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How To Visit Khao Sok National Park In Thailand

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The most effective locations to see nature and animals in Thailand is on the Khao Sok Nationwide Park, which isn’t too removed from Phuket and Krabi.

We spent 3 days at Khao Sok and had a blast. The turquoise lake is very nice, and it’s straightforward to see animals within the park. We even noticed wild elephants!

One of the best ways to expertise Khao Sok is to spend a number of days on the park, exploring the lake by boat, trekking to see animals and caves within the jungle, and staying at the least one evening in a floating bungalow on the lake.

On this journey information, I’ll clarify the way to go to Khao Sok with or and not using a tour, and the entire high issues to see and do there!

Dusky Leaf Monkey Spectacled Langur With Baby In Khao Sok National Park Thailand

Dusky leaf monkey & yellow child

 

How Many Days To Spend At Khao Sok

The very first thing to determine is how a lot time you need to spend on the park.

Listed here are your choices:

  • Day Journey – You are able to do a day journey to Khao Sok from a touristy space like Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, or Surat Thani. That is the quickest and best choice, however you gained’t have as a lot time to see the park. It’s too quick, in my view.
  • Bundle Tour (2-4 days) – That is one other straightforward choice as a result of it contains every little thing: transport, information, meals, and lodging. This can be a great choice for some individuals, as a result of it’s handy and it provides you sufficient time to see the principle highlights of the park.
  • Keep In Khlong Sok Village – This feature provides you probably the most flexibility and it’s additionally extra price environment friendly. By basing your self immediately on the Khlong Sok village close to the park, you’ll be able to keep so long as you want, and do excursions for the issues that curiosity you most. It’s one of the best ways to go to the park in the event you’re not restricted on time.

Based mostly on our expertise, you want at the least two days within the Khao Sok space to essentially benefit from it, and three or 4 days is best.

Cheow Lan Lake Drone Khao Sok National Park Thailand

Drone pic of Cheow Lan Lake

Cheow Lan Lake Boat Ride In Khao Sok National Park Thailand

Longtail boat trip

 

Finest Khao Sok Excursions

GetYourGuide has 2 day tours to Khao Sok from Phuket or Khao Lak that embody resort pickup and drop-off, meals, lodging, and excursions within the park.

Or, in the event you’re actually restricted on time, additionally they have 1 day tours to Khao Sok from Phuket, Krabi, or Khao Lak.

Alternatively, in the event you’re staying in Khlong Sok village immediately by the park, they’ve day tours to the lake, jungle trekking, elephant tours, and extra.

We’ve used GetYourGuide for many excursions and actions around the globe, they usually’re nice. Extremely advisable!

 

How To Get To Khao Sok Nationwide Park

• From Phuket

It’s straightforward to get to Khao Sok independently in the event you don’t need to use a tour bundle.

From Phuket, you will get to Khlong Sok village by public bus, shared minivan, or personal taxi.

The bus has 5 departures per day, and it’s a 4 hour trip. The minivan has as much as 8 departures per day, and the trip takes anyplace from 2.5 to 4.5 hours, relying on the place you begin in Phuket. A taxi trip will take 2.5 to three.5 hours.

You possibly can verify the schedules and e-book tickets for any of those on-line here.

12Go minivan transfer how to get to Khao Sok

Minivan

Van seats inside

Van seats

We obtained a non-public taxi and had a great expertise. They introduced us from the Phuket airport to Khao Lak, the place we stayed for just a few days, after which from Khao Lak to Khao Sok Nationwide Park. Every thing went easily.

After we have been completed at Khao Sok, we took a shared minivan again to Phuket, which was organized by our resort in Khlong Sok.
 

• From Krabi

From Krabi, you will get to Khlong Sok by minivan or taxi. There’s no large bus.

They’ve plenty of minivan departures daily from both Ao Nang or Krabi city, and the trip takes about 3 to 4 hours. You possibly can e-book here.
 

• From Khao Lak

From Khao Lak, you will get to Khlong Sok by bus, minivan, or taxi.

The bus trip takes about 2 hours, whereas the minivan or taxi trip is a little bit over 1 hour. You possibly can e-book here.

Bus seats inside

Bus seats

 

• From Surat Thani

From Surat Thani, you will get to Khlong Sok by bus, minivan, or taxi. That is the closest airport and place to begin for visiting the park.

