I’ve been coming to Thailand for over 12 years now, and this country will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s truly where I first fell in love with long-term travel as a young backpacker in my twenties just island hopping in paradise on many different occasions – and that’s why I am surprised it it took me so long to finally check out the wondrous Khao Sok National Park.
So many people plan their trips to Thailand and they’ll skip over Khao Sok and head straight down to Phuket or Krabi, and now that I’ve been there I finally understand what a huge mistake that is! It’s one of the world’s oldest rainforests, and has so much to offer visitors with its dramatic limestone cliffs, emerald green waters, unique overwater accommodation, wildlife opportunities, and overall unbelievably serene experience
When I was last-minute planning this current Thailand getaway that I’m currently on, I was looking at so many different options on how to explore best to explore Khao Sao Natioal Park and Cheow Lan Lake, as all the information can be a little overwhelming. And then I’m stoked I discovered this incredible 3-Day/2-Night Khao Sok Discovery Package offered by an eco-resort called Our Jungle Camp.
If you’re planning a trip to Khao Sok, then I’d strongly recommend checking out this tour…or if you’re short on-time just their Cheow Lan Lake Overnight Tour (as that’s the MAIN reason to travel to this region. Booking a tour is pretty essential for this area, and it really takes all the stress away as they’ll organize everything for a perfect experience.
Take a read below and browse my photos from my trip, and you’ll be booking your own trip to Khao Sok.
After a pretty smooth bus ride up to Khao Sok from Phuket, I got all checked in for the tour and had a few hours to kill. I got to meet one of the managers of Our Jungle Camp & Our Jungle House (owned by the same guy who first opened up OJH over 20+ years ago) and gave me a tour of the two properties.
Spread out over dozens of acres in the jungle they’ve built quite an impressive collection of unique riverfront treehouses and cabins that offer guests a peaceful glamping retreat. Just walking around this stunning jungle getaway gave me a sense of serenity, and it makes sense that guests regularly return to stay here.
I arrived a bit too late in the afternoon to do the river-tubing that is popular in Khao Sok, but I did manage to squeeze in an epic drone flight of the surrounding avatar-esque landscape.
Night Safari Trek
After a delicious dinner at the Our Jungle Camp restaurant, I embarked on a guided two-hour night safari trek that was heaps of fun. As we wandered through the jungle at night and discovering all the creepy crawly things using torches and blacklights, I realized I am definitely not cut out for any type of survivor / survivalist show as there were times that made me feel quite on edge while still being a thrilling experience.
Hearing the sounds of the jungle symphony in pitch black darkness was fascinating, and thanks to our guide we spotted a ton of unique insects, spiders snakes, lizards, frogs, monkeys, and a few Asian palm civets in the bamboo trees above.
After a surprising amount of steps through the jungle and working up quite a sweat in during this rainforest exercise – I was ready to head back to my treehouse for the night, rinse off, and crash early to prepare for the next day’s activities.
Our morning started off with a tasty brekky, short drive, and then another decent trek through the jungle alongside a river exploring ancient caves, towering trees, and scenic viewpoints. It felt fantastic to work up another sweat in nature – and the Thailand humidity will absolutely make you sweat.
When we reached the end of the trail, we all boarded a bamboo raft and had a slow sail down the river along the same river we just hiked alongside. This was such a beautiful experience, and we all sat in silence admiring the sounds of the birds & cicadas as we floated down this jungle valley towards our lunch spot.
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Cheow Lan Lake
We then made the short drive to the Ratchaprapha Pier, which serves as the entrance to the Cheow Lan Lake – the shining crown jewel of Khao Sok National Park.
We boarded our traditional Thailand longtail boat that of course had the iconic vibrant ribbons and decorative flowers, and enjoyed an unbelievably beautiful ride through the lake being surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. It truly is a sight you need to see with your own two eyes to understand, and I could not stop taking photos and admiring how incredible this place is.
With its towering limestone karsts, glowing emerald waters, and lush rainforest, Khao Sok feels like a real-life mashup of Avatar and Jurassic Park – a prehistoric paradise where every turn reveals a scene straight out of a blockbuster movie!
We made a quick stop for photos at the famous Three Rock Landmark, and then continued our longtail adventure to our accommodation for the night – an overwater floating raft house that Khao Sok has become quite famous for!
Floating Raft House Bliss
Checking into my room around 2PM at this floating resort was truly a bucket list experience for me, and I truly have nothing but glowing reviews about our time there. We stayed at the Phupawaree Floating House, and while the rooms were basic – they had everything I needed for a comfortable stay including a private bathroom, comfortable bedding, and air-conditioning.
We had a few hours to just hangout, eat, drink, swim, kayak, read, and just enjoy the resort and our rooms on the lake. There really is something so fun about being able to jump right into the water from your room. I’ve only had that kind of opportunity a few times in the Maldives, so being able to do it here at this lake was incredible. The lake water felt like a cozy bath tub, and was magical to keep diving in and out.
Sunset Wildlife Safari
Around 5PM or so our group all gathered at the dock and boarded the longtail boat again to sail around different lagoons and coves in the lake for a little wildlife safari. Our local tour guide was fantastic at spotting animals in the distance, and I’m so glad I brought my telephoto zoom lens which greatly helped me spot some gibbons in the trees above, as well as some water buffalo, eagles, and hornbills.
