A guide to the most pretty national park in Thailand!

We race past huge limestone cliffs covered with thick green rainforest, reflecting in the bright, turquoise water below. We sail past a tour group swimming under the cliffs and I can barely contain my excitement at wanting to jump straight in the cool water. The warmth and humidity of the hot sun beating down on me as my hair catches the breeze. So where am I? Khao Sok National Park of course.

Where is Khao Sok National Park?

Khao Sok National Park is situated in Southern Thailand, close to Surat Thani, Krabi and Phuket. The rainforest, limestone cliffs, wildlife and waterfalls of Khao Sok are perfect exploring grounds for anyone who loves nature, trekking and wild swimming.

You can arrive by mini bus, shuttle buses from nearby towns or book an organised tour to guide you around. I’m on a Thai Intro tour group and after arriving to Surat Thani via the sleeper train from Bangkok, we get a mini bus to the National Park.

Arriving at the floating bungalows…

Cruising past the beautiful park on our motor boat, we arrive at the floating bungalows. I have to pinch myself. The place is surrounded by the lush rainforest covered cliffs and a lake with some of the clearest water I’ve seen. Oh and it really is that gorgeous turquoise colour!

My tour group is happy and eager for a swim in the fresh and crystal clear water. We are shown to our simple wooden huts, which only contain a mattress on the floor, but really, what more do you need?! This is nature at it’s most pure and to wake up with that view is truly special.

North Thailand: Pai or Chiang Rai?

There are also more expensive huts and rainforest resorts on the other side with beds and private toilets for those who want a little more comfort. But seeing as I will probably be outside for most of the time, I’m happy with my little hut. Fishes swim close by the huts where you can just jump straight into the water. This is just paradise.

The group makes use of the free canoes and tubes and we spend the afternoon lounging around in the water, chatting and floating in the inflatable tubes with a beer in hand. All meals are included and can I just say that the food is amazing! The fried squid with crispy batter was delicious! And fresh fruit in the mornings (yum). I eat well tonight.

It’s the following morning and I force myself to get up for sunrise to take pictures while the lake is deserted and still. No-one else is up, all is calm, the only sound being that from the singing birds. I feel a sense of peace being the only one up and having this experience to myself.

Look at that reflection!

After breakfast me and the tour group try cliff jumping into the water. Terrifying at first but I managed to jump! After this thrilling experience we enjoy a last swim in the lake and then its time to depart. I wish I had more time here to do some jungle trekking and just to unwind a bit more but my one night here was incredible. Back on the boat with the sun on my face and wind in my hair, I reflect on this unique experience, looking forward to the next adventure.

More on Thailand: 8 Things to do in Bangkok

 

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