Forget Phuket or Koh Samui – you are more adventurous than that! Time to explore the jungles, caves and test the waters of Thailand’s inland island-hopping destination – Khao Sok.

The stereotypical attractions that spring to mind in Thailand are island hopping, elephants, and Pad Thai. Many think of life by the water or standing atop of the hills in the North and can’t decide on where to go. How about all of the above in one locale? An amazing locale at that! if you feel like unleashing inner Tarzan or Jane out, head to the Thai jungle for one action-packed adventure filled with trekking and island hoping bliss in Southern Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park.

Khao Sok makes for the perfect Jungle Book setting. It is home to one of the world’s oldest evergreen forests and set against a backdrop of towering limestone cliffs – make sure you pack that waterproof camera too! Located in the centre of Southern Thailand, it is easily accessible to the sands of Phuket and Krabi (roughly 3 hours either way) and Surat Thani, the gateway to island hopping destinations, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and the scuba diving mecca of Koh Tao. Despite its close proximity to the coast, it is anything but a beachy destination. The water that you get to lap up instead, the man-made Cheow Lan Lake, is best experienced by boat so forget the notion of sunbathing along the sand!  

Khao Sok – Thailand’s best-kept secret

Think of Khao Sok like a Halong Bay without the hordes of tourists – and a lot more wildlife instead. After all, this one of the best places in Thailand to see wildlife. It is quite common to make a day trip around the lakes on a boat safari ride to spot tree-swinging gibbons and play bird bingo with its bountiful of feathery occupants (over 180 bird species are found here including giant hornbills).

A local tour guide (most likely with razor sharp eyes) will help spot these rare bird species from the front of an authentic Thai longtail boat. On land, Khao Sok is also home to an array of exotic mammals including wild elephants, bears and boars. If you are lucky enough, you may be able to spot a tiger too! The jewel of the crown by flora standards in this national park is the Rafflesia – the world’s biggest flower – and commonly found in Sabah, Malaysia.

Raft house life

You can do a day tour here, however, I strongly advocate making a night of it. No, the accommodation is not five-star glam but it will make you have a golden moment of experiencing the Thai ‘outback.’ Forget the camping gear as authentic Thai raft houses and bungalows dot the bays around the lake and provide a unique way to embrace the scenery.

Khao Sok is all about enjoying life’s simple pleasures while being a world away from the craziness of Thailand’s biggest cities. Here it is all about feeling ever so chill amongst the jungle backdrop. Rest assured, you would be happy to be stranded here if it was for the TV show ‘Survivor Thailand!’ This very remote location provides great opportunities to enjoy relaxing swims in the lake, star gazing at night and taking in the sublime nature of the park.

Cave trekking

If you want to live out a real-life Goosebumps thriller, embark on a guided hiking adventure into the ancient jungle and some of its hidden caves including Tam Nam Lu and Diamond Cave. Just prepare yourself for the sight of spiders and squeals of bats – yes, it is that creepy! Make sure you bring a torch to spot the hundreds of bats that hang off the roof of the caves – not that you needed to be scared shitless even more!

Some of the treks in the park can be extremely intense so it is advised to go into the caves fully clothed. This is despite the fact that at times you literally have to swim through the cave, sometimes neck-deep with only your torchlight as a guide so really, entering the cave is at your own risk. Scary as this whole experience may sound, it’s not all impassioned thrill-seeking activities with viewpoints, waterfalls and swimming holes to be fond of.

Tubing down the river

OK, Khao Sok isn’t all about throwing yourself into caves and being scared shitless by bats and creepy crawlies – you can also do the polar opposite – relax – by cruising down the Sok River via floating donut.

 

It is an innocent float down the river (no its not anything like the former floating tube and often controversial party town, Vang Vieng in Laos) but one that allows you to appreciate the moment and sheer beauty of Southern Thailand truly; soaring cliff faces, verdant jungles and the calamity of life on the water.

This slow-paced ride offers cheap thrills with the occasional small rapid and the greeting of colourful dragonflies flying around you and landing upon your leg. It is also an opportunity sometimes to witness locals hunting for fish in the river (an interesting watch).

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Getting there

By flight: Fly into Krabi, Phuket or Surat Thani. It will then be possible to arrange an airport transfer to Khao Sok although this will be a pricey option.

By minibus: There are many local tour operators booking minibus services to Khao Sok. It is roughly THB 350 one way from either Krabi or Phuket. Each ride is roughly 3 hours and departs at least once daily from either destination.

By public bus: This is the cheaper option – but it is also the case for travelling along the long and winding road too. This website has a comprehensive list of services available.

Where to stay

Khao Sok Riverside Cottages – I could not recommend this place highly enough – it literally made my stay! Just on the outskirts of town, its wooden cottages (some equipped with a hammock) sits along the riverbank with views of the lush jungle and peaceful surrounds.

As its just located outside of the town, the restaurant on site is the only place to fill up. Luckily, the food is well priced, and the curries were a dream. It wasn’t just the inclusive breakfast that sold me either on the accommodation either, more it was the free tube hire and having the opportunity to float down the river all by myself! Friendly tip – just watch out for the little fish that bite in the river. They are harmless but they may give you a decent fright!