Exploring Khao Sok National Park

📍 Exploring Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is one of the world's oldest evergreen rainforests, predating even the Amazon. Located in Surat Thani Province, this 739 square kilometer wilderness features dramatic limestone karsts, pristine Cheow Lan Lake, and incredible biodiversity. It's a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

Getting to Khao Sok

From Major Destinations

Origin	Transport	Duration	Cost
Bangkok	Flight to Surat Thani + transfer	3 hours	2,500-4,500 THB
Bangkok	Bus	10-12 hours	600-900 THB
Phuket	Private transfer	3 hours	2,500-3,500 THB
Krabi	Private transfer	2.5 hours	2,000-3,000 THB
Koh Samui	Ferry + transfer	4-5 hours	1,200-2,000 THB
Surat Thani airport	Private transfer	1.5 hours	1,500-2,000 THB

Best Route Advice

From Southern Islands: Khao Sok sits perfectly between Phuket/Krabi and Koh Samui, making it an ideal stopover between coasts.

Recommended Itinerary:

Phuket/Krabi (3 nights)
Khao Sok (2-3 nights)
Koh Samui/Koh Phangan (3 nights)

Park Information

Essential Details

Entry Fee: 300 THB (foreigners), 40 THB (Thais)
Hours: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Best Season: December - April (dry season)
Rainy Season: May - November (lush but wet)
Park Size: 739 square kilometers

Two Main Areas

Park Headquarters (Jungle)

Jungle trails and waterfalls
Roadside accommodation
Easy access
Night safaris available

Cheow Lan Lake

Floating bungalows
Kayaking and swimming
Best wildlife viewing
65 km from headquarters

Cheow Lan Lake Experience

The Highlight of Khao Sok

This stunning reservoir was created by the Ratchaprapha Dam in 1982, leaving limestone karsts rising dramatically from emerald waters.

Day Trip vs Overnight:

Option	Pros	Cons	Cost
Day trip	More affordable	Limited time	1,500-2,500 THB
1-night stay	Full experience	Basic facilities	3,000-5,000 THB
2-night stay	Complete immersion	More expensive	5,000-8,000 THB

Floating Bungalow Stay

What to Expect:

Simple bamboo or wooden bungalows
Mattresses with mosquito nets
Shared bathrooms (most places)
Solar electricity (limited hours)
Meals included

Top Experiences:

Sunrise kayaking
Swimming in crystal waters
Night safari by boat
Cave exploration
Star gazing (no light pollution)

Day Trip Itinerary

Time	Activity
7:00 AM	Pickup from hotel
8:30 AM	Arrive at pier, boat departs
10:00 AM	Arrive at floating raft house
10:30 AM	Kayak or swim
12:00 PM	Thai lunch on raft
1:00 PM	Cave exploration
3:00 PM	More swimming/relaxing
4:00 PM	Boat back to pier
6:00 PM	Return to hotel

Jungle Exploration

Hiking Trails

Ton Kloi Waterfall Trail

Distance: 7 km one way
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3-4 hours
Highlight: Multi-tiered waterfall
Best after rainy season

Sip Et Chan Waterfall

Distance: 4 km one way
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Duration: 2-3 hours
Good for beginners

Wing Hin Trail

Distance: 1 km
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 30 minutes
Good for families

Night Safari

One of the best ways to spot wildlife in Khao Sok.

Details:

Duration: 2-3 hours
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: 800-1,200 THB
Group size: 4-8 people

Commonly Spotted:

Slow lorises
Flying squirrels
Civets
Owls
Tarantulas
Tree frogs

Wildlife in Khao Sok

Animals You Might See

Mammals:

Asian elephants (rare sightings)
Gaur (wild cattle)
Sun bears
Gibbons (often heard)
Macaques
Wild boar
Tapirs (very rare)

Birds:

Hornbills (8 species)
Kingfishers
Eagles and hawks
Drongos
Broadbills

Reptiles and Amphibians:

Monitor lizards
Various snakes
Tree frogs
Geckos

Best Wildlife Viewing Tips

Go with experienced guides
Early morning (5-7 AM) best for mammals
Night safaris for nocturnal animals
Lake area has more sightings
Rainy season sees more active wildlife
Be quiet and patient

Flora and Special Plants

Rafflesia - World's Largest Flower

Khao Sok is one of the few places to see the rare Rafflesia kerrii.

Facts:

Diameter: Up to 80 cm
Blooms for only 3-5 days
Peak season: January-March
No leaves, stems, or roots
Parasitic plant
Smells like rotting meat

Guided Rafflesia Tours:

Cost: 500-800 THB
Duration: 2-3 hours
Best January-March
Sightings not guaranteed

Other Notable Plants

Giant bamboo (up to 15 cm diameter)
Strangler figs
Dipterocarp trees (60m+ tall)
Wild orchids
Giant ferns

Activities and Tours

Popular Activities

Activity	Duration	Price	Best For
Lake day trip	Full day	1,500-2,500 THB	Everyone
Overnight lake	2 days	3,000-5,000 THB	Nature lovers
Night safari	3 hours	800-1,200 THB	Wildlife fans
Jungle trek	3-6 hours	600-1,200 THB	Active travelers
Canoe/kayak	2-3 hours	500-800 THB	All levels
Elephant experience	Half day	1,500-2,500 THB	Ethical only
Bamboo rafting	2 hours	500-700 THB	Relaxation

Ethical Elephant Experiences

Choose sanctuaries that offer:

No riding
No chains
Observation and feeding only
Elephants rescued from tourism or logging

Recommended:

Elephant Hills (observation focus)
Local rescue projects

Accommodation Options

Near Park Headquarters

Type	Price Range	Features
Budget guesthouses	300-600 THB	Basic, fan rooms
Riverside bungalows	800-1,500 THB	Nature setting
Jungle resorts	1,500-4,000 THB	Swimming pool, tours
Luxury treehouses	4,000-15,000 THB	Unique experience

Floating Raft Houses (Lake)

Type	Price	Includes
Basic raft	2,000-3,000 THB/person	Meals, boat, tour
Comfort raft	3,500-5,000 THB/person	Better facilities
Luxury raft (Elephant Hills)	8,000-15,000 THB/person	Full service

Best Time to Visit

Seasonal Comparison

Season	Months	Pros	Cons
Dry	Dec-Apr	Clear weather, easy hiking	More visitors
Green	May-Nov	Lush forest, fewer crowds	Daily rain, leeches
Peak	Jan-Mar	Best weather, Rafflesia	Highest prices

Monthly Breakdown

December-February: Perfect weather, cool mornings
March-April: Hot but dry
May-June: Rain begins, green forest
July-October: Wettest, waterfalls at best
November: Transition, good value

Practical Tips

What to Bring

Essential Items:

Leech socks or long socks
Waterproof bag/dry bag
Flashlight/headlamp
Insect repellent (DEET based)
Quick-dry clothing
Sturdy walking shoes/sandals
Rain jacket
Binoculars
Camera with waterproof case

Health Considerations

Leeches common in wet season (harmless but annoying)
Mosquito protection important
Bring basic first aid kit
Stay hydrated
Wear long pants for jungle treks

Useful Thai Phrases

English	Thai	Pronunciation
National park	อุทยานแห่งชาติ	Uthayan haeng chaat
Lake	ทะเลสาบ	Talay saap
Waterfall	น้ำตก	Nam tok
Jungle	ป่า	Paa
Wild animal	สัตว์ป่า	Sat paa
Beautiful	สวยมาก	Suay maak