Khao Sok is an absolute must see place if you are planning a trip to Thailand. Located in the southern area of Thailand, this park is home to a 160 million year old rainforest and the picturesque Cheow Lan Lake. The best way to explore this area is to schedule a 3 day 2 night guided experience. Here’s everything you need to know to help you prepare for this trip!
How to Book Khao Sok Experience
Depending on the type of trip you would like to book, there are a few options of how to schedule this type of tour. We chose to stay at Coco Hostel in Khao Sok. Upon arrival at the bus station there was a truck there to pick us up and take us to the hostel directly free of charge. From the hostel we were able to book the 3D2N excursion. Before our arrival we discussed which experience we were interested in and they were able to schedule it for us.
Most of the hostels in this area offer a similar excursion. It is recommended to message them at least a few days in advance to ensure you have a spot on the trip. We met a guy who scheduled it day of and they were able to fit him in so it is still possible sometimes.
Another option is to do a shorter day trip. These can be scheduled in a similar manner. This can be a great option if you are short on time. Check out the links at the bottom of the post for guided tours!
What's Included
This excursion was all inclusive and easily one of the most fun we did. Part of that is that we met a lot of really cool people and the other part is the scenery is stunning with bright greens and blues in sharp contrast to the rock formations around it all.
One Night in the Hostel
The first night in the hostel is included in the price that we paid. This is an important factor because the first ‘day’ of the trip is often on the day you arrive. So plan for an earlier bus or request two nights in the hostel if need be. At Coco, we were in a mixed dorm with 5 beds. The hostel had a restaurant downstairs. The first night dinner was not included in the price. Since the town is small, it is super easy to go walking and find a restaurant to eat at. Or spend time getting a massage. They also have a yoga center so if that aligns with your interests you might plan extra time.
Night Safari
It’s important to arrive earlier in the day and get settled. The first night of the experience is spent doing a walking night safari through the rainforest. Everyone loads up into the trucks and they take you to the forest area. It is recommended to bring a flashlight, bug repellent, long pants, and solid shoes. The ground can be wet and slick. There is sometimes a fee for the national park so check if this was already included in the price you paid for the excursion.
A guide will take a small group of less than 10 and take you on a walk through the forest. They point out the different animals and provide educational information. We saw a huge snake in the river, a couple smaller snakes, tons of bugs, huge spiders, frogs, and lizards. One of the coolest was when he had everyone turn off their flashlights to showcase bioluminescent moss.
Day 2 - Floating Bungalow
For the second day, expect to be provided breakfast. At this time they will request that you check out of your room. Pack a smaller bag of clothes and then the rest of your items can be left at the hostel. Coco had smaller lockers upstairs. We had a couple more valuable items that we chose to leave with our own lock.
After getting loaded into a van, everyone heads to the docks. Many photos from Khao Sok show off the beautiful horizon with the picture perfect longtail boat. This is a great time to get that photo. Do note there are multiple rides on the boats so multiple opportunities.
One of the most fun aspects of this trip is staying in the floating bungalows. We had our own private one and a few other people who were by themselves shared. Expect different levels of comfort depending on how much money you choose to spend. Ours was just two mattress on the ground and very tiny. The bathrooms were only ok.
Lake Activities
Lunch and dinner were both provided on this day. If you want beer it is an extra charge. Water and coffee are available throughout the whole trip. It was stated we would have time to swim or kayak in the lake. Due to a late start there was very little time to do so. The kayaks also required a down payment that you received back after returning the paddles. Bring cash if this is your plan. There were also only about four kayaks and our group was closer to 25 people.
The next day there is a bit more time to swim as well if you desire to do so. Each activity is technically optional.
After dinner everyone hung out together in the main area. We brought our favorite deck of cards (the kind that doesn’t get hurt if they get wet) and played some games with the others.
Waterfall Hike in Khao Sok Rainforest
The most epic part of this is the waterfall hike. It is recommended to wear either a swimsuit or clothes you don’t mind getting wet. Sandals with backs are preferred or if you want to wear water shoes. Water shoes can be bought in town the day before for pretty cheap. After a quick boat ride, you are dropped off on land again.
