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Explore Khao Sok National Park with guided day trips and overnight safaris to Cheow Lan Lake and the surrounding rainforest. Activities range from longtail boat rides and bamboo rafting to jungle treks and wildlife spotting.
Free Cancellation Ride bamboo rafts through Cheow Lan's limestone peaks, hike to a hidden cave, and eat at a floating restaurant.
Free Cancellation Boat through Cheow Lan Lake’s limestone cliffs, swim at Nam Rad forest, and kayak after a local lunch.
Free Cancellation Boat through limestone peaks on Cheow Larn Lake, swim in Nam Rad's clear springs, and visit the Diamond Cave.
Free Cancellation Spot wildlife from a floating bamboo hut on Cheow Lan Lake among limestone cliffs and submerged trees.
Free Cancellation Bathe rescue elephants and ride bamboo rafts through Khao Sok National Park, stopping for a riverside Thai lunch.
Free Cancellation Trek 6 km through Khao Sok’s rainforest, swim in a stream, and ride bamboo rafts past limestone cliffs.
Trek Khao Sok for three hours, float the river, and sleep in a jungle bungalow and a lake rafthouse over three days.
Free Cancellation This day trip from Krabi reaches the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Cheow Lan Lake by longtail boat.
Free Cancellation Raft down the Sok River on bamboo poles, brew coffee over a riverside fire, and visit a temple full of wild macaques.
Trek through Thailand's oldest evergreen rainforest and stay in a jungle bungalow on this two-day Khao Sok safari.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Khao Sok — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Tours to Khao Sok combine longtail boat rides across a 165-square-kilometer reservoir with deep jungle trekking. You sleep in floating raft houses or basic jungle bungalows, waking up to limestone cliffs rising straight out of the water. Pick a multi-day itinerary to reach the deeper cave systems and wildlife trails.
Longtail boats navigate past vertical karst towers that reach 300 meters high. The engine noise is loud, so sit near the front if you want to talk to your guide.
You wade and swim through an underground river inside this cave system. Flash floods make it dangerous during heavy rain, and guides cancel this stop if water levels rise.
Local crews steer bamboo rafts down the Sok River past dense rainforest banks. They boil water over an open fire to serve coffee in hand-cut bamboo cups.
Overnight tours put you in a basic floating bungalow directly on the lake. You step out of your door and right into the deep green water.
Macaques gather near the temples and riverbanks. You might spot hornbills or wild elephants, though dense foliage makes sightings difficult without an experienced tracker.
A shallow, 24-degree spring with a sandy bottom and small fish. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes to save time changing before jumping in.
Most Khao Sok tours depart from coastal hubs like Krabi and Khao Lak rather than the park itself. You need to decide between a quick river trip and a multi-day lake expedition.
Day trips run 8 to 10 hours and focus on either the Sok River or the edges of Cheow Lan Lake. Two-day safaris include overnight stays and push deeper into the park for cave exploration.
Foreign adults pay 300 Baht at the park headquarters and another 300 Baht at the Cheow Lan Lake pier. Many tours exclude these fees, requiring you to pay in cash on arrival.
Overnight tours use simple jungle bungalows or floating raft houses. Expect basic facilities with fan cooling and mosquito nets rather than air conditioning.
September and October bring heavy rain that floods caves and washes out trails. Book between December and April for dry paths and a chance to see the giant Rafflesia flower.
Jungle trails get slick and muddy. You need closed-toe shoes with deep tread for hiking, and you have to climb in and out of wobbly longtail boats on the lake.
Operators run shared vans from hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, and Khao Lak. Be in your lobby 15 minutes early, as drivers leave without you after a 10-minute wait.
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| Cheow Lan Lake Day Trip | Sok River Half-Day | 2-Day Jungle Safari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8-10 hours | 4-7 hours | 48 hours |
| Main Activities | Longtail boat ride, Emerald Pool swim, lunch | Bamboo rafting, monkey temple visit, jungle walk | Jungle trekking, cave exploration, lake boat tour |
| Accommodation | None | None | Floating raft house or jungle bungalow |
| Starting Price | $105 - $125 | $58 - $95 | $240 - $405 |
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The park visitor centre and headquarters area are open daily from 08:00 to 16:30, year-round.
Long-tail boats on Cheow Lan Lake only operate between sunrise and sunset. Evening entry to the headquarters area is restricted to guided night safaris. Night safaris are not permitted at Cheow Lan Lake at all.
Public buses and minivans run from Surat Thani town and the Phun Pin train station toward Takua Pa and Phuket. They depart roughly every hour until 14:00, take 1 to 2 hours, and cost 80 to 120 Baht. You get dropped off at Khlong Sok village on Highway 401, about 2 kilometers from the park headquarters.
From Phuket, long-distance buses take 5 to 6 hours and cost 140 to 180 Baht. Shared minivans from Krabi or Ao Nang cost 450 Baht per person and take about 3.5 hours.
