Visiting Khao Sok National Park? Here’s everything you need to know before planning a visit to this ancient park in Southern Thailand.

Khao Sok National Park holds the title of one of the world’s oldest rainforests. And, thanks to social media, it has become quite a popular spot for tourists in recent years. 

So, it’s safe to say that when we planned our Thailand trip itinerary, we knew we had to visit. 

You can visit Khao Sok National Park without a tour, but it’s often easier to book a pre-designed package. Not only is everything from transportation to food taken care of for you, but you don’t need to worry about any extra costs along the way.

Whether you’re dreaming of staying in the beautiful Khao Sok National Park floating bungalows or want to explore the park’s huge lake, this guide has got you covered. Read on to learn a little bit more about our experience…

How to Get To Khao Sok National Park

The lakes in Khao Sok are famous for their green colour.

We were in Phuket prior to visiting Khao Sok and we found the easiest way to get to Khao Sok was by bus. We were dropped off at the main area in the national park, and hopped in a quick taxi to reach our accommodation. 

If you’re travelling from Bangkok or Chiang Mai, the easiest ways to get to Khao Sok are by overnight bus or by taking a flight to Surat Thani and then getting a taxi or a bus.

Our Experience of Khao Sok National Park

Long boat is the method of transport for getting around Khao Sok.

We booked our entire stay – both the first night in the outskirts of the national park and the night on the lake – through Our Jungle Camp Eco Resort.

We paid THB 1391 for the first night stay and then a further THB 2600 each for the overnight Cheow Lan Lake tour, though there was a more expensive option for those looking to make jungle life a little bit more comfortable.

After staying in Our Jungle Camp for a night, we met the rest of our tour group and headed to a local market where we loaded up on snacks. We recommend you purchase some food and water from the convenience store there as this is the best opportunity. If you haven’t already, make sure to bring cash along, too.

Then it was an hour-long boat ride to get to the floating bungalows we were staying at. The sights along the way were incredibly beautiful; we even stopped to take some photos in front of the soaring cliffs. Be warned, though, you will travel by long boat which can be a little uncomfortable and has almost no protection from the rain so assess the weather and be prepared.

Make sure you pack extremely light as you won’t be able to bring suitcases along. You can leave larger luggage at your original accommodation. Our Jungle Camp allowed everyone to store their suitcases for no extra charge.

Cheow Lan Lake

Hop on a kayak and explore the surrounding area.

The crown jewel of Khao Sok is undoubtedly Cheow Lan Lake. It spans most of Khao Sok and floating on its water is where you’ll find the majority of the accommodation. Here’s also where most of the activities take place.

You can choose from guided boat tours, kayaking adventures, or even paddleboarding to navigate the lake’s intricate waterways, discovering hidden coves and marvelling at the untouched beauty that surrounds them.

Khao Sok Floating Bungalows and Facilities

We were most excited about staying a night on the lake in our own floating bungalow.

We knew that we had to book a floating bungalow when visiting Khao Sok. 

We opted for an overnight stay, though many people decided to spend two nights here. Our accommodation had options for kayaking (with an extra deposit), trekking, and boat rides with the friendly guides. 

Our guide, Toy, was incredibly knowledgeable about the entire park. He was also hilarious – we can’t rave about him enough.

Wherever you’re staying in Khao Sok, the food options will be pretty similar. Our meals consisted of traditional Thai dishes like Massaman curry, rice, meat, bread, and freshly-caught fish straight out of the lake. It was delicious, especially the curry.

The guides replenish the food as you eat, so don’t worry about being hungry (though we always recommend bringing extra snacks and drinks, just in case.)

Khao Sok Jungle Trek

The beginning of the trek into the jungle. Warning! It gets muddy.

One of the experiences we were most excited for in Khao Sok was jungle trekking. The park boasts an extensive network of trails catering to all levels of hikers. But, be warned – the trails can be incredibly muddy. We found out the hard way.

Our tour guide led us through the dense rainforest, where we battled the mud – and definitely lost. We spotted elephant tracks in multiple places, though we didn’t see any in the wild, which was actually a good thing as it can be dangerous. Phew. 

Our tour guide moved pretty fast as our group was young and fit, but don’t worry if you’re less agile, as there were times where Toy had to wait for us to catch up. If you’re taking a tour, you’ll most likely have a guided hike included, but don’t be afraid to ask your guide to tailor the tour for your level of ability.

Alternatively, you can opt to stay at the accommodation and chill out on the water instead. A couple of people from our group decided to do that and went kayaking around the lake instead.

Caving in Khao Sok

Explore Pakarang Cave as your guide educates about the surrounding rock formations.

As part of our jungle trek, we hopped onto a bamboo raft towards Pakarang Cave. The ride itself was very fun – heading over to the cave surrounded by towering limestone pillars was a mystical experience.

The cave was dark and slippery but, equipped with our headlamps, we ventured inside to explore. This particular cave was fairly accessible, and it was filled with huge underground chambers adorned with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. 

