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Khao Sok & Cheow Lan, 3 Days 2 Nights
Waterfalls, Kayaking, Floating Bungalows

Khao Sok and Cheow Lan are two different zones inside the same national park. The Khao Sok side is rainforest where you hike to waterfalls, while Cheow Lan is the lake above Ratchaprapha Dam, with limestone karsts rising straight out of the water that earned it the nickname "Thailand's Guilin." This plan covers both sides in 3 days and 2 nights: hike on day one, sleep in a floating bungalow on the lake, then kayak at sunrise before heading back.

🌿 Khao Sok Rainforest🏞️ Thailand's Guilin🛶 Floating Bungalow + Kayak
Khao Sok & Cheow Lan, 3 Days 2 Nights Waterfalls, Kayaking, Floating Bungalows

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

A lot of people think Khao Sok and Cheow Lan are the same place. They're actually two different zones inside Khao Sok National Park, about 65 km apart. The Khao Sok side sits right off Phetkasem Road and is a small village with places to stay, restaurants, and trailheads for hiking to waterfalls. Cheow Lan is the lake above Ratchaprapha Dam — you have to take a longtail boat out before you reach the limestone karsts in the water and the floating accommodations. This plan isn't rushed: it fits in both the hiking and a night on the lake, so you don't have to pick one or the other.

Before You Set Off

The lake is fullest and the skies clearest around December to April. May to October is the rainy season — the waterfalls run strong and the forest is green, but you may run into rain and leeches while hiking. Bring shoes with good grip and a pair of leech socks.

How to Get to Khao Sok & Cheow Lan

The easiest starting point is Surat Thani Airport (URT). Khao Sok village is about 110 km away and takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on how you travel.

  • Phantip Travel minivan/bus — runs directly from Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok, with departures from mid-morning to afternoon (roughly 08:15–16:15). Fares are about 250–300 THB per person and the trip takes around 2.5 hours. Make sure you catch the last departure, around 4 pm.
  • Taxi/private car — available any time and faster, around 1.5 hours, at about 1,500 THB per car. Worth it if you're travelling as a group or arriving in the evening.
  • From Khao Sok to Ratchaprapha Dam pier — the two points are about 65 km apart. A minivan takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, a private car around an hour. Most accommodations or tour companies arrange the transfer for you.

Pick the Right Side to Base Yourself

If your focus is hiking to waterfalls, stay in Khao Sok village. If your focus is the floating bungalows, book a raft house on Cheow Lan and take the boat in from Ratchaprapha Dam pier. This plan spends 1 night in Khao Sok, then moves to a floating bungalow for 1 night.

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Day 1 — Into Khao Sok, Hiking to Waterfalls

Day 1

Khao Sok Rainforest + Waterfalls

Morning
Leave Surat Thani Airport, head into Khao Sok village, and check in on the Khao Sok side.Accommodation here ranges from guesthouses along the Sok River to garden resorts, all within walking distance of the park entrance.
11:00
Buy your park ticket at the visitor center. Entry is 300 THB for foreigners; it's cheaper for Thai nationals.Keep the ticket — you'll need it as proof while hiking the trails inside the park.
11:30
Walk the nature trail along the Sok River to Bang Hua Raet Waterfall.The first stretch is flat and easy, about 4.5 km to the first waterfall — a wide curtain of water with a pool where you can soak your feet.
Afternoon
If you still have energy, push on to the deeper waterfall tiers or Wang Phi Nga; if you're tired, head back and relax by the river.The Sip Et Chan (Eleven Tiers) trail runs about 9 km and takes 4–5 hours. Hire a guide and start early.
Evening
Head back to the village, shower, eat at a spot in Khao Sok village, then rest up.It's a small village and places close early, so having dinner on the early side is more convenient.

The Khao Sok side isn't just waterfalls. This is old rainforest, home to the giant Rafflesia flower that blooms seasonally, and you might hear gibbons calling in the morning. If you want to go deeper into the forest with someone leading the way, hiring a local guide for half a day is safer and you'll learn more than going on your own.

Leeches and Safety

In the rainy season the Khao Sok forest is thick with leeches. Wear long socks pulled over your trouser legs and carry salt or leech repellent. They're not dangerous, just annoying. And don't hike the longer trails alone without telling your accommodation — phone signal in the forest comes and goes.

Day 2 — Into Cheow Lan, Boat Ride, Floating Bungalow

Today you switch sides. From Khao Sok it's about an hour's drive to Ratchaprapha Dam pier (Ratchaprapha Municipal Pier), the gateway to Cheow Lan Lake. From here you take a longtail boat in before you'll see the limestone karsts in the water and the floating bungalows.

