Khao Sok National Park: visit to the park, lake and caves

Updated: 30 October, 2024

Guide to visiting Khao Sok National Park, with everything there is to see, transportation alternatives, prices and many tips.

Khao Sok National Park is the largest in southern Thailand and, at the same time, the most impressive in terms of its landscapes and varied fauna and flora.

Khao Sok is a nature reserve located in the province of Surat Thani that was declared a national park in 1980.

Therefore, it is a protected area to prevent poaching and uncontrolled logging that had caused the erosion and loss of natural spaces.

This is one of the few places in Thailand where you can spend the night in the middle of nature sleeping on a floating cabin on the lake.

Khao Sok is one of the most beautiful places in southern Thailand that tourists often skip because it is more expensive than other visits, but it is worth it.

Also, as I will tell you in the article, there are also cheap options to visit Khao Sok.

What to see in Khao Sok?

In this park it could be divided into two areas, the jungle and the reservoir, in both places you can enjoy nature in its purest form.

The ideal is to spend 1 or 2 nights there to be able to enjoy both areas, otherwise you will have to choose.

Rain forest

The tropical forest is the largest green area in the south of the country and it is ideal for hiking routes during the day or at night and visiting caves. Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Khao Sok, especially if you are passionate about lush vegetation.

This is an area rich in unique animal and plant species such as the fabulous parasitic plant Rafflesia arnoldii which produces the largest flower in the world.

It is also one of the few places in Thailand where langurs, gibbons, tigers, elephants, Malayan tapirs, gaurs or Indian bison, among others, live freely.

In the park there is 9 easy to moderate hiking routes What you can do on your own. Although there are signs in the park that say you need a guide, if you ask at the park office they tell you it's no problem.

The departures of the hiking and trekking routes in Khao Sok are from the town, which is where the buses arrive and where the visitor center office is.

You can see some of the routes in this link All Trails or you can ask for a map at the visitor center office.

There are also rafting adventures or canoeing adventures in the area along limestone mountains that rise above the water.

Cheow Lan Reservoir

On the other hand, there is the reservoir area Cheow Lan, an artificial lake of 185 km², a very picturesque area due to the cliffs, where you can visit several caves.

This zone It is very reminiscent of Phang Nga Bay. and even to Halong Bay in Vietnam.

⭐ In this other article you can read more about visiting the Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island with tips on how to get there and what you can see there.

The most impressive cave in the park is the ancient Coral Cave, with very unusual stalagmite and stalactite formations.

To get to Coral Cave you have to cross the lake on long-tail boats or kayak. Although the kayak option can be a real killer because the distance is quite long.

Then to get to the lake where the cave is you have to walk a little and finally you access on a bamboo raft.

If you are a nature lover you will really enjoy this visit, it is also a good place to go as a family with children, especially if they are a little older.

How to get to Khao Sok and get around the area?

From the north or center of the country

To get to Khao Sok on your own from other areas of Thailand you have several options:

• Chiang Mai: to go to Khao Sok park from Chiang Mai I recommend you go by plane to Krabi or better yet to Surat Thani which is closest to the park, the direct plane takes less than 2 hours, in this search engine you can find cheap flights.
• Bangkok: to go from Bangkok you can do the same, a flight to Surat Thani or Krabi. Although you have the alternative to going with a train to Surat Thani, it is a cheaper alternative that you can pay about 7 euros in third gear with a fan. The downside is that it takes almost 13 hours and can be a real torture, the seats are very hard and the fans don't always work. If you can, at least travel in second gear with air conditioning. However, I recommend you compare prices with the plane, which takes just over 1 hour and there is usually little difference in price.

From the south

– Car

To get to Khao Sok, the easiest thing is to go by private transportation that allows you to visit at your own pace, either on your own or with an excursion that you book there, spend a night and visit all its corners.

In case you are going to rent a car in Thailand, I recommend this seeker, is where you can get the lowest prices. I have rented for less than 20 euros / 22 USD per day, both in Phuket and Krabi. 😉

– Bus

If you prefer to go with public transportation, there are buses from various places.

