Beyond
500 Rai
A private journey into the 500 Rai Inner Lake, created for travellers who want to spend more time exploring this part of Cheow Lan Lake rather than making the usual visit to Coral Cave.
SIGNATURE
JOURNEY
THE INNER LAKE, DIFFERENTLY
There Is More to 500 Rai Than the Coral Cave Route
Most visitors know the 500 Rai Inner Lake as part of the trip to Coral Cave. It is a beautiful place, but on the standard tour much of the time here is spent crossing the water on the way to the cave.
Beyond 500 Rai was created around a different idea. We leave Coral Cave out of the programme and use that time to experience more of the inner lake itself.
The journey is by bamboo raft, with time to see the limestone, forest and quieter parts of 500 Rai that are easily missed on the usual visit.
This time, 500 Rai is not simply part of the route. It is the reason we come.
PRIVATE DAY JOURNEY
Travel with your own local guide and private longtail boat on Cheow Lan Lake, with the 500 Rai experience forming the main part of the day.
BAMBOO RAFT EXPERIENCE
Spend more time travelling by traditional bamboo raft on the 500 Rai Inner Lake instead of using it only as part of the Coral Cave visit.
MORE OF THE INNER LAKE
The programme is designed to show more of 500 Rai itself — its water, limestone and surrounding forest — without adding a cave visit.
A LITTLE EXPLORATION ON FOOT
The experience also includes a short walk during the 500 Rai journey, giving you a chance to leave the raft and see part of the area on foot.
THE JOURNEY
From Cheow Lan Lake to 500 Rai
Reaching the 500 Rai Inner Lake is an experience in itself. The journey combines travel by longtail boat, a forest walk and bamboo raft — three very different parts of the Cheow Lan landscape.
Across Cheow Lan Lake
Depart from Ratchaprapha Pier by private longtail boat and travel across Cheow Lan Lake towards the 500 Rai area.
Walk Into the Inner Lake
Continue on foot through the forest to reach the 500 Rai Inner Lake, where the next part of the journey is made by bamboo raft.
Beyond 500 Rai
This is where our programme differs from the usual visit. We do not continue to Coral Cave. Instead, more of our time is spent exploring the inner lake by bamboo raft.
Explore on Foot
Part of the experience takes us off the raft for a short walk before returning to continue the journey through 500 Rai.
ABOUT THE INNER LAKE
What Is the 500 Rai Inner Lake?
The 500 Rai Inner Lake, locally known as Talay Nai, is reached from the main body of Cheow Lan Lake by boat and on foot. Once inside, travel on the water is by bamboo raft.
For many visitors, 500 Rai is best known as part of the route to Coral Cave. The raft crossing has traditionally been one stage of that excursion rather than the main reason for visiting the inner lake.
Beyond 500 Rai looks at the area differently. The programme gives the inner lake a larger part of the day, with Coral Cave deliberately left out.
GOOD TO KNOW
LOCAL NAME
Talay Nai (ทะเลใน)
AREA
500 Rai Inner Lake
ACCESS
Boat, forest walk & bamboo raft
LANDSCAPE
Freshwater, limestone & rainforest
USUAL VISIT
Part of the Coral Cave route
OUR APPROACH
More time exploring 500 Rai itself
YOUR DAY ON CHEOW LAN LAKE
Beyond 500 Rai — Private Day Tour
A full-day private journey from Ratchaprapha Pier into the 500 Rai Inner Lake. The day combines travel by longtail boat, walking and bamboo raft, with lunch on the lake and a photo stop at Khao Sam Kloe on the return journey.
Morning- Depart Ratchaprapha Pier
Meet your guide at Ratchaprapha Pier and depart by private longtail boat.
The journey begins across Cheow Lan Lake, passing limestone formations and forest on the way towards the 500 Rai area.
Walk Into 500 Rai
Leave the longtail boat and continue on foot through the forest to reach the 500 Rai Inner Lake.
At the inner lake, we change from longtail boat to bamboo raft.
The Beyond 500 Rai Experience
This is the main part of the day.
Instead of following the standard Coral Cave programme, we spend our time exploring 500 Rai by bamboo raft, together with a short section on foot.
Return to Cheow Lan Lake
After the 500 Rai experience, return through the forest to the main lake and rejoin your private longtail boat.
Lunch on Cheow Lan Lake
Stop for lunch at a floating restaurant/rafthouse before continuing the journey back across the lake.
Khao Sam Kloe - The Three Brothers
On the return journey, stop at Khao Sam Kloe (Three Brothers) for photos.
These three limestone formations are one of the best-known sights on Cheow Lan Lake and a natural final stop before returning to the pier.
Afternoon Return to Ratchaprapha Pier
Continue across Cheow Lan Lake by private longtail boat and arrive back at Ratchaprapha Pier in the afternoon.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
A Nature Trip with Some Walking
Beyond 500 Rai is not a difficult trekking tour, but reaching the inner lake involves walking through the forest, and there is another short section on foot during the experience.
You should be comfortable walking on natural trails, getting on and off a longtail boat and bamboo raft, and spending most of the day outdoors.
The trail can be wet or slippery after rain, so suitable footwear is important.
TOUR STYLE
Private Nature Tour
Your guide stays with your group throughout the day. The longtail boat on Cheow Lan Lake is private.
BEST FOR
Photography & Exploring
A good choice if you are more interested in the landscape and the journey through 500 Rai than visiting another cave.
NOT IDEAL FOR
Guests with Limited Mobility
The route involves natural forest trails, uneven ground and getting on and off boats and bamboo rafts.
WALKING LEVEL
Moderate
There is a forest walk to reach the 500 Rai Inner Lake, plus a shorter walk during the Beyond 500 Rai experience.
PRIVATE DAY JOURNEY
Beyond 500 Rai — Tour Details
Beyond 500 Rai is operated as a private tour. Your group travels with its own guide and private longtail boat on Cheow Lan Lake, while the 500 Rai section is travelled by bamboo raft.
DURATION
Full Day
TOUR STYLE
Private
DEPARTURE
Ratchaprapha Pier
MAIN EXPERIENCE
500 Rai Inner Lake
WALKING LEVEL
Moderate
GROUP SIZE
Private Group
What’s Included
Private longtail boat on Cheow Lan Lake
For your group throughout the lake journey.
Local guide
Accompanies your group throughout the tour.
Bamboo raft at 500 Rai Inner Lake
Including the Beyond 500 Rai experience.
Lunch
Lunch at a floating rafthouse on Cheow Lan Lake.
National Park entrance fee
Included in the tour price.
Drinking water & seasonal fruit
What to Bring
Walking Shoes
Shoes with good grip are recommended.
Small Daypack
Keep your hands free during the walk.
Rain Protection
Weather can change quickly around the lake.
Sun Protection
Hat and sunscreen for the boat journey.
Drinking Water
Provided during the tour.
Camera / Phone
Bring protection from rain and water spray.
No Coral Cave Fee
Coral Cave is not part of this programme. Beyond 500 Rai uses the time at the inner lake differently, so there is no cave visit or cave entrance fee.