Khao Sok protects a rainforest counted among the oldest in the world, and the best way to realize that is on foot: under a canopy tens of meters high, among lianas and tree roots, with the call of gibbons somewhere above you. We walked there ourselves and learned mainly one thing: with a good guide you see ten times more. In this article you will read which routes there are and how to prepare.
Tip: This article is part of our larger guide to excursions in Khao Sok. Read that guide too for the other top excursions!
In brief:
Price: park entrance 300 THB p.p. (independent section), half day with guide approx. 1,000 to 1,500 THB p.p., full day incl. lunch approx. 1,500 to 2,500 THB p.p.
Duration: from a few hours (main trail) to a full day, depending on the route
Departure: from the visitor center or your lodge, book your excursion online with a reliable provider, so you are sure of a good guide
Best for: everyone; the independent main trail is easy, the day treks and the Rafflesia trek are tougher
Khao Sok: Half-Day Trek past Waterfalls and Wildlife
Group or private
children from 7 years
453 travelers rated this excursion 4.6/5
(GetYourGuide.com)
The hiking routes of Khao Sok
- The main trail along the Sok River: From the visitor center a wide path leads into the park, parallel to the river. The first section is easy to walk and allowed without a guide; along the way you pass swimming spots where you can cool off.
- The waterfalls: Deeper in the park there are several waterfalls, 3 to 7 kilometers from the entrance. For the further sections a guide is mandatory, and that is no formality: the side paths are unclear and slippery after rain.
- Day treks with a guide: The full-day tours combine the main trail with smaller paths, a waterfall as the end point and plenty of stops for what the guide sees and you would not without him: stick insects, poisonous frogs, traces of larger animals, and with luck gibbons or hornbills in the treetops.
- The Rafflesia trek (seasonal): In the blooming season (roughly December through March) local guides lead you on a sturdy climb to a blooming Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. Only possible if a flower happens to be open at that moment.
What do you see along the way?
Do not expect a safari with animals on demand: the rainforest gives up its residents sparingly, and that is exactly what makes every sighting special. You will almost certainly see and hear macaques, all kinds of birds and an army of insects and lizards; with a guide and some luck, gibbons, hornbills, snakes and langurs are added. The park’s elephants and tigers keep deep in the core; you mostly feel their presence in your guide’s stories.
Practical tips
- Go early. The jungle is most active (and coolest) in the early morning; in the morning you hear the gibbons at their best.
- Wear sturdy shoes with grip. The paths are not beaten roads; after rain it gets slippery and muddy.
- Bring plenty of water. The humidity is high; count on at least one and a half liters per person for half a day.
- Leeches come with the territory, especially in the rainy season. Leech socks or high socks over your shoes keep them out; otherwise they are harmless, at most unpleasant.
- Park entrance fee: 300 THB per adult, 150 THB per child, valid for 24 hours, in cash at the entrance.
Prices and duration
Walking independently on the first section of the main trail costs only the park entrance fee. Half-day treks with a guide start at around 1,000 to 1,500 THB per person, full-day tours including lunch around 1,500 to 2,500 THB. The Rafflesia trek is in the same range, depending on the distance to the blooming plant. Book your excursion a few days in advance online with a reliable provider, so you are sure of a good guide.
Frequently asked questions about jungle trekking in Khao Sok
Can I hike in Khao Sok without a guide?
On the first section of the main trail, yes, and that is a fine introduction. For the further waterfalls and all side paths a guide is mandatory. Our advice after our own hikes: take a guide on the free section too if you want to understand what you see; the difference is enormous.
How tough are the treks?
The main trail is flat and doable for anyone with normal fitness. The day tours and the Rafflesia climb are tougher: hot, humid and sometimes steep. If in doubt, start with a half day.
What is the best time of year to hike?
December through April is the driest and least muddy, and that is when the Rafflesia blooms too. In the green season the forest is at its most lush and the waterfalls at their most beautiful, in exchange for mud and leeches.
Can I combine the trek with other excursions?
Perfectly: a trek in the morning, canoeing or rafting on the river in the afternoon and the night safari in the evening is a classic (and full) Khao Sok day. Take a look at our complete guide to excursions in Khao Sok for the ideal program.
Conclusion
A trek through Khao Sok is a walk through a forest that was already there before there were mountains in the Himalayas, and that realization makes every sweaty kilometer worthwhile. Go early, bring a guide and enough water, and finish with a dip at a waterfall; a jungle afternoon does not get better than that.
Khao Sok: Half-Day Trek past Waterfalls and Wildlife
Group or private
children from 7 years
453 travelers rated this excursion 4.6/5
(GetYourGuide.com)
