attractions
This virgin rainforest dotted by limestone mountain ranges and rugged high cliffs was established as a national park in 1980. The poised limestone mountains resemble to those in Guilin, China resulting in the local nickname of “Thailand’s Guilin”. Covering an area of approximately 646 square kilometers, the park extends beyond Ban Ta Kun, Phanom and Khiri Ratniyom Districts.
The main attractions in the park include Namtok Mae Yai which can be reached by car and Namtok Sip Ed Chan (eleven-tiered waterfall), situated approximately 4 kilometers from the park office. There are also other magnificent waterfalls and caves, which are mostly accessible by foot.
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Khao Sok is inhabited by rare wildlife such as wild elephants, leopards, serow, banteng, gaur, dusky langurs, tigers and Malayan sun bears. Bird lovers will be enthralled visiting , as there are over 180 bird species to watch.
Rare flora are found along nature trails particularly to the south of the park where local plants such as lianas, bamboo, ferns and giant rattan, of over 10cm. in diameter, can be found. To top it all, the bua phut is perhaps what visitors to Khao Sok look forward to seeing most. Bua Phut or Rafflesia kerri meyer, a flower which can only be found in Khao Sok, is claimed as the largest flower in the world.
When in full bloom, the Bua Phut is approximately 80 centimeters in diameter. The flower is a natural parasite without roots of its own, but relying on roots of a jungle vine to survive. The best time to see Bua Phut is from October to December, when they are in full bloom.
Contact the park’s headquarters for a local guide. Note that a 5-8 hour walk is required to see such a rare flower. However, there photographs of Bua Phut in the headquarters’ office, with information displayed on the ecological system of the park.
The park and other entrepreneurs provide bungalows, camping areas and raft-houses while accommodation owners normally provide food.
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The park office is located 1.3 kilometers off of the Surat-Takua Pa Road at kilometer 109 marker. From Surat Thani City, take Highway No 401 to Takua Pa District (in Pang-nga province). Total distance is approximately 100 kilometers. The park is at its best from December to April.
Bang Hua Rat Waterfall - Lum Khlong Sok
Bang Hua Rat Waterfall - Lum Khlong Sok consists of rapids which drop down looks like stairs, and and is a popular place for shooting the rapids by boat.
Khang Cow Cave
Thousands of bats live in this large chambered cave. You can hear them twittering and squeaking and will smell their distinctive aroma as you explore the cave with its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Please do not shine torches up onto the bats, as this will disturb them, as will loud noise.
Mai Yai Waterfall
This is the only waterfall that can be reached by car. It is located next to the Suratthani-Takuapa road (also known as 113rd km), or 5.5 kilometers away from the headquarters. The waterfall, although is only one-level high, measures an approximate 30 meters in height. The best time to visit this waterfall is during the rainy season.
Nam Ta-lu Cave
It’s located at Ranger Station 4 near by Ratcha Prapa dam’s reservoir. It can be accessed by boat only. Taking boat at Ratcha Prapa port, it takes only 15 minutes to go to the start walking point, then walk further about 2 km long, you will reach the cave eventually. The cave’s entrance is 30 meters width and inside is wide with a beautiful scenery stalactites and eroded stones. Interestingly, there is a stream runs through the cave along the 500 meters length. The best part of the cave was navigating through it while surrounded by large stalagtites and stalagmites.
Rafflesia Kerrii Meijer
Among all flora in the world, Bua Phut or Rafflesia is the largest bloom. Rafflesia amoldii, found in lndonesia, is about 100 cm. in diameter. it is one of nature's wonders when this kind of plants displays its red blooms isn lush evergreen rainforest. People who live in the South call this species Bua Tum or Bua Phut. it is a parasitic plant with fiber-like tissue. it subsists on roots and trunks of the wild grape family known as Yan Kai Tom (Tetrastigma sp.) Bua Phut sucks nutrient and water from its host. We can spot this mysterious species only when its reproductive period arrives.
Ratchaprapa Dam
This large man-made dam was built to provide hydro-electricity for Surat Thani and other towns. Over 100 islands dot this massive lake, most of the clustered in the narrowest part of the lake, an area known as 'Chong Kaeb Khao Ka Loh'. The dam is a 65 Km. drive from Headquarters. Local people run boat trips and trekking around the Dam as part of an eco-TRAVEL
project.
Si Ru Cave
Approximately 4 kilometers in distance from the Nam Tha Lu cave, this cave has around 4 entrances that was once used by commuists residing in the country.
Sip Et Chan Waterfall
Water pours over the 11-stepped staircase of rocks that makes up this attractive waterfall. The large pool at the bottom is great for swimming - you will need cooling down after walking the 4km from the headquarters.
Tang Nam
Two majestic cliffs that can be seen facing each other; it can be located on the deep end of the Sok canal and serves as the habitat for a variety of fish species. Tang Nam is just 6 kilometers away from the headquarters and requires 3.2 kilometer walk and 3.2 kilometer from the Bang Wing Hin Waterfall.
Diamond cave
It is one of the worlds hidden gems which is starting to get a lot more popular as a great tourist destination. One of the amazing things in the Khao Sok rainforest is the Pra Kay Petch Cave which is also known as the Diamond cave, It was national geographic style in there with stalagmites/tites, monster spiders, bats, dripping water, and sparkly things. It might be a good idea to bring your own torch as it is very dark inside.
Tang NamTharn Sawan Waterfall
is a beautiful waterfall along a tributary of the Sok River. The forest torest trail leading here is difficult and requires wading along the stream bed for the last 1 km. This is slippery and can be dangerous during rainy season when the warter is at full force.
Ton Kloi Waterfall
A beautiful one-level waterfall on the Sok canal and has a consistent water stream flowing all year round. It is located approximately 7 kilometers from the headquarters, or 1 kilometers away from the Tang Nam.
Wing Hin Waterfall
Wing Hin Waterfall is an attractive waterfall on Klong Sok River. Huge boulders litter the stream about 20 m. from the base of the falls. You can use these boulders as stepping stones to cross the river. The attractive crossing point is known locally as 'Bang Wing Hin' or 'Narrow Running Rocks'. The waterfall is about 2.5 km. from the Headquarter.