or minivan from each, which makes it a natural stop when crossing between the Gulf and Andaman coasts. Buses on Route 401 drop passengers at the park turn-off, a short walk or pick-up from the village, and Surat Thani Airport is the closest airport, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away. The village that serves the park is small and walkable; the lake pier at Ratchaprapha Dam is a further 60-90 minutes away, so lake trips are almost always arranged as tours or overnight packages through your accommodation.

Where to stay

Two very different experiences. In the park village, jungle lodges and riverside bungalows put you among the treetops with hornbills for an alarm clock, close to trailheads, restaurants and tour desks. Many have pools, and some treehouse-style rooms overlook the Sok River. The bucket-list option is a floating raft house on Cheow Lan Lake - bamboo huts moored beneath the cliffs, with little or no wifi, just water and jungle - usually booked as a one- or two-night package including boat transfers, meals and guided activities. Comfort ranges from basic mattresses to more upmarket floating tents and air-conditioned rafts, so check what is included before you book.

Cheow Lan Lake

Created when the Ratchaprapha Dam flooded the valley in the 1980s, Cheow Lan Lake is a vast reservoir of green water framed by limestone karsts. Days revolve around longtail boat cruises among the peaks, including the famous Three Brothers rocks, kayaking at dawn across mirror-still water as the mist lifts, and swimming straight off your raft. Guided treks lead to caves such as Nam Talu, which involves wading through an underground river and is closed when heavy rain brings a risk of flash floods. Wildlife spotting is a matter of luck and patience, so leave the schedule loose.

Jungle & wildlife

Back on land, trails from the park headquarters follow the Sok River to waterfalls and swimming holes, best explored with a local guide who can spot what you would miss. The forest is home to gibbons, hornbills, macaques and wild elephants, though sightings are never guaranteed. Guided night safaris reveal frogs, civets, sleeping birds and fireflies. Between roughly December and February, lucky trekkers may find the giant Rafflesia flower in bloom. Gentle river tubing and canoeing on the Sok are fun on hot afternoons, and any elephant visit should be an observation-only welfare project run by a reputable sanctuary, never rides or shows.

Food & when to go

Food in the village is simple and good: family-run restaurants serve Thai curries, stir-fries and fresh fruit shakes, and raft-house packages include hearty set meals on the lake. Bring cash, as ATMs are limited, along with good shoes, insect repellent, a torch and a dry bag. The drier months from December to April are the most comfortable for trekking and lake trips. The rainy season from May to November, heaviest from September, brings leeches, muddy trails and possible cave closures, but also the lushest forest, fuller waterfalls and fewer visitors. Mornings are often clearest year-round, so plan outdoor activities early.

Where to stay in Khao Sok?

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Recommended: 1–2 nights

1-2 nights, ideally including a night in a floating bungalow on the lake.

Nearby

Khao LakAndaman Coast

Phang Nga BayAndaman Coast

Koh Yao NoiPhang Nga Bay

Frequently asked questions