Khao Sok National Park Tourist Attractions

Though Khao Sok National Park can be visited as a day trip from Phuket or Khao Lak we strongly recommend you to plan at least one night in the park; the more – the better.

Western entrance (Khlong Sok)

Close to the western entrance only a couple of very short trails are accessible without hiring a professional guide. What you’ll see is only two minor waterfalls plus a few species of birds.

There used to be a lot more free access trails but they’ve been closed in the recent years due to several serious accidents that happened to inexperienced trekkers who managed to get lost just a couple of km away from the visitor centre. You’ll probably see many people deliberately ignoring the prohibiting signs, but we strongly recommend you not to follow their example; a professional guide will cost you just THB500 for half a day (per group, not per person) and you are sure to get the most out of your visit to the park in the company of an experienced park ranger – and stay on the safe side, too.

Guides can be hired at the visitor centre or at your guesthouses.

Within a ten km range from the headquarters there are several waterfalls, some of which feature natural pools suitable for swimming; also throw in a couple of caves which are bound to be a highlight of your day.

Don’t miss Than Sawan waterfall. To reach it, you have to hike a 6 km challenging trail that involves wading in the river bed for the last km.

Night safaris (THB500) are a different and thrilling way to explore the jungle. Wildlife that usually hides during the day will show up and the expert eye of the guide will be able to point a variety of animals out to you.

Eastern entrance (Chiew Lan Lake)

The stunning lake is a result of the construction of a dam and it has enough to offer to keep you occupied for as many days as you like.

There are 6 main areas around the lake named after different tributary rivers bringing their waters to this artificial body of water. All of the areas are accessible by boat only from the pier past the park entrance.

Khlong Long is the most popular area – mostly because it is the closest to the pier.

Canoeing through the limestone hills is the main activity on the lake, but a challenging 2,5 hour trek that will take you to a breath-taking viewpoint is a must for everyone who do not mind making an extra effort.

Khlong Pey is where some of the DNP bungalows are located, and where quite an easy 4 km circular trail originates, bringing you to the stunning Nam Thalu Cave.

Khlong Saeng is located on the northwestern side of the lake and technically belongs to a different protected area, the Khlong Saeng Wildilife Sanctuary. That is the reason why the visit there requires an extra fee. Very few people get to this remote part of the lake, but a hike with an experienced guide will give you high chances to spot gibbons, macaques and deer and, with a bit of luck, elephants, gaurs and king cobras.

How to explore the park: join an organized tour

Even if visiting the park is perfectly doable by yourself, joining a guided tour is an easier way to get the most of your visit.

We normally prefer to organize our adventures independently and if we have time to plan it and enough days to spend in the park, this would still be our choice. But Khao Sok is not an ‘’easy’’ natural park to visit, and showing up unprepared with only one night in your sleeve to spend will increase the risks of being disappointed.

Many travel agencies in Khlong Sok will offer you an infinite range of tour – from a single day trekking tour with a short kayaking on the Sok River to a standardized 2 days all-included tour with an overnight in a raft house on Chiew Lan Lake to multi days customized trekking programs with overnight camping in the deepest jungle. Canoeing over the river, rafting, diving in the lake, elephant encounters are just some of the activities that can be included into your package. Prices vary according to the number of days and the activities included.