Khao Sok National Park Tours: Trekking the Ancient Rainforest
We signed up for an adventure in the evergreen jungle of Khao Sok National Park - one of the oldest rainforests on Earth! Our guide Arm met us after breakfast, and we were immediately impressed by his genuine warmth and extensive knowledge of this incredible nature reserve.
Meeting Guide Arm
We jumped on a tuk-tuk to reach the park entrance, excited to explore this primeval rainforest. Arm came from a family of park rangers - both his father and brother work as rangers in Khao Sok. Following their footsteps, he became one of the best guides in the area.
His eagle eyes could spot animals we would never see without him. Even when he pointed directly at creatures, we still struggled to see them! It was amazing watching him track wildlife so effortlessly.
Into the Ancient Jungle
We walked in silence through the jungle, stopping periodically to listen and admire the park's incredible biodiversity. During our trek, we encountered:
- Troop of monkeys swinging through the canopy
- Flying lizards - rare reptiles we rarely see
- Venomous snakes (keeping our distance!)
- Tarantula - incredibly lucky since they're nocturnal and stay hidden in holes during daytime
The Sounds of Gibbons
We heard gibbons howling in the distance. These slender, long-armed apes are extremely hard to see as they stay high in the tree canopy, swinging from branch to branch searching for fruits. Arm told us he'd only seen around 20 gibbons during his entire life exploring Khao Sok National Park - they're that elusive!
Surrounded by the cacophony of sounds from native wildlife, we walked, climbed rocks, and crossed streams until we stopped for lunch. The hike wasn't brutally tough, but still challenging. Starving, we devoured our Thai fried rice wrapped in traditional banana leaves.
Hidden Waterfall Swimming
As we hiked, Arm explained fascinating details about bamboo, orchids, and lianas growing throughout the park. Eventually, we reached a remote waterfall! We stripped down to swimsuits and indulged in a refreshing dip. Surprisingly, the water wasn't too cold, and we enjoyed swimming against the river stream.
The Leech Situation
Our guide kept struggling with leeches trying to attach to his legs. Apparently, our DEET repellent kept them away from us foreigners. Arm joked that the bloodsuckers "preferred spicy Thai food!"
Luckily, unlike the larger leeches in northern Thailand, these Khao Sok leeches were small and easy to pull off.
Heading Back
After the waterfall, we were in the home stretch. Darkness comes fast in the jungle, and we were keen to return to our hotel. We took hot showers, scrubbed ourselves clean, and collapsed on our beds - exhausted but exhilarated!
Have you trekked in Khao Sok National Park? Did you spot any rare wildlife? How was your guide experience? Share your jungle adventure stories below!
Khao Sok Jungle Trekking Guide
- Khao Sok National Park: Southern Thailand, one of the oldest rainforests on Earth (over 160 million years). Between Surat Thani and Phuket/Krabi. 2-3 hours from both.
- Hire a guide! Essential for spotting wildlife, staying safe, and learning about the jungle. Guides have eagle eyes for animals you'd never see alone. We highly recommend Arm!
- Jungle trek cost (2017): 1,500-2,500 THB (~$45-75 USD) per person for full-day guided trek including lunch. Prices vary by group size and tour duration.
- Full-day trek: 6-8 hours including breaks, lunch, and waterfall swim. Half-day treks (4 hours) also available. Start early to avoid midday heat!
- What to bring: Water (2L minimum), hiking shoes with grip, swimsuit, towel, DEET insect repellent (essential!), sunscreen, hat, long pants for leech protection.
- Leeches: Small but common in wet season. DEET repellent helps. Check legs/arms periodically. They're harmless but annoying. Guide knows how to remove them quickly.
- Wildlife: Monkeys, gibbons, elephants (rare), flying lizards, snakes, tarantulas, hornbills. Gibbons are extremely elusive - don't expect to see them! Listen for their calls.
- Waterfall swim: Bring swimsuit and quick-dry towel. Water surprisingly warm. Perfect midday break. Some tours visit different waterfalls depending on season and trail.
- Best time: November-April (dry season) for best trekking conditions. May-October (wet season) more leeches and muddy trails, but greener scenery.
- Accommodation: Stay in Khao Sok village near park entrance. Options from budget bungalows ($10-20/night) to luxury resorts ($50-150/night). Book ahead in high season.
Note:
Hiring guide Arm was the best decision we made! His expert knowledge and tracking skills revealed Khao Sok's hidden wildlife and made our jungle trek an unforgettable adventure. We'd never have spotted that tarantula or learned so much about this ancient rainforest without him!