KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK BLOG
Welcome to our Khao Sok blog, a useful insight into all things Khao Sok. Here, you will find over 30 blogs to help maximize your experience from the village to Khao Sok National Park to the best activities. Please check the full list of Khao Sok blogs below, or search by category or keyword. We also regularly highlight other aspects of travel tourism and adventures in Thailand.
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: Is it worth going to Khao Sok? 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 itinerary to Thailand. It is an incredible adventure playground suitable for all ages. This Khao [...]
Riverside Cottages Nature Trail
Amidst the verdant splendor of the Khao Sok forest, lies a treasure trove of botanical wonders waiting to be discovered at the Riverside Cottages Nature Trail. Embark on this journey of exploration, and let the beauty of nature's creations captivate your soul. We recently created a nature trail full of interesting information - please try it yourself once you are here. Until then, here is a brief preview of the highlights, along with sounds from the jungle! The forest and gardens nestled within Riverside Cottages are filled with endemic species, fruit trees, and wildlife - a trail of natural delight. As sunlight filters through the forest canopy, this trail calls adventurers to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery. With each step, listen to the symphony of the jungle and discover the rich flora and fauna. Read on to learn about torch ginger, elephant ear, wild bananas, and [...]
The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Closest Airport to Khao Sok National Park
Welcome to your comprehensive guide on selecting the closest airport to Khao Sok National Park, a gem hidden in the lush landscape of Thailand. This guide is meticulously crafted to ensure your journey is as seamless and enjoyable as the destination itself. Khao Sok National Park is not just a destination; it's an entry into a world of ancient rainforests, majestic limestone mountains, deep valleys, mesmerizing lakes, and abundant wildlife. The convenience of your travel greatly depends on choosing the right airport, and this guide is here to navigate you through making this choice with ease. Introduction Khao Sok National Park, a haven of natural beauty, is renowned for its dense rainforest, which is older and more diverse than the Amazon rainforest. Home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, the park offers an array of activities for nature lovers [...]
Dive Into Nature: Khao Sok 2-Day Tour on a Floating Bungalow
Khao Sok National Park and floating bungalows are surely one of the bucket list experiences of every traveler coming to Thailand. The unique imagination of unreal sunrise and sunset colors is one of the true highlights of Southern Thailand. A great way to enjoy the bungalows is on a Khao Sok 2-day tour. This guide to an overnight stay on the floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park comes from a personal experience. Volunteers Toti and Ale experienced this itinerary while staying at Khao Sok Riverside Cottages, enjoying a little retreat away from the land. We delve into everything you need to know about spending two incredible days and one unforgettable night in Khao Sok National Park, staying in a floating bungalow amid nature. There are so many things to do in Khao Sok that 2 days is really not enough. Later in this article we investigate other options [...]
Khao Sok Cave – Exploring the crystal chamber
This blog chronicles the experience of my first hike into this magical region in search of an amazing Khao Sok cave. There are many caves in the area as a result of the limestone geology. However, Tam Gaew is the only one that features an amazing crystal chamber. Hence its name in Thai, Tam Gaew. It is outside the technical boundaries of Khao Sok National Park, but it might as well be inside. We drove about 30 minutes from Khao Sok village to the trailhead. The hike to the cave is about 45 minutes, depending on fitness levels and how frequently you stop to look at the cool things you find along the way. Disclaimer: I am a geologist, or at least I aspire to be. Tam Gaew is particularly interesting due to its unusual variety, and quality, of speleothems. A speleothem is scientifically defined as “a weird rock [...]
Spotlight: Local Guides in Khao Sok Nationalpark – Ed
If you’ve taken part in any kind of excursion in Thailand, the chances are that a local guide has accompanied you. This blog post highlights the local guides in Khao Sok Nationalpark whose invaluable expertise and experience not only keeps tourists safe during their forays into the jungle of Khao Sok but opens up a world of knowledge, inviting you to connect with your surroundings on a deeper level. Over morning coffee, local guide Ed shared some insight into his daily life, the deep connection he feels with the jungle and his plans for the future. What does his life look like for Ed? Guides in Khao Sok Nationalpark are busy people. Ed leads tours around Khao Sok and, in his free time, he also works on his organic farm at his home nearby. If you can think of a tour in Khao Sok [...]
Khao Sok National Park Camping – Surviving in Paradise
To be honest, I was initially a little nervous when embarking on this two-day, one-night “survival” trip into the jungle. I am usually quite the outdoor adventurer, but I had just bruised my tailbone while hiking a few days previous. Luckily, through the incredible help and patience of our guide Tuk, my Khao Sok National Park camping fears turned out to be unnecessary. Khao Sok National Park Camping - Day one Our day started with a stroll along a wide dirt road into Kao Sok National Park. Almost immediately, Tuk began to call our attention to the different plants and animals. I was amazed that he could look at the dense mosaic of greens and browns of the rainforest and locate the smallest of creatures. The chameleon on a branch of a tree, the scorpion hiding in a bamboo tube, the girth of one’s thumb. Or the leaf of [...]
