Two Day Trip to Khao Sok

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Surat Thani is the gateway to not only Samui but also Khao Sok National Park on the mainland. I recently went there by sleeper train. This is a summary of my two days in Khao Sok which was one of my best trips in years. I am already planning to go again at the end of the year.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1665335740769914885

📷 01 - SLEEPER TRAIN: This is the day and night sleeper Rapid No. 167 that I took from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station in Bangkok to Surat Thani. I chose the carriage with open windows and fans which was only 504 Baht. The journey was just over twelve hours.

📷 02 - WUT TRAVEL & RESTAURANT: A popular restaurant for foreigners opposite Surat Thani Railway Station is Wut Travel. This is also a travel hub as they can arrange both shared and private van transfers. This was where I was picked up to go to Khao Sok National Park. 📍MAP:… twitter.com/i/web/status/1665335784722030593

📷 03 - CHEOW LAN PIER: This is the pier for Cheow Lan Lake, the jumping off point for Khao Sok National Park. Tickets are 200 Baht for the national park and 20 Baht for using the pier. A return boat transfer to your hotel is about 2,500 Baht. 📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/9RYYwX2ErCbXpjAC8?g_st=ic

📷 04 - CHEOW LAN LAKE: This is an artificial lake located in Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani Province. It was created in 1987 by the construction of the Rajjaprabha Dam, which flooded an area of 185 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by limestone karsts.

📷 05 - CHIEWLARN FLOATING RAFT: There are about 15 floating raft hotels on Cheow Lan Lake. I stayed at Laguna Chiewlarn as part of the tour. Activities here include kayaking and swimming as well as long-tailed boat tours. 📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/NFH7m4zPQv7EitYRA?g_st=ic

📷 06 - TOUR OF CHEOW LAN LAKE: I was on a two-day tour of the national park organised by Khao Sok Paradise (khaosokparadise.com/tours/). Their Overnight Lake trip costs 2,700 Baht on a shared trip and 8,900 Baht for a private trip. This includes accommodation but not park fees.

📷 07 - PRA KIE PHET CAVE: As well as the boat tour around the vast Cheow Lan Lake to spot wildlife, we also did two short jungle treks to visit a waterfall and a cave. 📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/SjAv1FNrQTK31omb6?g_st=ic

📷 08 - KHAO NA NAI: On the completion of my tour of Khao Sok National Park, I did a few stops on the way back to the station. The first one was at Ban Khao Na Nai. The highlights were the entrance gateway and the stupas on top of limestone cliffs. 📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/aXB3BEt9PdkcoAuj6?g_st=ic

📷 09 - BAN NAM RAD HEADWATERS FOREST: Our second stop was at a crystal clear pool in a forest. You can paddle a boat down the stream or swim in the turquoise water. Very popular with families at the weekend. 📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/UrqE7Z2bLRign4sK7?g_st=ic

📷 10 - TRAIN TO BANGKOK: There are several sleeper trains from Surat Thani back to Bangkok. I went for Express No. 84. The return train had A/C and so the ticket was 804 Baht. I had a good night’s sleep arriving in Bangkok early in the morning.

I had a really enjoyable 2-day, 3-night trip to Khao Sok. Taking the sleeper train to Surat Thani is an easy way to go there. I spent two nights on the train and one night on the lake. Don’t forget to bookmark the first tweet and retweet it to share with your friends. Thanks!