Dotted along the street where restaurants, hotels, a couple of bars and amenities such as an ATM and mini market. A huge hidden gem in Thailand and a totally underrated place. This journey had been a source of inspiration and rejuvenation for us all. The stay on the floating bungalows made it so memorable that we would recommend staying there too. This is best done on a 4-day weekend, or a 3-day trip if you are thinking of flying both ways to get to the park buses (especially from Bangkok) are cheaper than a flight but take up a lot of time. While most people are headed to the beaches of Thailand, like the popular Railay Beach, Cheow Lan Lake is where you go to really get away. On our way back from the cave our guide was collecting strands of rattan from the trees. Its important to know that there are two areas within the park that people head and just two entrances. The best period to visit is between November and April if possible. They seemed to be enjoying them a lot! Typically there will be a downpour for 1 or 2 hours before blue skies return. Kate G. stayed with her group at Smileys Bungalow. As soon as we arrived we were able to swim in the lake and use the kayaks. Depending on your budget, the most cost-effective way to reach the national park is in a minibus; we opted for the minibus as it was almost the same price as a normal bus and picked us up from our hostel. Pre-arrange a private taxi or van transfer from Surat Thani to Khao Sok National Park. All information on this site is the property of Oh The Places They Went and may not be republished without express consent. Dinner: marinated steamed fish from the lake, rice, noodles, a selection of vegetables and tofu. Ao Nang, Thailand: Where Tourists Converge In Krabi, What To Do For 5 Days In Kathmandu, Nepal, The Best Time To Visit The Great Wall of China. Nestled in the southern part of Thailand is a verdant green jungle, home to colorful bungalows floating on deep blue pools, hiding behind waterfalls and groups of jabbering monkeys if youre looking for a prettier place to relax, we wish you luck finding one! Table of Contents Are you coming from Bangkok? Spend a magical night in a floating bungalow on Cheow Lan Lake in the heart of Khao Sok National Park! While I wouldn't describe Khao Sok as super touristy, just like any National Park, most everyone visiting is a tourist. In this article, I'll walk you through everything you need to know to book your tour, what it was like staying on the floating bungalows and our experience at Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok Floating Bungalow Trip | 2 Days, 1 Night | KHAO SOK, THAILAND 5 Amazing Overwater Bungalows & Villas in Thailand - GETTING STAMPED Be with yourself. At one point, as Jack and I had our backpacks, we had to hold them above our heads while attempting to swim through a narrow gully of water and rocks. One ILP group got to Khao Sok for $8-10, via a mini bus. said that the floating Bungalows were the best part of the trip to Khao Sok Here is what she said: The cheapest/easiest way to get to the Floating Bungalows is to book a tour as they will take care of all the transport. We did the waterfall hike and loved it. Then kick back and enjoy the kayaking, trekking, wildlife & night sky. How Many Days Should I Spend In Khao Sok National Park? Also known as Rajjaprabha Dam Reservoir, it is a captivating 185 square kilometer artificial lake. Enjoy jungle trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming and long-tail boat trips amongst the limestone cliffs. You can hire a taxi and split the price, but its going to be a bit pricey that way. Once you have marveled at the temples in Bangkok and sampled the sunny beaches and islands of the south, you need a totally different change of scenery. Emily Henkel on 12/19/22 3:46 PM. Its typical for it to rain a little every day, especially during the wet season, but this also means that temperatures are the coolest at this time. An Adventure to Thailand; Khao Sok National Park's Floating Bungalows Khao Sok National Park is one of those places that will live in our memories forever. We were lucky to see a boa constrictor curled up on a ledge before passing deeper into the cave following a little stream. Sleep Overnight In Floating Bungalows in Khao Sok National Park. Arriving at Khlong Sok we checked in to our hostel It was called Secret Hostel and were really happy. Lunch: fried rice, noodles, chicken, tofu and a selection of vegetables. Through the hostel, we were able to communicate these preferences and they were able to find us the right tour, or I think they changed their tour to include the activities I wanted! Khao Sok Floating Bungalows - Thailand Travel Bag we enjoyed wandering around Phuket Old Town. Being the only boat in the small cove (our guide had taken us there in hopes of seeing them) and with the engine turned off they decided to swarm, and right above our heads. To be honest, I dont think any of us actually showered. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For our ILP volunteers, it's a postcard worthy getaway that's a surprising chapter of Thailand: you knew you'd love the beaches and the temples here, but did you think you would find something like Khoa Sok? Our bungalows didnt have TVs and we had shared bathrooms, but that didnt stop us from having an amazing experience. There are numerous ways to reach Khao Sok National Park but if like us you are coming from Krabi town, where wed been previously exploring the islands, catching a taxi or a local bus is the best way to do it. Start your adventure in the Khao Sok National Park with a trekking trip into the jungle to find a bungalow. Respect the rules and regulations of the national park, including guidelines for wildlife conservation and responsible tourism. Thailand keeps giving us the prettiest places to explore: With dense forests and pristine beaches, youll have a hard time narrowing down which adventure you want to tackle on your trip to Thailand unless youre living here for an entire semester, of course. Stayed overnight in floating bungalow houses, trekked jungles, and saw some of the best sights in all of Thailand. Includes: Accommodation, meals, English-speaking guide, all activities. Khlong Sok town Cheow Lan Lake Khlong Sok Town The town is the easiest section of the park to reach from Phuket and Khao Lak, and is likely where you'll enter Khao Sok. Once you reach Khao Sok, you will find yourself at the parks main entrance or visitor center in Khao Sok Village. Book this adventure into Khao Sok National Park on Klook or on Viator. Be with nature. Upon arrival at Surat Thani International Airport or Surat Thani train/bus station, take a shuttle bus or public bus to Khao Sok. Also, youll find zero cell service or WiFi on the bungalows, so plan on just enjoying the view. If you stay at Smileys the night before you can just meet them at their lobby for breakfast and then the van will take you from there. This is the ultimate place to go if you want to be surrounded by Thailands natural beauty while staying on its popular floating bungalows in the middle of a lake. All of the Khao Sok National Park floating bungalows fall into one of 4 categories. 2023 I'm Going On An Adventure I World Travel & Adventure - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Cheow Lan Lake is a natural paradise within Khao Sok National Park. If you enter, leave and enter again, youll have to pay again. We're slowly travelling around the world and exploring the beauty of our planet. We hiked through the cave, into total darkness, all donning our head torches. After lunch, we were taken to another cave, nothing in comparison to the first. It is possible to enter at night with a guide for a night safari. Explore Cheow Lan Lake by water. They were dosing in the trees and we could only see glimpses of them. There are private taxis and vans available. Jack and I took the kayaks around the lake in search of more wildlife, we didnt really see much more except for a pair of eagles soaring above! We think the best way to see this country is to live here for a few months instead of just visiting for a week or two. If you have questions about how you can volunteer here for a semester, come chat with ILP: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(171614, '300c4b3b-ac98-47b6-9193-f46a240835cb', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Topics: It was clean, fresh, and newly renovated with large beds and a huge balcony. Definitely a honeymooners spot. But I would recommend staying for longer if you can swing it because this place is just that amazing! (+ 13 Things To Do). So this is exactly what we did, as well as walking you through how we did it I will highlight our trip which was epic including all the info you will ever need for your own trip plus how much it cost us! The boat drivers know the best little coves and secret turns to take with karsts rising high above you. Their overnight lake tour costs only 2,500 baht and includes everything mentioned above. It was a true digital detox, with no phone signal and limited electricity, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the peaceful ambiance. Curious about the food? We think the best way to see this country is to live here for a few months instead of just visiting for a week or two. 2-day / 1-night tour of Khao Sok National Park: For an interesting read click here to find out more information on the history. Khao Sok floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani province is a fantastic place to visit in Thailand. Whether youre seeking adventure, serenity, or a memorable getaway with friends, Khao Sok is the place for it all. Heading out for some food we found a restaurant not too far away from the hostel serving a selection of dishes. Known for its stunning