Bangkok to Khao Sok – an artist’s adventure
Everything you need to know about the train from Bangkok to Khao Sok The pilgrimage from Bangkok to Kao Sok is everything you want and more for a solo journey into some of Thailand’s most magical jungle landscapes. If you have the time, book yourself a sleeper car on an overnight train. Put together a new playlist full of your road trip favorites. When you book your Bangkok to Khao Sok ticket, check to see if there are any bottom bunks available. This is the seat that converts into a bed next to the window. I didn’t know there was any difference and ended up staying on an upper bed which was still fun. And you can always wander around the cars for a good view. The sleepers run a bit chilly so bring something warm, and have some extra baht on hand. When the sun begins to greet [...]
Best Activities in Khao Sok – Rivers and Lakes – A Personal Review
When planning a trip to Kao Sok there are certain checks on both your bucket list and your packing list that you do not want to miss! This unique Thai landscape offers a jungle adventure like that of no other. Prepare for some once in a lifetime experiences. Enjoy the untamed and wild nature of the climate and ecosystem. When visiting, you would do well to indulge in both the rugged treks as well as the lazy river tubing experiences. Get the most from what this area can offer you. The trips curated by the Riverside Cottages aim to bring you the perfect balance for any duration of your stay. Read on to discover the best activities in Khao Sok. Best Activities in Khao Sok - Cheow Lan Lake Trip It is 9:00 AM before the bus arrives to take us to [...]
What is Karst Topography?
The term “karst” refers to the structures created in limestone monoliths (large homogeneous bodies of specified rock type) by certain environmental conditions. Karst is both a geologic term and a biologic term. Geologists use it to focus on the physical aspect off the rock and the chemical conditions that created the rock. Biologists use it to focus on the unique ecosystem created by the rock. Karst topography produces dramatic landscapes. You will find a fine example at Khao Sok national park. What is Karst? Karsts (to a geologist) are characterized by holes, lots of holes. Fractures along which water can drip, drip, drip. Small holes can become hollowed out into giant caverns by the dissolving action of water. We see little pockets on the surface, and riffles and crevices. All these features are the result of the unique chemical interaction of limestone and water. Limestone [...]
A Guide to Khao Sok Village
The real name for this jungle hamlet is Klong Sok but travelers know it as Khao Sok village. It gets its name from the Sok River running through it. You will find Khao Sok village just outside the gates to the Khao Sok national park. It is the main base from which to venture into the park. There are many guesthouses, resorts and other holiday accommodation catering for the park visitors. Among these are tasty restaurants, relaxing cafes and useful shops. How to get to Khao Sok village? The village is situated on route 401, just 36 kilometers from the west coast town of Takua Pa. This road runs all the way across the Thailand peninsula to Surat Thani on the East coast. You will find many options from public buses to minivans and private transport. Find all the information you need here. [...]
Khao Sok after Covid-19
Every part of the world has been effected by the corona virus outbreak. So what can you expect when you visit Khao Sok after Covid-19? Read our blog to find out the latest news from Khao Sok after covid-19 and details of how Khao Sok Riverside Cottages are working to ensure your safety and enjoyment. Thailand and Covid-19 Thailand was very lucky to suffer minimal cases of Covid-19. As of mid-June Thailand recorded only 3129 cases of the disease. The population of Thailand is 66 million so that is a fantastic result. Also Khao Sok has reported no cases at all. Unlike in the cities, all the workers in Khao Sok are local people. This means that the population of Khao Sok did not need to travel back to their villages. Thailand were very quick to take action and close down the country to visitors. [...]
Family Holiday Thailand – how to visit Khao Sok with children
One of our favorite things about Khaosok is its versatility! It is the best family holiday Thailand has to offer. At Riverside Cottages, we take great pleasure in introducing children to the wonders of nature. You can also book a Khao Sok family room at our resort. Additionally, our staff can help you put together an amazing Khao Sok family tour! Keep reading to learn how visiting Khao Sok with children is not only possible, but a great idea. Need a family friendly Khao Sok itinerary? Read on to find out more. Visiting Khao Sok with children - where to stay - Choose a Khao Sok family room As parents, we understand that when on a family holiday in Thailand with children, the first concern is safety, followed by good sleep. At Riverside Cottages, we have addressed both of these issues with large, secure and [...]