Surat Thani Airport is the nearest airport. A taxi to the lake pier costs around 1,600 Baht and takes one hour.
December to April is the dry season. Trails are firm, humidity is lower, and the giant Rafflesia kerrii flower blooms between December and March. This is also the busiest period, making floating bungalows hard to book.
September and October are the wettest months, with September averaging 375mm of rainfall. Heavy downpours cause flash floods that close caves and longer hiking trails.
May to early July and September to early November offer a solid compromise. You get manageable rain, fewer crowds, and better boat availability on the lake.
Khao Sok is largely inaccessible for wheelchair users. Trails are unpaved, covered in roots, and muddy. Cheow Lan Lake requires climbing into long-tail boats with no ramps.
Elderly visitors can manage the short, flat boardwalk sections near the visitor centre and gentle boat trips on the lake. Longer hikes to waterfalls involve uneven terrain and high humidity.
Families with young children usually stick to canoeing on the Sok River. Cave exploration and multi-hour treks are better suited for teenagers who can handle mud and river crossings.
Bring Thai Baht in cash. The park gates and the Cheow Lan Lake pier do not accept credit cards for entrance fees. There are no ATMs on the lake.
Overnight accommodations range from basic jungle bungalows with fan cooling to floating raft houses. Most raft houses provide a mattress, mosquito net, and shared bathrooms.
Cell service is non-existent on most parts of Cheow Lan Lake. You will lose your signal shortly after leaving the pier.
Foreign visitors pay 300 Baht for adults and 150 Baht for children. You pay this fee twice if you visit both the park headquarters and Cheow Lan Lake. Cash is the only accepted payment method.
Yes. Many tour operators run shared vans from hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, and Khao Lak. The drive takes 1.5 to 3.5 hours depending on your starting point.
Leeches are common on forest trails, especially during the rainy season. They are harmless but cause minor bleeding. Wear long socks tucked into your trousers or buy specialized leech socks.
No. Drones are banned throughout the national park without written permission from the wildlife department. Staff rarely issue these permits, and flying illegally carries a fine of up to 100,000 Baht.
Wear quick-dry clothing and closed-toe shoes with deep tread for hiking. Bring modest swimwear for the rivers and a rain jacket, as sudden downpours happen year-round.
A day trip gives you time for a short jungle walk or a boat ride on the edge of the lake. You need two or three days to hike deeper trails and sleep in a floating raft house.
Tours continue in the rain. However, guides will cancel specific activities like the Nam Talu Cave trek if heavy rain creates a flash flood risk.
Wild elephants live in the park, but sightings are rare due to the dense foliage. Some tours include visits to ethical rescue camps outside the park boundaries to guarantee an encounter.
Most standard tour packages use basic floating bungalows equipped with only a fan and a mosquito net. Luxury tented camps offer air conditioning, but they cost significantly more.
The giant Rafflesia kerrii typically blooms between December and March. The flowers only last a few days, and reaching them requires a steep hike with a local guide.
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Van pickups for the drive to Cheow Lan Lake include a stop at the Ban Ta Khun market for supplies. Cross the water by longtail boat to see the Khao Sam Kloe rock formations—three limestone towers rising from the surface. Don't try to drive yourself. The roads near the Rajjaprabha Dam are narrow and cell service drops out long before the pier. Use the provided transfer. A bamboo raft takes you to the trailhead for a 45-minute jungle hike. A guide leads the way to a limestone cave, though the path gets slick and muddy after rain. Wear sneakers with grip. Lunch is served on a floating raft house and typically includes fried lake fish and yellow curry. If you want some quiet, take a kayak out for 20 minutes before the boat departs. The water is deep enough to jump right off the deck. Heavy rain can trigger sudden cave closures; check the local forecast before heading out.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
You'll leave Khao Lak for a 90-minute drive to the Nam Rad Watershed Forest. The first stop is the Emerald Pool, a shallow spring where the water stays at a constant 24°C. It’s clear enough to see the sandy bottom and small fish swimming around your ankles. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes to save time in the basic changing huts. Longtail boats depart from the Ratchaprapha Dam to cross the 165-square-kilometer Cheow Lan Lake. You'll pass the Khao Sam Kloe limestone crags before stopping to walk through a dry cave. Lunch is served at a floating raft house. Most of these spots have simple toilets and floor seating. It’s basic, but the fish is usually caught that morning. This is a shared tour capped at nine passengers. After lunch, you've got about an hour to grab a plastic kayak and paddle near the raft house or just jump off the deck into the lake. The water is deep here, so keep a life jacket on if you’re not a strong swimmer. You’ll be back in Khao Lak by 6:00 PM. Pack a waterproof bag for your phone; the spray from the boat's engine gets everything wet.