Village or lake?
Do both if you can. The village has the trails, the river, restaurants and a choice of lodges at every price. The lake has the scenery and the silence. If you must choose, most people find the lake the more memorable.
Trekking
This is true rainforest: hot, wet and steep in places. Half-day walks follow the river to waterfalls; full-day and overnight treks climb into the hills with a guide. On the lake, short guided hikes lead to viewpoints and caves. Wear shoes that can get wet and that grip on mud.
Wildlife
You will hear far more than you see. Gibbons call at dawn; hornbills, langurs and macaques are regularly spotted from kayaks on the lake in the early morning. Elephants, gaur and tapirs live in the park but are rarely encountered. Night walks reveal frogs, insects, sleeping birds and the occasional slow loris.
Practicalities
- There are a couple of ATMs in Khlong Sok village and none on the lake; bring cash.
- Pack light for the lake night and leave the rest at your lodge.
- Electricity on basic raft houses runs for a few hours in the evening; bring a torch and a power bank.
- Life jackets are provided on boats — wear them.
- Take all rubbish out with you, and do not feed fish or monkeys.
Sample plans
2 days: one night on the lake
Day 1: transfer to the dam, longtail across the lake, lunch at the raft house, an afternoon cave walk and a sunset wildlife cruise. Day 2: dawn kayak or boat safari, breakfast, a swim, and return to the pier by early afternoon.
3 days: river, forest and lake
Day 1: arrive in Khlong Sok, canoe the Sok River and join a night walk. Day 2: a guided morning trek to the waterfalls, then a free afternoon. Day 3: full-day or overnight trip on Cheow Lan Lake.
4 days: coast to coast
Arrive from Phuket or Krabi, spend two nights in the village and one on the lake, then continue from the dam directly to Surat Thani and the ferry to Koh Samui — or reverse it.
