Khao Sok National Park

Ancient Jungle and Emerald Lake Paradise

Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand features limestone cliffs rising above dense evergreen forests and emerald lakes. The park’s ancient rainforest covers steep hills and deep valleys shaped by millions of years of erosion. Waterfalls cascade down rock faces into clear streams that feed the lake at its center. Wildlife thrives here, with gibbons swinging through trees and birds calling from hidden perches above. At night, fireflies light up the forest floor while bats glide between ancient trunks. The area’s natural beauty remains largely untouched by development.

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National Park in Thailand

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.4

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	2

Read details

3/5

Guides and staff at accommodations typically speak basic to intermediate English. Most tour operators can communicate essential information, though detailed explanations might be limited with some local guides.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Khao Sok National Park Summary

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World-class for jungle landscapes and lake adventures. Stay in floating bungalows, kayak across limestone lakes, hike rainforest trails and watch wildlife.

Place score

7.8

Best at:

Natural sites

Forests

Wildlife

Guided tours

Mountains

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

♻️ 8

Sustainability

Thailand – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Thai Baht (THB) £1 ≈ THB 44.95
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Thailand, especially in major cities. Mobile payments such as Line Pay, GrabPay, and Apple Pay are common. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Thailand, but it is appreciated. In restaurants, leaving 10% is common. Taxi fares are rounded up, and small tips for hotel staff are encouraged.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in Thailand, though alcohol is available in licensed venues like bars and restaurants. Laws around drinking in public can be strictly enforced in some areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including shopping centres and restaurants, but designated smoking areas are common.

Songkran (13–15 April)	Thai New Year celebrated with water fights
Father's Day (King Bhumibol Memorial Day) (5 December)	Honours the late King Bhumibol, with ceremonies across the country

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 191 (Police), 1155 (Tourist Police), 1669 (Ambulance), 199 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Grab, Bolt
Other:	Thailand is known for its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and rich history. Popular activities include visiting temples, experiencing the vibrant nightlife, and enjoying the country’s diverse cuisine.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

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The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

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Mar

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Apr

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April, July - Aug., Nov.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

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Climate details

Dry season December to April best for trekking, kayaking and lake tours; lake and river levels peak after the rains

Heavy rain September to November can cause flash floods and close trails and river tours

Don't miss

🏞️ Stay overnight in floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake
🛶 Kayak through emerald waters surrounded by limestone cliffs
🐘 Trek into the jungle to spot wild elephants and gibbons
🕳️ Explore hidden caves like Coral Cave by longtail boat
🌌 Listen to nature’s sounds on a guided night safari

You've been here?

Why travel to Khao Sok National Park?

Khao Sok offers an immersive experience into one of Earth's oldest rainforests, where you can disconnect from digital life and reconnect with nature. The highlight is undoubtedly Cheow Lan Lake with its floating bungalows, where you'll wake up surrounded by mist-covered limestone cliffs jutting from turquoise waters. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled by the chance to spot wild elephants, gibbons, macaques, hornbills and if extremely lucky, even clouded leopards or tigers. The park delivers authentic eco-adventures from jungle trekking to cave exploration, all while maintaining a genuine, non-commercialized atmosphere.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 cheow lan lake
2 Chiao Lan Dam
3 Khao Sok Riverside Cottages
4 Visitor Center Khao Sok National Park

🎡Places for activities

1 Campsite

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 cheow lan lake
2 Sok River

🎈Events

Wildlife Migration Seasons
Dry Season Wildlife Spotting (February-May)
Rainy Season Waterfall Peaks
Local Cultural Festivals
Birdwatching Peak Season

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Knowledge before you go

Plan for two zones: jungle village and lake area.
Stay one night on Cheow Lan Lake; sunrise boat rides give the best atmosphere.
Bring dry bags, headlamp and leech-proof socks; rainforest trails get wet and slippery.
For longer treks, hire a licensed guide; it improves wildlife spotting and keeps you safer.

How to travel to Khao Sok National Park

The park is accessible from several major tourist hubs in southern Thailand. The closest airports are Surat Thani (domestic flights) and Phuket International (international flights). From these locations, buses and private transfers can take you to Khao Sok. Many visitors arrange transportation through tour operators or accommodations for a hassle-free journey. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours from Phuket or Krabi and about 1.5 hours from Surat Thani.

Access summary

From Surat Thani Airport (URT): Around 2 hours by minivan or taxi.
From Phuket: Roughly 3 hours by shared minivan or private transfer.
From Krabi or Khao Lak: About 2.5–3 hours by road transfers.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok offers unique accommodation experiences, with floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake being the absolute highlight. These range from basic raft houses to luxury floating villas like ISSARA Resort. Near the park entrance, you'll find riverside cottages and jungle lodges. For budget travelers, there's a campsite at the visitor center with tent rentals available. Most accommodations include guided activities as part of packages.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Belong Jin The Dam Hotel and Resort

8.9

Montania Lifestyle Hotel

9.0

Magical Mountain View Resort

8.9

River View Resort At Chaewlan

7.2

Khaosok Treehouse Resort

8.2

Khao Sok Rain Forest Resort

Chillax @Khaosk Hostel

8.7

Baandin Chiewlarn Resort

8.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Khao Sok National Park

Within Khao Sok, transportation options are limited and focused on guided experiences. For exploring the lake, longtail boats are the primary mode of transport, usually arranged through tour operators or accommodations. Around the headquarters area, some trails can be walked independently, but most require guides. The village area is walkable, but for reaching different parts of the park, you'll need arranged transportation.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-66 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 66% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to THB) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Surat Thani, Thailand - 91 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£30	£70	£193
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£45	£113
🍝 Food per day	£12	£20	£61
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£19

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£7.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.70
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.40
☕ Cappuccino	£1.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.85
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£12
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.95

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.70
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£2.70
💇 Basic haircut	£4

Safety information overview

General safety

Khao Sok is generally safe, but jungle trekking without guides is prohibited and dangerous due to the risk of getting lost. Wildlife encounters are typically safe but maintain distance from any animals. Follow guide instructions during all activities.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities within the park are basic. The nearest hospitals are in larger towns outside the park. Bring necessary medications and a basic first aid kit. Stay hydrated and protect against mosquitoes, as tropical diseases are possible.

Accessibility

Khao Sok has limited accessibility for those with mobility issues. Jungle trails, caves and many activities require good physical fitness. Some raft houses and boat tours can accommodate visitors with minor mobility limitations, but advance arrangements are essential.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe for drinking. Bottled water is widely available at accommodations and shops. When trekking, bring sufficient water or water purification methods, as natural water sources may not be safe.