The bus trip takes about 2 to three hours, whereas the minivan is 2 to 2.5 hours. A taxi takes 1.5 to 2 hours. You possibly can e-book any of those here.
 

• From Bangkok

From Bangkok, the quickest choice could be to fly or take a prepare to Surat Thani, after which get floor transport to Khlong Sok from there.
 

Getting Round In The Khao Sok Space

When you attain Khlong Sok village, there are a number of methods to get round. You possibly can organize excursions of the park by your resort or one of many native companies, or you are able to do some issues independently like we did.

Lots of the lodges in Khlong Sok are situated inside strolling distance of the nationwide park entrance (map here), so it’s straightforward to do the jungle trekking. For transport outdoors the village, we rented a motorcycle by our resort.

The lake entry is a 1 hour drive from the village and the principle park headquarters, and it might solely be explored by longtail boat, so your choices are extra restricted there. You possibly can see it and not using a tour, however you’ll nonetheless want a ship man.

Drone Cheow Lan Lake Khao Sok National Park Thailand

Fingers of the lake

Dusky Leaf Monkey Spectacled Langur Khao Sok National Park Thailand

One other leaf monkey

In the event you’re on a good finances and need to go to the lake as cheaply as attainable, you are able to do a day journey with out reserving a tour bundle.

Get up early within the morning and drive to the principle harbor, the Ratchaprapha Marina, and you’ll rent a non-public or shared longtail boat on the spot.

We did that one time and there have been large crowds by late morning. Ready in line for a ship was chaotic and it wasted hours we may’ve spent within the park, so I’d solely advocate this if you will get there earlier than 9 AM.

The boat costs begin at round 1,700 baht (~$50 USD) for a 2 hour personal tour, which might be fairly cheap in the event you share it with mates. Two hours is de facto not lengthy sufficient, although, so that you’ll most likely need to negotiate and pay further so you’ll be able to have extra time on the lake.

This is among the most economical methods to go to the lake, as a result of Khao Sok is a bit overpriced in comparison with different locations in Thailand. That’s simply the best way it’s.

Longtail Boat on Cheow Lan Lake Khao Sok National Park Thailand

Boat on Cheow Lan Lake

Drone pic of Khao Sok National Park Thailand

Large cliffs

 

Finest Issues To See & Do In Khao Sok Nationwide Park

• Cheow Lan Lake

One of many important points of interest of the park is the Cheow Lan Lake. It’s a pleasant turquoise lake surrounded by limestone mountains, with caves and islands to discover.

Boat excursions on the lake will usually take you to an iconic spot known as Khao Sam Kler, the place 3 pointy rock formations stick out of the water, seeming to drift.

Normally they’ll additionally take you to at the least one cave, which you’ll stroll by with flashlights. The cave we visited had spectacular stalactites and nice views of the lake, virtually like an image body.

Longtail Boat Cheow Lan Lake Khao Sok National Park Thailand

Right here’s the place we went ashore to see a cave

Pra Kie Phet Limestone Cave

Pra Kie Phet cave

Within the night, we obtained again on the boat and did a little bit aspect tour to search for wild elephants.

We have been fortunate to see a mom and child elephant feeding by the sting of the lake, shut sufficient to take photos from our boat!

We additionally noticed two hornbill birds within the treetops, close to our floating bungalow.

Mother and baby wild elephants in the jungle

Wild elephants!

 

• Lake Bungalows

One of many nice issues in regards to the lake is that there are floating bungalows the place you’ll be able to keep in a single day and get up to see the mist and dawn on the lake.

There are many these floating bungalows scattered round totally different areas of the lake, they usually vary in value and high quality. A number of the excessive finish locations are stunning, like Panvaree Resort.

Even probably the most fundamental lake lodges are fairly snug, with mattresses, showers, flush bathrooms, followers, and electrical retailers powered by photo voltaic. We stayed at Keeree Tara Rafthouse, which was a bit run down, however it had all of those requirements, so we didn’t thoughts.

Most significantly, the entire lake bungalows have wonderful views of the nationwide park. It’s best to spend at the least one evening on the lake. It’s an excellent expertise!