Day 2

Thailand's Guilin + Floating Bungalow

Morning
Check out of Khao Sok and drive to Ratchaprapha Dam pier, about 1 hour.If you've booked a raft house, they usually time your boat departure to line up with lunch on the raft.
10:30
Board a longtail boat onto the lake, passing Khao Sam Kloe and the cluster of limestone karsts that are the iconic image of Cheow Lan.A private boat is priced per boat, so sharing with several people is better value. Along the way the driver usually stops at the standout spots for photos.
12:00
Arrive at the raft house, check in, have lunch on the raft, then jump in for a swim off the front.Most raft houses are rooms lined up on pontoons. The water out front is deep but clear, so you can swim right there.
Afternoon
Take a boat to one of the caves in the lake area, such as Coral Cave or Nam Lod Cave.Coral Cave charges entry separately from the park fee, around 200 THB for adults. Some caves involve wading through water, so wear shoes with heel straps.
Evening
Head back to the raft, kayak around in the evening light, then have dinner on the raft.Raft houses usually have kayaks to borrow for free or a small fee. Around sunset the water is at its calmest and most beautiful.
Night
Sleep to the sounds of the forest and the water. No city lights, and clear skies full of stars.Most rafts run power from a generator on a schedule and cut the lights late at night, so charge your devices fully in the early evening.

The raft houses on Cheow Lan come in several tiers, from the budget-friendly park rafts (Ban Bot, Tang Nam, Krai Son) up to private rafts and newer floating resorts with en-suite bathrooms and full service. Prices vary widely. If you want the raw experience of falling asleep to the forest, the park rafts are plenty. If you want comfort with air conditioning, step up to a private raft.

Budget

Park Rafts (Ban Bot / Tang Nam)

The park's budget rafts. Simple rooms, with shared or en-suite bathrooms depending on the spot, and the full nature atmosphere.

Comfortable

Private Rafts / Floating Resorts

En-suite bathrooms, some with air conditioning on a schedule, plus boat transfers and meals included. Good for those who want comfort.

Day 3 — Sunrise Kayak, Then Head Back

Day 3

Morning Mist + Kayaking

05:30
Wake up for the morning mist drifting over the water — this is the highlight of staying on a floating bungalow.The mist is thickest around 5:30 to 6 am and the air is cool, so bring a light jacket.
06:00
Paddle the kayak out quietly while the water is mirror-still. You may see hornbills flying across and troops of monkeys along the cliffs.Early morning is the quietest and when the animals come out to feed. Keep the noise down and you'll see more wildlife.
07:30
Head back to the raft, have breakfast, and pack up.Double-check your belongings before getting on the boat — anything that falls in the water is hard to recover.
09:00
Take the longtail boat back to Ratchaprapha Dam pier.The morning light is still lovely on the way back, so you get another chance to photograph the limestone karsts.
Midday
Come ashore and drive back to Surat Thani town, or continue on to the airport or a ferry pier for the islands.Plenty of people continue on to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao straight from Don Sak pier.

If you have a spare half day before heading back, stop in Surat Thani town for a good meal along the Tapi River, or pick up Chaiya salted eggs as a souvenir. But if you're carrying on to the islands, Don Sak pier isn't far — plan around an afternoon ferry and the timing works out.

Rough Budget

A Cheow Lan day tour starts at around 400–2,000 THB per person depending on the program. A floating-bungalow package for 2 days and 1 night, including the boat, meals, and activities, starts at around 2,500–3,600 THB per person — not including the 300 THB park entry fee or the separate fees at some caves. Travelling as a group lowers the per-person boat cost a lot.

Want a full Surat Thani plan covering the town, islands, and food?

See the Surat Thani Travel Guide →

FAQ

Are Khao Sok and Cheow Lan the same place?

They're two different zones inside Khao Sok National Park, about 65 km apart. The Khao Sok side is a village off Phetkasem Road used for hiking to waterfalls, while Cheow Lan is the lake above Ratchaprapha Dam, where you take a longtail boat in to stay on a floating bungalow. This plan covers both sides.

How much is the Khao Sok park entry fee?

Park entry is about 300 THB for foreigners and cheaper for Thai nationals. Some caves in the lake, such as Coral Cave, charge a separate entry of around 200 THB for adults. Keep your ticket as proof throughout the trip.

How much does a floating bungalow on Cheow Lan cost?

A 2-day, 1-night floating-bungalow package including the longtail boat, meals, and activities like kayaking starts at around 2,500–3,600 THB per person. The price depends on whether it's a budget park raft or a private raft with an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning. Travelling as a group lowers the per-person boat cost.

When is the best time to visit Cheow Lan?

December to April is the dry season, when the lake is full and the skies are clear — best for photos and kayaking. May to October is the rainy season, when the waterfalls on the Khao Sok side run strong and the forest is green, but you may run into rain and leeches while hiking.

Do you need to know how to kayak to go?

No. The water in front of the rafts is very calm — put on a life jacket and you can paddle around nearby with no trouble. Beginners should start by paddling around the raft. Early morning, when the water is calmest and the animals are out feeding, is the best time to paddle.

Related

🏞️ The Full Cheow Lan Lake Guide🗺️ Surat Thani Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Places to Stay in Surat Thani

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