We had heard stories of people coming face to face with snakes or knee-high in swampy water throughout their expeditions in Khao Sok. Luckily, this cave is nothing like that. Toy was extremely knowledgeable and told us plenty of fascinating facts. He even gave everyone a demonstration with a leech (and an unsuspecting tour group member.)

Wildlife Watching

As part of our tour, we also got the opportunity to head out on an early morning wildlife boat ride. The weather was misty and rainy, so most of the animals were taking shelter and we only caught glimpses of them.

That said, Khao Sok is usually a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. It’s possible to spot a variety of species, including elephants, gibbons, hornbills, and even the elusive Malayan tapir.

Other Things to do at Khao Sok National Park

See Elephants Ethically

Image credit: Elephant Hills

We’ve already written a complete guide to seeing elephants ethically in Thailand. We know it’s an activity on many people’s bucket lists, so it’s important to ensure that you are not contributing to the cruel practices that take advantage of these beautiful creatures.

On the whole, Khao Sok is one of the better places in Thailand to interact with elephants. The national park is home to many responsible companies who allow visitors to get near elephants, without bathing or riding them. 

Elephant Hills is our pick of the bunch. Here, visitors can participate in ethical elephant encounters, which emphasise conservation and the well-being of these gentle giants. Engaging with elephants in their natural habitat offers a unique and educational experience while promoting ethical wildlife tourism.

Spend Time on the Lakes

We didn’t have the best weather for our bamboo raft ride but it was still an incredible experience and a must do in Khao Sok rain or shine.

There are so many ways to have fun on the lakes of Khao Sok that you could easily spend an entire trip on the water. The most popular activities we spotted are river tubing and canoe tours. Both of these allow you to float along whilst watching cheeky monkeys playing by the river banks.

Or, if you’re up for something unique, opt to go bamboo rafting along the river. Touring the riverways on a bamboo raft is one of the oldest ways of transportation in Thailand. But don’t panic – your raft captain will help you navigate the waters. Though, you’ll also have the opportunity to steer your own handmade vessel if you’re feeling brave enough.

Take a Khao Sok Night Safari

Not a fan of creepy crawlies or snakes? Maybe give this one a miss.

If you fancy exploring Khao Sok by night, we urge you to book a night safari. You’ll journey on foot through the jungle, spotting some of the park’s most elusive creatures – including the jungle cat.

Equipped with a head torch and plenty of adrenaline, your guide will lead you through the national park as a night-time symphony sounds.

Camp in the Jungle Overnight

If you still haven’t had your fill or creepy crawlies, dare to head out on an overnight camping trip in the middle of the Khao Sok jungle. 

You’ll head off on a hike with your guide, before chowing down on an alfresco barbecue in the middle of the rainforest. Then, when night falls, try to sleep peacefully in your hammock. We’ll stick to the jungle lodges, we think.

The Best Khao Sok National Park Tours

Khao Sok is a huge national park with lots to explore and do.

Not sure which tour to book for Khao Sok? These are some of the ones we highly recommend…

This 2-Day Cheow Lan Lake Tour is an all-encompassing adventure from either Phuket or Khao Lak. If you’re staying and returning to the same place, rather than exploring multiple areas of Thailand, it’s ideal.

If you’re short on time but don’t want to miss out on seeing Khao Sok National Park, this 1-Day Tour From Krabi is perfect. Sure, you might not get to stay in one of the iconic floating bungalows, but you can kayak, swim to secret caves, and enjoy one of Thailand’s most beautiful national parks.

Finally, we’re extremely annoyed that we didn’t spot this incredible Treehouse Stay in Khao Sok before our last trip. This tour includes a round trip from Khao Lak and allows you to spot elephants and secret caves. Just another reason for us to return to Thailand, we suppose!

Khao Sok National Park: What to Know Before You Go

Things to Bring

Wondering what to bring to Khao Sok? You can’t visit without packing a swimsuit, flip flops, and sunscreen. Mosquito spray and long sleeve clothing are also ideal to protect yourself from those pesky bugs.

No matter what time of year you visit, we recommend you bring a rain jacket and waterproof walking boots. It rains a lot in Khao Sok and we got drenched multiple times throughout our stay.

If you’re planning on bringing a camera, or anything else electrical, make sure you have a dry bag to keep your things protected. You can also rent a bag for THB 300.

National Park Fees and Extras

The vast majority of costs are included in your tour costs, though you will also need to pay the Khao Sok National Park entrance fee of THB 200. There’s also a small lake fee of THB 20 and, if you want to visit the Coral Cave or Wildlife Sanctuary area, you’ll be charged an extra THB 200. If you want to drink beer or fizzy drinks, you’ll also have to pay for those.

Remember to tip your tour guide, as this is not included. As a general rule, we usually give around 10% of the tour cost. Bring plenty of cash, as cards aren’t accepted.