floating bungalows and picturesque surroundings, discover the hidden gem of Khao Sok where you can get away from the crowds and find respite. Heres a list of the activities and tours we did during or stay at Khao Sok. After the market, we reached Cheow Larn Lake which was huge and busy. They don't always have warm water for showers and it can be slightly rustic but the atmosphere and view of the place make it well worth it (not to mention the cost)., Book by emailing Phaiwan Rakbuathong: , We've also had groups book a tour package + overnight getaway with Khao Sok Lake Bungalows. You have the option of going on morning and evening safaris with your guide on a longtail boat and you can see monkeys and all sorts of birds. Its also one thats a bit off the track, so youll likely only run into a handful of more adventurous tourists. What should I pack for Khao Sok National Park? Most of the tours are group tours, but if you prefer you can pay for a private tour. They can be booked beforehand on 12go.asia. Khao Sok Smiley Bungalows and Lakehouse - Cheow Lan lakehouses Back to the floating bungalows for some more downtime before we headed off on the boat for an evening safari. If you dont know someone in the region, I highly recommend booking a tour to Khao Sok National Park. It's a rich area filled with green jungles that are only interrupted by a river that's an impossible color of blue (plus a few waterfalls and huge limestone cliffs). Jack and I have had the most amazing experience in Khao Sok National Park! Jack and I spent one night on the floating bunglaows and one night in Khlong Sok. Our driver made sure to speed up and slow down at just the right moments so we could enjoy the ride. What we opted for. Coming out the other end, our guide decided to tell us of how a group had died being caught in the cave during the storm and the water levels had risen to drown them! If you are hoping to see lots of wildlife on this trip then you will be disappointed! In the end, we had a great experience which was perfect for us. Khao Sok National Park is located in the southern province of Phang Nga in Thailand. Peaceful lake waters stretch out to greet the mountains and karsts jut into the sky in the distance. If its been especially rainy, you may not want to take the longest and muddiest treks of your life. We had shared bathrooms and shower stalls. You may even spot the worlds largest flower, the Rafflesia. Head to Khao Sok Lake National Park and stay in a floating bungalow on Khao Sok Lake. The main pull of this park is trekking through to see if you can spot some wildlife (if youre lucky you can spot jungle cats, elephants, and other animals), and spending time on the lake. This is the most popular option for tourists and I would say is the best as far as length of stay. They also took us on a jungle trek where we hiked up the mountain to a stunning view. Once you land, youll need to get a bus/taxi/car to take you to the actual park (it's about two hours away). As we journeyed through the lake, we marveled at the absence of other boats or signs of civilization, allowing us to truly appreciate the grandeur of the karsts and the vastness of the surroundings. If you have questions about how you can volunteer here for a semester, come chat with ILP: There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. Visiting here means staying on floating raft houses while you take kayaking tours around the floating karats that emerge from the river around you. Breakfast: pancakes and a selection of fruit, and juice. Also, bring a dry bag for your adventures. Wake up on the lake, looking out at the limestone mountain range and gorgeous sandstone rocks that rise 900-1800 feet above sea level. Khao Sok National Park Floating Bungalows. We ended up having to wade through the water and even swim at times to get through the cave. If youve ever dreamed of living in your bathing suit, Khao Sok National Park is the place to make that dream a reality and Cheow Lan Lake is where youll want to dive, dip, and float until calmed. Its advisable to check the operating hours, availability, and booking requirements for transportation options in advance. Catching a taxi is the most comfortable and direct way to reach the national park. The bus ride is about two hours and will drop you off on a corner, just down the road from the entrance to the national park. We love this option because you get a taste of the highlights of what this national park has to offer. Krabi Airport (KBV) is also about 3 hours from Khao Sok National Park. If youll be visiting the park for an overnight adventure, there are a few things Id recommend bringing aside from your standard clothes and toiletries. We are here to help! Khao Sok National Park remains a well-kept secret making it an unspoiled paradise devoid of excessive tourism. As of 2023, there are nine areas you can walk from the visitor center and three