A few minutes later, she was done. As our visit was in January, in the dry season, the water level was about 2 to 3 meters lower than what it can be in the more wet part of the year. NOTE: The bus transfer from Bangkok only makes sense if you want to come to Khao Sok National Park in the cheapest way possible. He's also an online English teacher and a video producer. We organized our overnight stay at a floating bungalow on Cheow Lan Lake through our stay at Our Jungle House and Our Jungle Camp (sister properties). . During the boat journey, you will see just how vast Cheow Lan lake is! Again, ask around in town for prices and recommended companies, or check reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor. It digs a hole in the side of a hill and builds a door that it uses to grab nearby prey. The Ultimate Guide to Khao Sok National Park, Thailand A forest of high trees surrounds all the treehouses, and you can hear the sounds of birds, monkeys, and crickets. When to visit - KHAO SOK National Park, Thailand Next, take a refreshing dip in the river, before finishing your canoe trip. We were picked up from our hotel and driven to the entrance of Khao Sok National Park, where we began our night trek. While going down the river on the bamboo raft, you can also see some animals. The entire 385 families who lived in the village had to be relocated to different areas. She rode us to the womans house on her scooter and I hopped one-legged to the front door. An entrance ticket to Khao Sok National Park for foreigners costs 300 Baht ($9.35). Required fields are marked *. The elephants didnt seem to be around so I walked down to the river and decided to have a break and eat my packed lunch. However, for Khao Sok, I found it more useful to search on google. Since climbing up and down the stairs to the restaurant on just one leg was a bit of a mission, I often spent my entire days sitting there drinking coffee and watching birds, lizards and butterflies. Electricity in our raft house was only turned on between 6pm - 8am and there was no wifi. And you could also jump in the river for a short swim, but as it was very shallow, we didnt do it. Of course, the caves configuration makes it susceptible to flash-flooding in heavy rain, so it can be quite treacherous. Khao Sok National Park is full of rivers and streams, and one of the more peaceful things you can do is go on a bamboo raft down the river. Home to some of the worlds oldest rainforests, Khao Sok National Park is a stunning tropical jungle in southern Thailand. However, you will be provided one by your tour guide on your Night Jungle Safari. And the coolest thing there are the Cheow Lan Lake floating bungalows, the only places where you can stay on the lake, as no accommodation is allowed on the shore. If youve got a little more cash to burn and prefer some comfort with your adventure, there are a few places with super nice bungalows, or tree houses. Note that you only have to pay the national park fee when you go inside the national park. I receive a small commission if you use these links, with no extra cost to you. One day, I was walking the trail and noticed that the ground to my left, towards the river was all churned up like a battle site. Use your chance at the lake to cool off in the water, which is not really cold. In this article, Ill review the best places to visit in Montana. Most of the accommodation is around the high street in Khao Sok village. Climbing the hill (more like a small mountain) is hard work in tropical heat and humidity, but the view from the top will make you forget about your burning legs. If you want to take in Thailand's raw beauty, then a trip to Khao Sok National Park should be at the top of your list. Khao Sok National Park Travel Guide: All You Need To Know, 2023 Without the constant rainfall throughout the year, this place would not exist as it is. Overnight trips to Cheow Lan Lake include a few activities like a hike or morning/night safari. When is the best time to visit Khao Sok National Park? Joint transfers to/from Khao Sok National park via the major southern tourist destinations are available including Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi, Koh Samui, Khanorm and Surat Thani. But a few minutes later, I was snatched from my daydreams by the crashing sound of breaking trees all too near to where I was sitting. And the biggest attraction of Khao Sok is the vast Cheow Lan Lake. 4. Without a second thought, I scrambled back up the slope tripping over the uneven terrain mushed up by the elephants earlier and scratching myself on the rattan thorns. Electricity is only turned on in the evening so charge everything before arriving and take a portable battery charger with you, Bring trainers for trekking as well as a light raincoat, You will need mosquito spray, sun cream, swimwear and a hat, Watching the sunrise over Cheow Lan lake from our raft house. The birds-eye-view perspective is spectacular. A Traveller's Guide to Khao Sok National Park, Thailand - Culture Trip But we plan to return to Khao Sok National Park again in the wet period of the year. So there you are some great tips and trips and also knowledge onHow to get to Khao Sok National Park, Your email address will not be published. This cave has a massive opening but the cavern narrows the further you go. Make sure everything is fully charged before you go as well (phones, camera etc). