8 Insane But Fun Things To Do in Khao Sok
Khao Sok is one of the most incredible places in Thailand, but a lot of travelers skip it because they have no idea what to do once they get here. From epic jungle heights and wildlife encounters to boat trips through landscapes that feel straight out of Jurassic Park and unique eco stays that will ruin normal hotels forever.
Khao Sok Jungle Treks and Wildlife
Number eight. The Khao Sok jungle is one of the oldest rainforests on Earth. Scientists believe this rainforest is even older than the Amazon, having survived for millions of years while much of the world around it has changed. And as you walk beneath its towering trees, it does feel like stepping into a prehistoric world.
One of the best ways to experience it is on a guided jungle trek. Not only will your guide help you navigate the dense rainforest, but they’ll also point out the plants, insects, and wildlife that most visitors would walk straight past. I’ve visited Khao Sok twice now and some of the animals that I’ve seen here have been absolutely insane. Colorful flying lizards, wild monkeys swinging through the trees, several species of snake, and even a few tarantulas hidden amongst the forest. If you’re particularly lucky, you might even spot wild elephants which still roam parts of the national park.
I think for most people the half-day hikes will be enough. We recently did it with a baby strapped to our back for most of the journey which definitely increased the challenge, but it was still manageable. A few years back though, we did the full day hike and ended up with a beautiful Tong Kloy waterfall which was the perfect spot to cool off in the middle of the jungle. This was about an 8-hour hike and it was pretty intense though. Trekking through the rainforest is one of the most unforgettable things you can do in Khao Sok.
Giant Rafflesia in the Khao Sok Rainforest
Number seven. But if you time your trip just right, you might get the chance to see one of the rarest and strangest plants on Earth, the giant rafflesia, the largest individual flower in the world.
Every year, people fly in from all over the world to try and see these plants, but most visitors to Khao Sok will never ever see one. Hidden deep within the Khao Sok rainforest, this extraordinary plant spends most of its life completely out of sight before emerging for just a few days each year. Some blooms can grow to more than a meter across, making them look almost alien against the jungle floor.
It’s sometimes known as the corpse flower because of the foul smell that it produces to attract insects, making it one of the most bizarre and fascinating plants that you’ll find anywhere in the world. Because the flowering window is so short, spotting one is never guaranteed. But if you’re lucky enough at the right time, local guides can take you into the rainforest to search for these enormous blooms.
Luxury Jungle Treehouse Stays
Number six. Khao Sok is home to some incredibly unique places to stay, but one of the coolest has to be spending the night in a luxury jungle treehouse. Now, when most people hear the words treehouse, they imagine something fairly basic, but this is luxury glamping at its finest. At Khao Sok Boutique Camps, you’ll sleep high above the rainforest canopy in a comfortable room complete with a proper bed, private bathroom, and all the comforts you’d expect from a quality hotel.
What makes it special though is the setting. From your balcony, you can just look out across miles of rainforest and limestone mountains, with nothing but jungle stretching into the distance. You’ll wake up each day to the sounds of birds, insects, and monkeys shouting through the jungle, and it’s an experience that’s very different from staying in a normal hotel. One of my favorite features here is the swimming pool, which sits elevated above the trees, and it’s completely surreal to be floating in a pool while looking out across the rainforest canopy below. Staying here allows you to experience Khao Sok’s incredible natural beauty without sacrificing a good night’s sleep.
Khao Sok Night Safari
Number five. But if you’re brave enough and you really want to see some of Khao Sok’s rarest wildlife, you need to experience the rainforest after dark. The reality is that many of the jungle’s most fascinating animals spend the day hidden away, only to emerge once the sun goes down.
That means a night safari gives you the chance to see these creatures that most people never see. Armed with a flashlight, you’ll head into the rainforest with a local guide who knows exactly where to look.
