Khao Sok National Park Guide

Yes, and for many people it's the highlight of a trip to southern Thailand. Waking up on a raft house as the mist lifts off Cheow Lan Lake, with limestone cliffs straight out of the water and gibbons calling from the forest, is unlike anything on the coast. It's also an easy detour, sitting between Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak on one side and Surat Thani and the Gulf islands on the other.

Set your expectations on wildlife. You'll likely hear gibbons and see hornbills, monkeys and plenty of insects, but the park's big animals are rarely seen, and no tiger has been recorded here in decades. The rainforest itself is the draw, which the park's operators describe as older than the Amazon.

It's not a beach trip and not a comfortable one in the rains. The trails are muddy, the rafts are basic, and from May to November heavy rain can close caves and flood the river.

If you can't stay on the lake, a day trip still shows you the best of it: the boat ride past the karst islands, a swim, a cave and lunch on a raft. Tours run from Khao Sok village and from Khao Lak, and some from Phuket, which makes for a long day. A longtail hired at the pier costs about ฿2,000 for two hours or ฿2,800 for three, for the whole boat.

Two or three nights suits most trips. Spend the first night in the village, with a guided hike in the morning and a night safari or tubing in the afternoon, then go out to the lake for a night on a raft house. A third night adds another hike or a slower day on the river.

A day trip from Khao Lak or Phuket covers the lake only, and is a long day in a van. If you can, give it a night.

Khao Sok village is on Route 401 between Surat Thani and Takua Pa. Buses and vans drop on the main road at the village, for about ฿280 from Surat Thani, ฿370 from Phuket and ฿400–500 from Krabi. By car it's about an hour from Surat Thani, two hours from Khao Lak or Krabi, and two and a half to three from Phuket. From Koh Phangan, Lomprayah's bus-and-boat leaves at 08:05 and arrives at 12:30 for ฿1,350.

Private transfers are the easy option with luggage. The lake's pier is about 65 km from the village, so raft packages include the transfer. In heavy rain, check the road, because flash floods closed Route 401 near the park in September 2026.

December to April is the best time. February is the driest month, with about 33 mm of rain, the trails are drier, and Nam Talu cave reopens. The rafts are busiest from November to mid-April and again in July and August, so book the lake ahead.

May to November is very wet. September is the wettest month, with about 450 mm, the rivers can flood, and some trails and caves close. The forest is at its greenest and the lake at its fullest, but plan for rain every day.