Deep in the heart of southern Thailand lies a place of ancient beauty: Khao Sok National Park. It's a land where misty rainforests, towering limestone cliffs, hidden caves, and crystal-clear lakes create a landscape so magical it feels untouched by time.
Khao Sok isn’t just another park — it’s home to some of the oldest rainforest on Earth, believed to be over 160 million years old, even older than the Amazon.
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| Khao Sok National Park |
Where is Khao Sok National Park?
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📍 Location: Surat Thani Province, Southern Thailand
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🚗 Travel time: About 2–3 hours by car from Phuket, Krabi, or Koh Samui (via ferry + car)
It’s perfectly positioned if you’re traveling between Thailand’s islands and the mainland!
Best Time to Visit
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December to April (Dry Season):
Perfect for trekking, boat tours, and floating bungalow stays. Expect sunny days and cooler nights. -
May to November (Rainy Season):
The rainforest is lush and alive! Waterfalls are full and it’s less crowded, though expect afternoon showers.
Tip: January and February are considered the ideal months — green, fresh, and mostly dry.
Must-See Highlights
1. Cheow Lan Lake
An emerald jewel surrounded by towering limestone karsts. Created by a dam in the 1980s, it’s now one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. Explore by long-tail boat, kayak, or stay overnight in dreamy floating bungalows.
2. The Rainforest
One of the world’s oldest — home to tigers, wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills, and the rare Rafflesia flower, the largest (and smelliest!) flower in the world.
3. Wildlife Encounters
Spot monkeys swinging through the trees, giant squirrels, kingfishers, and with a little luck, a glimpse of wild elephants.
4. Caves and Waterfalls
Adventure into limestone caves like Nam Talu Cave (great for river trekking) or relax by waterfalls like Ton Kloi and Bang Hua Rat Waterfall.
5. River Experiences
Canoe, kayak, or even tube gently down the Sok River, drifting past jungle cliffs and untouched nature.
Top Activities
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🚶♂️ Jungle trekking (with a guide for best wildlife spotting!)
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🛶 Boat tours on Cheow Lan Lake
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🏕 Overnight stays in floating bungalows (from rustic to luxury)
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🦜 Birdwatching and wildlife safaris
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🌌 Night safaris — the forest comes alive after dark
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🏞 Cave exploration and waterfall hikes
Where to Stay
Floating Bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake:
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Budget: Smiley Floating House
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Mid-range: Keeree Warin Resort
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Luxury: 500 Rai Floating Resort, Panvaree The Greenery
Jungle Lodges near Khao Sok Town:
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Our Jungle House (treehouses and riverside bungalows)
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Khao Sok Paradise Resort
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Khao Sok Tree House Resort
Eco-lodges support sustainable tourism and are highly recommended.
Essential Travel Tips
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💵 Bring enough cash — limited ATMs near the park
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🥾 Good hiking shoes and lightweight, waterproof clothes
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🦟 Strong mosquito repellent and sunscreen are musts
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📸 Waterproof phone cases or dry bags for river trips
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🎟 Book tours early in peak season (December–March)
Park Entrance Fee: 300 THB ($8 USD) per adult
How to Get to Khao Sok
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✈️ Fly into Surat Thani, Phuket, or Krabi airports.
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🚐 Take a minivan or private transfer to Khao Sok.
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🛥 If coming from Koh Samui, take a ferry to the mainland, then transfer by car.
Fun Fact 🌿
Khao Sok’s rainforest is a surviving remnant of a forest that once covered much of Southeast Asia. It’s one of the world’s oldest living ecosystems, filled with rare and ancient life.
Why You Should Visit
Khao Sok offers something so rare:
🌳 True wilderness.
🌊 Tranquil waters.
🦧 Incredible wildlife.
🛶 Unforgettable adventure.
All in one place.
If you dream of waking up to the call of gibbons echoing across a misty lake, or trekking through a jungle older than time itself, Khao Sok National Park should be on your bucket list.