Located in Surat Thani Province of southern Thailand, Khao Sok National Park was founded by Royal Forestry Department in 1980. It is a part of Khlong Saeng – Khao Sok Complex with the area of 5,316 km2. Near Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak, Khao Sok is the most famous national park in southern Thailand, being the home to many rare and precious species. Known as the largest primeval forest in this country and one of the oldest rainforests in the world, Khao Sok is even believed to be more diverse than Amazon rainforest.
When should tourists visit Khao Sok National Park?
The rainy season starts at the end of April and ends in December while the dry season lasts 3 months (between January and April). The annual average temperature fluctuates from 22oC to 36oC.
The most wonderful time to visit Khao Sok National Park is the dry season. Coming here in this season, you will see magnificent limestone cliffs and shimmering waterfalls when travelling by boat.
What does Khao Sok National Park have?
Numerous wild animals
Being a conservation area of wild animals, this park is home to a lot of mammals like tiger, elephant, gaur, bison, deer, bear, monkey, gibbon, urchin, Asian wolf…..
Furthermore, tourists can also see hundreds of bird species inside the park. It is the diversity of living creatures that makes Khao Sok National Park become one of the few large Biosphere Reserves of Thailand.
Majestic limestone mountains
With the history of millions of years, Khao Sok National Park boasts its unique appearance with hundreds of impressive limestone mountains. Mountains surrounding Cheow Lan Lake with the height of over 300m above the sea level create a very majestic landscape.
Sitting on the bamboo rafts along Khao Sok River, visitors might admire the endless green color of nature with great limestone mountain ranges.
Cheow Lan Lake
Being one of the most beautiful places in Khao Sok National Park, Cheow Lan Lake is renowned with floating houses. The lake comprises 100 limestone cliffs and 6 branches: Khlong Long, Khlong Ka, Khlong Pey, Khlong Yee, Khlong Saeng and Khlong Mon.
If you set foot on here, you should try kayaking in limestone mountains under the fog of early mornings. The harmonious beauty of the clear water lake, small islands, magnificent cliffs and lovely floating houses are reasons why Cheow Lan Lake is absolutely a masterpiece of nature.
The oldest evergreen rainforests
Compared with Amazon Rainforest in South America, Khao Sok National Park possesses the vast primeval forests with over 160 million years of history. The dense forest with the diversity of flora and fauna provides backpackers with interesting trekking tours.
Or you can choose to ride the elephant to go through the jungles. What an amazing journey! You will know exactly how to escape from the daily life and immerse in the pristine beauty of tropical rainforests.
Sip Et Chan Waterfall
Khao Sok National Park has so many nice waterfalls, of which Sip Et Chan is quite well-known. It is a good place to take a break and relax. It will be difficult to see wild mammals but bird species like eagle, woodpecker… are plentiful on the trails near this waterfall.
Although Khao Sok National Park is not very famous like Phuket or Pattaya, it is still an unmissable destination in Thailand. If you are looking for a totally different vacation amidst a wilderness, it will be a great choice. Have fun with your trip!