What It's Like to Spend 3 nights on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok, Thailand
We spent 3D2N on Cheow Lan Lake, Khao Sok, and here's how it went!
We spent 3 days living on floating rafthouses, waking up to insane views… and even spotted wild elephants right from our room?!
This is Cheow Lan Lake (or also known as Khao Sok Lake), a hidden gem tucked in Khao Sok National Park in the Surat Thani province in Southern Thailand, about a 2–3 hour drive from Phuket, Krabi or Surat Thani.
Khao Sok reminds us a lot of Halong Bay, but so much quieter. With its emerald-green waters surrounded by towering limestone cliffs surrounded by a rainforest that’s said to be older than the Amazon, it makes a stunning, adventurous getaway that you honestly cannot miss when visiting Thailand!
Most people come here to stay on the floating bungalows, which are these small wooden cabins built right on the lake. You wake up to views of amazing emerald waters right out your door, stunning limestone hills, and can literally jump straight into the lake the moment you roll out of bed.
There are quite a few floating bungalows on the lake, from super basic ones to nicer ones with proper beds and even AC. Depending on where you stay, you might spend your days exploring hidden caves, bamboo rafting, going on Khao Sok jungle hikes, or visiting remote waterfalls.
The lake is surrounded by some of the oldest forests in the world, so it’s packed with wildlife, and you’ll almost definitely see lots some wildlife during your lake tour.
And if you’re lucky like us, Khao Sok wild elephants right outside your stay! There's a floating bungalow that is close to where families of elephants live so you have a better chance of spotting elephants if you stay there!
We also loved just chilling in between meals - swimming, kayaking, river tubing, or floating around doing absolutely nothing. Meals at the stay are simple but super delicious Thai-style dishes - basic but especially good after a long day out.
What made our Seek Sophie trip extra special was our private local guide. Most Cheow Lan Lake trips are group tours, which means you share a longtail boat with other travellers and just have a boat driver bringing everyone from spot to spot. The drivers might be able to point out animals, but they usually speak very basic English.
With our private tour, we had the whole longtail boat tour to ourselves the entire way, which made everything feel way more flexible and personal. We could stop whenever we wanted, stay longer at our favourite spots, find secret viewpoints, and more!
Our guide was so knowledgeable and skillful - he could spot hornbills from far away, explain the gibbon calls echoing through the forest, and spot elusive wildlife during our night safari!
Cheow Lan Lake is beautiful no matter how you see it, but having someone who knows its stories, wildlife, and secrets made us feel like we were seeing the lake through local eyes which felt truly meaningful to us.
If you’re planning a trip, the 3D2N overnight tours are perfect. You’ll have time for everything: the adventurous parts like wildlife safaris, birdwatching, jungle trek, kayaking, caving and also the chill part like lazy swims and just soaking in the beauty of your surroundings. (Day trips are super rushed so we don’t recommend it!)
Check out our Cheow Lan lake video here! 👇
If you want more tips on getting to Cheow Lan Lake, what to expect, which rafthouses or Khao Sok tour packages to pick, we’ve shared all our tips in our complete Cheow Lan Lake guide.
👇 See our Ultimate Cheow Lan Lake Guide for top tips, how to avoid the crowds etc
👇 Ready to book? Check out all our handpicked Cheow Lan Lake experiences here
Khao Sok National Park Experiences FAQs
Is Khao Sok worth visiting?
We think so! It’s less touristy than other parts of Thailand, incredibly beautiful, and full of adventure. If you love nature, wildlife, or unique experiences like floating bungalows on a lake, you'd love it. Just try to go outside of peak season as it is getting increasingly crowded.
How many days do I need to explore Khao Sok properly?
At least 3 days, 2 nights is recommended. This gives you time to hike in the jungle, do a river activity, and spend a night on Cheow Lan Lake. If you’re short on time, a 2-day, 1-night trip can work, but you’ll miss some experiences.
Can I combine Khao Sok with other destinations in Thailand?
Yes! Many travelers visit Khao Sok as part of a Southern Thailand itinerary, combining it with Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, or Koh Samui. It’s also possible to continue to Surat Thani, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao.
When is the best time to see wildlife?
For the best chance of spotting wild elephants, hornbills, gibbons, and langurs, visit during dry season in February to May. Sunrise and sunset safaris are the best for wildlife sightings.
How do I get to Khao Sok from Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, or Surat Thani?
From Bangkok: Take a sleeper train or flight to Surat Thani, then a 2-hour drive to Khao Sok.
From Phuket or Krabi: 3-hour drive by private transfer or shared van. Many travelers visit Khao Sok as part of a longer Thailand itinerary.
From Surat Thani: 2-hour drive via private transfer, bus, or shared van.
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