Khao Sok Rafthouse! Offering overnight tours on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok National Park
CHEOW LAN LAKE
Visit Khao Sok Lake
CHEOW LAN LAKE
What are the best things to do in Phuket is one of the most important questions people ask us when planning a trip. We explored the island for 30 years to bring you the best of Phuket, sorted in what we saw and what people liked the most among the incredibly vast range of attractions, activities and tours, from fabulous beaches and natural wonders to glittering temples and human-made attractions.
There are many raft houses/floating bungalows spread all over the lake, from which it is possible to visit caves, viewpoints, limestone hills and get to some interesting trails. Kayaking among limestone hills in morning mist is a must.
The lake contains over 100 limestone outcrops and has six tributary regions. The tributaries are; Klong Long, Klong Ka, Klong Pey, Klong Yee, Khlong Saeng and Khlong Mon where Khlong in Thai means river. Parts of the lake belong to Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary.
Municipal pier Cheow Lan Dam
Ratchaprapha Dam is located in Khaopang sub-district of Baantakhuun, Surat Thani province in Southern Thailand. Getting to the dam is no big deal and can be done in more than one way. If you are a plane traveler then the nearest airports for you are Surat Thani Airport, Krabi Airport, and Phuket Airport, then take a public transport to Khao Sok National Park's entrance. Train is also an option since that Surat Thani has a train station but you will have to follow it by a bus or similar transport to Khao Sok (trains are subject to delays though). Taking the bus is a very simple option especially if you are already in Surat Thani, there are multiple bus rides to Khao Sok from Surat Thani, you can also take a bus from Phuket, Takua Pa, Bangkok and Khao Lak. Minibusses and vans are a popular option, these can be taken with a combination of bus and boat transports from Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui as well as the bus only from Surat Thani and Bangkok. By boat, however, is the most suitable option for travelers on a budget and for island to island traveling.
Ratchaprapha Dam Information
Ratchaprapha or Cheow Lan Dam is a multipurpose dam; it is built for irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, and fishing. King Bhumibol Adulyadej gave it the sweet name “Rajjaprabha” meaning the light of the kingdom. The dam is 165 meters long and 95 meters high with clay core. Cheow Lan Lake has many visitors that come from all around the world to enjoy its beautiful scenery and serene water.
Transportation – How to get to Khao Sok
FIND OUT HOW TO GET TO KHAO SOK FROM HERE: BY PLANE, BUS, VAN FROM ANYWHERE IN THAILAND. TO TRAVEL TO KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK
ONCE YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE TRIP YOU WANT, KHAO SOK TRAVEL
WISHES YOU A SAFE TRIP.
Instant seat confirmation for buses, ferries, flights and railways in Khao Sok Thailand
Activities and tours
on the Cheow Lan Lake
There are a number of activities on and around the Cheow Lan Lake, you can visit caves, climb a waterfall or hike to a lookout point. Some activities are seasonal and depend on the weather in Khao Sok. Also the location of the floating house where you are staying often has an influence on the activity you are going to do.
The symbol of Cheow Lan Lake (Khao Sam Kler)
The Guilin Viewpoint is very popular, you can see it on almost every picture when it comes to Cheow Lan Lake. And that’s not for nothing because the surroundings are incredibly beautiful!
The Guilin Viewpoint consists of three large limestone cliffs that tower out of the water. A perfect place for an Instagram moment and you can also take a refreshing dip there!
Guilin Viewpoint is a regular part of the tour on Cheow Lan Lake, no matter if you took a day trip or stayed overnight on the lake. You will always visit this location!
Khlong Saeng
Situated on the northwest side of the lake in Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary, this tributary is approximately 26 km from Ratchaprapha Dam. Klong Saeng River is the largest watershed feeding the lake, it was the widest river in Thailand before the dam was built.
Visitors entering this area must obtain a special permission from Khao Sok National Park headquarters and pay an additional entrance fee for the wildlife sanctuary.
This remote part of the lake is very ideal for hiking and the best place for wildlife watching. It is possible to hike into the wildlife sanctuary with the park rangers to the waterfall, old mines from the 60s' and get a chance to see some common animals like gibbons and deer. With some luck even more exciting species like elephant, gaur, mainland serow, great argus and many more can be seen. There are also tapirs, clouded leopards and bear species roaming in the sanctuary.
The only raft house in this tributary area is Klong Saeng Raft House owned by the national park, the qualities of the bungalows are poor.