Cheow Lan Lake
A large man-made lake in the heart of the park, with Limestone cliffs rising straight from the water. This is the image most people know from Khao Sok, and it's the classic route.
Day trip to Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake from Phuket
A full day in Thailand's ancient rainforest: Chao Lan Lake among limestone cliffs, and the Samet Nangshe viewpoint over Phang Nga Bay.
Check availability and pricePrices
From 4,500 THB, when booked in advance.
Important information:
- The prices for the lake include transfer from Phuket, the park entrance fee and VAT. No extra charges at the gate.
- The price tiers are about group size, not route quality. From 6 passengers, 4–5, or private — all three are the exact same day.
- Want to sleep at the lake? There are floating bungalows on the lake, one night, two, or jungle and lake. Write to us and we'll get back to you with the options and prices.
- The pickup time and point are given with the booking confirmation, and they're set according to your hotel's location. As for meal contents, write to us and we'll get back to you before you book.
- Two different routes on this page. The lake tickets are a boat ride on Chao Lan; the Samet Nangshe ticket is a viewpoint over Phang Nga Bay and doesn't include the lake.
- Advance booking. The tour departs from Phuket.
The price tiers, and it's not what it looks like at first glance
Group size, not route quality
The three lake prices are not three tour tiers. It's the exact same day, the same route and the same stops, and the difference is only how many people go out with you.
The price is structured this way because The cost of the vehicle, driver, guide and boat barely changes Between six passengers and two. The fewer people sharing it, the higher the price per person.
From 6 passengers This is the regular joint departure, and it's the cheap one.
4–5 passengers It's the same departure in a smaller group, more comfortable, more expensive.
And the private It's a vehicle and guide just for you: you depart at a time convenient for you, stop as much as you want, and don't wait for anyone.
The practical meaning: If you're four or five, it's worth checking both options with us, sometimes the gap between a small group and private is smaller than the numbers suggest.
What's included in the price, and why it's unusual
Park fees and VAT already included
The lake tickets include everything: transfer from Phuket, the national park entrance fee and VAT. No extra payment at the gate and no surprises.
This is unusual. On many tours in southern Thailand, national park fees are paid on-site and in cash, and they add a considerable amount for a family.
When comparing prices of Khao Sok tours, It's important to compare what's included, not just the number. A price that looks lower can end up higher once you add per-person park fees.
What's not included is personal expenses, so it's worth bringing some cash.
What is Khao Sok
Thailand's ancient rainforest, and that's not marketing language
Khao Sok is National park in southern Thailand, and the forest there is considered one of the oldest rainforests in the world, much older than the Amazon rainforests.
The scenery there is completely different from Phuket: instead of beaches, Vertical limestone cliffs rising out of dense forest, with a large lake between them.
That's why the tour is a full day and not a half day — the drive from Phuket takes time, and the place isn't on an island.
A long day, and what that means in practice
The drive from Phuket is part of the tour, not a prelude to it
Khao Sok is not on an island. The drive from Phuket takes about two and a half hours each way, and that's what makes it a full day and not a half day.
You depart early in the morning and return in the evening. There's no afternoon version, and there's no shortcut.
The meaning: This isn't a day to start something else. Those planning a sea tour the day before or after should leave a calm day between them.
and for those with only three days in Phuket, this is a real decision. A day in Khao Sok is a day not spent at the sea, and it's worth it only for those who want the different scenery.
For those already planning to head south, Khao Lak and Krabi are much closer, and the drive from there is shorter and sometimes cheaper too. It's worth asking us if it suits your route.
The two versions, and the difference between them
Same forest, a different second stop
Samet Nangshe
Viewpoint Above Phang Nga Bay, to the same limestone cliffs seen from the boats, but from above. The cheaper of the two versions.
Shared tour
The two versions are Join Tour, a joint group and not a private car. That's what makes this price possible.
Full day
Both are a full day. If you're looking for a half day, this isn't the right tour.
Who this suits
And for whom less so
For those who've already seen Phuket's beaches and want A completely different view. Four days of boats and islands, then one day in the forest — it changes the pace of the vacation.
and for those who photograph. Chao Lan Lake and Samet Nangshe are the two best-known images of southern Thailand that aren't a beach.
Less suitable for those with only one day in Phuket, or those who prefer not to travel for hours. This is a departure from the island to the mainland.
What the day looks like
From pickup in Phuket to the return
Hotel pickup is early in the morning, and the drive north takes about two and a half hours. It crosses the Sarasin Bridge to the mainland and enters a mountainous, green area completely different from Phuket.
You reach the Ratchaprapha Dam and board a longtail boat. The ride itself is the most photographed part of the day — hundreds of vertical limestone cliffs rising straight out of green water.
Guilin It's the area where the cliffs are especially dense, and it's what gave the lake the nickname "Thailand's Guilin." That's where you stop for photos and swimming.
The Coral Cave It's a limestone cave with formations that look like fossilized reefs. The stop there is short.
