Mood · Khao SokAdventurous · wild · quiet · untouched
Khao Sok
The world's oldest rainforest, older than the Amazon. Virtually unknown.
Khao Sok is Thailand's least visited major national park and home to the world's oldest rainforest. In 1987, a dam created Cheow Lan Lake: 165 km² of water dotted with 160 limestone islands and floating bungalows. Below is everything you need to know before heading into this part of Thailand.
Country
Thailand
Region
Surat Thani Province
Currency
Thai Baht (THB)
Language
Thai (limited English)
Time zone
7 hours ahead of Amsterdam
Best time
Nov, Apr (dry)
Getting there
Via Krabi or Surat Thani
Per day
€30, €100 p.p.
Safety
Very safe
Who it suits
- Nature lovers and hikers wanting something entirely different from the beach
- Adventurers: kayaking, jungle treks and night walks through the rainforest
- Travellers wanting to see Cheow Lan Lake: a night in floating bungalows among the cliffs
- Anyone on the Krabi, Phuket, Koh Samui route looking for a nature stopover
Less suited if…
- Beach-goers: Khao Sok has no beach; combine it with Krabi or Koh Lanta
- Those who value comfort over adventure: accommodation is simple and there are no luxury options
Mood · Khao SokThe sound of gibbons before sunrise is the best alarm clock on earth.
Don't miss
Highlights
The things to plan your day around.
Mood · Khao SokNight on Cheow Lan Lake
Floating bungalows amongst 160 limestone cliffs: one of Thailand's most extraordinary experiences
Mood · Khao SokJungle Trekking in Khao Sok
Guides through 160-million-year-old rainforest: hear the gibbons at sunrise
Mood · Khao SokKayaking on the Sok River
Gentle paddling through the heart of the rainforest: wildlife guaranteed
Mood · Khao SokNight Walk through the Jungle
After dark the rainforest comes alive: bats, reptiles and bioluminescence
Mood · Khao SokListening to the Gibbons at Sunrise
The most unforgettable sound in Thailand: free, before sunrise at your door
💡 Local tip
Book your lake bungalow through a local operator in the village (not large aggregators): they know the best locations and the boat is included in the package.
Mood · Khao SokEat
Where to actually eat
No tourist traps.
Mood · Khao SokMorning Mist Restaurant
The best breakfast in the village: fresh and local, just near the park gate
Mood · Khao SokJungle View Restaurant
Lunch with a jungle view: open terrace, fresh Thai curry
Mood · Khao SokDining in the Floating Bungalow
Cooking on the water: breakfast and dinner served by bungalow staff
Mood · Khao SokSurat Thani Night Market (nearby)
The nearest proper night market: 60 km towards Surat Thani
Mood · Khao SokTreehouse Bar & Restaurant
High in the trees: an open-air bar on a platform in the jungle
⚠️ Mistake to avoid
Don't plan a day trip to Cheow Lan Lake. The only way to experience it properly is to stay a night: otherwise you spend half the day in the boat.
Cheow Lan Lake looks like a film set. It's real.
See
What you really must see in Khao Sok
Mood · Khao SokKhao Sok Village
A handful of restaurants and guesthouses: small, friendly and the perfect base camp
Mood · Khao SokNaam Talu Cave
A wading cave in the heart of the park: certified guide only
Mood · Khao SokRatchaprapha Dam
The dam that made the lake: impressive engineering at the edge of the jungle
Mood · Khao SokBirdwatching in Khao Sok
Over 300 bird species: one of Asia's richest birdwatching areas
↗️ Worth the detour
Arrive a day earlier than planned. On the morning of day 1, before the trek begins, standing at the park gate before sunrise is Khao Sok's best free activity.
Discover
Everything on the map
Filter by what you're after.
Mood · Khao SokKhao Sok has no beach. But if you want nature, you need to be here.
Out and about
Best day trips
Out of the city within an hour.
Mood · Krabi & RailayKrabi & Railay
~2 hours by minibus~130 km (2 hours) · Limestone cliffs, Railay Beach
Krabi is the logical next stop after Khao Sok: take a minibus or private transfer (2 hours) and you're at the sea. Railay Beach, accessible only by boat, has Thailand's most spectacular limestone formations. Ao Nang is the more commercial option with more restaurants and transport links.
View day trips (opens in a new tab)
Mood · Koh SamuiKoh Samui
~2-3 hours (bus + ferry)~130 km (via Surat Thani) · Beach, wellness and relaxation
Koh Samui is the perfect next stop after Khao Sok: take a minibus to Surat Thani then a ferry to the island. In high season there are also express connections. Koh Samui has the best wellness facilities in the Gulf of Thailand: ideal as a relaxing end to an adventurous jungle stay.
View day trips (opens in a new tab)
Mood · Surat ThaniSurat Thani
~1 hour by bus or car~60 km · Transport hub and local town
Surat Thani is the nearest proper city centre to Khao Sok: ferries to Koh Samui/Koh Tao/Koh Phangan, train stations to Bangkok and a lively night market. If you miss a connection or want to plan early transport, Surat Thani is the logistics hub. The night market is worth the detour for food lovers.