Most often when you think waterfall hike you imagine taking a hike to said waterfall. In this case, you are actually hiking up what is considered a ‘sticky waterfall.’ This means you are going up the many different small levels through the water itself. The guide is great about giving options on how to go up. Some sections have rope areas to help you climb up. Definitely make time to take photos as you do this. Carrying the GoPro with us was perfect since it could get wet and was easy to maneuver between the both of us.
Some of the coolest parts were the absolutely massive trees and the never ending branches. One spot had strong enough hanging branches that they encouraged us to take photos sitting on them. I couldn’t resist flipping around a bit (check out that photo above!).
Cave Tour
If you like crawling through caves, this is a super cool one to visit! It is set up to where you can properly walk through a huge portion of the cave. Make sure to bring your flashlight again with you for this one. If you have pockets or a small bag, it is helpful so that you have a free hand instead of holding your phone and flashlight. There’s a few spots that you kind of have to balance and jump a bit to get to the next section.
The cave has minimal spiders and quite a few bats. The formations inside were so unique. The tour took less than an hour to go through the cave with our entire group. It is very dark but I would not say it feels claustrophobic due to how high the ceilings are.
Day 3 - Lake Safari and Hostel
The last day on the lake they encourage everyone to get up for sunrise. Sadly it was very cloudy so our sunrise was a little sad. After providing breakfast, they give the option of doing a boat safari. Back onto the long boats and a quick trip around the lake. This is a great time to watch for monkeys and different birds. Though there weren’t a ton of animals on ours, the scenery makes it worth it.
Back at the floating bungalows they provided everyone with breakfast and a bit of free time. After packing up your items, it is back to the main land. Once on land again they brought us lunch and stopped at a small park. There were bathrooms and a small shop that sold drinks and ice cream.
At the hostel it is time to pick up your items. They don’t mind if you hangout for a bit as well. We took a quick shower and got our bags organized. After sitting in the cafe with a smoothie it was time to head to our next spot. The bus station is a short walk up the road. It looks more like a small shop with a few chairs because that’s what it is. Let the nice lady know where you are headed and she will give you a sticker. Then it’s just a waiting game.
General Recommendations for Khao Sok
Depending on time of year, it might be rainy season. We got stuck in the rain multiple times. Which if you are on the boat at the same time, it can feel a bit intense. Depending on where you book through, it could be a group of young travelers or a group of older travelers. It depends on what type of experience you are interested in. There are options for nicer bungalows and basic ones. Once again, depends on your budget and goals of the trip. Here is a quick list of what we recommend having with you during your trip:
- Water shoes or sandals with backs (I’m a fan of Chacos)
- Rechargeable FlashLight
- GoPro or Insta360 with waterproof cases and Waterproof Phone Case
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Waterproof Bag
- Swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Bug Repellent (I like the stick, it is one less liquid item that can spill)
- Tissues/Toilet Paper (the bathroom did not have it at the floating bungalows)
A few of these items can also be bought in the Khao Sok town for relatively cheap if you don’t want to pack them ahead of time.
Where to Go Afterwards
So you arrived back at the hostel after having a great time but aren’t sure what to do now? First step is determine if you need to stay an extra night in Khao Sok. If the answer is yes, plan ahead of time to schedule a room at either the same hostel or one close by. They book up fast so there is no guarantee that they will have availability if you ask day of.
Our go-to is to schedule our transportation through 12GO. It is possible to schedule this a bit shorter notice but the further in advance you know the better. We were picked up at a different bus station than where we arrived from. Always check the location specifically and arrive a bit early in case there are any issues with tickets. As a general rule, expect the transportation to take longer than expected so build in extra time. Try to pack a few snacks as well. We bought noodles at the small bus station shop and they had hot water. If you are heading north, we loved Koh Phagnan and have heard Koh Samui is really amazing as well. Going south? We loved Phuket and the surrounding islands. Supposing you are interested in heading to the next country, Malaysia is a great direction to go!
Check out these links to schedule your own amazing experience in Khao Sok!