Read this before visiting Khao Sok Nationalpark
Compared to other destinations in Southern Thailand, a visit to Khao Sok nationalpark requires a bit of planning. This is a result of its vast size and the distance between attractions. There are many Khao Sok nationalpark tours available from treks and hikes through to a full Khao Sok nationalpark safari. You will also need somewhere to stay. Many travelers will want to stay at the floating bungalows. You will need to know how to get to them and about other Khao Sok nationalpark accommodation. To that end we offer this blog. We hope that it will provide a starting point for travelers planning their visit to Thailand’s best kept secret! Table of contents Where is Khao Sok? How long in Khao Sok? What are the best tours in Khao Sok? How do I get to Khao Sok Nationalpark? What animals are in Khao Sok? [...]
Where to stay in Khao Sok? The best Khao Sok National Park Hotels
Where to stay in Khao Sok? The best Khao Sok National Park Hotels Although we are blissfully far away from shopping malls and mega-resorts, travelers will find no shortage of Khao Sok national park accommodation here! Tucked amongst the mountains, visitors will find Khao Sok national park hotels with options for all budgets and travel styles. To help sort the wheat from the chaff, we have provided an overview of where to stay in Khao Sok! Here, you can find our recommendations of the best hostel, Khao Sok river lodge, and treehouses. We hope that you find it useful! Where to stay in Khao Sok: Khao Sok River Lodges The Sok River meanders lazily through the village and surrounding forest, and is a defining feature of the landscape. Wondering where to stay in Khao Sok that will allow amazing nature-watching and relaxing opportunities? A Khao [...]
Thai elephant – a guide to the best Kao Sok elephant sanctuary
For many guests visiting the Thailand jungle, visiting a Kao Sok elephant sanctuary is of great interest. This area has many options for a Khao Sok elephant experience. But are they truly ethical? Not all camps are equal. Thai elephant experts encourage camps that use only local Kao Sok elephants, experienced mahouts, and a low-intensity schedule for the animals. The camps described below are essentially elephant retirement sanctuaries, providing a no-ride program that is fun for guests and the elephant alike. What to consider before a Khao Sok Elephant experience We recommend that the mindful traveler avoid camps that offer elephant riding. While carrying travellers on their back may seem easy, it is still hard work. Even though they are massive, and their strength seems endless, Thai elephants need plenty of time to eat and rest. In fact, a wild Thai elephant spends about [...]
Bikes and boats – A Khao Sok Safari
Emmanuel Caristi shares insight from his recent Khao Sok safari with Riverside Cottages. We arrived to find wooden bungalows surrounded by tropical jungle, a place to find peace and reconnect with the nature. The accommodation was truly beautiful! Rooms are made with natural materials and beds are comfortable. Best of all, the view from the windows makes you feel like you are in the heart of the rainforest! Khao Sok safari on two wheels - A bike adventure Our Khao Sok safari began with a bike trip. The resort’s in-house guide showed us through Khao Sok village with patience and care. The first place we visited was the local school. Within minutes we were surrounded by smiling, excited children! They immediately started to pose for photos, happy to interact with foreigners. Our next short stop was at a family-run organic farm. [...]
How to find Khaosok – Koh Sok – Koh Sok national park
A guide to the misspellings of Khaosok, and how to find good info online! Almost everyone planning a trip to this area will research their trip on the internet. People often wonder how to spell the name of this area. Most commonly used is Khao Sok, followed by Koh Sok, Kao Sok, and finally Khaosok. This can cause confusion for first time visitors, who frequently wonder how to actually spell Khao Sok? If you have ever visited Thailand, or encountered written Thai, you know that it does not use the Roman alphabet. Thai has its own unique alphabet representing vowel and consonant sounds, many of which do not exist in western languages. As a result, expressing the Thai language in the Roman alphabet relies on a process called ‘transliteration.’ This is essentially using the Roman alphabet to approximate the sounds of Thai. For this reason, Thai place names can [...]
Gateway to the undiscovered: Khlong Phanom National Park
Nestled up against Khao Sok is a primordial landscape unknown to most western travellers: Khlong Phanom National Park. It is overshadowed at every turn by its larger neighbor and nearby Khao Sok Lake. However, Khlong Phanom National Park is rich in natural wonders and opportunities for a Thailand forest tour! In this blog we’ll look at what the intrepid traveler can find in this unexplored section of Thailand jungle! Sometimes spelt Klong Phanom or Klongphanom, the park is just a couple of kilometres down highway 401 from Khao Sok. Khlong Panom National Park covers just over 400 square kilometers. Most visitors to Khao Sok have seen the park without knowing it. The soaring vertical cliffs of Khlong Phanom can be seen from the road off to the west, and make up some of the most dramatic scenery on the way to Khao Sok Lake. Thailand [...]