In the south, the places that are best connected with the park are Surat Thani, Khao Lak and Krabi.

Other places from which you can go by public transport are from Phuket and Phang Nga, although in this case you will need to transfer between buses.

• Surat Thani: minibuses take 2:30 hours, cost 7 euros and departures are at 8:30 and 10 a.m.
• Krabi: The buses take almost 4 hours, cost 11 euros and leave at 8 and 10 am.
• Khao Lak: The minibuses take 1:30 hours, cost 16 euros because it includes hotel pick-up, with departures at 10:30 am.
• Phuket: First you will need to go from Terminal 2 in Phuket to Takua Pa, the bus takes 2 hours and costs 3 euros. Then in Takua Pa the bus takes almost 1 hour to the park, costs 4 euros, they leave every hour.
• Phang Nga: From here you will also need to connect at Takua Pa, the bus takes 1:30 hours and costs 2 euros. Once in Takua Pa it is the same bus that I explained from Phuket.

To see the schedules and book tickets for these buses I recommend this website.

– Shared minibus from Krabi

Additionally, there is a practical and economical option, go with the minibus from Krabi to Khao Sok, is a shared shuttle service to the park.

This is one cheap way to visit Khao Sok National Park which has 4 stops in Krabi Province, including Krabi Town and Ao Nang. The only drawback is that it takes about 4 hours to arrive.

How to move around the park?

Once in the park, in most cases you will not need transportation because the hotels, if they are a little far away, usually have some free pick up service in the bus stop.

Also almost all excursions in the jungle, canoes or the lake include internal transportation.

If not, you can rent a motorcycle there, prices range between 250 and 300 baht per day, or if not you can hire a taxi.

Then, to take the ride boat on Cheow Lan Lake I recommend this one from the link.

Excursions from Krabi

In case you don't want to complicate things, an excursion is one of the best options because you visit the important points and save a lot of time.

I recommend this one Cheow Lan Reservoir Tour which includes a boat trip, a walk through the jungle and a kayak ride, a very complete day with lunch and entrance to the park included.

There are also more complete options, like this one 2-day excursion with accommodation in the floating cabins on the lake, with walks. Includes meals and pickup in Khao Lak or Phuket, see availability and book below:

Entry Fee:

The National Park price is 300 bahts (8.36 euros) per adult and 150 bahts (4.18 euros) for children, some excursions usually include it in their price.

You also have to pay to enter the Coral cave 200 bahts (5.57 euros) per adult and 100 bahts (2.79 euros) for children.

When to go?

This national park is in one of the rainiest areas of the country of smiles, something that is appreciated because it is the way to maintain that wonderful greenery.

Wet season

The worst months are from May to October, when the monsoon unleashes its rains with gusto.

If you were planning to go to Khao Sok in August, I warn you that it is not the best time, especially for hiking or trekking, which you will find a lot of mud.

But be careful, even if it is the rainy season, you can also enjoy it a lot. Also, it usually rains for a while and then it clears and you have sun the rest of the day.

Other disadvantages of the rainy season are leeches, which are a little disgusting (at least they seem that way to me) although they are not dangerous because they do not transmit diseases.

To avoid them you will need to cover your legs in the rainy season and not bathe in the river areas.

Dry season

The dry months go from November to April, being February the driest month and without a doubt this is the best time to visit Khao Sok.

As Thailand has a tropical climate, even in the dry season it can rain, so it is best to be prepared.

The weather in Khao Sok has pleasant temperatures all year round, ranging between 24 and 31 °C, with cool nights, something that is appreciated for sleeping comfortably.

To give you an idea, below you have a table with the average maximum and minimum temperatures in Khao Sok:

What to pack for the visit?