Floating overwater bungalows at the Panvaree Resort

Floating bungalows on the Cheow Lan Lake (© Panvaree Resort)

 

• Wildlife Trekking

Once we arrived at Khlong Sok, the very very first thing we did was trekking to see animals within the jungle. You are able to do this in a half day, so it’s the proper strategy to spend a day on the park.

The trekking shouldn’t be very laborious, and households can do it. There’s a large dust path, virtually like a street, with jungle on each side.

Often you would possibly dip into the jungle to get a better have a look at some animals, waterfalls, or different issues.

Dusky Leaf Monkey Spectacled Langur In Khao Sok National Park Thailand

Dusky leaf monkeys

You are able to do quick climbing within the park and not using a information, however for longer treks previous 3 kilometers, they require you to rent a information. You’d must be sneaky to get round this rule.

It’s form of annoying to be pressured to rent a information, however I’ll admit they are often useful for navigation, taking photos, and recognizing animals that you simply may not in any other case discover.

We noticed monkeys and macaques, lizards, pit vipers, tarantulas, and extra. It was particularly enjoyable seeing the dusky leaf monkeys with their vibrant yellow infants.

The animals have been normally shut sufficient to snap some nice photos, though it helps to have a little bit of zoom in your digital camera.

You possibly can see large rafflesia flowers in Khao Sok from December to March, and in the event you’re fortunate, you may additionally see gibbons, tapirs, solar bears, clouded leopards, and different uncommon animals.

Lizard on a tree       Exotic red plant

Waglers Pit Viper Yellow Snake

Wagler’s pit viper

 

• Night time Trekking

Night time trekking with a flashlight is one other good strategy to see wildlife at Khao Sok Nationwide Park.

The jungle comes alive after darkish, and the animals are much more lively than throughout the daytime.

A information is at all times required for evening trekking, which form of is sensible, as a result of there are venomous snakes and different issues to be careful for within the jungle.

Tarantula nest at night

Tarantula nest

 

• Elephant Sanctuary

Khao Sok has an elephant sanctuary the place you’ll be able to bathe the elephants, feed them, and take photos with them.

I do know it’s finest to see animals within the wild if attainable, however not everybody has that chance.

At a sanctuary like this, you’ll be able to work together with elephants up shut, and the cash advantages conservation for these fantastic animals.

Ebook Now: Elephant Sanctuary Tour From Khlong Sok / From Khao Lak
 

Instructed Itinerary

Right here’s a urged itinerary you’ll be able to comply with to your go to to Khao Sok Nationwide Park. That is fairly just like what we did for our journey.

  • Day 1: Arrive in Thailand, and switch to Khlong Sok village from Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, or Surat Thani. Test into your resort in Khlong Sok after which spend the afternoon trekking to see animals on the jungle close to the village.
  • Day 2: Drive to Ratchaprapha Marina after which take a longtail boat to your resort on the lake. After check-in and lunch, go for a swim or kayak within the lake, after which be part of a ship tour to see the enduring 3 peaks, discover a limestone cave, and hopefully see some wild animals. Eat dinner at your lake bungalow after which spend the evening there.
  • Day 3: Get up to dawn on the lake, and go on an early morning boat safari to attempt to see extra animals. After breakfast on the resort, take a ship again to Ratchaprapha Marina, after which drive again to Khlong Sok village. Spend the night enjoyable on the town, or do an evening safari to see wildlife.
  • Day 4: Do another actions within the Khlong Sok space, like visiting the elephant sanctuary and going bamboo rafting on the river, then switch again to Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, or Surat Thani to proceed your travels in Thailand.
Drone Khao Sok National Park Thailand

On a sunny day, the water seems to be turquoise.

Morning lake reflection

Morning reflection

 

Entrance Charge

There’s a nationwide park payment it’s important to pay per individual, relying on which space of Khao Sok you go to.

  • Lake (Adults): 300 baht (~$9)
  • Lake (Youngsters 3-14): 150 baht
  • Jungle (Adults): 200 baht (~$6)
  • Jungle (Youngsters 3-14): 100 baht

These charges are present as of 2024, however might go up over time because the place is so standard.

The park payment is just payable by money. Nevertheless, some excursions embody it within the whole value, so which will prevent from needing to make use of money for it.