As the sun began to set, a light drizzle gifted us an epic rainbow stretching over the distant treeline, and the sky transformed into a gorgeous orange glow as we cruised back to our accommodation.
Arriving back we had a delicious buffet dinner awaiting us, and while many guests enjoyed some beers/cocktails at the bar – I decided to be responsible and skip the alcohol for the evening and get to bed early as we had a 6AM wake-up for another wildlife safari.
Day 3: Sunrise Safari + Floating House Check-Out
We cruised around the rainforest shoreline again while the morning mist drifts across the lake, and enjoyed just a few more wildlife sightings before heading back to to the floating resort for breakfast and check-out by 9AM.
I just put my backpack in the common area and enjoyed a morning swim, and then spent an hour or so kayaking around the area surrounding the resort. Around noon it was time to say goodbye and we boarded the boat again to enjoy another 60+ minute scenic longtail boat ride back to the pier and the trip would come to an end.
While we only spent one-night out on the floating raft house, I think it was actually perfect and I got to experience everything that I wanted. While there is something truly special about this accommodation style and I could have easily spend a few days just waking up in that bed with stunning views of the lake and rainforest in front of me and spending my days reading and swimming – for most travelers with time constraints – one day was all you need out there!
Khao Soak & Cheow Lan Lake Tour Review
After spending three unforgettable days exploring Khao Sok National Park with Our Jungle Camp’s Khao Sok Discovery Package, I can honestly say it’s such a perfect way to explore this Thailand gem without breaking the bank.
From thrilling nighttime jungle safaris, peaceful nature trail hikes, bamboo rafting, to cruising through the breathtaking limestone cliffs of Cheow Lan Lake, and spending a night in a floating raft house, this experience really showcases the very best of Khao Sok in just a short amount of time.
Having accommodation, transportation, activities, and guided excursions all included made the trip seamless, allowing me to simply relax, explore, and soak up the incredible scenery. While I could have easily spent a few more nights floating on the floating rafthouse, one night was the perfect amount of time to experience this bucket-list adventure.
If you’re visiting southern Thailand, do yourself a favor and don’t skip Khao Sok, and I’d highly recommend checking out Our Jungle Camp’s tour packages for an unforgettable jungle getaway!
Our Jungle Camp & House | Khao Sok Explorer Tour
Our Jungle House is the Original Khao Sok Treehouse Resort that’s been operating since 1989, and is on over 25 acres of privately owned rainforest. With its remote location and focus on sustainability, they’ve grown to become a staple and expert in all things Khao Sok National Park with their two different unique accommodation options.
- Our Jungle Camp – 21 Rooms – Gentler, family-friendly; Jungle Life Camp
- Our Jungle House – 22 Rooms – Wilder, national-park feel, own nature trails approx 2.4km
With a wide variety of treehouses up to 4.3 meters of the ground, this fun glamping retreat is the perfect jumping off point for exploring Khao Sok. They’ve also supported overall guide training in the area and support local guides to acquire an official license to work in the whole province.
Prices can vary depending on the type of treehouse you book, number of people in your party, etc – so I’d recommend emailing or sending Our Jungle Camp for a quote.
Email: [email protected] | WhatsApp: +66 (0) 88-577-6838
I’d say roughly you can expect to only pay around 6,500 Baht ($192 USD) per person though before upgrades, which is truly a stellar deal because many of the floating raft house resorts cost around that for just one-night stay!
Where to Travel Before/After Khao Sok
If you’re planning a trip around Thailand, Khao Sok is surprisingly easy to add to your itinerary! Located between the Andaman Coast and the Gulf of Thailand, it’s a fantastic stop to break up your island-hopping adventure with a few days of jungle trekking, wildlife spotting, and breathtaking limestone landscapes.
- Krabi/ Ao Nang: Khao Sok is only 2+ hours north of Krabi, making it an easy addition to your Andaman Coast itinerary. Krabi is a great base for exploring the region’s spectacular limestone cliffs, Railay Beach, and nearby islands like Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi.
- Phuket: About 3 hours from Phuket Airport or around 3–4 hours from southern Phuket, Khao Sok makes a fantastic escape from Thailand’s largest island. Spend a few days enjoying Phuket’s beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, beach clubs, and boat trips before trading the ocean for the peaceful jungle.
- Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao: If you’re heading toward Thailand’s Gulf Coast, Khao Sok is a great stop before or after your island adventures. You can arrange a transfer to Donsak Pier, followed by a ferry to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao. Each island has its own personality, from Samui’s beach resorts and Phangan’s famous Full Moon Party to Tao’s incredible scuba diving.
- Khao Lak: Often overlooked in favor of Phuket, Khao Lak is a laid-back coastal destination with beautiful beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, and easy access to some of Thailand’s best diving. If you’re a scuba enthusiast, I’d especially recommend looking into a liveaboard trip to the Similan Islands, where you can explore vibrant coral reefs, dramatic underwater rock formations, and an incredible variety of marine life.
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Thanks so much for reading!
If you’ve got any questions about this trip or want to watch my stories, be sure to head over to my Instagram as I’ve got a Thailand story highlight worth checking out.
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