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Another cool thing you can do in Khao Sok National Park is to hike for 4 hours to find Rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world. With a few days in Khao Sok National Park, you can enjoy hiking, canoeing, wildlife spotting, rock climbing, tubing, swimming in waterfalls, exploring caves, and so much more. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Also, its always smart to bring clothes that you are okay with getting wet or that dry quickly. Reggae Queen Unleash More Fun Snorkeling Experience, Vichit Songkram Road, 9/368 Moo 6, Tambon Kathu, Amphoe Kathu Phuket 83120. How to Visit Khao Sok National Park in Thailand - Nothing Familiar Sign up for a 3 day / 2 night Khao Sok Overnight Safari. Easily access from Chiang Mai and full of hiking trails, waterfalls and spectacular views. Most have shared bathrooms and nothing more than a bed and a fan in each raft house. We highly recommend this as its the most affordable and reliable way to have your connections line up perfectly. It is really very beautiful and so impressive! Khao Sok National Park is a gem of nature, but its no longer hidden, unlike what some others might say. If youre looking for an incredibly diverse travel destination, look no further than Montana! We will try to answer to the best of our knowledge. Your email address will not be published. Just about every travel agent in popular areas like Koh Samui or Phuket can help arrange your transportation to and from the park. Overnight trip to explore Cheow Lan Lake and the Jungle of Khao Sok. Camera / GoPro / Phone - you will want to take lots of photos and videos! 3. And then choose between different itineraries. Required fields are marked *. In places like this in our home countries, there would be thousands of mosquitoes, and we would be eaten alive. Also, make sure to read the reviews on Google. Whatever time of the year you visit, be prepared for the weather and take a rain jacket or umbrella with you. So essentially, you can visit Khao Sok National Park anytime and have a great experience with plenty of activities to enjoy. To wrap up, my advice is not to rush it and spend at least two days on Cheow Lan Lake. The giant Atlas moth has to be seen to be believed. That was the highlight of our lake experience. Note: Khao Sok is also famous for being the home of many leeches that are especially easy to come by during the rainy season. With . On one of the trips, we saw another mangrove snake swimming across the lake. When the trail at the top of the ridge was already in sight, I gave it the final push but my foot slipped, twisted, and as I fell I heard a sickening crack. And yes, even bathing/washing with elephants is questionable! Many of the other activities you can do, such as river tubing, canoeing and the hot springs can be done outside of the national park, around Khao Sok village. Khao Sok National Park Headquarters & Khao Sok Village 3. Even if you get rained on during your trip to Khao Sok, you should be glad. Follow our adventures more closely on Instagram. You are just happy to be out in the open. The ground mustve been wet when the elephants passed and their feet left crater-like depressions filled with broken spiky rattan branches. Our raft house also had a small shop where we could buy soft drinks and beer, Make sure everything is charged! Our guide pointed out snakes curled up high in the tree branches and small frogs. . For guided trekking, you can find more information on whats currently available at your accommodation or the parks headquarters. Quick tip: The bus we had booked for our return journey was cancelled as there weren't enough people booked onto it. And we got served some delicious food in both. In the afternoon we boarded our longtail boat and went to another area of the national park for a short jungle trek. But we didnt need to use them in the end. Though clean, the beds arent the most comfortable, the bathrooms are shared, and the power supply is usually limited to 12 hours from 6 pm to 6 am. But we heard them while we were kayaking! Top 10 Reasons to Visit Khao Sok National Park Thailand So you can go the luxurious way or even stay in one of the hostels. Your guide will lead you deep into