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Swimming in the spring-fed Emerald Pool at Nam Rad Watershed Forest is the first stop before heading to the lake. The water is clear enough to see the sandy bottom and small fish. From there, you'll board a longtail boat at the pier. These wooden boats are loud—sit near the front if you want to hear the guide's commentary on the local wildlife. Three jagged limestone towers called Khao Sam Kloe are the most recognizable landmarks on the water. You'll stop there for photos before heading into Prakai Petch Cave, also known as Diamond Cave. Inside, the walls are covered in glittering stalactites and stalagmites. Bring a waterproof bag, as the boat floors often get wet from the wake. Lunch is served at a floating raft house. You'll eat authentic southern Thai food, like fried fish and spicy curry, while sitting on the water. Jump off the deck for a swim after you eat. The return boat ride takes about an hour, so keep a dry shirt handy for the air-conditioned van ride back to your hotel.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Cheow Lan Lake has the highest concentration of wildlife in Khao Sok National Park. You'll spend two days on the water passing vertical limestone cliffs that rise hundreds of meters from the surface. Gray trunks of dead trees stand in the water throughout the reservoir. Bring a dry bag for your gear. Your accommodation is a basic bamboo hut floating deep inside the park. These are simple rooms with mattresses on the floor and shared bathrooms. There's no electricity or cell signal once the sun goes down. The stars provide the only light. It's quiet. If you can't handle a thin mattress or a walk to the toilet at night, this isn't the trip for you. Pack a headlamp.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
German, English, French
Feeding and bathing elephants at a rescue camp is the first stop after a morning visit to the Takuapa market. Only guests picked up from Khao Lak visit the market; everyone else goes straight to the animals. You'll spend about an hour with the herd before visiting a nearby temple where macaques gather. Keep your bags zipped, as these monkeys are known to grab loose items. Bamboo rafting down the Khao Sok River follows a Thai lunch at a riverside restaurant. Local guides pole the rafts downstream, stopping on the bank to brew coffee in bamboo tubes over an open fire. Look into the overhanging trees to spot sleeping snakes or monitor lizards. The rafting takes about an hour. It's a slow trip, so bring a hat for the sun.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This day trip from Khao Lak centers on a 6-km round-trip hike through Khao Sok National Park. You’ll follow a trail alongside a stream that stays cold even in midday heat. Stop for a swim at the halfway point. The path gets slick after a downpour. Skip the flip-flops and wear shoes with grip. It’s a sweaty walk. You'll also spend time on the Sok River sitting on a bamboo raft. These rafts sit low in the water, giving a clear view of the limestone cliffs rising from the banks while local guides do the poling. Look for snakes or monkeys in the overhanging branches. On the way back, the van stops at the Khao Sok Viewpoint. That’s the spot for a wide-angle look at the forest you just trekked.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Day one starts with a three-hour trek into the center of Khao Sok National Park. You'll spend the first night in a jungle bungalow. Trails are often muddy—wear shoes with deep tread. The second day starts with a float down the Khao Sok River before a longtail boat takes you across Cheow Lan Lake. You'll stay overnight in a floating rafthouse on the water. The schedule includes a stop at Pra Kay Petch Cave. It's dark and cramped inside; bring a headlamp if you have one. The boat ride to the far side of the lake takes about an hour. That's where the best views are.
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Thai, English
The tour leaves Krabi early to reach Cheow Lan Lake, located inside Khao Sok National Park. You'll spend the day on a longtail boat moving between limestone karsts that rise 300 meters from the water. These cliffs earned the area the nickname "Guilin of Thailand." The water is deep green and stays calm because the surrounding mountains block the wind. It's a long day. Expect about four hours of total driving time between Krabi and the pier. Lunch is served at a floating raft house made of bamboo and wood. You can swim directly off the deck or take a kayak out to explore the smaller inlets where monkeys often gather in the canopy. Bring a dry bag for your phone. The humidity near the cliffs is high, and splashes from the longtail boat's engine are common.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Thai, English
You'll travel from Khao Lak to the Sok River for a half-day of rafting on bamboo poles. Local crews steer these rafts past limestone cliffs and rainforest banks. Halfway down, the guides pull over to boil water over an open fire for coffee served in hand-cut bamboo cups. It’s better than the instant stuff at the hotel. Bottled water is included, too. The van stops at the Khao Sok View Point for a look at the mountain range before heading to Panturat Temple. Wild macaques roam the temple grounds—keep your bags zipped shut or they'll grab your snacks. Since it's a small-group trip, you won't be crammed into a massive coach. Air-conditioned vans handle the hotel transfers. It's a quick way to see the park without committing to an overnight stay.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This two-day safari goes into Khao Sok National Park, Thailand's oldest evergreen rainforest. You'll trek through the forest and canoe down the river with an English-speaking guide. It's humid, muddy work. Wear boots you don't mind ruining. The overnight stay is in a jungle bungalow. Pack a dry bag for the boat and bring long socks to ward off leeches if it's rained recently. This is the one to book if you want to see the forest at dusk and dawn.
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Thai, English