Krabi: Khao Sok National Park & Cheow Lan Lake Boat Tour

Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake are natural wonders that draw visitors to the Krabi region. This 8-hour tour offers an immersive experience, allowing guests to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and unique culture. From scenic van transfers to kayaking and visiting floating raft houses, the tour provides ample opportunities to witness the area’s abundant wildlife and stunning vistas. While the national park entry fee is an additional cost, the included transportation, lunch, and knowledgeable guide make this an excellent value for those seeking to discover the region’s natural beauty. What more can this tour reveal about the captivating Khao Sok region?

Key Points

• This 8-hour tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake, with scenic drives, boat rides, and opportunities to spot wildlife.
• The tour includes hotel pickup from Krabi, a 2-hour van transfer to the national park, and efficient transportation throughout the day.
• Guests can enjoy panoramic views and photography opportunities at Khao Sam Kloe, as well as self-paddle kayaking and swimming in the serene Cheow Lan Lake.
• The tour includes a visit to a floating raft house, where visitors can learn about the traditional way of life in the region and spot local wildlife.
• The tour package covers key sights and activities, but the Khao Sok National Park entry fee and gratuities for the guide are additional costs.

Tour Overview

This 8-hour tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake, providing visitors with a chance to enjoy the region’s stunning natural beauty.

The tour is limited to a small group of 10 participants, ensuring a personalized experience.

After pickup from your hotel in Krabi, you’ll embark on a 2-hour van transfer to the national park, where you’ll enjoy scenic drives and boat rides.

Highlights include a photo stop at Khao Sam Kloe, kayaking and swimming in the serene Cheow Lan Lake, and a visit to the floating raft houses.

The tour includes lunch, soft drinks, and a knowledgeable guide, making it an excellent value for outdoor enthusiasts.

Pickup and Transportation

The tour begins with hotel pickup from your accommodation in Krabi, where a comfortable van will transport you on the 2-hour journey to Khao Sok National Park.

Along the way, you’ll enjoy scenic drives through the picturesque countryside, passing by rolling hills and lush vegetation.

Upon arrival, you’ll have the chance to experience the park’s natural wonders, including the serene Cheow Lan Lake, where you’ll embark on boat rides and kayaking excursions.

The transportation during the tour is efficient and well-organized, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience as you explore the stunning landscapes of Khao Sok National Park.

Photo Stop at Khao Sam Kloe

After the van transfer, the tour makes a scenic photo stop at Khao Sam Kloe, allowing participants to capture the park’s breathtaking limestone cliffs and tropical foliage.

The stop offers:

1. Panoramic views of the towering karst formations that dot the landscape.
2. Opportunities to photograph the lush, green vegetation that clings to the rocky slopes.
3. A chance to admire the natural beauty of this remote and pristine corner of Khao Sok National Park.

This brief interlude gives travelers a taste of the stunning scenery that awaits them on the remainder of the tour, building anticipation for the exciting activities and sights to come.

Kayaking and Swimming in Cheow Lan Lake

Next, the tour group boards long-tail boats and heads out onto the serene waters of Cheow Lan Lake, where they’ll have the chance to kayak and swim in the picturesque surroundings. The group grabs self-paddle kayaks and glides across the lake, taking in the lush, verdant karst mountains that rise from the water’s edge. After working up an appetite, they dock at a floating raft house for a lunch of local Thai cuisine. In the afternoon, the group takes a refreshing swim in the cool, crystalline lake, with the chance to spot native wildlife like langurs and hornbills in the trees around them.

Kayaking Experience	Swimming Experience
Self-paddle kayaks provided	Cool, clear lake water
Glide across serene lake	Chance to spot native wildlife
Take in karst mountain views	Refreshing after activity
Access floating raft houses	Included in tour itinerary
Part of tour package	Enhances overall experience

Floating Raft Houses Visit

As part of the Cheow Lan Lake experience, the tour group docks at a floating raft house, where they enjoy a local Thai lunch. The floating raft houses are a unique aspect of this tour, offering a glimpse into the traditional way of life in the region.

Observing the construction of the raft houses, which are built using bamboo and other natural materials.

Interacting with the residents and learning about their daily routines and livelihoods, which often revolve around fishing and farming.

Exploring the surrounding lake by taking a leisurely boat ride and spotting local wildlife, such as birds and monkeys.

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

One of the highlights of the Cheow Lan Lake portion of the tour is the chance to spot local wildlife.

Visitors can keep an eye out for various bird species as they glide across the serene waters, and with some luck, they may even catch glimpses of monkeys swinging through the surrounding lush foliage.

The tour guide will be on the lookout for these creatures and point them out to the group.

While sightings can’t be guaranteed, the natural environment of Cheow Lan Lake provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Guests should keep their cameras ready and their eyes peeled for the chance to see the diverse flora and fauna of this stunning region.

Included in the Tour

The tour includes a comprehensive set of amenities to enhance the overall experience. Participants receive a delicious lunch, refreshing soft drinks, and bottled water throughout the day. Plus, the tour guide and all necessary transportation, including hotel pickup and drop-off, are provided.

The tour also includes:

1. Long-tail boat rides to explore the captivating Cheow Lan Lake.
2. Self-paddle kayaking for a more immersive experience on the water.
3. Hotel pickup and drop-off, ensuring a seamless start and end to the day.

These inclusions make the Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake Boat Tour a well-rounded and convenient excursion, allowing participants to focus on enjoying the stunning natural surroundings.

Additional Fees and Gratuities

Although the tour includes a wide range of amenities, there are a couple of additional fees and gratuities that participants should be aware of.

Specifically, the Khao Sok National Park entry fee isn’t included in the tour price, costing THB 340 per adult and THB 170 per child.

Plus, while gratuities for the tour guide aren’t mandatory, they’re appreciated for good service.

Travelers should budget for these extra costs to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

The tour provider makes every effort to provide a comprehensive package, but these supplementary fees are set by the national park and are beyond their control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Participants can bring their own food and drinks on the tour, but the tour includes lunch and soft drinks. Bringing additional snacks or beverages is allowed, as long as they don’t disrupt the group experience.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

The tour operator does not offer an option to extend the duration of the 8-hour Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake boat tour. The standard tour length is fixed, though travelers may request a custom itinerary with a longer duration.

Is the Tour Suitable for Young Children?

The tour is suitable for young children, who can participate in the activities like kayaking and wildlife viewing. However, parents should consider the young children’s stamina and comfort level for the 8-hour duration and boat rides.

Can I Request a Private Tour Instead of a Small Group?

Yes, the tour operator likely offers a private tour option upon request. Private tours typically have a higher cost but provide a more personalized experience with flexible scheduling and the ability to customize the itinerary.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Seniors or Students?

Unfortunately, the tour operator doesn’t offer any discounts for seniors or students. The price of €100.98 per person is fixed regardless of age or student status. Discounted admission to Khao Sok National Park may be available separately.

Recap

This comprehensive Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake tour from Krabi is an excellent way to experience the stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife of the region.

With a scenic van transfer, photo stops, kayaking, swimming, and a visit to floating raft houses, the tour offers a well-rounded adventure that immerses travelers in the area’s unique landscapes and culture.