the jungle, pointing out important plants, trees and wildlife. We went down the river for about 20 to 30 minutes and stopped on the side of the river for a short coffee or tea break. We had to push ourselves from the shallows quite a few times when we got stuck. And the best thing is that all our clothing from them is breathable. Remember: always give the company a working phone number and be ready to pick it up! From exploring caves and waterfalls to spotting wildlife, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in this stunning park. It took a few years for the area to fill up with water. He and his wife Rachel share their adventures on their website, Grateful Gypsies. Dating back 160 million years, this is one of the oldest rainforests in the world. From the boat we saw gibbons and a beautiful hornbill bird. Alternatively, heres how to travel to Khao Sok Village by public bus. Heres a list of waterfalls of Khao Sok National Park that people love: We decided not to visit any as they were mostly dry during our visit. Khao Sok National Park exceeded our expectations and is worth visiting for all travelers, from young to old, families with children, and backpackers. These were carved over the years by heavy monsoon rains coming from both coasts. Every surface is covered in vegetation, tree roots and rocks are carpeted in thick green moss. Your email address will not be published. Please note that the water levels of rivers and streams in Khao Sok National Park depend on the season. See if you can find the Rafflesia flower, which is one of the largest (and most smelly) in the world. A night safari is a unique way to experience the rain forest and its wildlife in the dark. Here, you can access a network of walking trails, see several waterfalls, and enjoy tubing down the river at your guest house. Covering 285 square miles in Surat Thani Province south of Phuket, the park consists of a 64 square-mile artificial reservoir (Cheow Lan Lake) surrounded by karst cliffs and old-growth jungle. Some of the most popular things to do in Khao Sok National Park include canoeing or bamboo rafting down the river. The natural, untouched beauty and tranquillity of Khao Sok National park is something I will always remember. As with all wildlife encounters, it is not guaranteed that you will see wildlife, but we were lucky enough to see bats, spiders, snakes, lizards, frogs and a monkey. The entrance ticket to Khao Sok National Park costs 300 THB or $9 per day for a foreign adult and 150 THB or $4.5 per day for foreign children. And here is my guide to visiting the two different parts of Khao Sok National Park. Visiting Khao Sok National Park for a few days costs between 150 and 250 USD per person, which includes a night or two in Khao Sok Village, staying in a floating bungalow on Cheow Lan Lake, and some activities. Many travellers who visit Khao Sok come to stay in the famous floating bungalows on the lake. And dont forget to read our detailed article about the floating bungalows of Cheow Lan Lake. Stay overnight in a comfortable luxury tent resort. Simply book your accommodation in Khao Sok Village, near the park entrance and spend your days walking the parks trails. This price included 3 nights accommodation, all our activities and also some meals, so I think it was a pretty good price. The rainforest has remained relatively unchanged for thousands of years, which mainly due to its location and being so close to the equator it was hardly affected by the ice ages. Thats what we did. If you really need to visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, please avoid the ones that offer elephant rides. Recommended option Bus, Local Bus Take the bus from Khao Sok to Takua Pa Each raft house is slightly different, but they are all pretty basic. Villagers were relocated to other areas within the national park, however the relocation of wildlife was not as successful and sadly many animals did not survive the flooding. To give you a little more detail on visiting Cheow Lan lake, heres a breakdown of what to expect on the 2 day / 1 night overnight lake package. Getting to Khao Sok is easy just ask Easy Day Thailand. Stay overnight in a boutique tent resort, elephant trek through tropical rainforest. Khao Sok National Park: A Natural Reserve In Thailand - TravelTriangle.com Check his YouTube channel, RGSpider, if you want to learn more about spiders found in the area. The trek is only about 3km long and is not difficult, making it suitable for all levels. Learn the history, how to visit Meteora, and more in this article. Although the main attraction and the biggest drive of most tourists coming to Khao Sok National Park is Cheow Lan Lake with its floating bungalows, there are many other things to do around. Welcome & thank you for reading our blog. When other parts of Thailand experience