Some of the things you will need if you are going to do both excursions, both through the jungle and through the lake:

• Swimsuit
• Sunscreen
• Repellent (essential), I usually use the Relec Extra Forte and not even a mosquito comes close ✌
• Waterproof Hiking Shoes
• Front light
• Oilskin
• dry backpack like the one in the link, to go hiking and keep your things dry
• Submersible case for your phone, it will help you keep it dry if you take photos with it
• Long pants to avoid leeches, this is essential in the rainy season

⭐ You may also be interested in this other article about What to bring to Southeast Asia? – 47 Essentials in your Backpack

Where to stay in Khao Sok? and eat the best pad thai 😋

To sleep in Khao Sok you can do so in either of the two areas, the town area and the Khao Sok floating cabins on the lake.

Accommodation in the town (jungle area) and food

The town is a quiet area with little nightlife but with many restaurant and accommodation options.

The hotels in Khao Sok National Park have very good prices, you can find entire bungalows very cheap, they are basic but with a lot of charm.

I stayed in the Monkey Mansion Bungalows

Keep in mind that the accommodations are in the middle of the jungle and it is normal for all kinds of animals to sneak in, such as insects, lizards or frogs.

– Where to eat the best pad thai?

By the way, to eat in the area I recommend the Pawn's Resturant (Google map), their food is delicious and at a good price.

Their most notable dish is the pad thai, they have chicken, pork or tofu and cost 100 bahts (2.79 euros) which is a good portion.

If you don't have the option with shrimp for 120 bahts (3.34 euros), it is the one I ordered and I can tell you that it is one of the best pad thai I have ever eaten.

Cheow Lan Lake Accommodation

The floating cabins in Khao Sok on the lake They are not cheap at all and are a bit basic, but the environment is so beautiful that it is an unforgettable experience.

If you can afford it, stay at least 1 night, you won't regret it.

It is a real pleasure to have a drink in your little cabin at night and the peace that is breathed is incomparable. I won't even tell you how beautiful it is first thing in the morning when you get up for breakfast.

There are several options on the lake, I recommend you look carefully because the place is a bit expensive in itself and some accommodations rent cabins that are falling apart.

The ones I can recommend are:

• Luxury: 500 Rai Floating Resort
• Half: Panvaree The Greenery
• Cheap: Panvaree Resort

Additional tips (floating cabins)

1. SIM card and data

In the park and especially in the lake area You will only have a signal if you buy a SIM card from the AIS company, the rest don't work.

AIS is the company I recommend to people who travel to Thailand, because they are the ones who have best coverage throughout the country, even on the islands and has an unlimited data plan for only 200 bahts (5.57 euros) per month.

👍 Friend's tip: AIS is not infallible, if you have a work meeting or something important that requires connection no matter what, I recommend not leaving it to do it in the park and even less so at the lake.

2. Electricity

Floating cabins, being in the middle of the lake, are usually ecological and They don't have electricity for a good part of the day. and reserve energy for the night.

Therefore, it is better that you carry all the electronic devices that you are going to need charged or take the opportunity to do a "detox" of them.

A good alternative is to take with you a solar external battery like this one that is very practical.

Place NOT to go

Yes you can avoid taking tours with elephants because within the Khao Sok national park there is no place that treats them well.

Even most of these elephant safaris offer bathing with them, something completely unhygienic because elephants urinate and defecate when bathing.

Furthermore, elephants do not enjoy bathing with humans because they cannot relax at ease and it is dangerous because they can crush you, there have already been some fatalities.

🐘 You can read more about my experience in a Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand where I tell you how to recognize an ethical sanctuary and those you can visit in Thailand that treat it well.

Map of visiting Khao Sok

Final Thoughts

These are the best things to do and see in Khao Sok National Park, one of the most fascinating places to visit in Thailand.

Plus, as you've seen in this guide, you have many options to get there. My recommendation is that you don't miss visiting it, you will love it.

In case I have left any topic untouched, leave me a comment below and I will help you in any way I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip!

More about Thailand and Southeast Asia

• What to do in Phuket: 22 best plans
• 7 Unmissable Excursions from Krabi
• The best Retreats in Thailand: yoga and meditation
• What to see in Koh Samui: 14 best plans
• What to do in Phi Phi: the Ultimate Guide
• 11 Tips for Traveling Alone to Thailand