เขาสกAncient rainforest, limestone towers and floating bungalows on a jade lake.
Khao Sok National Park protects one of the oldest evergreen rainforests on Earth, estimated at 160 million years old, older than the Amazon. In the south of Thailand, between the Andaman and Gulf coasts, its steep limestone peaks, rivers, caves and waterfalls shelter gibbons, hornbills, macaques, elephants and, rarely, tigers, along with giant rafflesia flowers that bloom in the cool season.
The park's centrepiece is Cheow Lan Lake, a vast reservoir created by the Ratchaprapha Dam in 1982. Jagged karst towers rise from the jade-green water, and rafthouse bungalows float beneath them. You can visit on a day trip, but an overnight stay gives time for dawn wildlife watching, kayaking and an after-dark jungle safari.
The park is wet for much of the year, which is what keeps it so green. December to April is the driest and most comfortable time, but it's a rainforest: expect rain, mud and leeches at any time, and plan accordingly.
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿ · THB)
- Rainforest
- Around 160 million years old
- Park fee
- About ฿300 for foreign adults
- Best season
- December to April
- Wet season
- May to November, with heavy rain
- Getting there
- About 1.5–2 hours from Surat Thani, Phuket or Krabi
Top things to do in Khao Sok National Park.
15 places we chose and described by hand. Open any of them, with photos, hours and directions, in the catalogue below or in the app.
Places to visit
- Cheow Lan Lake (Ratchaprapha Dam) Cheow Lan
A jade-green lake among jagged limestone towers, with floating raft houses.
- Khao Sok Park Headquarters & Trails Khao Sok village
The starting point for jungle trails, waterfalls and river swimming.
- Sip Et Chan Waterfall Khao Sok
An eleven-tiered waterfall reached after a jungle hike with river crossings.
- Tham Nam Thalu (Water Cave) Khao Sok
A cave with a stream running through it, explored on foot and by swimming.
- Rafflesia Kerrii Sites Khao Sok
The world's largest flower, which blooms for only a few days, mostly between December and April.
Restaurants
- Jungle Restaurants in Khao Sok Village Khao Sok village
Family-run restaurants serving Thai curries, stir-fries and fresh fish by the river.
- Meals on the Lake Raft Cheow Lan
Simple Thai dishes cooked on the raft house and eaten on the water.
Activities
- Overnight at Cheow Lan Lake Cheow Lan
Sleep in a floating bungalow and see the lake at dawn.
- Sok River Tubing & Canoeing Sok River
Float down the clear river on an inner tube or paddle through the forest.
- Night Jungle Safari Khao Sok village
A guided walk after dark to spot frogs, insects, civets and owls.
- Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Visit Near Khao Sok
Observe elephants in the forest, with no riding or shows.
Hotels & stays
- Treehouse & Jungle Lodges Khao Sok village
Wooden bungalows on stilts among the trees, a short walk from the park entrance.
- Luxury Jungle Tented Camps Near Khao Sok
Comfortable tented lodges with pools, guides and wildlife experiences.
- Floating Raft Houses Cheow Lan
Simple floating huts on Cheow Lan Lake, reached by longtail boat.
Shopping
- Khao Sok Village Shops Khao Sok village
Small shops for trekking gear, souvenirs and snacks along the village road.
Explore all 221 places in Khao Sok National Park.
We couldn’t load the places. Check your connection and try again.
No places found.
Try a broader search or another category.
From the Thailand Guide app’s catalogue: OpenStreetMap places with traveller notes from Wikivoyage and photos from Wikimedia Commons. Photos marked “Representative” show the same kind of place, not this exact one. Neighbouring islands and day-trip areas may be included. “Open now” uses listed hours in Thailand time; confirm hours and access before travelling.
Best time to visit Khao Sok National Park.
The best time to visit Khao Sok National Park is December to March. Khao Sok is among the wettest places in Thailand and is green all year. December to April is the driest and most comfortable, with clearer skies and lower humidity. From May to November heavy rain and swollen rivers make trekking harder, though the forest and waterfalls are at their most spectacular, and crowds are lower.
Approximate long-term monthly averages in °C and millimetres of rain. These are planning notes, not a weather forecast.
Khao Sok National Park travel tips.
Jungle etiquette
Stick to trails, take your rubbish out and never feed the wildlife. Silence helps you see and hear more.
Rafflesia
The world's largest flower, Rafflesia kerrii, blooms for only a few days, mainly in the cool season. Ask guides about current sites.
Wildlife
Elephants, gibbons, hornbills and macaques live here. Choose guides who avoid disturbing animals and never offer food.
Leeches
Leeches are common in the wet season. Wear long socks, use repellent and check your legs.
Keep your cool (jai yen)
Staying calm and smiling solves most problems in Thailand; raised voices lose face for everyone.
Plan Khao Sok National Park on your phone.
Save places, see what is open now, check the weather and air quality, and browse all twenty guides in the free Thailand Guide app. Works offline.