Thailand

The Khao Sok national park is located in southern Thailand, in the province of Surat Thani. It is one of the most beautiful parks in the country, thanks in part to its large emerald-green lake, Cheow Larn, and its limestone peaks, which sometimes give the impression of being in Vietnam's Halong Bay. Rivers, caves, waterfalls, treehouses… complete the picturesque landscapes of the area.

History

Khao Sok National Park was founded in 1981 to protect the immense virgin forest covering over 739 km2. The humid tropical vegetation within is considered one of the oldest in the world, dating back over 160 million years. Compared to the Amazon rainforest, it is even more diverse. Besides its lush jungle, this protected area is also famous for its lake and karst cliffs rising out of the water. This scenery is reminiscent of Phang Nga in the south of Thailand, Guilin in China, and Vietnam's Halong Bay.

Visiting Khao Sok Today: Jungle Adventure in Thailand

Khao Sok National Park covers an area of 739 km2. Here, nature lovers can discover an incredible diversity of fauna and flora within one of the planet's oldest humid tropical forests.

Its geographical location between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea means it is practically rainy all year.

A true sanctuary for wildlife, the park is home to numerous animal species, with gibbons being the star attraction. There are over 300 species of birds, as well as barking deer, tapirs, gaurs, leopards, and numerous reptiles like pythons and cobras. The incredible forest and its wide variety of plants provide a perfect refuge for all these species.

During treks, you'll encounter gigantic trees reaching up to 65 meters in height. Depending on the season (from November to January), you may even have the chance to see the world's largest flower, the rafflesia, measuring up to 90 cm in diameter.

Treks and Hikes in Khao Sok

There are various ways to explore the park: day trips, two-day treks with jungle camping, and night safaris.

Marked trails lead you deep into the jungle through the karst peaks. You'll cross water points, stop by waterfalls and caves to spice up your hike.

For those interested, canoe trips on the Sok River are possible and offer another perspective on the park's grandeur.

Cheow Larn Lake

Next, take a short excursion to the beautiful Cheow Larn lake, dotted with karst peaks and thousands of pinnacles. The landscape is fantastic and reminiscent of Vietnam's Halong Bay or Guilin in China.

Floating bungalows on the lake allow you to spend the night and enjoy the sunset. In the early morning, the mist gradually reveals the limestone rocks and lush vegetation in a mysterious atmosphere. Once the boat taxis have departed, calmness prevails, leaving you with the feeling of being alone in the world.

Caves of Khao Sok Park

Those passionate about spelunking will find joy exploring the park's numerous caves. However, it's best to venture in during the dry season. During the rainy season (often from May to December), caves can quickly become flooded. Most local guides refuse to take you there during this season anyway.

Among the caves in the park, you can stop by:

Nam Talu Cave
Pra Kay Petch Cave
Pangkarang Cave

Waterfalls of Khao Sok

During a guided walk in the park, you're likely to come across one of these waterfalls:

Ton Kloi
Bang Lab Nam
Tharn Sawan
Wing Hin
Mai Yai
Bang Hua Rat

How to get to Khao Sok?

How to get to Khao Sok from Phuket?

Buses to the national park regularly depart from Phuket. The first buses usually leave around 7 a.m. The journey takes an average of 4 hours. The fare is around 160 baht.

From Surat Thani

Similar to Phuket, buses also depart daily from this transit city to Khao Sok. These public transports only operate until around 2 p.m. The journey is shorter, as it only takes 2 hours.

From Krabi

The distance between Krabi town and Khao Sok National Park is about 160 km, and by car, this distance is covered in about 2.5 hours.

When to go to Khao Sok?

To enjoy optimal weather conditions, the best time to visit Khao Sok National Park is from late December to April during the dry season.

Practical Information

Entry to Khao Sok national park is charged. For adults, the entrance fee is 300 baht, which is around 7.72 euros per person. For children, the price is half. Note that the site is open all year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you plan to stay for a few days, accommodations are available near the park entrance. You can also find accommodations on Cheow Larn lake. The constructions are small stilt houses.

When you receive your entrance ticket, keep it safe, as it can also be used to access the Ratchaprapha dam.