When I did this, I saw one of the craziest animals I’ve ever seen, a giant reticulated python around about 3 m long, which was slowly making its way through the jungle. It was by far the biggest snake that I’ve ever seen in the wild and I’ll never forget it. Depending on your luck, you might also spot colorful snakes, insects, monkeys, and all kinds of strange creatures that only come out at night. I understand that it’s not for everyone, but if you enjoy wildlife and you’re not afraid to trek through the jungle in the dark, a night safari is your best chance to see some of Thailand’s most unique creatures up close.
Bamboo Rafting on the Sok River
Number four. But the jungle doesn’t have to be so intense. If you prefer to slow things down and simply enjoy being surrounded by nature, then one of the most relaxing experiences in Khao Sok is taking a bamboo raft down the Sok River.
The best part is that you don’t even have to do the paddling yourself. Local guides steer the rafts while you sit back, relax, and take in the scenery as you gently drift downstream beneath the rainforest trees and cliffs.
When I did this, I was surprised by just how peaceful it felt. There’s no engine noise, no crowds, no rush. All you can hear are the sounds of the jungle around you and the river flowing beneath the raft. I spent most of the journey with my feet dangling in the cool water, enjoying the scenery as it slowly drifted by. If you prefer, you can also kayak or tube down the river, but to me rafting felt like the chillest way to enjoy the jungle.
Cheow Lan Lake and Coral Cave
Number three. There’s a whole other side to Khao Sok that feels completely different from the rainforest, and that’s Cheow Lan Lake. Now, what’s fascinating is that this isn’t actually a natural lake. It was created when a dam was built to generate electricity for southern Thailand, flooding the vast valley and creating what is now one of the most spectacular landscapes in Thailand.
As the water rose, only the mountain peaks remained above the surface, creating a breathtaking scene of towering cliffs emerging from the emerald water.
The best way to experience it is by a longtail boat. As you cruise around the lake, you’ll pass by the dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and remote corners that are inaccessible any other way. The most famous landmark here is the Three Brothers, a trio of iconic limestone karsts rising straight out of the water. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Khao Sok and a place you’ll probably instantly recognize if you’ve seen photos of the lake. But to be honest, what makes Cheow Lan so special isn’t any single viewpoint, it’s the scale of the place. Around every corner, there’s another hidden bay, another mountain, or another stretch of water that feels completely untouched.
For me, it’s some of the most spectacular scenery not just in Thailand, but anywhere in the world. And one of the best day trips you can take on Cheow Lan Lake is a visit to Coral Cave. Getting there is a big part of the adventure. First, you’re going to head to one of the furthest corners of the lake by boat before trekking through the forest to reach a bamboo raft. After drifting across the water on the bamboo raft, you’ll arrive at the entrance to the cave itself.
Inside, you’ll find huge, beautiful chambers filled with unusual rock formations that resemble coral, which is why it gets its name. As you explore the cave, you’ll come across small Buddha shrines tucked amongst the rock formations, adding to the mysterious atmosphere. If you stay on Cheow Lan Lake, this is one day trip that’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
Floating Bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake
Number one. But for the full Cheow Lan Lake experience, you need to stay overnight. Scattered across the lake are a number of floating bungalow resorts, allowing you to spend the night in the middle of one of the most beautiful landscapes in Thailand. Here, you’re surrounded by mountains and dense rainforest, and you feel completely disconnected from the outside world.
In fact, this is probably one of the best digital detox destinations in Thailand. No traffic, no crowds, and there’s no Wi-Fi reception. Just jungle, mountains, and water in every direction.
One of my favorite moments there was just waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, and the morning mist hangs over the water. It’s just really scenic and beautiful.
From your room, you can jump straight into the lake for a swim, or grab a kayak to explore the coastline at your own pace. But here, it’s all about slowing down and enjoying the scenery. Now, you might think these floating bungalows are quite basic, and some certainly are, but there are also some surprisingly comfortable and even luxurious options available. On my last trip, I stayed at 500 Rai, which is Khao Sok’s premier floating hotel, and I had excellent food, comfortable rooms, and even a floating pool within the lake. Of all the experiences that I’ve had in Thailand, this might be my favorite. It’s completely removed from the modern world, and one that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
