In the vastness of the Andaman Seas, a deep dense jungle hugs the mid-section of southern Thailand. If your muscles have somehow atrophied after too many days on Thailand’s renowned white sandy beaches, look no further than Khao Sok. The endless trails complete with astonishing views, up to the dramatic limestone karst formations and spell-bounding waterfalls cascading down the dense tropical thickets is an adventure haven for any outdoor enthusiasts.

Whether you are a solo traveler looking to unwind from the daily grinds of city life or a family a nature adventure, Khao Sok- one of Thailand’s oldest tropical rainforest with eons in the makings spanning as far as 160 millions years will have you feeling every pulse of the jungle. Its tranquility and remoteness away from Phuket’s touristic beaches offer an ideal respite from the crowd in Thailand’s covid19 re-openings.

Hosting a plethora of wildlife and botanical species, it is also here at Khao Sok where the rare blooms of parasite carnivorous plant Rafflesia calls home.

Lodging – An Authentic Jungle Tree House Like No Other

• An immersive jungle adventure in the tropics.

Atop our treehouse, cocooned in the thick foliage of the tropical rainforests, we were seated at the outdoor deck that stretches to the open space from the back of our room. Here, we faced a towering limestone karst directly opposite us. Separating our room from the karst was a gentle river stream where occasionally, wild animals were seen frolicking in the waters.

Over the forthcoming days we take immerse pleasure observing the macaques emerging from their karst “hideouts”. Petty fights and temper tantrums were some of the inevitable dramas when these primates gather when the sun sets. 

In the quiet of the night, we slumbered to the soothing tunes of crickets, cicadas and the sporadic hoots of owls as they conjured up a symphony before we gleefully woke up to the distant callings of the gibbons when dawn breaks.

As a child, the jungle has always felt intriguing. As we stumbled upon a promising eco-resort online while searching for our lodging options in Khao Sok, “Our Jungle House” stood out from the rest. We believed it is here where we will truly immerse in an authentic jungle adventure like no other.

• Conservation and sustainability at its core

Aside from the online rave reviews and its proximity to the Khao Sok National Park, we were particularly drawn to the resort’s lodging space concepts, consisting of rustic tree-houses and bungalows engulfed in the entirety of the tropical rainforest. Constructed with traditional straw-thatched roofs perched among buttressed-rooted giant trees and furnished with natural wood, bamboo and renewable natural materials, no trees were harmed.

Adding to the charm are the efforts undertaken to reflect the resort’s integrity towards sustainability. The adjoining farmland adjacent to the restaurant grows and harvests their own organic vegetables, ranging from indigenous Thai herbs and botanicals that make their way to the diners’ menu. Replanting forest trees whenever possible, using filtered water in replacement for bottled water to reduce plastic waste are just some of the many initiatives implemented by “Our Jungle House”.

“To Build Without Destructing” is the over-arching principal that underpins the resort’s eco efforts. Mindfully developing the vicinity while complimenting its natural surroundings has not only sustained economic viability from tourism dollars, it has also prevented the area from massive palm oil deforestation that would otherwise exacerbate the destruction of the rainforest’s natural habitats.

A Guided Jungle Experience – From Boat Trips, Kayaking,Trekking and A Night Safari Critters Tour.

From boat trips, kayaking on clear waters surrounded by towering karsts, jungle trekking in the virgin forest to local cooking classes and nature camps, “Our Jungle House” offers an extensive range of fun outdoor exploration programs.

Using education as a vehicle, activities are curated to inculcate values of sustainable living, agriculture and natural science as part of their conservation initiatives.

• Cheow Lan Lake – Primordial wilderness among towering cliffs and inviting waters

The Khao Sok National Park is made up of 2 key exploration areas. Numerous forest trail routes conveniently located near the park headquarters easily accessible by vehicles and Cheow Lan Lake make up the other half of the park.

Traditional long tail boats brought us into the heart of Cheow Lan Lake. You cant help feeling a sense of primordial wilderness as you pass by countless towering limestone cliffs and over a hundred islands dotting the lake.

A splendid Thai lunch was served after at one of the floating raft houses. With a kayak after our lunch, we glided through stunning waters, maneuvering around the giant cliffs as rare feathered friends took flight from above.

Our full day guided tour at Cheow Lan Lake ended with a 2 hour round trip hike trekking through the jungle where we arrived at a coral Cave. Surrounded by the virgin rainforest of Khao Sok National Park, Cheow Lan Lake is where you get to see the rarest and the most elusive of wild animals easily than anywhere else in Thailand.

• A Critters Safari Night Tour At The Backyard

What better way to engage children to the wonders of nature than to take up a guided night safari critter tour in one of Thailand’s oldest tropical rainforest.

With Khao Sok National Park in the backyard and quipped with torch lights and accompanied by a trained guide, we walked through the dense forests colliding unexpected paths with the nocturnals. Under the guidance of the guide, we discovered some of the most exotic and venomous critters under the cover of darkness which we would have otherwise never noticed.

A quintessential jungle experience we have had. “Our Jungle House” is also the epitome of balance between tourism and sustainability at its best.

Thailand COVID19 Travel Guidelines

Domestic Travel In Thailand

The current guideline to travel domestically within Thailand is to present your vaccination status to authorities at check-points and to follow appropriate social distancing and temperature checks as and when is needed.

International Travel To Thailand

According to TAT news, starting 1st April 2023, international travelers can enter Thailand WITHOUT proof of a pre-travel negative RT-PCR test within 72hours prior flight departure. This is applicable to all current entry schemes as follows as part of the renewed Thailand COVID 19 travel guidelines.

More information on latest Covid 19 Thailand guidelines can be found here.