Overnight Tour into Khao Sok Lake: Shot-by-Shot Review
As a Thai person, I only went into Khao Sok Lake once before as part of a film crew. I had no idea how to hire a boat, how to get to the boarding point, etc.
So when the time came for me to go back in as I planned to take a friend from Croatia around the country, I got completely stuck at planning. Like… how the heck does anything work?
Because I had the friend with limited time in Thailand, we agreed to book an overnight tour that would give us everything we wanted (boat ride, animal-spotting, floating bungalow stay) without the risk of messing things up.
Needlessly to say, we had an absolute blast. We even saw a wild elephant going for a swim in the lake! And I’m here to share my honest experience on the tour with you, so you can decide for yourself if you wanna do the same thing!
Can You Visit the Floating Bungalows Without a Tour?
Good question. Yes, you can… technically speaking.
Hiring a boat into the lake can cost a fortune unless you’re coming with friends to share the cost. Communication can also go wrong with a language barrier.
Plus, some of the more impressive trails inside the lake require a certified guide to accompany you. This is why, even as a native Thai speaker, I chose to join a tour for convenience and trail access.
My Experience on the Khao Sok Floating Bungalows Tour
Enough with the nonsense. Now I’ll recount my exact experience on the tour, plus tips and advice whenever applicable. Here goes!
Tour Pick-Up Points and Different Pricings
There are 3 different pick-up points at 2 different prices: Khao Lak or Khao Sok, and Phuket.
My friend and I were staying in Khao Lak, which I highly do NOT recommend, but that’s a discussion for another time. So, please stay around the Khao Sok area if you wish to pay less for this tour.
The price goes up about $80 per person for the Phuket pick-up, understandably, since it’s about two or three hours further, depending on which area of the province you’re coming from.
The Van Ride and Lookout Spot
We got picked up from our hotel, The Leaf Oceanside, at 7:00 AM sharp by our van driver, accompanied by our guide for the weekend.
The van was not a minute late, which was impressive compared to the usually more relaxed nature of my people.
The ride there was mostly nappable, until they let you stop at the first Khao Sok National Park lookout. Suddenly, the excitement hit, and I just stayed awake for the rest of the ride.
The Mesmerizing First Stop: Pa Ton Nam Baan Nam Rad
As if the idea of visiting the Khao Sok Lake wasn’t exciting enough, we stopped somewhere else first.
“Pa Ton Nam Baan Nam Rad” is a local watershed just outside the Khao Sok National Park limit. It was still pretty much a hidden gem when we visited, and judging from how it was maintained, it will continue to be.
You’re not allowed to bring your belongings inside, so leave them in the lockers they provide.
Here’s the extreme rule: No use of sunscreen, as it contaminates the water. I was a bit shocked when I heard that, but hey, I’d prefer this place to be around for a long time, too. Now you won’t be as shocked as I was.
We had about 40 minutes to swim around, which was perfect. There were areas with shade as well, but believe me when I tell you this: The water is cold, and it felt much better in the sun!
🚌 Save your spot on the tour to go see this watershed!
Boat Ride onto Cheow Lan Lake
The local name for the Khao Sok Lake is actually “Cheow Lan Lake” or sometimes “Cheow Lan Dam.”
After another 15-20 minutes of van ride, we got off the van right at the Ratchaprapa Pier, where boats take visitors into the massive lake.
We waited for about 15 minutes as our guide secured our park tickets. So, yes, there is time for a bathroom break.
Getting Soaked by Surprise Rain
Have I mentioned the chance of rain is higher on the lake than outside? I haven’t?
It started raining like cats and dogs about 5 minutes into our boat ride. The longtail boat is covered with not much but a narrow roof and some extra shading net, so we end up soaked anyway. 😂
Apart from the rain, the view was a sight to behold. Even having seen it before, back when I was working on movie sets, visiting as a tourist hit differently.
Overnight at the Floating Bungalows: Phupha Waree Resort
After about an hour and a half and a few viewpoint stops, we saw our floating bungalows for the first time. It was still raining, but man, I’d been ready for this.
Our floating resort was Phupha Waree, one of the sleeker, more modern-looking resorts around the lake. We had our free lunch in the dining area.
