6 Things to Do During Khao Sok Luxury Holidays

image 13

Thailand is home to many different tourist attractions. The Southeast Asian country has everything a nature-loving tourist yearns to see or do on a holiday. From pristine tropical beaches to hustling cities, from sea-facing resorts to mega hotels, from lavish royal palaces to majestic Buddha statues, from upscale restaurants to cheap street food, Thailand has got you covered.

Apart from these things, Thailand has many hidden gems as well. These are places that are not well known to the world but offer amazing experiences. One such place is Khao Sok, a national park located in southern Thailand. This post is all about Khao Sok and how to make the most of Khao Sok luxury holidays. 

We will explore the best things to do in Khao Sok, some facts about the place, and how to get there. So, let’s unearth one of the best places on earth.

Khao Sok Luxury Holidays: A Handbook for Your Next Visit

Some Facts About Khao Sok

  • Address: Phanom District, Surat Thani, Thailand.
  • Established: December 22, 1980
  • Area: 739 sq KM
  • Phone: +66 77 395 154

The Best Things to Do in Khao Sok

Get Up-close and Personal with Elephants

Yes, you heard us right. A trip to Khao Sok allows you to spend time with elephants in the presence of trained park staff. All visitors to Khao Sok National Park mention their time with elephants as the most cherished moment of their stay.

Almost all Khao Sok tour packages include an elephant experience. You will be treated to unforgettable moments of feeding these mammoth animals, get to know some mind-blowing facts about them, and see how it feels to deal with them.

The resort offers tourists a chance to prepare daily meals for elephants, feed them, and observe them roaming freely in the park.

Experience the Jungle Wilderness

Another famous activity while enjoying Khao Sok luxury holidays is exploring the jungle and trekking in it.

Most tours to the jungle come with a TAT-licensed guide to help you navigate the thick and thin of the area. You can also go without a guide on your own if you don’t want to book a jungle tour. If you go for the latter option, don’t forget to read and follow the National Park’s rules. Here are some tips to help you win your conquest in the jungle.

  • Take enough water with you.
  • Don’t leave the marked path.
  • Don’t mess with anything you don’t know.
  • Bring trash back with you and leave the jungle like you found it.

These tips will help keep the jungle in its original form and ensure that you and everyone else have a fun and safe visit to one of the best-maintained and oldest rainforests.

Get Close to Nature in the River

The Sok River in the park is an amazing place to observe nature and relax. There are plenty of ways to ride through the river. You can go canoeing, kayaking, or bamboo rafting. Many tour operators offer these services with a helmsman, so you can bask in the natural beauty. The ship staff takes you to an area where you can quickly spot wildlife.

The commonly seen animals include birds, snakes, monitor lizards, and monkeys. A ride through the river also allows you to observe the local life around the river banks.

For those who don’t want to go with a helmsman, a self-paddling option is also available. The ideal spot to engage to self-paddle is Cheow Larn Lake. This lake allows you to see the fascinating limestone mountains. You can plan a day trip to the lake or stay overnight in one of the many floating bungalows to get a pure Khao Sok luxury holiday experience.

Get to the Khao Sok View Point

One of the toughest things to do while spending your time in this heavenly abode is to get to the Khao Sok viewpoint. Getting to this place is tiring, but worth every step you take. You’ll be entirely rewarded after some sweating. The spot offers unmatched views of the Sok River and the entire national park. 

Get your Adrenaline dose with an ATV Ride

You may be thinking that there is nothing in Khao Sok for adrenaline junkies. Well, you are not right. Khao Sok ATV adventures can get as crazy as you like. There are many ATV tour operators that plan rides for you across the jungle on the dedicated ATV paths. Most operators offer a practice session, and if you are comfortable being a pillion, you can have your say and leave the controls in the hands of an experienced campaigner.

Try the Epic Local Gastronomy

When you are in Khao Sok, don’t forget to try the delicious food. Your Khao Sok luxury holidays are not complete without feasting on the local cuisine this place has to offer. There are plenty of cafes and bistros hidden inside the forest that prepare awesome food and drinks. 

The Best Time to Visit Khao Sok

If you want to make the most of your Khao Sok luxury holidays, pick the right time to travel to the area. The best time to travel to Thailand, or Khao Sok in particular, is from December to March. This window is also known as the dry season in Thailand.

Most tourists avoid visiting Khao Sok between June and November because things can get quite wet as this is the rainy season. The good news in that the rains in Thailand usually occur in short spells. It means that you can visit the place at any time of the year. 

How do I get to Khao Sok?

It all depends on where you are before moving to Khao Sok. If you want to start your Thailand trip from Khao Sok, you can fly into one of the 5 nearby airports and then take a bus to reach Khao Sok. The closest airports are Surat Thani (71.8 KM), Phuket (93 KM), Krabi (103 KM), Nakhon Si Thammarat (161 KM), and Koh Samui (183 KM).

Apart from direct flights, you can also take a train to reach Surat Thani if you are coming from Bangkok. That’s what most tourists do, and this is also our suggested option for people on a 10 or 12-day trip to Thailand. The journey is quite long, so plan your tour carefully.

The minibus and bus options are also available from all the nearby towns with airports. Another interesting way to get to Khao Sok while enjoying sea views is to take a ferry service.

The best part is that British citizens do not need a visa for a stay shorter than 30 days. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head out to explore nature’s marvel.

If you are not in a mood to do all this hassle and look for buses, rides, or trains while on vacation, contact Virikson Holidays and select a package from different Khao Sok Luxury Holidays deals. We offer all-inclusive Khao Sok plans at cheaper rates for you to enjoy your time to the fullest without breaking the bank.