Khao Sok Holidays

While beach breaks in Thailand centre around relaxation, holidays to Khao Sok are all about exploration. The park is divided into two sections – the rainforest that surrounds Khao Sok Village and the area around Cheow Lan Lake – each of which offers its own range of activities.

One of the best ways to experience the rainforest is on foot. Whether you join a guided trek or go it alone, you’ll likely discover an exciting array of flora and fauna. The Sok River, which runs through this part of the park, provides further opportunities for adventure. Float downstream in a canoe, past soaring limestone cliffs, and spot monkeys playing in the trees and kingfishers diving in the water. Or, for more of an adrenaline rush, give tubing a go. Meanwhile, animal lovers visiting this area can hang out with elephants at one of the park’s ethical sanctuaries.

Over at Cheow Lan Lake, there’s more hiking and canoeing to be done. Alternatively, you can relax as you sail along on a long-tail boat, or simply cool off with a swim. Cave visits are also often included in trips to this part of Khao Sok.

Holidays to Khao Sok are a nature lover’s dream. The park’s evergreen rainforest is older and more diverse than the Amazon, and is estimated to contain more than five percent of the world’s species. Expect to be woken each morning by the shrill hoot of a gibbon – although they can be hard to spot as they swing through the trees in search of food.

But, as you explore this vast wilderness, you’ll no doubt come across many other creatures. Over 50 types of mammal, more than 30 species of bat, and countless reptiles and insects call Khao Sok home. Walking through the forest you’ll see butterflies flit between the fig trees and ferns, while Cheow Lan Lake is the best place to spot the majestic great hornbill. With a 150-centimetre wingspan, it’s one of 300 types of bird that live in the park. The further north you move along the lake, the more wildlife you’re likely to see along the banks. While sightings are never guaranteed, you might be lucky enough to encounter gaurs, tapirs, deer, marbled cats or wild elephants – maybe even a tiger.

One of the premier activities in Khao Sok is hiking. There are trails of varying degrees of difficulty, and you can choose anything from a half-day trek to a multi-day excursion. While certain hikes can be done alone, many require you to join a tour or hire a guide. Although it’s an added expense, a guide can share local insights and point out things you may well miss on your own.

Many of the park’s hiking trails lead to waterfalls. Incredibly picturesque, they’re a great place to stop for a picnic or a swim. If your holiday to Khao Sok falls between December and March, besides spotting different kinds of bamboo, orchids and lianas, you can join a special trek in search of the elusive rafflesia. The largest flower in the world, the rafflesia has giant red petals and can grow up to a metre in diameter. Khao Sok is the only place it grows in Thailand.

If you feel like trying something different during your Khao Sok holiday, consider joining a night safari. Venturing into the rainforest after dark, you’ll hear the evening symphony of cicadas and frogs, and encounter creatures rarely seen during the day.

Khao Sok National Park is open all year round, but the best time to go is during the December-to-April dry season. Even at this time of year, though, the weather can be unpredictable and you should be prepared for at least a few showers. That’s because Khao Sok gets hit by the monsoon rains from both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The park sees an average annual rainfall of 3,500 millimeters, making it one of the wettest places in the entire country.

During the wet season, which runs from May to November, you’ll likely experience at least one torrential downpour a day – although it may only last an hour or two before clearing up to reveal blue skies and sunshine. The heaviest rain occurs between June and October. Leeches and mosquitoes come out in force and certain trails are inaccessible. However, the benefit of visiting Khao Sok at this time is that it’s at its most verdant, and there’s plenty of water for river tubing.

The temperature in Khao Sok varies little throughout the year. Highs are usually between 29-33°C while lows range from 20-23°C. September and October are generally slightly cooler, while March and April tend to be the hottest months. The jungle environment means the park’s always humid, but the worst months for this are June to November.