By Kylian Dev
1
Longtail trip on Cheow Lan Lake
Between the limestone peaks, 20 minutes to 1 hour 20 by boat from the pier depending on the raft.
Destination guide · Andaman Sea
Khao Sok: the best things to do, where to stay and budget
A 739 km² national park created in 1980: very old rainforest and limestone peaks. Two hubs an hour apart by road: the village at the west entrance, and Cheow Lan Lake (165 km²), where you sleep on rafts.
- Best: December to April
- €20 - 131 / day
In short
Khao Sok (Andaman Sea) — Ancient jungle, karst peaks and floating bungalows. Best time to go: December to April; average temperatures 27°C. Budget: about €20 - 131 / day. Weather: 27°C • Dry season December to March, heavy rain May to October
RegionAndaman Sea
TypeNature & park
Best seasonDecember to April
Avg. temperature27°C
Budget / day€20 - 131 / day
Suggested stay2 to 3 nights
Thai nameเขาสก
Must-sees
Things to do in Khao Sok
Ancient jungle, karst peaks and floating bungalows
2
A night on a lake raft
Swim straight from your bungalow in 27–29 °C water and watch sunrise over the peaks.
3
Hike to Ton Kloi waterfall
A 7 km trail along the Sok River, the first 2.9 km without a guide.
More things to do in Khao Sok
- 4
Canoeing on the Sok River
Nature2 to 3 hA gentle float down the river past limestone cliffs, with monkeys and kingfishers on the banks. About 800 THB per person, depending on the water level.
- 5
Wing Hin and Ton Kloi waterfalls
NatureHalf dayFrom the park headquarters: Wing Hin at 2.8 km, Wang Yao at 3 km, Than Sawan at 6 km. Ton Kloi is at the end of a 7 km trail, the last 4 km with a guide. The visitor centre is open from 8 am to 4.30 pm.
- 6
Night safari
ActivityEveningFrom 7 pm to 9 pm, with a guide and a torch, to spot frogs, snakes and civets: 1,200 THB for 1 to 2 people, 50 THB per extra person. Village side only, not on the lake.
- 7
Nam Talu cave
NatureHalf dayStarting from the lake, you wade waist-deep for almost a kilometre by headlamp, with a licensed guide. Closed from June to November.
- 8
The Rafflesia flower
NatureHalf dayIt blooms around February, reaches 70 to 80 cm and only lasts 4 to 5 days. A 10 km trail starts on the main road, 4.2 km from the park entrance.
- 9
Tubing on the river
Activity2 to 3 hFloat down the Sok River on an inner tube for about 500 THB, a relaxed way to cool off after a trek.
- 10
Coral Cave
NatureHalf day45 to 50 minutes by boat from the pier, then a 20 to 25 minute walk and a bamboo raft. It lies in the Khlong Saeng sanctuary: separate entry fee (200 THB, 100 THB per child) and 400 THB for the bamboo raft.
- 11
A night at the lake's floating rafts
NatureFull dayOvernight packages on Cheow Lan Lake combine kayaking, a cave and a dawn boat ride to spot gibbons and hornbills. Swim straight from the raft in 27–29 °C water.
Great forJungle & HikingBeaches & Relaxing
Weather
When to go to Khao Sok?
27°C • Dry season December to March, heavy rain May to October. Month-by-month outlook:
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayRain / monsoon
- JunRain / monsoon
- JulRain / monsoon
- AugRain / monsoon
- SepRain / monsoon
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovFair
- DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Khao Sok: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €20 - 131 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Mid-range
20–131 € / day
Split of a typical day (mid-range traveller)
Accommodation
~23 €
Food
~10 €
Activities
~13 €
Local transport
~8 €
Transport
How to get to Khao Sok
Transport tip
Bus or minivan from Surat Thani (1 to 2 hours, 80 to 120 THB), Krabi (3.5 hours, 450 THB) or Phuket (5 to 6 hours, 140 to 180 THB). The lake is 1 hour by road from the village.
From Bangkok → Khao Sok
Long haul: a domestic flight or night bus/train is usually easier
Flight
~753 km
Nearest destinations
Khao Sok → Khao Lak
Road
~57 km · ~1 h by road
Khao Sok → Koh Yao Noi
Road
~116 km · ~3 h by road
Khao Sok → Krabi & Railay
Road
~138 km · ~2 h by road
Times and tickets Bangkok → Khao SokPartner link
Where is Khao Sok?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Khao Sok
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Park village
The village stretches 1.5 km along the road to the west entrance. Simple bungalows: 300 to 900 THB; mid-range: 1,000 to 2,500 THB, with a few rare pools; treehouses: 1,500 to 4,000 THB.
