Khao Sok Lake Tour

We were setting off for Cheow Lan Lake, an enormous man-made reservoir in the Khao Sok National Park. With its fairy-tale scenery, massive towering limestone cliffs and hundred islands jutting skyward, the Khao Sok Lake Tour is a must do for any visitors to the Khao Sok National Park.

We were concerned to join a guided tour. We didn't like the idea to be dragged from one place to another with no free time to soak up the atmosphere. Plus, we didn't want to be sardined in the long-tail boat for the ride over the canals forming the reservoir. Unfortunately, private options were expensive. Therefore, we agreed to join a tour from our hotel, Our Jungle Camp. And we were not disappointed by our Khao Sok Lake Tour.

The guide picked us from our hotel and drove us for an hour to the Ratchaprabha dam, the only access to the Khao Sok Lake. On the way, we briefly stopped at a local and colourful market to stock up on water, fruits and cheap shoes. Apparently, we would ruin the ones we were wearing.

Boats were waiting for passengers at the pier. After hitting the loo, we boarded the traditional embarkation for a good hour ride on the Khao Sok National Park Lake. We were lucky as we were sitting in the front seat. The best spot to admire the spectacular karst topography which reminded us the one we saw in Guilin, China. Everyone aboard was in awe and so were we.

Being in the front row also meant being wet!  All our clothes were drenched, but the view was so worth it! After an hour, we reached the tranquil and secluded raft floating houses. We were greeted by a Thai lunch that we shared with our fellow passengers. The food was decent. Not great but good enough. Anyway, we needed energy for the next big event. A muddy and leeches invested trek in the pristine jungle.

Today we were heading for the Tham Nam Thalu cave complex. The grotto can be dangerous during the rainy season and have already claimed lives in 2007 due to fast floodings. Before reaching Tham Nam Thalu, we had to affront a difficult trail. We walked, slipped in the mud, crossed rivers, climbed rocks as we were listening to the very thick jungle noise. After an hour, we finally spot the infamous cave entrance.

We approached the grotto form the upstream river, the only safe passage. During the dry season when there is absolutely no risk of rain, tour guides will walk through the 750 meters from one side to another. We would just go in and out from the same entrance.

We stowed our gear for the day in dry bags, geared up with headlamps and plunged into the grotto tiny mouth. We ventured in the horseshoe-shaped limestone formation for some caving and spelunking. It was fascinating but also nerve breaking. A must do if you join a Khao Sok Lake Tour.

We walked/climbed/swam in the pitch black subterranean canyon flooded by the river stream. The water was cold. The crystal formations along the way were gleaming under our torch lights. The experience was unreal and claustrophobic. After 20 minutes, we were out again. Relieved to be saved and sound but excited by the incredible experience.

The hike back from the cave to the Khao Sok Lake was about an hour and then we spent an hour swimming in the crystal clear water to wash off all the mud while other practice kayaking on the edge of the jungle. We ate a quick snack at the raft houses before starting the long journey home. Khao Sok Lake Tour will remain a highlight of our few days in Khao Sok.