If you’re looking for something off-the-beaten-path in Thailand, you should add Khao Sok National Park to your itinerary. It might not be well known yet – but it’s a very beautiful gem hidden in the Thai jungle.
Well, let’s speak the truth for a second – by jungle, I meant rainforest. What we casually call “a jungle” is often a rainforest.
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Where is Khao Sok National Park, Thailand?
Khao Sok National Park is located in the South of Thailand. Imagine lakes, limestone mountains, rainforests (and leeches) and spectacular views.
It’s a popular destination because there are many Khao Sok activities every traveler should do while in Thailand.
Fun Things to Do in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
So, you decided to book a trip to Khao Sok – now what? I personally stayed in the area for two nights (which turned out to be a bit too short for my liking).
Although, I still managed to enjoy my stay in Khao Sok with two pretty packed days. What is there to do in Khao Sok?
Khao Sok Trekking
While in Khao Sok, you might want to walk around the jungle rainforest. Trekking or going on a hike while in Thailand should be on everyone’s list at some point.
Well – my friends – trekking in Khao Sok was a bit of a challenge. When you mix humidity with heat, it gets pretty exhausting.
Thankfully, we had two guides with us – they showed us their rubber plantations, we stopped for short breaks and we discovered the magical kratom leaves (which was pretty fun by the way).
You can choose amongst many hikes in Khao Sok National Park. We opted for an easy one – next to a farm which was not touristy at all. It was basically only us – and our two guides.
Of course, we also had a few “fun encounters” such as a tiny snake and a few leeches (I hate leeches).
If you’d like to go on a longer hike, you could also check the options around Cheow Lan Lake to admire waterfalls and experience caving in Thailand.
Learn How to Cook Thai Food
Right after our rainforest trek, we had a cooking class. It was fun because it was a “farm to table” kind of cooking class – which I really enjoy.
You can read more about my farm to table experience in Ubon Ratchathani here.
We learned about Thai spices, picked up fresh vegetables and then we started to cook with a lovely Thai family.
We cooked a few different dishes including curry, bamboo shoots, vegetables as well as tempura banana flowers.
It was delicious and pretty authentic as we learn how to cook using bamboos and traditional tools.
Cheow Lan Lake Tour
On our second day, we went on a day trip to explore Cheow Lan Lake. As stated above, there are trekking options around the lake too if you’d like to explore the rainforest while you’re there.
We first started our day on a long tail boat which brought us to the floating bungalows (about 1h30 from the pier).
During our trip, we got a huge dose of limestone mountains with gorgeous views. The water was incredibly beautiful.
When we reached the floating bungalows, we had a lunch stop and then two options were presented.
You could either go on a trek that would bring you to a cave or you could hire a kayak (it’s free) and explore the surroundings during the afternoon.
As we did a trek the previous day, we decided to take a kayak and enjoy the views. We also made the most of the water and went for a swim.
A few hours later, we met up again with the group for a quick fruit snack before heading back.
Wake Up with a View
Anurak Community Lodge, Khao Sok National Park
Imagine waking up… stretching and slowly opening your eyes to find epic views like this. It was pretty peaceful to wake up with these views every morning.
Then, we would go for a delicious breakfast buffet that also provides you in AWE.
Sit Back & Relax
While you’re taking a break of busy Thailand, why not take some time to relax in a hammock to soak in the great views.
If you’re planning a trip to Khao Sok, make sure to add time to relax too. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a bit of fresh air, am I right?
Explore Khao Sok River
If you have more time in Khao Sok National Park, you could also explore Khao Sok River.
You could either go on a canoe trip or by bamboo raft which also promises a unique experience. It’s a great way to see the rainforest.
Cycle around Khao Sok
You could also go on a cycling adventure in the countryside. You could witness the beautiful scenery while cycling across villages.
It’s an excellent way to stay active while admiring the views.
Elephant Trekking in Khao Sok
A lot of people seem to go to Chiang Mai to have fun elephant encounters in Thailand. Did you know you could see elephants in Khao Sok National Park too?
The elephant experience in Khao Sok is cruelty-free and is a great occasion to interact with elephants.
FAQ about Khao Sok National Park
Where to Stay in Khao Sok?
I stayed at Anurak Community Lodge – which is located just outside Khao Sok National Park. This eco-retreat offers different types of rooms.
It was perfect in terms of location, facilities and food. There’s a restaurant on site which includes a breakfast buffet (and great views). You can also organize your Khao Sok tours there as well as your transfers.
As mentioned above, waking up with views like these – is a big bonus while in Khao Sok National Park.
It’s part of the fun and this place was a major key point in my rainforest experience. I really enjoyed my stay at Anurak community Lodge. The staff was also lovely and super helpful.
What’s the weather like in Khao Sok?
The best time to visit Khao Sok is from November to February as the weather is more comfortable and there’s less chance of rain.
From March to May, it’s more humid, but the chance to spot wildlife is higher. The rainy season is from June to October.
We were visiting Khao Sok National Park in March, which was pretty humid and hot. It makes the trek a bit more difficult of course as you must stay hydrated at all time.
How long should you stay in Khao Sok?
We stayed two nights in Khao Sok, which was a bit too short for my liking. I would recommend to stay at least 3 nights and potentially more if you have more time and have an interest in several activities.
How much is the Khao Sok entrance fee?
When booking your tours, your entrance fee could be covered already. So, that’s a thing to keep in mind when booking your tour. Otherwise, the entrance fee should be TBH 300 which is valid for 24hours.
Before going on our Cheow Lan Lake tour, there was an entrance fee – which was covered by our tour.
How to get to Khao Sok National Park?
You can easily get to Khao Sok National Park from Krabi or Surat Thani. Anurak Community Lodge organized transfers for us from and to Suraht Thani.
If you’re coming from Bangkok, the quickest way to get there would be by flying to Krabi or Surat Thani. You can also check for bus and vans here.
What to pack for your trip to Khao Sok?
If you’re planning to explore Khao Sok National Park, make sure you are ready! You could also take a look at this Southeast Asia packing list.
- Travel insurance: you can check the options on SafetyWing (ideal for long-term travelers and digital nomads – it’s also super cheap).
- Quick-dry towel
- Waterproof camera
- Dry bag
- Head torch (for caving experience)
- Hiking shoes
- Swimsuit
- Mosquito Spray
- After-bites
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
Disclaimer: This trip was organized by Anurak Community Lodge. As always, all opinions are my own. Happy travels.