drought, it still rains in Khao Sok National Park. By the way, if youre continuing your journey to Khao Lak, check out the Similan Islands and Surin Islands. There are a few different hiking trails in Khao Sok, including the Ton Kloi Waterfall Trail and the Cheow Lan Lake . She took me back to my lodge where I spent a couple of weeks learning to walk again. For your trip to Cheow Lan Lake, we highly recommend sunscreen as its very likely that you will be sitting somewhere where there will be sun directly on you. But staying for a few more days is recommended, as nature is just phenomenal. So make sure to bring mosquito repellent (natural if possible). As well as being home to some fascinating wildlife, the park has some lovely waterfalls and caves to discover. If you are considering attending one, please search and read about elephant crushing and see videos on YouTube about the subject. All this in complete darkness, apart from the beams of your head torches. There are quite a few well-marked trails from the visitors centre that are easy enough to follow on your own. It was a unique experience and a really great way to spend the evening! Many travelers visit Khao Sok National Park daily since its now among the top things to do in Thailand. On the other hand, its not a bad idea to enlist the services of a guide. But at least you might be able to see some monkeys. And especially if you decide to give yourself more free time there and especially if you stay two nights and not only one. Pack sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water and mosquito spray if you are heading into the jungle. Its a great natural preservation, where many animal species can be found, from birds, wild boar, monkeys, fish, black bears, and even elephants if youre lucky. There are quite a few hiking trails around Khao Sok National Park that you can do. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. But the best way to go between is on this beautiful nature trail next to the river that goes through the forest and a rubber plantation. There are endless things to do in Thailand, with getting out in nature and spotting wildlife topping the list. Wild animals also had to be relocated as many were trapped on the newly created islands in the lake. The best way to do it is to book a tour from our recommended tours and use the free transfers as included in the tours on offer. The Meteora monasteries are unlike anywhere. Recommended option Local Bus, bus 3h 49m Take the Local Bus from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 to Takua Pa Khao Sok National Park was at the top of our list of things to do for our first 3-month visit to Thailand. 2) Change the Minibus at Krabi Station. The park is the largest area of virgin forest in southern Thailand and is a remnant of rain forest which is older and more diverse than . You will need to book your ticket in advance as spaces are limited. And occasional downpours. In addition to admiring the stunning karst mountains, you can enjoy some fishing, rock climbing, or even zip-lining through the trees. 5. Try to find the one where feeding the elephants is the only interaction offered and even that in small groups. What else is there to do in Khao Sok National Park? Getting to Khao Sok is easy! This massive national park is 739 square kilometers, including the stunning Cheow Lan Lake. Surrounding the stunning lake are thick green rain forests, beautiful waterfalls and hidden caves, all ready to be explored. The trail runs along the river so you shouldnt have any trouble following it. I created this guide to help others wanting to visit Khao Sok, so I hope that you find this guide on how to visit Khao Sok National Park useful! For most travelers, two to three nights in Khao Sok National Park is enough to see and experience the main things. Aside from flights, I use 12GoAsia to get around Thailand or booked through my hostel. Other caves around the lake are easy to visit and you get to see fantastical stalactites and stalagmites as well as roosting bats. Then they lay their legs and live for a few more weeks before they die. The combo transfer worked great for us, as it was the cheapest way. Even though we could have done it better, we still had a great time visiting Khao Sok, and Im sure you will too. Before the flooding, the area was home to Ban Chiew Lan village, which gave the lake its name. A Traveller's Guide to Khao Sok National Park - Goats On The Road Our guide Rango was amazing. And its colouring is equally striking. There are two distinct areas in Khao Sok National Park that you can visit, which are 67 km or 1-hour drive apart, the Khao Sok Village and the Cheow Lan Lake. Read more: Environmental effects of sunscreen (Wikipedia), > Click here to see our recommended reef-safe sunscreen <. However, when I was researching how to visit