Park bungalows
Next to the visitor centre: bungalow with shared bathroom 600 THB, dorm bed 100 THB, camping 30 THB per person plus 225 THB for a tent. The restaurant and shop close early.
Park rafts on the lake
Nang Prai, Khlong Kha, Ton Toey and Krai Son: 400 THB for a room for 2 (30% off Monday to Thursday), meals extra at the canteen. Mattress on the floor, cold water, no Wi-Fi, power from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Private raft houses
About twenty, sold as per-person packages with meals: 1,200 to 2,000 THB for the simplest, 2,500 to 4,500 THB mid-range, 4,500 to 7,000 THB and up at the top end. Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead.
Food
What to eat in Khao Sok
Gaeng Som (bold southern curry with bamboo shoots)
Gaeng Som (bold southern curry with bamboo shoots)
Fresh Cheow Lan lake fish grilled with wild herbs
Wild vegetables stir-fried with garlic and light soy sauce
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Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Khao Sok
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- Surat Thani HospitalPublic hospitalSurat ThaniDirections
- Taksin HospitalPrivate hospitalSurat ThaniDirections
Serious cases are transferred to Surat Thani, about 2 h by road.
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Khao Sok
What are the best things to do in Khao Sok?
The must-sees are Longtail trip on Cheow Lan Lake, A night on a lake raft, Hike to Ton Kloi waterfall. Also worth your time: Canoeing on the Sok River, Wing Hin and Ton Kloi waterfalls, Night safari, Nam Talu cave.
How much is the Khao Sok National Park entry fee?
There are two zones and two tickets, paid separately and in cash: 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child at the village, 300 THB and 150 THB at Cheow Lan Lake, plus a 40 THB pier fee per person. The ticket only covers several days if you sleep inside the park, camping or on a raft; otherwise you pay again each day. Check whether your raft package includes these fees.
How do I get to Khao Sok?
From Surat Thani, bus or minivan in 1 to 2 hours for 80 to 120 THB, hourly until 2 pm; later, a private taxi costs up to 2,500 THB. From Surat Thani airport, private taxi: about 1,900 THB to the village, 1,600 THB to the lake pier. From Krabi, shared minivan 450 THB (3.5 hours); from Phuket, bus 140 to 180 THB (5 to 6 hours, 5 departures from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm); from Khao Lak, bus 290 THB (1 hour 50 to 2 hours 20). From Bangkok, night train from 420 THB.
How do I get to Cheow Lan Lake?
The pier is about 1 hour by road from the village (65 km); your raft house usually arranges the transfer. From there, everything is by longtail: 20 minutes to the nearest rafts, up to 1 hour 20 to the furthest. Renting a boat costs 1,800 to 2,500 THB, to share. From December to April, book the boat before you arrive: you will not find one at the pier.
How many nights in Khao Sok, and where?
The most common plan: one or two nights in the village, then one night on the lake. A second night on the lake is only worth it for Nam Talu cave or a sunrise kayak. A day trip from Surat Thani or Krabi leaves too little time.
When is the best time to visit Khao Sok?
From December to March rainfall is at its lowest and the trails are in good shape; April is still fine. About 3,500 mm of rain falls each year, mostly from May to October, with the heaviest in September and October. Crowds peak from November to April and in July and August; May to early July is a good window to find boats. The rafts stay open all year, but Nam Talu cave closes from June to November and flood-prone trails from May to November.
Wi-Fi, power, cash: what to plan for on the lake?
On the lake, mobile signal is patchy and only works with AIS; Wi-Fi is only found in mid-range and upmarket rafts. Basic rafts only have power from sunset until 10 or 11 pm. There is no ATM on the lake, so withdraw in the village. Boats only run between sunrise and sunset.
Do I need a guide to hike in Khao Sok?
Only the short trails around the visitor centre and the first 2.9 km of the Ton Kloi trail can be walked alone; beyond that a guide is required. Allow 600 THB for a half day and 1,200 to 1,500 THB for a full day for 1 to 2 people, plus 50 THB per extra person. The park station only treats minor injuries: the nearest hospitals are in Takua Pa and Ban Ta Khun.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Khao Sok
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