The food was standard, with dishes like the Thai omelet, stir-fried vegetables, and a Southern Thai soup. Nothing crazy spicy.
The room, which I just realized I had taken videos of and no photos (Sorry 💀), was minimalistic.
There was a queen-sized bed cushion on the floor. A small wall shelf just wide enough for you to set your things, and a small old-school bathroom, the kind with the shower and toilet in the same space.
Evening Wildlife Boat Tour (Spoiler: No Animals)
After having a few hours to ourselves to kayak around the lake and explore closer to our bungalow, we set off with our guide on an evening boat tour.
He took us into more remote parts of the lake in the hope of seeing some wild animals, but no luck. They must have been hiding out from the rainstorm earlier.
We got some gorgeous shots, though. So, that was a win!
Morning Boat Tour (You Don’t Wanna Skip This Part!)
The last boat tour of the tour (Is this Inception or what?) was easily the best experience I’ve ever had traveling around Thailand. Either the best, or the most mind-blowing, or both.
Our tourmates (there were 5 of us) and I agreed to meet our guide earlier the next morning for another boat tour to make up for the underwhelming one the day before, so we set off at 7 AM.
The lake looked even more magical in the calm morning light. There were no currents in the water whatsoever, and also, no animals whatsoever.
But after 25 minutes going around to different coves, we found another boat waiting cautiously on still water, so we joined them.
Their boatman said that they heard a wild elephant chomping on plants inside the jungle.
So we waited with them for 15 completely still minutes, and the elephant came out of the jungle, chomping his way into the water!
Have you seen an elephant swim? Not just dipping in shallow water, but swimming and diving. I hadn’t before that moment. It was amazing.
He swam around the cove, looking for more plants to chomp on for a hot minute, then he got out of the water and back into the jungle.
🐘 Wanna see an elephant swim in a lake? Book the tour! 👈
The Final Hike and Pakarang Cave
There is one place you cannot get to directly by boat inside the Khao Sok Lake: Pakarang Cave.
This was our final adventurous stop before making our way out of the lake. We were dropped off at the trailhead and hiked a pretty easy trail for about 20 minutes.
The trail gets muddy when it rains, though, so be careful of slipping.
From the end of the trail, we took a raft to the cave entrance before climbing a few sets of stairs, nothing too crazy. Don’t be alarmed if water drops onto your head as you climb. The cave rock soaks in water after the rain.
Need I say more after that clip? These coral-like rocks glow! The cave is pitch-black, which is why the park wouldn’t let anyone enter on their own. But turn on a flashlight and the magic appears!
We spent another half hour riding the raft and hiking out to our boat, and then we stopped for another delicious free meal at Praiwan Raft House.
We had around 45 minutes to swim with the resort guests, and that concluded the tour. The ride back out of the lake took about an hour.
😍 Save your spot on the tour to see glowing rocks! ✨
What’s Included in the Tour Price
- Guided wildlife sightings and cave hikes
- One-night stay in the floating bungalow.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- National park fees
- Boat rides
- Meals, water, and soft drinks
So, Is This Khao Sok Tour Worth It?
As long as you know what to expect, then absolutely. 100% Worth it.
All logistics handled, including wildlife tours with local boatmen that I wouldn’t have the connections to make happen on my own.
I ask one thing: Please make Khao Sok the last stop on your Southern Thailand tour.
You won’t be arrested or anything like that if you don’t, but the place is so stunning that it could overshadow everything else you visit afterwards. That was my friend’s experience.
I hope this helped you decide whether or not to book the tour, but please, whatever you do, do NOT skip Khao Sok National Park!
For guides to other regions and provinces, check my Thailand Cultural Travel page.
Helpful Travel Tips for Thailand
All visitors need to fill out a Digital Arrival Card no longer than 3 days before their trip to Thailand. And if applicable, a visa.
- Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
- Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
- Must-have Apps: Grab, Papago AI Translator, Google Maps
Learn the dos and don’ts in Thai culture and some local phrases before arriving.
Don’t forget to always have cash on hand. The smaller the notes, the better!
Grab My Thailand E-Checklist
To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!
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