Khao Sok National Park with kids
The ultimate guide for families
In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about traveling to Khao Sok National Park with children. Khao Sok is one of the oldest rainforests in the world, approximately 160 million years old. The park is known for its impressive limestone cliffs, dense jungle, waterfalls, caves, and the stunning Cheow Lan Lake. It’s located about 700 kilometers south of Bangkok and feels like a completely different world.
We are Kendra, Mike, and Noah (1.5 years old) from @olonotravel, and we took a three-week road trip through Thailand. Traveling with children requires a different approach: less rushing, more comfort, and carefully seeing what works for your child. One place that absolutely couldn’t be missed was Khao Sok National Park. On a previous trip, I had done a jungle trek here and spent a night on Cheow Lan Lake—the highlight of that journey. Waking up in a simple hut, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle… that’s a feeling I really wanted to share with Mike and Noah.
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Who is Khao Sok suitable for?
In my opinion, Khao Sok is suitable for families with children of all ages, as long as you adjust your planning. With young children, I would always recommend booking a private tour to Cheow Lan Lake. That flexibility really makes a difference: you can take breaks, shorten activities, and plan around nap times.
The best activities in Khao Sok National Park with kids
Day trip to Cheow Lan Lake
We booked a private tour to Cheow Lan Lake through our accommodation. We chose a private tour so we could be flexible and adjust the schedule to Noah’s needs. Around 8:00 a.m., we were picked up from our accommodation in Khao Sok village and drove for about an hour toward the lake.
Exploring the lake by longtail boat
Upon arrival, we boarded a longtail boat to explore the lake. During the boat ride, we enjoyed views of the steep limestone cliffs rising out of the water. Noah especially loved the water splashing into the boat. It’s wonderful to see how children pay attention to completely different things than adults. Along the way, we even spotted monkeys in the trees along the shore.
The boat trip lasted about two hours in total, divided into several sections. In between, we stopped for an extensive lunch at Phutawan Raft House, a restaurant in the middle of the lake that is part of the floating bungalows where you can stay overnight. Mike took a swim in the lake, while Noah and I sat with our feet in the water. We even became friends with the local dog that was wandering around.
Jungle walk
After that, we went on a short jungle walk. The trail was easy to navigate, and Noah walked a large part of it by himself. He was incredibly impressed by everything he saw. Our guide took him by the hand and led him into the jungle, which was wonderful to watch. Keep in mind that standard tours often include longer jungle treks that go deeper into the rainforest. With young children, it’s helpful to clearly communicate in advance what is feasible.
At the end of the afternoon, we returned by longtail boat, and our tour came to an end. The full excursion lasted until around 3:00 p.m. Everything you want to know about booking a tour and more can be found in our in-depth blog about Cheow Lan Lake with kids.
A walk through Khao Sok National Park with kids
For families who enjoy staying active, a walk through the National Park is highly recommended. Several hiking trails of varying lengths start from the visitor center in the village. We chose a route of about one kilometer round trip, along which we encountered monkeys, lizards, large butterflies, fish, turtles, and even a snake.
Another fun activity is a bamboo rafting trip on the Khao Sok River. This gives you a unique perspective on the surrounding nature and is a great way to experience the jungle together with your children.
Monkey spotting at the temple
One of the most fun family activities in Khao Sok National Park is a visit to the Monkey Temple. For a small fee, you can buy an entrance ticket from the monks and receive a bunch of bananas. The temple grounds are calm and easy to navigate, but the real highlight is the curious monkeys. As soon as you walk toward the temple with the bananas, the monkeys immediately catch the scent and emerge from the forest to eat from your hand. It’s an amazing sight to see them gather and move around you.
Please note: monkeys can sometimes carry diseases such as rabies, so be cautious and never allow young children to approach them without supervision. Visiting the monkeys is entirely at your own risk.
Family-friendly hotels in Khao Sok National Park
We chose Khao Sok Royal Bamboo Lodges in Khao Sok village, about a one-hour drive from the lake. The bungalows are basic, clean, and equipped with a baby cot. The swimming pool and restaurant made the stay comfortable. For young children, it’s pleasant not to stay directly on the lake, as safety and tranquility are easier to manage.
Although the accommodation is completely surrounded by nature, it is located along a lively road. There are several restaurants and small shops nearby. We really enjoyed strolling around with the stroller. If you’re mainly looking for peace and secluded jungle serenity, an accommodation deeper in nature might be more suitable. We actually appreciated this liveliness with a young child.
Here you’ll find an overview of the most family-friendly hotels in Khao Sok National Park.
Family-friendly restaurants in Khao Sok National Park
There were several restaurants and small shops around our lodge. Pawn’s Restaurant was located across the road from our lodge and was ideal for a toddler: music, fire shows, and plenty of space to run around. The food was delicious, and there were several families with children, making it easy for Noah to make friends.
Practical tips for families in Khao Sok National Park
Transportation
For families with young children, a private van or taxi with a child seat is ideal. It makes long journeys with a toddler much more comfortable. The well-known Asian app Grab offers very limited rides here, but your accommodation can help arrange transportation.
How long to stay?
We stayed here for two nights, but in hindsight, with young children I would definitely recommend staying at least three nights. This gives you time to relax in between activities and unwind by the pool.
How to Get There?
We flew from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani. The flight took about 1 hour and 50 minutes. It’s also possible to travel from Bangkok to Surat Thani by overnight train and continue from there. From Surat Thani, we hired a private van with a child seat via 12GoAsia. The drive to our accommodation in Khao Sok village took about an hour. You can also choose a shared taxi or bus, which is slightly cheaper, but with a toddler we deliberately chose comfort and peace of mind.
Clothing and protection
During the jungle trek and boat trip, Noah wore a long, lightweight linen shirt and pants. DEET-free mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and a hat are essential. Water is usually included with the tour—ask to be sure if you’re unsure. Ponchos are useful during the rainy season. A child carrier is essential for toddlers who still nap or get tired easily.
Safety
Not every provider has life jackets for children, so bring your own if this is important to you.
Khao Sok National Park in your Thailand itinerary
Khao Sok fits perfectly into an itinerary after southern Thailand or following a trip through Chiang Mai and/or Bangkok. We visited Khao Sok as part of our three-week journey through Thailand and finished our trip with a ferry to Koh Phangan.
We will definitely come back to Khao Sok National Park with kids! Once the children are a bit older, we also want to spend a night on the lake, because that truly is a magical experience!
Wil je je rondreis naar Thailand meteen gaan plannen?
Bij het plannen van je reis naar Thailand zijn er verschillende manieren om je verblijf en activiteiten te boeken. Als je graag zelf alles regelt, kun je via Booking.com eenvoudig accommodaties vinden die passen bij jouw wensen. Voor unieke excursies en tours is GetYourGuide een uitstekende keuze. Wil je liever alles in één keer geregeld hebben? Dan biedt TUI complete pakketten aan voor een zorgeloze vakantie. Ben je op zoek naar meer flexibiliteit en wil je je reis op maat samenstellen? Kijk dan eens bij Riksja, waar je met bouwstenen je eigen ideale reis kunt samenstellen.
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