Khao Sok National Park – Gateway to Nature's Paradise

When it comes to Thailand, most travelers envision ancient, magnificent temples, dreamy island beaches, and stunning landscapes. However, few know about Thailand's pristine and breathtaking forests. Among them, one cannot overlook Khao Sok National Park - hailed as Thailand's gateway to nature's paradise. If you're a nature lover, you must visit Khao Sok National Park at least once in your lifetime.

Where is Khao Sok National Park?

Khao Sok National Park is situated in the southern region of Thailand. This national park is home to hundreds of rare species of wildlife. Moreover, it's a favorite destination among travelers seeking an authentic wilderness experience in Thailand.

The precise location of Khao Sok National Park lies within the districts of Phanom and Ban Ta Khun, in Surat Thani province, Thailand. Encompassing a total area of 741.01 km2, Khao Sok National Park stands as the largest virgin forest in southern Thailand. According to numerous studies, this forest has a long history of existence and boasts a greater diversity of natural resources than the Amazon rainforest.

Khao Sok National Park is located in Ban Ta Khun district, Surat Thani province (Image source: Collected)

Established officially in 1980, Khao Sok National Park has gradually become a renowned tourist destination with its magnificent natural landscapes. From cascading waterfalls and serene lakes to hidden caves and limestone cliffs emerging from the water, this park surprises visitors at every turn. It's no wonder many affectionately refer to Khao Sok National Park as the “Thai Paradise”.

When is the best time to visit Khao Sok National Park?

Khao Sok National Park experiences a tropical savanna climate influenced by the monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Consequently, the climate here is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts from May to December with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 35°C. Meanwhile, the dry season spans from January to April, with the highest temperature reaching 27°C.

From January to March is the ideal time to visit Khao Sok National Park (Image source: Collected)

Overall, the weather in Khao Sok National Park is not too harsh, making it suitable for jungle exploration and overnight camping. According to travel experience in Thailand, it's not advisable to visit Khao Sok National Park during the rainy season, especially from May to September, when prolonged heavy rains occur. This directly affects your recreational and sightseeing activities.

Instead, you can plan your visit from January to March. During this period, visitors have the opportunity to admire many rare and beautiful flowers in bloom. Additionally, you can truly experience the vibrant vitality of the natural scenery here.

What are the opening hours of Khao Sok National Park?

One notable aspect is that the park opens daily and rarely alters its schedule. Therefore, visitors can rest assured about the park's opening hours.

The opening hours of Khao Sok National Park are as follows:

• Khao Sok National Park: From 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (with occasional adjustments on Mondays).

• Convenience store in the park: From 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The store operates only during the tourist season.

• Souvenir shop, snack, and beverage area: From 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM daily.

Entrance Fees for Khao Sok National Park

The entrance fees are divided into two types, including tickets for Thai citizens and tickets for foreigners.

The entrance fees for Khao Sok National Park are as follows:

• For Thai citizens: Adult ticket is 40 baht (28,000 VND per ticket), child ticket is 20 baht (14,000 VND per ticket).

• For foreigners: Adult ticket is 300 baht (207,000 VND per ticket), child ticket is 150 baht (104,000 VND per ticket).

Exciting Experiences at Khao Sok National Park

It's no coincidence that Khao Sok National Park attracts thousands of visitors each year. Below are some exciting experiences at Khao Sok National Park that you should know about.

Marvel at the Beauty of Cheow Larn Lake

Cheow Larn Lake is one of the most beautiful landmarks of Khao Sok National Park. This enchanting lake covers an area of 165 km2, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

Few know that the lake was created by a massive dam in 1982. Blending with the crystal-clear water is the pristine limestone forest, creating a picturesque landscape that mesmerizes everyone with its mystical and magnificent beauty.

Cruising on Cheow Larn Lake is one of the most fantastic experiences (Image source: Collected)

Sitting on a traditional wooden boat, you have the opportunity to admire the unique beauty of Cheow Larn Lake. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or not, the stunning and romantic scenery of Cheow Larn Lake can captivate your heart and soul.