Observe that in the event you pay the park payment within the night and go evening trekking, for instance, then your ticket remains to be legitimate for the subsequent day, so maintain onto it.

Equally, you solely must pay the park payment as soon as to your lake tour, even in the event you spend a number of days on the lake.

Dusky Leaf Monkey Spectacled Langur on a bamboo tree       Lizard on a tree

Baby macaque monkey on a tree branch

Wild macaque

 

Different Ideas For Khao Sok Park

  • What To Carry: For the boat excursions, a waterproof bag or phone pouch is a good suggestion to guard your electronics. A power bank can be useful for charging your cellphone, because the electrical energy is just out there within the night on the lake homes.
  • Further Baggage: When you have any large baggage, you’ll be able to retailer it at your resort in Khlong Sok village when you go on the boat tour. That’s what we did. The longtail boats normally have room for it in the event you completely have to carry it, however it’s extra handy to go away it on the village.
  • Telephone Service: Simply so , many of the lake homes in Khao Sok don’t have dependable WiFi and even cellphone service. Be ready to go with out it.
  • Drones: The Thai authorities doesn’t permit drones to be flown anyplace at Khao Sok because it’s a nationwide park. Nevertheless, there are many locations you’ll be able to fly legally outdoors the park whereas nonetheless capturing the limestone mountains, and also you might be able to perform a little little bit of droning contained in the park in the event you’re discreet about it and select a secure place to fly.
  • Mosquitoes: Khao Sok is taken into account low danger for malaria, and I haven’t heard of any confirmed instances right here not too long ago, however it is best to nonetheless watch out. Put on repellent while you’re outdoors of the room, and preserve a fan operating while you sleep. We didn’t take malaria tablets.
Dusky Leaf Monkey Spectacled Langur on a bamboo branch

Crossing a bamboo department

Guilin Khao Sam Kler Three Limestone Peaks

The three peaks of Khao Sok lake

 

Different Ideas For Khlong Sok Village

  • Accommodations: There are many snug lodges in Khlong Sok village close to the park. These vary from finances to luxurious. We stayed at Khao-Sok Bed and Breakfast, and had a great expertise. The homeowners have been pleasant, they usually have been capable of organize a tour, shuttle, and bike rental for us with aggressive costs.
  • Eating places: The village is loaded with eating places, cafes, and Thai avenue meals inside strolling distance of the lodges. You gained’t have any hassle discovering someplace nice to eat.
  • Credit score Playing cards: A whole lot of the lodges and eating places in Khlong Sok don’t settle for bank cards, so that you’ll need to carry loads of money.
  • ATM: There are a number of ATMs within the Khlong Sok village in the event you run out of money and have to withdraw extra.
Rafflesia flower sign at the park entrance

Rafflesia signal on the park entrance

 

When To Go to Khao Sok

Like the remainder of southern Thailand, the climate is heat and humid at Khao Sok all 12 months lengthy. It follows mainly the identical climate sample as Phuket, though it’s wetter generally.

The dry season is from December to April, in order that’s the most effective time to go to in the event you can. You’re extra more likely to have vibrant and sunny climate in these months.

The moist season is from Might to October. Regardless that there’s a better likelihood of rain in these months, you’ll be able to nonetheless go to and have a great expertise.

Glad travels!

Cheow Lan Lake       Dusky Leaf Monkey Spectacled Langur With Baby
 
 

Is Khao Sok Price It?

Khao Sok is dearer than different vacationer points of interest in Thailand, however I nonetheless suppose it’s value visiting.

I personally loved the surroundings of the Phi Phi islands greater than Khao Sok, however Phi Phi is so overrun with crowds it form of dampens the expertise. Khao Sok is large and unfold out, so it by no means felt as crowded as one thing like Maya Bay.

The surroundings is good, the animals are nice, and staying in a bungalow on the lake is a enjoyable and distinctive expertise. General, I actually preferred it.

Boat on Cheow Lan Lake

One other wonderful a part of the lake

 

Extra Thailand Journey Guides

Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this journey information for Khao Sok Nationwide Park in Thailand.

Don’t overlook to take a look at my different journey guides for Thailand and the remainder of the Phuket space!
 

See Additionally

 
Pinterest Khao Sok National Park Thailand

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