Khao Sok national park (Thai: เขาสก) is located in Surat Thani province in Thailand. The park comprises the largest area of virgin forest in Southern Thailand and is a remnant of rainforest which is older and more diverse than the Amazon Rainforest. The wild mammals include, Malayan Tapir, Asian Elephant, Tiger, Sambar Deer, Bear, Guar, Banteng, Serow, Wild Boar, Pig Tailed Macaque, Langur, White handed Gibbon, Squirrel, Muntjak and Mouse Deer.It is perhaps most famous for the Bua Phut (Rafflesia kerrii) flower which grows within the park. In addition to its exotic flora, Khao Sok is inhabited by a wide variety of animals, including gibbons and barking deer.
"Khao Sok is connected to two other national parks, Kaeng Krung and Phang-Nga, as well as the Khlong Saen and Khlong Nakha wildlife sanctuaries. Together, these reserves form the largest contiguous nature preserve – around 4000 sq km – on the Thai peninsula. A major watershed for the south, the park is filled with lianas, bamboo, ferns and rattan, including the wǎi tào phráw (giant rattan) with a stem more than 10cm in diameter. A floral rarity in the park is the Rafflesia kerrii Meijer, known to the Thais as bua phút (wild lotus), one of the largest flowers in the world. Found only in Khao Sok and an adjacent wildlife sanctuary (different varieties of the same species are present in Malaysia and Indonesia), mature specimens can reach 80cm in diameter. The flower has no roots or leaves of its own; instead it lives parasitically inside the roots of the liana, a jungle vine. From October to December buds burst forth from the liana root and swell to football size. When the bud blooms in January and February it emits a potent stench resembling rotten meat, which attracts pollinating insects." -LonelyPlanet.com
All the pictures just like stunning. If you want more information, check the park's offical website: http://www.khaosok.com/
There is lots of stuff to do during a short stay here: kayaking, jungle trekking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, caving, birdwatching, swimming and hiking. And zomg! Wild elephants!!!
I've read that the best times to go visit are between December and April but it's a nice spot regardless year round. Just at certain times you're going to have to put up with a lot of rain.
Upon arrival, you'd have to set yourself up with a floating bamboo hut on Cheow Lan Lake.
One interesting excursion was the Nam Thalu cave. You get there by kayak and you have a short walk til you reach the cave and I've read that the cave has absolutely amazing stalactites, stalagmites and limestone formations and an amazing colony of bats and a stream that runs through the middle of it.
Information about their bungalows: http://www.khaosok.net/
During our vacation on Phuket we visited Khao Lak national park with "Phuket elephant trails", pretty much the same experience as you describe it here. Except there is no lake in Khao Lak.
ReplyDeleteGood writings. Keep it going!