Explore the Romantic Tropical Rainforest

It's truly incomplete if you visit Khao Sok National Park without experiencing jungle trekking. Khao Sok National Park boasts stunning trails with majestic waterfalls, rare and vibrant flowers. The more you explore the tropical rainforest, the more fascinating experiences you'll have.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to admire the romantic beauty of the tropical rainforest and connect with nature. Here, the fatigue and pressure from daily life will be alleviated by the cool breeze, lush greenery of trees, and mountains.

Exploring the tropical rainforest is the quickest way to connect with the wild nature (Image source: Collected)

Discover the Magnificent Caves

Exploring Khao Sok National Park will be even more exciting with cave exploration activities. Venturing through prehistoric limestone cliffs are magnificent caves formed millions of years ago.

Here, visitors have the opportunity to travel back in time, returning to the past to admire the pristine caves in a dark, misty atmosphere. This is considered an exhilarating experience that takes you from fascination to fear, to the extreme.

Play with the Super Friendly Elephants

One of the most impressive points is that the elephants in Khao Sok National Park are raised in their natural habitat. They are not exploited or used for commercial or enrichment purposes. This is considered a rare and precious thing that few places can achieve like Khao Sok National Park.

Playing with elephants is a favorite activity among many international tourists (Image source: Collected)

Because the elephants are trained with the 'do no harm' approach, tourists can play with them comfortably. Your meeting and interaction with the elephants have contributed significantly to the development and conservation of Khao Sok National Park. This promises to be one of the unforgettable experiences in this exploration journey.

Encounter Wild Animals

Not only can you interact with elephants, but you also have the opportunity to encounter over 350 species of animals living in the national park. Khao Sok National Park is a common home for various species of animals, including birds and mammals living in the lush primary forests.

Moreover, above the forest layers is the habitat for rare insects such as Scolopendra cataracta - the only amphibious centipede recently discovered.

Not only that, as you venture deeper into the tropical forest, you can easily encounter wild animals such as: wild cattle, gibbons, wild boars, clouded leopards, and barking deer,...

Overnight Camping

Although Klong Sok village is not lacking in resorts or comfortable guesthouses, camping overnight by Cheow Larn Lake is truly the most memorable experience.

Overnight camping at Khao Sok National Park is also known as Rainforest Camp. This unique accommodation model features elevated canvas tents nestled amidst the rainforest. However, Rainforest Camp doesn't lack in amenities compared to guesthouses. On the contrary, this accommodation boasts modern and luxurious facilities, including private bathrooms, luxurious beds, and upscale restaurants.

If you want to combine the experience of overnight camping with resort-style tourism, don't hesitate to book your stay today!

Resort-style tourism combined with camping by the lake allows travelers to get closer to nature than ever before (Source: Collection)

Important Tips for Khao Sok National Park Tourists

For a fulfilling trip to Khao Sok National Park, here are some important things to note:

• The price for hiring a local guide is 500 baht (345,000 VND) for half a day and 1,000 baht (690,000 VND) for a full day.

• Always carry a handheld map to navigate and avoid the risk of getting lost in the forest. Some trails are dead ends, so you might need to ask locals for directions!

• Absolutely refrain from teasing or disturbing wild animals as it can be very dangerous.

• Don't forget to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, a hat, and a jacket to protect your skin from UV rays.

• Prepare some specialized medicines such as cold medicine, bandages, etc., to ensure your well-being.

• Maintain general hygiene and avoid littering in the forest.

Khao Sok National Park is an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers seeking to explore the wilderness. Besides enjoying the beautiful scenery, visitors have the opportunity to trek, explore caves, kayak on Cheow Larn Lake, and more. It promises to be a memorable experience for you and your family.

Don't hesitate to add this new destination to your upcoming trip to Thailand. If you need to book an affordable all-inclusive Thailand tour, please contact the hotline Mytour of Mytour for free advice!