Khao Sok National Park is a 459-square-mile (739 sq. km) nature reserve nestled between the Andaman and Gulf coasts in southern Thailand. It's a vast swathe of ancient rainforest, estimated to be around 160 million years old. The dense jungle is threaded with rivers and tumbling waterfalls, while towering karst outcrops pierce the tree canopy.
In the north of the park is Cheow Lan Lake, a 102.5 square mile (165 sq. km) reservoir created by the building of the Ratchaprapha Dam in 1982. Karst islands jut upwards from its turquoise waters, some reaching up to 960m (3,149ft) in height.
It's a vast swathe of ancient rainforest, estimated to be around 160 million years old
Numerous large mammals call Khao Sok’s vast terrain their home, including bears, wild cattle called guars, long-nosed tapirs, marbled cats and wild elephants. You’ll find more than 300 bird species here, from the tiny crimson sunbird to the buffy fish owl with its trademark tufts. Between January and March the forest blooms with one of the world’s largest (and smelliest) flowers; the rare rafflesia, which can reach up to 80cm in diameter.
There are plenty of ways to explore this natural wonderland. You can hike on trails through the jungle. You can cross Cheow Lan on a longtail boat or kayak down the Sok River, which meanders along the southern boundary of the park. This guide will help you plan an adventure in one of the world’s oldest rainforests.
Where is Khao Sok National Park?
Khao Sok National Park is situated in Surat Thani Province in southern Thailand. It's conveniently located between the popular tourist destinations of Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui, making it easily accessible when travelling in the south.
When is the Best Time to Visit Khao Sok National Park?
The ideal time to explore Khao Sok is during the dry season, from November to April, when trails are more navigable, and outdoor activities are in full swing.
The wet season, spanning May to October, brings heavier rainfall. This can lead to trail closures, and it’s also the season for leeches. But there are positives too. The park is quieter, the foliage lush and green. It’s the best time of year for river kayaking, as the water levels drop in the dry season.
The 5 Best Things to Do in Khao Sok National Park
1. Relax at Cheow Lan Lake
Cheow Lan Lake is a 102.5 square mile (165 sq. km) reservoir created by the building of the Ratchaprapha Dam in 1982. Karst islands jut upwards from the turquoise water, some reaching up to 960m (3,149ft) in height. You can visit the lake on a boat tour, but to immerse yourself in the scenery, we recommend an overnight stay at one of the lake’s floating bungalows.
We were rocked to sleep by the gentle movements of the water
Spending the night in Cheow Lan was, for us, the highlight of the trip. You’re completely surrounded by water, and can dive off the deck for a swim. Each room has a private kayak, giving you the opportunity to paddle round the surrounding karst islets and explore.
As the sun got lower in the sky, we took a longtail boat out on a wildlife watching safari and saw monkeys swinging through the trees. Later, we were rocked to sleep by the gentle movements of the water.
2. Spot Wildlife on a Night Safari
Nocturnal safaris are a popular activity in Khao Sok National Park, as this is when many of the park’s wildlife are most active. Armed with headlamps, and a local guide, you’ll walk the trails looking for nocturnal animals.
Most night safaris begin at the national park entrance, although several lodges also offer them along their private trails, which is likely to be a quieter experience. The night safari we attended in the national park was carnivalesque. As we hiked, we saw the lights from other groups' head lamps dancing across the tree canopy, and heard screams in the distance as someone encountered a spider or mistook a tree root for a snake.
Despite this, we were able to spot animals. This included fruit bats hanging from trees, several frog species, a wide-eyed slow loris and even a civet, a type of cat with short legs and an elongated body. Visit during the quieter wet season and you’d likely see more (although downpours are more likely).
3. Explore Khao Sok’s Caves
The limestone landscape of the park is pockmarked with caves, which twist downwards into the rocks. Coral Cave gets its name from the shape of its stalagmites and stalactites, which branch outwards to look like coral. It can only be accessed by boat from Cheow Lan, followed by a short hike through the jungle.
