You’ve probably come across those stunning images of traditional longtail boats on Cheow Lan Lake, nestled in Khao Sok National Park in Thailand. Let me assure you, the actual views are even more breathtaking than what you see in pictures. In this blog post I will tell you all about the best tour in the Khao Sok National Park!
We arranged our trip through Chillax Khaosok Hostel. Upon booking the hostel through booking.com, we received a message from the host providing information about various trips to Khao Sok National Park. After considering our options, we decided on the 2 Days 1 Night Coral Cave tour. The overnight trip is the best way to experience the Cheow Lan Lake both day and night.
To reach our hostel, we took a local bus from Phuket to Khao Sok. The journey lasted about 4 hours and cost 250 baht per person. Our stay at Chillax Khaosok Hostel was priced at 25€ per night, and we booked the tour for the following day through the hostel.
We booked the tour at a rate of 2500 baht per person. Booking the tour through the hostel allowed us to conveniently leave our large bags there during the tour. This turned out to be very convenient for us.
Day 1 of the 2 days 1 Night Coral Cave tour
Schedule:
- 9:00 am: Pickup from the hostel
- 10:00 am: Boarding the long-tail boat to explore the lake
- 11:00 am: Arrival at the accommodation
- 12:30 pm: Lunch
- 2:30 pm: Trekking, bamboo rafting, Coral Cave exploration
- 4:30 pm: Evening safari
- 5:30 pm: Return to the accommodation, free time
- 7:00 pm: Dinner
About the day
Day one began at 9:00 am when a pickup arrived for us. The minivan picked up people from various hotels and hostels before heading to a 7-11 where we could buy snacks for the trip. This is also your last chance to use ATM and get supplies/ necessities such as mosquito repellent, sunscreen, medication.
At 10:00 am, we reached Cheow Lan Lake (Rajjaprabha Dam) and boarded a long-tail boat. While en route to our water bungalows, we made a stop to admire the famous “three sisters” rocks.
After some sightseeing on the lake, we arrived at our accommodation. We had lunch and free time to explore our floating raft house, swim, and kayak.
The raft houses are very basic, equipped only with fans and openings in the wall. The mattresses are extremely firm, but they suffice for a one-night stay. I didn’t get much sleep during the night, but the overall experience and the views were completely worth it. You can locate the floating raft houses on Google Maps by searching for ‘Phae Saichol.’ When booking the tour, you have the option to choose between a bungalow with your own or shared bathroom. We opted for the shared bathroom option, which is more cost-effective.
Heading to the jungle
At 2:30 pm, we went on a guided jungle tour (at an additional cost of 200 baht per adult, children under 14 pay 100 baht). The tour included a visit to Coral Cave, a jungle walk, and an evening safari by boat. To reach Coral Cave, we enjoyed a pleasant bamboo raft ride back and forth.
Inside Pakaraf Cave (Coral Cave), we took a look at the stalactites and stalagmites, spotting some impressively large spiders along the way. After our trek, the highlight of the trip was waiting for us — the evening safari. This turned out to be my absolute favorite part, as we had the incredible opportunity to witness wild elephants in their natural habitat. Not just a couple, but a total of nine elephants! They were crossing the lake, indulging in an evening bath, and we sat in our boat, captivated by their showering, playing, and eating animals.
At 7:00pm it was time for our dinner and relaxing.
Day 2 of the 2 days 1 Night Coral Cave tour
Schedule:
- 6:30 am Morning Safari by boat
- 8:00 am Breakfast
- 9:30 am Checkout
- 10:00 am Long-tail boat back to the pier
- 11:00 am Arriving to the main pier and heading to the restaurant
- 11:30 am Lunch
- 12:30 pm Drive back to Khaosok village
- 13:30 pm Arrive back to hotel
We woke up at 6:30 am on the second day of our tour to witness the sunrise and participate in the morning safari. The morning safari treated us to a breathtaking sunrise, painting the sky as if it were on fire. We were fortunate enough to encounter the same elephant family for the second time, adding to the magic of the moment. After the safari, we were brought back to our bungalows for breakfast, followed by a refreshing swim and kayaking session.
By 12:30 pm, we packed our belongings and started our journey back. After enjoying a lunch, we were then transported back to our hostels.
What should you bring with you to the tour?
- Comfy clothes and shoes for trekking 👕🥾
- Clothes to sleep in 😴
- Swimwear and flip flops 👙🩴
- Towel
- Camera 📸
- Mosquito repellent 🦟
- Sunscreen 🧴
- Sunglasses 🕶️
- Cash for personal expenses (beer, snacks etc.) 💰
- Toiletries 👝
What’s provided on the tour?
- 4 meals (2 lunches, 1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
- English speaking guide
- Transportation
- Drinking water
- Kayaks
- 1 night accommodation in a floating raft house.
Expenses
- 2500 baht for the 2D 1N tour per adult (this price includes the room with shared bathroom)
- National Park admission fee 300 baht (cash)
- Pier fee 20 baht per person (cash)
- Coral Cave entrance fee 200 baht per person (cash)
Feel free to ask any questions in the comment section about this tour in Khao Sok!
Check out my TikTok videos from Khao Sok National Park!