Top 6 activities in Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok NP is part of Thailand’s largest protected area. Within the unspoiled jungle, locals are leading a revolution in the quality of nature tourism. All Khao Sok national park activities are led by local community leaders and well trained guides with strong English language skills. There are just so many things to do in Khao Sok from a relaxing jungle cooking experience to a 10 day deep jungle survival tour! We have picked the Top 6 Activities in Khao Sok to suite everyone’s travel style! Adventure Culture Fitness 1 - Jungle Cooking In Khao Sok we love to make and eat great food! Visit a local Thai family to experience local culture and authentic dishes in a one of a kind wild jungle setting! In a local farm, you will be able to get hands on experience of making traditional Thai [...]
Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok
The Surat Thani airport is my favorite in Thailand. This is due to its small size, laid-back feeling, and high ratio of coffee shops to customers. However, getting from Surat Thani airport to Khao Sok can be challenging. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss getting from the Surat Thani airport to Khao Sok via public transportation. Afterwards, check out our map and directions page for more travel information. Our FAQs page may also be useful. Surat Thani airport to Khao Sok: the journey begins After you exit the baggage claim area in Surat Thani airport, head to the transportation booths lined up against the far wall. Find the booth selling shared van tickets to Khao Sok. The cost is 350B/person to the Khao Sok bus station. Guests will need to contact the counter staff prior to 16:30, sometimes earlier. If you come during low season, there is a good [...]
Khao Sok Elephant Retirement Sanctuary
What is the Khao Sok Elephant Sanctuary & Retirement Park? The domestic Thai elephant typically has 2 choices – carry tourists on their back or pull logs out of the forest. As they age, these jobs become difficult and dangerous to their health. This is true of the Khao Sok elephant. In order to offer a better life we have created the Khao Sok elephant sanctuary or retirement park. Here we provide a safe space for the older Khao Sok elephant to enjoy life instead of working in exploitative situations. In addition to organic vegetables and fruit, our farm has plenty of space to provide them with a healthy, balanced elephant diet. Discover more about this Khao Sok elephant experience. The Khao Sok elephant sanctuary and this unique Khao Sok elephant experience are part of an ongoing community based eco tourism program organized and promoted [...]
Community-Led Tourism: from Fading Villages to a Vibrant Future in Khao Sok
Visiting with jungle guides, fruit farmers, and elephants, Alexander Vysniauskas shares how 3 simple concepts are empowering the emergence of Responsible, Community-led Tourism in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand The fight for the preservation of Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park begins in the late 1970s, with an armed uprising deep in the jungle strongholds of present day Cheow Lan lake. Before the National Park was established, student activists, labeled as communists, were able to keep the encroaching logging and mining companies at bay. The fight against exploitation continues to this day, now against the scourges of modern agriculture and mass tourism. Khao Sok National Park in Thailand is one of the world’s oldest and most diverse tropical forests. The vast, untouched tropical paradise is rich with wildlife and more than 1500 plant species, including one of the world’s largest flowers - Rafflesia kerii. Wild elephants, tigers, red bull, [...]
Khao Sok jungle hike: journey to the giant bamboo
In terms of an epic Khao Sok jungle hike, our recent trek to the ‘Chiang Ruun’ bamboo ranks among the best! The hike featured dense jungle with unique karst geography and flora, along with some truly bizarre insect sightings. Additionally, we saw the ‘Chiang Ruun’ bamboo, growing on a mountain ridge high atop a limestone karst mountain. ‘Chiang Ruun’ (ไผ่เฉียงรุน) is a member of the Dendrocalamus family. It is the largest species of bamboo in Thailand, and grows in only a few places throughout the south. One of the sites for this natural wonder is Klong Phanom National Park, just up the road from Khao Sok. Compared to Khao Sok, Khlong Phanom is tiny, with 90% of the park’s area occupied by steep limestone karts. Due to this fact, the park is virtually unknown and almost never visited. As a result, Khlong Phanom has maintained much of its natural [...]
Top Tips for your Cheow Larn Lake Trip
What you need to know before visiting Khao Sok Lake Despite the fairy-tale scenery, Cheow Larn Lake remains a very remote destination and a visit is considered one of the best activities in Khao Sok. For this reason, please take time to understand what you are getting into. Armed with the right information about what to expect, you can have a fun, safe lake trip. You should learn about the Cheow Lan Lake floating houses before deciding to stay in them. Here's what you need to know: The good, the bad, and the jungle 4 things to consider… Checklist – what to bring to the lake History of Cheow Larn Lake The Good, the Bad, and the Jungle THE GOOD - Cheow Larn Lake is one of the most stunning locations in the world - towering limestone cliffs rise from the turquoise water surrounded [...]