of them allow you to go on your own. You can often book pretty cheap flights to Surat Thani from Bangkok or even from Phuket which could make this a good option. What's the best way to arrange your floating bungalow tour? Rainforest Camp's floating bungalows are one of the most unique hotels in Khao Sok thanks to their position over Cheow Larn Lake Khao Sok is one of the most beautiful areas of Southern Thailand, with sprawling rainforests, the emerald expanse of Cheow Larn Lake, and vast habitats for wildlife of every description. As we bid farewell to our newfound friends from Ohio, California, Canada, and Thailand, a sense of gratitude permeated the air. Hiring your own car will mean having more flexibility about when you leave and where you are dropped off. We just enjoyed the dips in the lake. The park entrance fee is 300 THB per day. There are over 300 bird species in this massive park that is home to some of the oldest rainforests in the world. You can find private transportation options. Alleviate possible headaches and just book ahead to have the best experience possible. You'll definitely want to bring some bug spray as well! Theres something about kayaking through the jungle that makes you feel like youve stepped back a few hundred years that we cant get enough of. It tends to rain here so youll want a place to store phones and cameras when it rains during your safari, and sprays during your boat ride to the bungalows. The National Park Authority recently mandated that all new bungalows must be of this quality or above. We also visitedother wonderful places such as the stunning waterfalls of Erawan Waterfalls and our favourite tropical island Koh Mook! The transportation from here includes a van and a transfer to taxi with all connections guaranteed. When we reached the village we saw that there were tour offices everywhere and after speaking to a few people in our group it would have been a little cheaper to have booked in the village. What to know about Khao Sok National Park, Where to find floating bungalows in Thailand. It was surrounded by tall trees and very green! There are some self-guided tours that are more like paths to waterfalls if you would like to go that route. Khao Sok Secret Hostel Check it out by clicking here. The deeper we went along the lake the surrounding limestone cliffs began to encompass us, their tall rugged edges hanging over our tiny boat. As we embarked on a boat ride to reach our floating houses, we were greeted by the awe-inspiring landscape reminiscent of Jurassic Park. Staying in one of the Khao Sok floating bungalows is one of the most memorable ways to explore Cheow Lan Lake. Khao Sok National Park and the Floating Bungalows Home thailand Khao Sok National Park is one of Thailand's best-kept secrets. Various activities are available within the park, such as guided jungle treks, canoeing or kayaking, and boat tours on Cheow Lan Lake. Relax on your balcony from sunrise to sunset while marveling at the breathtaking scenery which includes tall limestone cliffs. is from December to April, for sun-seekers, Its best to visit Khao Sok in January and February. In this article, Ill walk you through everything you need to know to book your tour, what it was like staying on the floating bungalows and our experience at Khao Sok National Park. It was much smaller and there wasnt much going on inside but we did see some gecko eggs inside a little hole and the skin of a rather large snake, unfortunately, no snake to be seen, and no sparkling diamonds! (See below for our full itinerary). You just have to see the amazing karsts and limestone cliffs. It wasnt until we stopped for lunch which we had on the boat that we saw the red fox bats. If youre on one of the islands, you can work with a local tour agency that will help plan all of your transportation from ferry to onward travel to the national park. According to the Phuket Bus Terminal, there are six departures from Phuket to Khao Sok daily, but other sources suggest they leave roughly one bus per hour, from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. There are many tour operators who will be able to help organise this for you; for example, Contiki is a reliable agency. This doesnt mean that it rains 24/7. Cheow Lan Lake is a natural paradise within Khao Sok National Park. Rainforest Camp: Your Floating Hotel In Khao Sok Lunch: (on the boat) parcels of fried rice with vegetables and an egg. They also mention paying 10 Baht to hang out at Monkey Temple and watch a family of monkeys play and squabble. We booked the tour through the hostel who were really helpful in organising the type of tour we wanted. While I think staying in the park for at least a night is so worth it, if you dont have the time, this will do. It was a pretty place, at the top of the village is one entrance to Khao Sok National Park where you can find park trails, waterfalls and rivers.