Khao Sok Wildlife
Bird view Khao Sok National Park
Are you looking for a tour offering the opportunity to see wild elephants, gibbons, guar, hornbills, and many more of the exotic species found in Khao Sok National Park? Look no further!
We offer overnight trips to where the action is at
Cheow Lan Lake! This overnight Khao Sok wildlife spotting tour brings you near the wildlife sanctuaries that are out of reach of day-trippers. Come and explore the spectacular landscape around Cheow Lan Lake in search of the exotic flora and fauna that has made Khao Sok National Park the top destination for nature lovers and photographers in Thailand!
The driver and guide will pick you up in front of your hotel bright and early, then begin the scenic drive to the pier at the
Rajjaprabha Dam. Once you arrive at the Rajjaprabha pier, hop aboard a traditional Thai Long-tail boat to start the sightseeing cruise across picturesque Cheow Lan Lake. As you are near the location of your accommodation, the chance to spot large animals near the shoreline increases, so keep your eyes open. After arriving at your accommodation, you will dine on a Thai-style lunch, then you will have some time to relax or jump in for a swim before embarking on a Long-tail boat safari before sunset.
As the sun sets in the sky, replenish yourself at dinner, mingle, and prepare to settle into your humble
bamboo hut for the night. There is no electricity when the rangers shut down the generator at night at the park’s accommodation, leaving you in silence, or so it would seem. The jungle’s inhabitants may treat you to the sounds of the rainforest orchestra. Far away from light pollution, the views of the heavens above Cheow Lan Lake on a clear night are nothing short of astonishing, but make sure to get some sleep, for tomorrow, the adventure continues!
Wake at the crack of dawn on day two and embark on a sunrise
wildlife spotting safari by boat before breakfast. Cruising along the coastline aboard a Long-tail boat is the ideal way to maximize the chance of spotting large animal species that visit the shoreline to drink and bathe. The early morning magic light is treasured by photographers, making this the ideal time of day to capture perfect images of animal subjects and scenic panoramas.
After breakfast, your guide will lead you on a jungle trek, allowing you to get closer to the wildlife than was ever thought imaginable. Keep your eyes peeled for gibbons, Macaques, and the elusive Dusky Leaf monkey. Exotic wildlife is not all there is to see! The jungle trek is the opportune time to discover and behold some of the most beautiful and peculiar plants in the world. Khao Sok is home to many rare and strange plant species, including carnivorous pitcher plants, endemic orchid species, and the largest flower in the world, the Rafflesia.
After the trek, your captain will begin the scenic journey across the lake to the pier, but wait! The tour is not over yet! We still have a few more stops on your tour itinerary to make. The captain will stop at a location for a little spelunking in an ever-changing karst
cave to discover what lies within. For lunch, your guide will choose to bring you to the shoreline for a picnic lunch or to dine at a
floating raft-house restaurant. After lunch, sit back, relax, or take a refreshing
swim in the lake with resplendent scenery as a backdrop before hopping back on the boat for the final leg of the journey back to the pier.
Don’t miss out on the action, accommodation from the national park authority is limited, so book your tour with Khao Lak Land Discovery today! Join us on a wildlife spotting adventure that’s sure to create lasting memories of the flora and fauna in Khao Sok National Park!
Important Accommodation Information
On this tour, the accommodation at the lake consists of very simple bamboo huts with a mattress, a mosquito net, and shared toilet facilities. A narrow wooden walkway leads the way to the shared toilet facilities from the huts located on the lake. For your own personal safety, we recommend wearing proper footwear while outside your bungalow at the accommodation. Kindly note that electricity is available from 6 pm to 9 pm only.
Fitness Level
This tour involves trekking over uneven terrain and climbing stairs. Guests should posses a moderate level of physical fitness to be able to safely and fully enjoy all the activities in the itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Pick-up from your Hotel in the Khao Lak Area
We've got you covered! Your friendly driver and guide will pick you up in a comfy air-conditioned minibus at around 07:00 am in front of your hotel lobby. The pick-up time may vary depending on the location of your hotel, but we confirm the exact time with you when you book. The transfer to the pier at Cheow Lan Lake takes about 2 hours.
Day 1 - Sightseeing by Longtail Boat
After arriving at the pier near the Rajjaprabha Dam, you will board a traditional Thai Long-tail boat to begin a sightseeing cruise across Cheow Lan Lake. As you’re captain and guide navigate the way to your accommodation for the night, make sure you have your camera ready, there are thousands of panoramic photo opportunities awaiting to be captured that are only possible by boat! Soon, you will take note that the boats carrying tourists on day trips begin to fade into the distance behind you. Your destination is much further across the lake, near protected wildlife sanctuaries, where wild elephants and big cats still roam.
