Khao Sok National Park Holidays

Khao Sok National Park seems to have been lifted straight out of a Jurassic Park-esque world (minus the dinos); there’s dense rainforest, fast-flowing rivers and breathtaking lakes all sitting in the shadow of sheer-sided limestone mountains. And we have an unlikely group of student activists and insurgents from the 1970s and 80s to thank for the survival of this unspoilt wonderland that you can explore today.

The list of fauna here reads like a who’s who of jungle big hitters: there are Asian elephants, leopards and tigers (although incredibly elusive), playful primates, tapirs and gaur, flying squirrels, and snakes. The flora is varied too: biodiversity reigns supreme here with over 200 species per hectare versus an average of 10 species per hectare in Europe and North America. If you want to embrace nature during your Thailand trip, we can’t think of a better place to do it.

How to get to Khao Sok 
This is the place to be if adding a side of jungle adventures to your sedate seaside moments floats your boat. But thankfully, this isn’t a far-flung affair only reserved for the most intrepid explorers. It’s two or three hours by road from Khao Lak and Phuket respectively, a half-day road trip (plus a short ferry ride) from Koh Samui, and just a few hours from Krabi by road so the journey is a breeze. Surit Thani airport is under an hour away while Phuket airport is about three hours away.

How to add Khao Sok to your holiday

The fan favourite here is undoubtedly Elephant Hills which has two tented camps. One of these, the jungle camp, is on dry land at the edge of the national park, while the other – the lake camp – is out floating out on an arm of the jaw dropping Cheow Larn Lake. The deal here is that you pick a multi-day package – from two to four days either just at the jungle camp or split across the two camps – that’s packed with included experiences, great food and immaculate vibes. These are easily added to your beach stay as the folks at Elephant Hills will come and pick you up and whisk you to the jungle; it’s a truly seamless experience. Then when you’re done, they’ll take you back to your resort, transport you to the next stop on your trip or drop you off at Phuket or Surat Thani airports. It’s all wonderfully effortless on your side.

If you’re seeking a slightly more hands off and flexible approach to your Khao Sok stay but still want those jungle-meets-lake lodge moods, there’s 360 Issara. It’s also in a seriously stunning setting on Cheow Larn Lake where you can stay a few nights and truly relax into Khao Sok life. We’ll arrange the transfers from and back to your beach hotel or the airport to the lake pier where you’ll hop on board a traditional long tail boat for the unforgettable cruise to the lodge.