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Frequently Asked Questions about traveling to Khao Sok
FAQ Khao Sok - Questions and Answers
Here, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions people have when planning a trip to Khao Sok. We provide brief responses. To learn more, we invite you to explore all our pages about Khao Sok to get comprehensive and detailed information.
Where is Khao Sok National Park located?
Khao Sok National Park is situated in Surat Thani Province, in southern Thailand—the same province as the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. The park is best known for its stunning lake surrounded by dramatic limestone karst peaks rising directly from the water, evoking scenes reminiscent of the movie *Avatar*. The surrounding rainforest is one of the world's oldest primary rainforests and is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including elephants, as well as remarkable flora such as the world’s largest flower, which inspired a Pokémon. For an exact location and more information on how to explore the area and join a Khao Sok lake excursion, we invite you to read the detailed visit guide for Khao Sok National Park.
How to get to Khao Sok?
You can reach Khao Sok by bus, minivan, or private taxi from Surat Thani, Phuket, Krabi, or Khao Lak. Transfers are frequent and well-organized. From Bangkok, the most common way to get to Khao Sok is to fly to Surat Thani, either by domestic flight or overnight train. Here you will find all the transportation options to get to Khao Sok.
Note that day trips to Khao Sok are offered from Krabi or Khao Lak.
What to do in Khao Sok?
What to do in Khao Sok?
The most popular activities in Khao Sok are:
- a boat trip on Cheow Lan Lake
- spending the night in a floating hotel on the lake
- hiking in the jungle
- canoeing or kayaking on the river
- bamboo rafting on the river
- wildlife and flora observation, especially of the Raflesia, the world's largest flower when it's in bloom
Where to stay in Khao Sok?
Basically, your accommodation choice is between:
- jungle bungalows near the land entrance to the park, also known as Khao Sok Village
- floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake for a unique experience
Should you stay on Khao Sok Lake?
Spending a night on the lake is an experience closely linked to visiting Khao Sok. The floating bungalows offer an exceptional setting, especially at sunrise. However, there are several levels of comfort, and the most basic, quite spartan, sometimes with shared bathrooms and toilets, no air conditioning, and electricity only for part of the night, are not suitable for everyone. Often, the tourists who frequent these establishments are not the least party-loving or the most respectful of their neighbors. There are much more comfortable bungalows with air conditioning, but obviously, the price is significantly higher. If you choose to sleep in a floating hotel, it's best to take a complete package like this 2-day tour of Khao Sok, which includes a night in a comfortable floating bungalow. By booking only the hotel, you will be limited and will often pay more for the same activities, considering that the boat transfer from the pier to your hotel alone already has a significant cost.
Can we see elephants in Khao Sok?
There are around 200 wild elephants in the jungle of Khao Sok National Park, according to the latest ranger census. During a boat trip on the lake, you might spot some, usually in the late afternoon when they come out of the jungle to drink or cool off. It's not guaranteed, far from it, but it does happen! Alternatively, there's a sanctuary for domesticated elephants in Khao Sok. It's not quite the same magic, but it seems to be a place where riding is prohibited and they don't perform any shows. Personally, I was content to try and see the wild elephants (which I spotted on two of my three visits, but I was lucky and had a good guide).
What destination should I visit after Khao Sok?
The most popular destinations to visit after Khao Sok National Park on a trip to Thailand are:
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