Day 1 - Lunch and Time to relax
After cruising across Cheow Lan Lake for a few hours, you will arrive at the location where you will stay for the night. Dig into a traditional Thai lunch to satisfy your hunger, after which you will have time for rest and mingle with the other guests or take a refreshing swim in the lake.
One thing to note is that the electricity at the accommodation comes from a generator that only operates during the day, so it is a good idea to use every available opportunity to recharge your batteries and electronic devices.
Day 1 - Dusk Wildlife Spotting Boat Safari
After you have had time to relax and let your food settle your captain and guide will take you on a late afternoon wildlife spotting expedition by boat. Animals move and do not follow a tourist viewing schedule, so with a pinch of luck, they will entertain our wishes and come to the shoreline for a drink. As the warm, soft light from the Magic Hour shifts the hue to blue, we return to the accommodation for dinner.
Day 1 - Dinner and Time to relax
Once you're back at your humble accommodation, we have a traditional Thai meal waiting for you. The rest of the evening is all yours, so feel free to do whatever you like! We just want to remind you to take advantage of any chance you get to recharge your batteries and electronic devices. You may find it surprising, but not having electricity can be a wonderful thing on a clear night. Without light pollution, you can gaze at the stars and even capture some stunning images of the cosmos. So don't hesitate to enjoy the peace and solitude in darkness and marvel at the beauty of the night sky!
Day 1 - Overnight in Humble Bamboo Huts
The spartan yet charming bamboo huts serve as more than adequate accommodation for adventurers who wish to escape mainstream mass tourism. Slip into bed and catch up on some rest in preparation for an early morning wake-up call and tomorrow’s activities.
Day 2 - Early Morning Wildlife Spotting Boat Safari
If the sound of gibbons and birds hasn't already woken you up already, your guide will. It's time to embark on an early morning wildlife spotting expedition before breakfast. Dawn is the perfect time to spot diurnal creatures that are just starting their day. Photographers love the light of the Magic or Golden Hour for its warm hues and soft contrast. During the first hour after sunrise, the warm hue of the soft morning light make colours and skin tones look more vibrant. The low contrast from the morning light brings out details in the shadows, making it easier to get the perfect exposure without overexposing the highlights. While you can try to achieve similar results in post-processing on your computer, the effect will never be as natural as the real thing.
Day 2 - Breakfast
After the morning excursion, your captain and guide will bring you back for breakfast. Once again, remember to use this opportunity to top up your batteries. After breakfast, you will head into the depths of the rainforest on foot in search of more wildlife encounters.
Day 2 - Jungle Trek
Get ready for an incredible adventure! Your experienced guide will lead you on a thrilling trek through the lush rainforests and grasslands in search of elusive wildlife. While cruising on the lake is the ideal way to spot elephants, guar, and other large animals that visit the shoreline, exploring the surrounding terrain on foot allows you to discover many of the smaller creatures that call the jungle canopy and forest floor home. From playful gibbons swinging high up in the trees to elusive Dusky Leaf Monkeys hiding in dense foliage, there is always something exciting to discover. Around 200 species of birds can be found in the park, including nine of the world's 57 hornbill species. While catching a glimpse of the wildlife may be the highlight of the trek, keep your eyes open to spot strange carnivorous pitcher plants and delicate endemic orchids nestled among the trees. Please note that your guide will select the best location for the trek based on certain conditions, such as the water level of the lake and the amount of recent rainfall the area has received.
Day 2 - Sightseeing by Long-tail Boat
As we start the journey back to the pier, keep your eyes open for wildlife along the shoreline and in the sky. While we cruise across the lake, there will be plenty of opportunities to take more gorgeous pictures of the karst limestone landscape that took water millions of years to form.
Day 2 - Lunch at a Floating Raft House/Shoreline Picnic
After the morning activities, you will likely have worked up an appetite. Your captain will make way to a floating restaurant where a delicious traditional Thai lunch awaits. Weather permitting, your guide may alter the location and take you for a picnic-style lunch on the shoreline if the restaurants are too crowded. After lunch, there is time to swim in the lake for a refreshing swim or sit back, relax, and take in the view.
Day 2 - Cave Exploration
One of the stops your boat captain will make will allow you to step back in time as you walk through speleothems that took thousands of years to form. Stalactites hang precariously from the cave ceiling, and stalagmites rise from the floor, continuously growing in size. Today, the snapshot of the interior has never looked the same, nor will it ever again. The interior shape of this cave is constantly evolving and will continue doing so long after we are gone.
Day 2 - Return to the Pier
It is often said that all good things must come to an end. Your captain will navigate the Long-tail boat back to the pier, where your minibus driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. Please be sure to take all your belongings off the boat when you disembark. It's a good time to use the facilities if you need a bathroom break before the minibus departs to take you back to Khao Lak.
Day 2 - Return to your Hotel in the Khao Lak Area
Your driver and guide will return you to your hotel around 6:00 pm. The exact time depends on weather conditions at the lake and the location of your hotel.
