Khao Sok Travel Guide – How many days to stay in Khao Sok?

Hi – are you thinking of going to the national park? If so you will be glad of our Khao Sok travel guide. We will help you decide how many days to stay in Khao Sok. First things first:

A fair question if you haven’t been. The National Park is 100% worth going to if you are in Southern Thailand. It is an absolute must if you are traveling between Phuket, Krabi and/or Koh Samui. It is easy to get here from all three popular beach destinations. Enjoy a jungle escape and wildlife adventure away from the crowded party towns. Read this page for directions.

Activities are available for families, couples and backpackers alike, so it’s definitely worth including in your travel plans for Thailand. It is an incredible adventure playground suitable for all ages.

This Khao Sok travel guide will help you to decide how many days to stay in Khao Sok.

1 night at the Khao Sok National Park

• The National Park tours usually require at least a 1 night stay in Khao Sok. You will need time to explore the park and many tours begin in the early morning.
• You can get a sense of the area during a morning or evening safari. However, this is not the best way to explore the lake or jungle.
• Booking a 1 night, 2 day tour to Cheow Lan Lake is essential. I recommend adding an extra night near the entrance to the park.
• This will help you to get the most out of your visit. The majority of our guests book at least a 2 night stay. They usually enjoy a night at Khao Sok Riverside Cottages and a night at a floating bungalow on the lake.
• Please be aware that, because of the remote location of Cheow Lan Lake, you will find limited facilities. For example you will be without air conditioning or a Wi-Fi connection.
• Do you enjoy your creature comforts and are you afraid of creepy crawlies? If so, staying in a comfortable resort near the entrance to the park would be a good option for a 1 night stay. A guided trek or canoe safari is a great experience.
• You are more likely to see wildlife if you go deeper into the jungle. This is only possible during a 2/3 night stay.

2 night stay in Khao Sok National Park

• You will need at least 2 days to enjoy the incredible nature and variety of activities available. Most visitors choose to stay 1 night near the entrance to the park, before staying on Cheow Lan Lake.
• Staying in the jungle is a perfect introduction to the nature and wildlife of the area. The hotels and resorts by the Sok River have a calm atmosphere. This is more relaxing before and after you move to a floating bungalow on Cheow Lan Lake. See our most popular Riverside & Rafthouse Package.
• Staying for 2 nights at Riverside Cottages lets you experience jungle life. The lovely wooden cottages are by the river. We are just a short ride to the park.
• The location along the river provides the opportunity for canoe, bamboo raft and tubing safaris.
• You can visit Cheow Lan Lake for a day trip. You can kayak on the lake or hike in the jungle. After that, you will return to Riverside Cottages. See our Rainforest Adventure Tour.
• For a relaxing 2-night stay, we offer cooking classes and elephant experiences. You can also enjoy massages and visits to hot springs. See our  Delight Package.

3 night stay

• A 3 night stay offers the chance to see more wildlife and enjoy your adventures at a more relaxed pace. Transfers from the entrance to the park to the raft houses on the lake take around 2-3 hours.
• This is a good option if you prefer to spend less time traveling and more time relaxing or doing activities. Perhaps a half day hike into the park would be your best option. You will have an increased chance of wildlife sightings in the deep jungle. See our Jungle Tour.
• A 3-night trip can also include a 2-night stay on Cheow Lan Lake. This is a more luxurious choice. It includes a private guided tour and an air-conditioned floating bungalow.
• 3-nights is a popular choice for families or couples. They want more flexible activities and more variety of places to stay by the lake.
• You are most likely to see wild elephants on a custom tour to Cheow Lan Lake. This tour takes you to Klong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary, where you have the best chance to spot them. Contact us for more details on a private, tailor made tour.

You can explore parts of the park by yourself, but we highly recommend guided tours. Solo travelers should book a group tour to Cheow Lan Lake. Rooms in the floating bungalows are limited and extremely popular. This is especially true during the high season, which runs from mid-November to mid-April.

• Solo travelers can pay a single supplement for their own room on the lake. If a solo traveler doesn’t want to pay a single supplement, they can book a lake tour through a local hostel instead.
• What activities require a guide? Some hikes you can do on your own, but you will lack a deep understanding of the plants and animals around you.
• Exploring the surrounding area by scooter is a popular option. Stunning viewpoints and interesting temples await, but you will need to know where to go.

Now that you have decided how many days to stay in Khao Sok it is time to consider booking your rooms and tours.

• Do you even need to book in advance? Well, you will definitely need to do so between mid-November and mid-April, the busiest time in Thailand.
• This is especially true for booking bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake. The raft houses are extremely limited on the lake because of their remote location and popularity with tourists.
• You shouldn’t expect to just arrive and book onto a lake package last minute. Last minute rooms may become available but the best resorts, and their lake packages, will fill up quickly. No guarantee.
• Tourist low season is from late-April to early-July. At this time it should be possible to book a place to stay or a lake package a day or two in advance, or even on the same day. You can say the same for transfers to and from Phuket, Krabi, or Koh Samui. However, you cannot guarantee this, so plan your visit accordingly.
• If you plan to stay at Riverside Cottages, they will gladly give you great advice. They can also help with all your booking needs, including tours!

If you’re still planning your trip, it can be helpful to read an external perspective. This Khao Sok National Park travel guide offers a useful overview of the area from travellers who have explored it in detail, and can help you decide how to structure your stay.