One of the most interesting areas of Khao Sok National Park (Thailand) is Cheow Lan Lake at its heart – with small raft houses, unusual water tents, and natural jungles surrounding it.
Visitors recommend experiencing the diverse offerings of Khao Sok. The park may initially seem unnaturally bright and impressive, so it’s best to get acquainted with a few tested directions to visit this unique natural corner. Visiting Khao Sok will reveal the diverse flora and fauna of the area.
Jungles, Lake, Natural Authenticity
Khao Sok was established in 1980, becoming Thailand’s 22nd national park. It is densely surrounded by typical tropical environments, interspersed with waterfalls and picturesque limestone cliffs, all centered around a beautiful lake. With its fascinating history, the park holds many secrets hidden in its dense forests, waiting for tourists to discover.
Location
Khao Sok Lake and its surrounding park are located in Surat Thani Province, in southern Thailand. The total area of the natural zone is 740 km². The territory spans parts of the Khlong Yi, Khlong Pra Sang, and other forests. Khao Sok is comparable in size to neighboring national parks and wildlife reserves. Together, these protected areas cover over 3,500 km², more than half the size of the island of Bali.
Flora and Fauna
Besides the lake, Khao Sok Park includes:
- Submontane tropical forests – 40%
- Lowland tropical forests – 27%
- Limestone cliffs – 15%
- Lowland mountainous scrub – 15%
- 3% tropical forests at altitudes of 600-1000 m.
Flora
The tropics around Khao Sok Lake consist of a mix of evergreen and tropical forests. There are about 200 different species of flowering plants per hectare, making it one of the most biodiverse regions (in comparison, average forests in Europe or North America have only about 10 species of trees per hectare).
Here you will find the large-flowered Rafflesia, peculiar lianas, figs, ancient Dipterocarp trees, coconut palms, bananas, bamboo, and more. There are also famous relic trees with board-like buttress roots, used historically for making drums, boats, and battle shields. Some hunters use these roots to communicate by tapping on them, as the sound travels significant distances without scaring animals.
Fauna
The national park is home to a multitude of unique animals: about fifty species of mammals, over 300 species of birds, around 30 species of bats, and a rich variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. The park features unusual animal species, and the colorful birds allow for unhindered viewing and enjoyment of their songs and other natural delights.
There are also many dangers in the local jungles. Major predators include tigers, Malayan sun bears, and leopards. There are 170 species of snakes, 48 of which are venomous. However, fatal bites are extremely rare: only 10 to 20 cases occur per year in Thailand. Pythons, cobras, and large spiders are common, and if left undisturbed, observing them is entirely safe. Particularly entertaining are the amusing scenes from the lives of monkeys.
History and Climate of the Park
Due to the high mountains and monsoon influences from the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Khao Sok Lake experiences the highest rainfall in Thailand – 3500 mm annually. The heaviest rains occur from May to November, with the dry period from December to April. Even during the dry season, there is still a chance of heavy rain, and one might unexpectedly get soaked in the tropical forest.
Khao Sok is warm throughout the year, with the hottest months being March and April. However, temperatures only vary by 4ºC annually, with highs ranging from 29 to 33ºC and lows from 20 to 23ºC.
The tropical forest in this region is one of the oldest in the world, as Thailand has been in the equatorial zone for the last 160 million years. The climate in this area was barely affected by glacial periods, with the land area relatively small and surrounded by seas on both sides. Even when droughts prevailed elsewhere on the planet, Khao Sok still received enough rainfall to sustain its dense forest.
Khao Sok in Thailand is renowned for its limestone and karst mountains. Most of the region’s elevations are around 200 m above sea level, with the mountainous terrain averaging 400 m. The highest peak in the national park is 960 m.
Activities
Excursions to Khao Sok Park are highly popular among tourists. Thailand’s iconic elephants are a focal point, with dedicated activities for feeding, petting, and even riding these majestic animals. Exploring the surroundings, flora, fauna, lake shores, steep overgrown cliffs, and karst caves always impresses visitors.
