Khao Sok National Park is part of Thailand’s largest protected area. Within the unspoiled jungle, locals are leading a revolution in the quality of nature tourism. Choose from the many things to do in Khao Sok. Enjoy a relaxing jungle cooking class or experience a 10-day deep jungle survival tour!
Local English-speaking guides will show you around.
Top 6 things to suite everyone’s travel style!
1 – Jungle Cooking
In Khao Sok we love to make and eat great food! Visit a local Thai family to enjoy their culture and home-cooked dishes. And you will experience this in a unique jungle setting! In a local farm.
You will be able to get hands on experience of making traditional Thai recipes. We absolutely love this experience and still taste that delicious turmeric grilled chicken we made! Many people consistently note this as one of the best things to do in Khao Sok.
2 – Full-Day Khao Sok Lake Tour
One of the most amazing things to do in Khao Sok takes place in one of the most striking places on earth. Cheow Lan Lake has many islands with tall limestone cliffs.
The lake has quiet spots that are great for small floating bungalow resorts. The only way to reach these raft houses on the lake is by traditional Thai long tail boats that depart from from Cheow Lan pier. This is our all-time favorite day trip which includes a feast on a floating restaurant and a hike to an ancient bat cave!
3 – Night Safari
Venture into the dark jungle with an expert guide to spot the nocturnal creatures leaving their hideouts. During 2 hours of easy walking keep your eye out for the extraordinary local fauna!
Tarantulas hide in their caves. Witness the world’s smallest deer, a civet cat, and a slow loris. Many more mysterious animals await discovery!
4 – Elephant Retirement Sanctuary
You might find wild elephants when visiting Khao Sok national park but there is a better way to get close to them. Go to the retirement sanctuary and meet Somboon, our favorite Khao Sok elephant! He is 54-year old, a rescue animal from a working camp, and now lives with a lovely family.
You will have an amazing time feeding Somboon. He eats 300 kg of food each day. You will learn about Thai elephant culture. This includes a secret recipe for traditional food.
You will also learn some words in the Mahout language that elephant handlers use. The best part of course is when you get to bathe the elephant!
5 – River Activities
Adding to the many things to do on your trip to Khao Sok, the Sok river meanders through Khao Sok village and onwards through the surrounding jungle.
Jump in a canoe or a tube and experience the jungle from this unique perspective! You can see monkeys playing in bamboos, brightly colored kingfishers and snakes snoozing in the trees above! A canoe trip is a fun activity in Khao Sok for everyone. Let the guide do the paddling and spotting wildlife while you relax!
You can find Sok River canoe trips in the village not far from the national park headquarters.
6 – Jungle Camping
And for the most adventurous we can offer a deep jungle adventure with expert bush craft guides. This is the best option for those wanting a real jungle experience. You will learn a lot about surviving and finding wild plants, fruits, and fishing in the world’s oldest rainforest! Good health and a good fitness level is a must for this adventure!
Fitness Levels
Khao Sok national park activities can be quite demanding and require a decent level of fitness. This is a wild mountainous jungle and to reach its deepest secret places requires some quite challenging hikes.
On the other hand there are so many things to do in Khao Sok that you will find something for everyone. Plenty of activities in and around the village are easy for everyone. Learn Thai cooking, visit the amazing elephants or take a gentle guided canoe trip on the Sok River.
The Khao Sok lake national park
The Khao Sok lake national park provides a remarkable opportunity to stay overnight on floating bungalows. Waking just a few steps away from the gently lapping waters of the pristine lake is something else!
However, please understand that someone must ferry everything by boat to these floating islands of wonder. You won’t find cell phone or internet connections in much of the national park. Of course that’s why it is such an amazing place, and one of the most popular in Khao Sok. Just be aware that the floating raft houses are a bit rough and ready without air conditioning and other creature comforts.
You can find the full activities list and suggested tours on Riverside Cottages website. Once you’re in Khao Sok our staff will make sure you get the most from your time here!
Find your perfect place to stay and start planning your next adventure at the tropical paradise we call Home!
Riverside & Rafthouse – Khao Sok lake Package
Day 1: Your Khao Sok Lake Package begins at Riverside Cottages, where you’ll check in and then be shown to your room. In the afternoon, explore the river by canoe or have a relaxing one hour Thai massage. In the evening, the package includes dinner along with all other meals. Spend the night in a Forest Room at Riverside Cottages.
Day 2: Enjoy a full breakfast and then continue on an overnight tour to Cheow Lan Lake. Join with a guide and a group of 10-18 other guests and take a boat ride through incredible scenery to a raft house where you will have lunch.
In the afternoon, swim in the emerald waters and go jungle hiking or spend some time kayaking. After a fresh dinner (included), spend the night in a floating bamboo bungalow. Please note that these bungalows are truly rustic, and there is a shared bathroom (private bathrooms are not available).
Day 3: Keep enjoying your Khao Sok Lake tour with an early morning mist safari. Look for giant hornbills, monkeys, and gibbons in the trees before breakfast. Check out of your room. Then, relax, swim, or kayak until lunch.
After that, take a boat ride to Rajaprabha Dam. You can choose to take a van back to Khao Sok. Tour ends at 14:00 at Rajaprabha Dam or 15:00 at Khao Sok.
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For a deeper dive into Khao Sok, The National Park and Riverside Cottages visit our FAQs and Blog. Many people come to Khao Sok via the Surat Thani airport. For details of getting to the national park from Surat Thani and elsewhere check out our Directions page.