Lunch served in a floating bungalow on the water, followed by time for swimming and kayaking.
The return It's in the afternoon, with arrival in Phuket in the evening. In total it's an 11-to-12-hour day.
Two and a half hours
The drive from Phuket heads north, over the Sarasin Bridge to the mainland.
Longtail
A boat ride among hundreds of limestone cliffs rising out of the water.
Guilin
The area where the cliffs are especially dense. A stop for photos and swimming.
11–12 hours
A long day. Pickup is early and return is in the evening.
What to bring and what to know
A long day, sun and water
Swimsuit under your clothes, Towel and A change of clothes. You get in the water at Guilin and at the lunch stop.
Shoes you can get wet, boarding the boat and disembarking happen from the water and from the pier.
Sunscreen and a hat. There's no shade on the water, and the hours on the boat are the peak sun hours.
A waterproof phone pouch. The longtail boat splashes, and that's unavoidable.
and the day starts very early. Those landing in Phuket on a night flight will struggle to do it the next day.
For those prone to seasickness, the longtail boat on the lake is much calmer than a boat in open sea, and this isn't an issue here.
What to bring for a day in the rainforest
Different from what you pack for a beach day
Shoes that will get wet
You board and disembark from a longtail boat, and the piers are wet. Flip-flops are slippery here.
Insect repellent
It's a rainforest by water. This isn't the place to skip that.
Waterproof pouch
An open longtail boat ride splashes, and it's also where you'll want to photograph the most.
A dry layer
The return is a two-and-a-half-hour drive. It's better to do it in dry clothes.
Gallery
Photo gallery
Frequently asked questions
What to know before you book
How long does the day last?
11 to 12 hours. Hotel pickup is early in the morning, the drive to Khao Sok is about two and a half hours each way, and the return to Phuket is in the evening.
What is Guilin?
The area in the lake where the limestone cliffs are especially dense, and it's what gave Chao Lan the nickname "Thailand's Guilin." You stop there for photos and swimming.
Do you get in the water?
Yes, at Guilin and at the lunch stop by the floating bungalow. A swimsuit under your clothes and a towel are recommended.
Is there seasickness on the boat?
The longtail boat sails on a lake, not open sea, and it's much calmer. This isn't an issue on this tour.
Can you sleep at the lake instead of returning?
Yes. There are floating bungalows on the water, and the misty morning safari is what you can't fit into one day. Write to us and we'll get back to you with the options and prices.
How much does the Khao Sok tour from Phuket cost?
The version with the Samet Nangshe viewpoint is ฿4,500 per adult and ฿3,500 per child. The version with Chao Lan Lake is ฿5,900 per adult and ฿4,900 per child.
What's the difference between the two versions?
Both are a full day in Khao Sok National Park. The difference is the second stop — Chao Lan Lake on the classic route, or the Samet Nangshe viewpoint over Phang Nga Bay on the second route.
Is the tour private or shared?
Joint. This is a Join Tour, meaning a shared group for several families, and that's what makes this price possible.
What is the pickup time?
The pickup time and areas are given to you with the booking confirmation.
How long does the tour last?
A full day. Khao Sok is on the mainland, not an island, so the drive from Phuket takes time — that's why there's no half-day version.
What's included in the meals?
Write to us and we'll get back to you with the exact details before you book — we check this with the operator for each date.
Are the three tiers three different routes?
No. It's the exact same day, the same route and the same stops. The difference is only in group size — the fewer people sharing the cost of the vehicle and guide, the higher the price per person.
Are the park entry fees included?
Yes, in the lake tickets, together with the transfer from Phuket and VAT. There is no extra payment at the gate, which is unusual in southern Thailand.
How long does the drive from Phuket take?
About two and a half hours each way. That's why it's a full day and not a half day, and there's no afternoon version.
We're four: what's best?
It's worth checking with us both the 4–5 tier and the private option. Sometimes the gap between them is smaller than the numbers suggest, and the private option gives flexibility in departure time and pace.
Can you depart from Khao Lak or Krabi?
Yes, and the drive from there is much shorter and sometimes cheaper too. Write to us with your route and we'll adjust.
What's the difference between the lake tickets and the Samet Nangshe ticket?
It's not the same route. The lake tickets are a boat ride on Chao Lan; Samet Nangshe is a viewpoint over Phang Nga Bay and doesn't include the lake.
More attractions in Phuket
Recommended hotels in Phuket
Banyan Tree Phuket
Villas with pools · luxury spa · gourmet restaurants
Mövenpick Myth Hotel Patong Phuket
A new luxury hotel in Patong combining modern design with traditional Thai elements.
Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort
A luxury hotel overlooking Kamala Bay, offering flawless service and breathtaking views.
Anantara Layan Resort
A luxury resort on Layan Beach, offering complete privacy and service of the highest level.
Keemala
A luxury hospitality experience with unique villas overlooking the tropical forest. A stunning boutique hotel