Khao Sok is particularly appealing to newlyweds on their honeymoon in Thailand. The park is perfect for a romantic getaway, with picturesque landscapes and numerous secluded spots for couples to enjoy.
Other activities include:
- Canoeing on the channels between islands and the lake
- Jungle treks of varying difficulty
- Visiting mangrove swamps
- Diving
- Water activities with elephants
- Overnight stays in water tents
- Swimming
Khao Sok National Park’s entertainment complex is typically included in prepaid tours.
Where to Stay
Accommodation near Khao Sok National Park is easily found within half a kilometer from the lake. There are many options, ranging from hostels (6-8$ per night for a bed in a 6-bed room) to comfortable rooms with breakfast included (up to 500$ per night).
Elephant Hills Tented Camp
The average price for tourist accommodation in Khao Sok is around 100$, depending on the distance and comfort level. However, finding cheaper lodging is not a problem.
How to Get There
The distance from Phuket to Khao Sok Park is 160 km. The best way to get there is to book a tour with an included free transfer.
Alternatively, you can reach Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake on your own by bus, minibus, taxi, or rental car.
- Minibuses: The trip costs 3500-5500฿ (~106-166$) per vehicle from Phuket bus stations. Tickets can be purchased directly at the bus station. The journey takes about 4 hours.
- Buses: The trip from Phuket takes 5-6 hours. Buses start early in the morning, around 7-7:30 AM, with departures every hour or two. Tickets can be booked through travel agencies or bought directly at the departure station. Price is 180฿ (~5.7$).
- Taxis: A taxi can take you anywhere, but it’s quite costly. A one-way trip costs around 5000฿.
Excursions to Khao Sok Park
The simplest and most comprehensive way to explore Khao Sok Park in Thailand is to book an excursion tour in advance. Typically, tours include accommodation, meals, activities according to the itinerary, entrance tickets to the national park, and the services of an English-speaking licensed tour guide.
Additionally, all tour packages include transfers to Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, Surat Thani, Khanom, and even Samui. Since trips are designed for small groups with limited capacity, it is recommended to book in advance, at least 3 days prior.
Excursion programs cover 2, 3, and 4 days, offering visits to jungles, lakes, and surroundings, extensive safari tours, water activities, interaction with animals, Thai cooking, and cultural experiences. Prices for two adults with full service range from 13,000 ฿ (~410$) to 25,000 ฿ (~790$) and above. One-day excursions for one person cost 1500 ฿ (~22.7$) with a minimal sightseeing package, but organizers will likely recommend an overnight stay.
Useful Tips
- Avoid walking in the dark without a flashlight, as most snakes are active at night. If you encounter a snake, stop and wait for it to move away. If bitten, apply a bandage, minimize movement to slow the spread of venom, take a photo of the snake if possible, and head to a hospital. Do not attempt to suck out the venom, as saliva will quickly carry the venom into the bloodstream!
- Don’t fear local leeches; they are not dangerous, though quite diverse.
- If you love elephants, limit your interaction to equal footing. Riding elephants in Khao Sok National Park is often considered questionable – the animals rarely seem happy, the ride is uncomfortable and unsafe, and the animal’s back is rough and bristly.
- The forests are very humid, and heavy rain can fall at any moment. It’s advisable to consider this when planning walks, excursions, or hikes.
- If traveling to the park by train, choose first-class carriages, as cheaper carriages are often overcrowded, while first-class guarantees a bed.
Khao Sok is one of the most interesting places to visit in Thailand, primarily due to its picturesque landscape and natural uniqueness. The jungle environment, shaped by natural processes over millions of years, offers an opportunity to explore its biodiversity, organize educational leisure activities, and provide a complete rest. Khao Sok (Thailand) is accessible year-round and can deliver enjoyment regardless of the season, making it ideal for solitary retreats, group trips, and family vacations.