A popular cave to visit includes Tham Nam Thalu, with striking limestone formations and underground streams, accessible on foot from the southwestern shore of Cheow Lan. A little more off the beaten path is Bang Hman Cave, reached by hiking through dense rainforest from the national park entrance.
You’ll need a guide to visit all three of these caves. They're sometimes closed in rainy season, as they're liable to flash flooding during the wetter months.
4. Canoe or Raft the Sok River
The Sok River winds along the southern boundary of the park. Paddle your way along it on a kayak, flanked by towering limestone cliffs and dense foliage, with huts and jungle lodges nestled in the clearings. You can also float downriver on a traditional bamboo raft. It’s a peaceful way to experience the park’s landscapes, and to spot wildlife along the river banks.
If visiting the caves is a dry season activity, canoeing is best either during or just after the wet season, when the river level is high.
5. Jungle Trekking
Hiking in Khao Sok National Park is one of your best chances to get off the beaten track and explore this ancient rainforest. There are several hiking trails within the park, including The Sip-et Chan Waterfall Trail. It’s a 5.2 mile (8.4km) out and back hike alongside the Bang Laen River to the waterfall, which gushes down into a natural pool studded with boulders.
We also liked the hike up a forested slope to Kri Sorn viewpoint, where you can look out over the karst islets of Cheow Lan. Perhaps because this hike is only accessible by boat, it’s remarkably quiet – we were the only people on the trail.
We were the only people on the trail
Arranging a hike with a private guide (offered at most accommodation) is a way to get off the marked trails and into the jungle. Between January and March, you can trek across stony ridges to catch a glimpse of rare rafflesia flowers in bloom. It’s also possible to undertake overnight hikes, as there are several private campsites within the jungle where you can stay the night.
Where to Stay in Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok Village
Most people visiting the area base themselves in Khao Sok Village, which is located just outside the national park, and is the main base for exploring. It’s a small hamlet surrounded by rainforest, next to the Sok River and is very much geared towards travellers, with numerous restaurants and bars.
There’s also a wide variety of hostels and lodges you can stay at. Our preference would be to choose one of the resorts located off the main drag, along the banks of the Sok River.
Cheow Lan
There are a number of different accommodation options, ranging from basic huts on wooden rafts, to more luxurious floating resorts. However comfortable your accommodation, it’ll likely be off-grid, so say goodbye to Wi-Fi. But it’s easy to disconnect in such beautiful surroundings; the turquoise water and sculptural karst formations.
Our advice is to choose a spot as far as possible from Ratchaprapha Pier, the main access point, as you’ll see fewer boats going past, and have a more tranquil experience. We selected Phupa Waree Bungalows based on this criteria.
How to Get Around Khao Sok National Park
The two main places to explore within the park, Cheow Lan and the area surrounding Khao Sok Village, are located 40.3 miles (65.2km) away from each other by road. Most people visit these locations as part of a guided trip, which includes transportation. However, it is also possible to travel independently between them by taxi or a songthaew (shared minibus taxi).
On Cheow Lan, you’ll navigate between different locations - such as the pier and your accommodation - by longtail boat. In Khao Sok Village, bicycles and scooters are available for rent, offering flexibility to explore nearby attractions at your own pace.
How to Get to Khao Sok National Park
By Plane: The closest airports to Khao Sok National Park are located in Surat Thani (two hours’ drive), Krabi (two hours 30 minutes) and Phuket (two hours 30 minutes). You can arrange private transfers to the park from here.
By Train: If you’re travelling from Bangkok, you can catch the overnight sleeper train to Surat Thani. You’ll arrive early in the morning, and can catch a bus, private taxi or songthaew to Khao Sok (the journey takes between 90 minutes to two hours).
By Bus: Thailand has a good network of private and public buses connecting locations in southern Thailand. 12Go is an all-in-one app allowing you to book buses, taxis and ferries.
Inspired? Explore Khao Sok as part of Kayak and Hike Wild Thailand Adventure.