Khao Sok National Park, I found it difficult to find exactly what I was looking for in terms of information. The jungle at Khao Sok is magical. You can book tours to Cheow Lan Lake, also referred to as Khao Sok Lake, from Krabi, Khao Lak, or Surat Thani. A word of warning about elephant rides in Khao Sok from the National Parks website: Most of the resorts in Khao Sok offer pathetic and cruel tours with elephants in captivity. Hiking. If you're visiting Southeast Asia for the first time, check out my top. The Rafflesia flowering season in Khao Sok National Park is between November and April. Huge rocky limestone cliffs loom high above the calm emerald green Cheow Lan lake in the centre of the national park. With a few days here, you can do a little bit of everything! A cobra had hunted the mangrove snake and they were battling it out in the stream just outside of the cave. 1) Take the minibus from Koh Lanta to Krabi Bus Station. For all reptilian lovers, there are over 90 reptile species in Khao Sok National Park. You will be accompanied by guides who will point out various wildlife along the way. Khao Sok National Park Mini Guide - Backpacker Bible So the river in the Khao Sok Village was very shallow. Khao Sok National Park travel guide Explore one of the best national If you want the most bang for your buck but not sure which part of the park to visit, I would recommend focusing on Cheow Lan Lake. And they often come as quickly as they go. I would really recommend the overnight tour. On our visit to Khao Sok National Park, it was the dry season. We then had some more free time at the raft houses for swimming, kayaking or enjoying a coffee before it was time to leave. Back at the bungalows, youll usually be offered a night boat safari on the lake. Enjoy canoeing and boat safari on the lake which is also an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife. Plus, youre actually not supposed to go more than 3 km into the park without the assistance of a guide. Our floating lake house sitting in front of the huge limestone cliffs on Cheow Lan lake. It feels like you are on the seaside, and it reminded us a lot of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. But you will notice that youre not on the seaside when you jump in the water. There are many caves to explore and again we strongly recommend taking a guide with you. This is why you see dead tree trunks rising out of the water in the lake. 1. Despite its age, it was only officially designated as Thailands 22nd national park in the 1980s. And again, I walked home on my own two feet. If youre renting a car in Surat Thani, the roads to Khao Sok National Park are great, with fantastic views along the way to enjoy. Channel your inner David Attenborough and shoot your own homemade Planet Earth videos here. We love what we do and put a lot of work in our free articles. The journey from Surat Thani was only 2 hours and was relatively smooth. In 1982 the Thai government made the decision to build the lake to create a source of hydro-electric power. How to visit Khao Sok National Park, Thailand - A complete guide, I hope that you have found this post useful for planning your visit to Khao Sok National Park. On Cheow Lan Lake, all the floating bungalow accommodations have on-site restaurants, providing you with breakfast and lunch. Remember to bring an action camera like a GoPro to take some cool photos and videos and not worry about it getting wet. Bring at least one power bank to charge your phone or camera batteries if there is no power on the lake. Those who are stopping at Khao Sok in between the coasts will likely take a combination of ferries and buses. Together with Khao Yai National Park, Khao Sok is one of the best places for animal sightings in Thailand. There are several different ways of visiting Khao Sok National Park, depending on what you want to see and do and how much time you have. I would highly recommend putting in the effort to get up early to see the sunrise at the lake. Crested serpent eagle seen on a night safari. Joint transfers to/from Khao Sok National park via the major southern tourist destinations are available including Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi, Koh Samui, Khanorm and Surat Thani. An unforgettable experience. After an adrenaline-filled day of adventures, retreat to your bungalow on the lake and enjoy the beautiful views. Khao Sok National Park is located on Highway 401, which connects the provinces of Phang-Nga and Surat Thani. Getting to Khao Sok on Public Transport 2. It is so old and dense that you feel like you are hiking through Jurassic Park. Bangkok to Khao Sok National Park - 8 ways to travel via - Rome2rio However, on our first day, we were told by our guide that elephants moved to higher ground.
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