How To Visit Khao Sok National Park In Thailand
Khao Sok National Park: The Complete Travel Guide to Thailand's Ancient Jungle
Khao Sok National Park is one of the best places in all of Thailand to experience raw, untouched nature and incredible wildlife. Located in southern Thailand, not far from the popular tourist areas of Phuket and Krabi, this ancient rainforest is home to one of the most beautiful lakes in Southeast Asia, exotic wildlife, dramatic limestone mountains, hidden caves, and the unique experience of sleeping in a floating bungalow on a turquoise jungle lake.
Whether you are a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or simply someone who wants to escape the beach crowds and experience something truly different in Thailand, Khao Sok National Park will not disappoint. The turquoise lake is stunning, the animals are amazing, and the floating bungalow experience is one of the most unique and memorable things you can do anywhere in Southeast Asia.
How Many Days to Spend at Khao Sok
The first thing to figure out when planning your visit to Khao Sok is how much time you have available.
Day Trip
It is possible to visit Khao Sok as a day trip from nearby tourist areas like Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, or Surat Thani. This is the quickest and most convenient option, but it does not give you enough time to properly experience the park. A day trip is considered too short to do the destination justice.
Package Tour (2–4 Days)
A package tour that includes transport, a guide, meals, and accommodation is a very convenient option that takes all the planning stress away. These tours give you enough time to see the main highlights of the park and are particularly good for travelers who want a hassle-free experience.
Stay in Khlong Sok Village (Best Option)
Basing yourself directly in Khlong Sok Village, which sits right at the edge of the national park, gives you maximum flexibility and is also the most cost-efficient approach. You can stay as long as you like and choose only the excursions and activities that interest you most.
Recommended stay:
Minimum: 2 days
Ideal: 3–4 days
How to Get to Khao Sok National Park
From Phuket
Public Bus: ~4 hours (around 5 departures daily)
Shared Minivan: 2.5–4.5 hours
Private Taxi: 2.5–3.5 hours
From Krabi
Shared Minivan: 3–4 hours
Private Taxi: 3–4 hours
From Khao Lak
Bus: ~2 hours
Minivan or Taxi: Just over 1 hour
From Surat Thani
Bus: 2–3 hours
Minivan: 2–2.5 hours
Taxi: 1.5–2 hours
From Bangkok
The easiest option is to fly or take an overnight train to Surat Thani and continue to Khlong Sok Village by road.
Getting Around Khao Sok
Most accommodations are within walking distance of the national park entrance.
Popular transportation options include:
Walking
Motorbike rental
Shared transfers
Longtail boats on Cheow Lan Lake
Visiting Cheow Lan Lake Independently
For budget travelers:
Arrive at Ratchaprapha Marina before 9:00 AM.
Hire a private longtail boat.
Standard tours start from approximately 1,700 THB for 2 hours.
Costs can be shared among a group.
Best Things to See and Do
Cheow Lan Lake
The highlight of Khao Sok National Park.
Activities include:
Longtail boat tours
Visiting Khao Sam Kler rock formations
Exploring limestone caves
Wildlife spotting
Swimming and kayaking
Common wildlife sightings include:
Wild elephants
Hornbills
Monkeys
Various bird species
Floating Bungalows
One of Thailand's most unique travel experiences.
Options range from:
Simple raft houses
Mid-range floating resorts
Luxury floating accommodations
Typical facilities include:
Mattress beds
Showers
Flush toilets
Fans
Solar-powered electricity