Khao Sok Jungle Trekking: Discover the Magic of the Rainforest

On the way to Khao Sok National Park, we make a short stop at the Takua Pa morning market. Markets such as this one are an integral part of the Thai economy, allowing local producers a place to sell the fruits of their labour. The adoption of the farm-to-table concept in the West may be trending these days, but it has always been the primary way that Thai people have shopped for fresh produce and fast food. You will have time to browse the stalls selling fresh produce, meats, seafood, and prepared dishes before we move on to Khao Sok.

After a few hours of trekking, you'll arrive at a beautiful “Bang Hau Rad Waterfall”. This is the perfect place to stop for lunch and a swim. Your guide will provide you with a delicious picnic lunch, and you'll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Khao Sok is home to some of the giants as well! For example, the short-lived and ornately patterned Atlas Moth can reach a wingspan of 30cm, making it the largest on the planet! The leg span of a female Giant Golden Orb weaver spider can reach an astonishing length of 20cm! She's beautiful, she's venomous, yet she poses no real threat to human beings.

While spotting wildlife in this vast rainforest may be a highlight of the tour, another would be the sheer beauty of the vegetation, which proliferates here and begs the wildlife to stay. Colourful orchids, peculiar carnivorous plants, and mammoth-sized trees thrive amongst the mountains and cliffs, providing ample opportunities to view rare and exotic species you would otherwise only see in a botanical garden.

After a few kilometres of trekking, we arrive at the vivacious waters of Bang Hau Rad Waterfall, the perfect place to visit for a lunch break and a refreshing swim. We provide you with a replenishing picnic lunch to, and you will have plenty of time to relax and recharge before continuing onward.

Hop into a canoe and let your local paddle guide take you on a relaxing scenic cruise downriver, stopping mid-way for freshly brewed coffee in an eco-friendly wild bamboo cup. Giant monolithic limestone cliffs jutting out of the jungle canopy are a hallmark sight in Khao Sok but make for rugged terrain, which, combined with the density of the rainforest, make many areas impassable by land. Canoeing the Sok River is the perfect way to navigate this mountainous region. Without the need to paddle yourself, you can focus on the lush vegetation that lines the river bank and the limestone cliffs that tower over the jungle canopy, keeping your hands free to capture perfect photographs. Many Khao Sok inhabitants are masters of camouflage and elusion, making them very difficult to spot. The knowledge of the local habitat and its inhabitants, which your guide possesses, is a fantastic resource you can tap to help you spot creatures that you might otherwise miss.

While you may have seen a few species of primates within the national park, visiting the Monkey Temple gets you up close and personal. All over Thailand, animals often seek refuge in the serene and peaceful environment on temple grounds, curious monkeys included. Monkeys are notorious collectors! Therefore, we highly recommend you leave any valuables, such as necklaces and bracelets, inside the minivan to avoid your jewelry becoming part of their collection.