View day trips (opens in a new tab)Practical
Everything you need to know
Weather & best time
Khao Sok receives 3,500 mm of rain a year: Thailand's wettest region. Yet even the rainy season has its charm: lush greenery, fewer tourists and the Rafflesia flower.
Jan
☀️
20-32°
Apr
🌤️
24-35°
Jul
🌧️
24-32°
Oct
🌧️
23-31°
What does a day cost?
Budget
€30 /dag
Guesthouse in the village, meals at local restaurants, guided jungle trek.
Mid-range
€80 /dag
Eco-lodge at the park gate, floating bungalow on the lake, guide for trek and night walk.
Luxury
€180+ /dag
Private lake-bungalow package, private diving guide, helicopter view over the park (seasonal).
Good to know
Visa
Visa on arrival (30 days visa-free)
Payment
Almost exclusively cash (THB)
Plug
Type A/B/C · 220V
Insects
DEET-based repellent essential
Tap water
Do not drink
Signal
Limited: no coverage on the lake
Mood · Khao SokSet your alarm for 5:30. Stand at the park gate. Listen.
Sleep
Pick your neighbourhood, not the stars
By travel style: book through our partners.
Eco-lodges at the Park Gate
Treehouse-style accommodation within walking distance of the national park
Floating Bungalows on the Lake
Stay overnight among the limestone cliffs of Cheow Lan Lake
Budget Guesthouses Khao Sok
Small guesthouses for the independent traveller
Before you go
Sorted before you set off
Worth booking ahead.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Khao Sok?
November to April is the driest season, ideal for trekking and exploring the lake. But Khao Sok is also remarkable in the wet season (May, October): the rainforest is vivid green, there are fewer visitors and the lake rises, making the cliffs stand out even more dramatically. The rainy season is also when the Rafflesia flower blooms (the world's largest flower). Go whenever you can.
How do I get to Khao Sok?
Khao Sok sits on the route between Krabi/Phuket (2 hours) and Koh Samui (via Surat Thani, 2 hours). Minibuses depart daily from Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani and Koh Samui. There is no train to Khao Sok itself; the nearest stations are Phun Phin (Surat Thani) and Chumphon. A car or minibus is the most practical option.
How many days do I need in Khao Sok?
A minimum of 2 nights, though more is better. Day 1: arrival and jungle trekking. Day 2: overnight on Cheow Lan Lake. Day 3: return and optional kayaking. With one night you'll miss the lake. With three nights you can fit in the night walk, cave route and gibbon spotting.
Is Khao Sok suitable for children?
Yes, if you plan well. Kayaking and a lake overnight are wonderful for children over 6 years old. Naam Talu Cave is only for children over 10 (physically demanding). Night walks are suitable for children over 8. Account for heat and insects: a good insect repellent is essential.
Can I combine Khao Sok with a beach?
Yes, and this is the most popular combination. Khao Sok sits perfectly between Krabi (2 hours) and Koh Samui (2 hours via Surat Thani). Fly into Krabi, head to Khao Sok (2 nights), then on to Koh Samui or Koh Lanta for a week at the beach. Or from Bangkok by train to Surat Thani, then bus to Khao Sok, then ferry to Koh Samui.
Wayloha editorial team · Editorial
Updated June 2026
Khao Sok National Park Authority (DNP Thailand) · TAT Surat Thani · Rainforest Research Thailand · Bird Life International Thailand · Ratchaprapha Dam visitor information · Lonely Planet Thailand 2024
Khao Sok calls
The world's oldest rainforest, a lake ringed by 160 limestone cliffs and gibbons that begin singing before sunrise. Still one of Thailand's most untouched natural areas.
Plan your Khao Sok adventureMore in Thailand
More cities in Thailand
Krabi
Krabi travel guide: Railay Beach, Tiger Cave Temple, snorkelling at the Four Islands and day trips to Koh Phi Phi. Verified by the Wayloha editorial team. Includes seasonal tips.
Read the guide →
Phuket
Phuket travel guide: the best of Old Town, Big Buddha, Phang Nga Bay, snorkelling at the Similan Islands and tips to avoid Patong. Checked by the Wayloha editorial team.
Read the guide →
Koh Samui
Koh Samui travel guide: Ang Thong Marine Park, Fisherman's Village in Bophut, Chaweng Beach and day trips to Koh Tao. Tips for the season, transport and the island's best beaches.
Read the guide →
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai travel guide: the best temples, elephant sanctuaries, cooking classes and day trips. Checked by the Wayloha editorial team. Including season tips and burning season warnings.
Read the guide →
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta travel guide: long beaches, mangroves, diving at Koh Haa and authentic Lanta Old Town. Checked by the Wayloha editorial team.
Read the guide →
Sukhothai
Sukhothai travel guide: the Historical Park, Wat Mahathat, Wat Sri Chum, Si Satchanalai and Loy Krathong. Checked by the Wayloha editorial team.
Read the guide →Part of Thailand
New to Thailand?
Read our complete Thailand travel guide: regions, best time to go and practical tips before you plan your trip.