Khao Sok and Krabi Soft Adventure
7 Nights / 8 Days

Trip Grade: Easy
Best Season: Khao Sok is best from November to April.
Destination: Khao Sok National Park Rainforest trails, scenic islands, beaches and Mangroves of Krabi.

Activity Highlights: Scenic tour, eco trekking in the rainforest trails, caving inside Namtaloo cave, wildlife viewing, kayaking in the river, mangroves and tidal caves, snorkeling and swimming at some of the beautiful beaches of Krabi.

Highlights of Khao Sok National Park:
Khao Sok National Park is located in the mountains which separates the east and west coasts of the Thai Peninsula. It consists of rugged mountains of mudstone and siltstone, averaging 300-600 meters above sea level. Khao Sok is famous for its Limestone karsts outcrops scattered across this rough terrain, particularly in the region of the 20 square kilometer lake. The highest limestone mountains in the park rise 3,072 feet above sea level.

Khao Sok National Park Floras and Faunas:
Tropical evergreen forest covers the majority of the national park. These forests are dense and stratified structures, dominated by tall emergent trees, often supported by buttress roots. The middle-storey of the forest is an aerial tangle of figs and lianas (woody climbers). Below is a dense under-storey where evergreen ground flora such as bamboo, rattan, ferns and palms compete for light. Because of Khao Soke's location, its forests contain species from both the north and south of Thailand. Khao Sok is home to a variety of very rare plants including the most famous the "bua poot", a giant rafflesia found growing parasitically on lianas, and two palm species- 'langkov and Maak pralahoo'.
The richness of the tropical forest flora, the abundance of fresh water, and the shelter of the mountains combine to provide excellent habitats for many wildlife species. Khao Soke is part of the largest continuous forest area on the Thai peninsula providing the only viable habitat in southern Thailand for large mammals needing extensive tracts of virgin forest for their survival. Wildlife includes Elephant, Leopard, Banteng, Guar, Serow, Tapir, Gibbon, Dusky Langur, Bear, Malayan Sun Bear, Tiger, Wild boar, Porcupines, many snakes, lizards, tortoises, butterflies and many others. Additionally, 188 bird species have been confirmed in Khao Sok including several kinds of hornbills and the Argus pheasant.

Khao Sok is less than three hours drive from Phuket and offers wonderful opportunities for trekking, kayaking, and bird watching. Our accommodations will be in forest campsites or in eco lodges.

Highlights of Krabi:
Krabi has spectacular beaches and islands made up of craggy limestone cliffs and lush mangrove forests. Railey Beach is one of the most exclusive destinations that are surrounded by a sheer wall of craggy limestone cliffs. These cliffs cut off from the mainland, prohibiting vehicle access. Hence, the sandy beach is undisturbed. Railay Beach is also a popular destination for rock climbers for both experienced and beginners from around the world.

Railay Beach offers various standards of accommodations (tourist class, middle class and five star) in limited numbers, all shaded by the original coconut palms.

Ao Nang Beach, the main gateway of Krabi, offers many choices of accommodations such as luxury five to four star resorts with spa facilities, middle class and tourist class hotel resorts. Restaurants serving local Thai and Western cuisines are abundant at Ao Nang Beach. Moreover, this small beach town offers various tastes of souvenirs, ATM machines and spa facilities to pamper you.

Krabi has hundreds of craggy karsts islands ideal for boating, diving and snorkeling. There is considerable exploring to do in the nearby destinations, inside and outside the many limestone cliffs. The possibilities for rock climbing and caving are infinite.

Discover Asia Travel's Krabi tours take you to some of the most beautiful limestone islands, lush mangrove forests and national park conservation areas where you can hike, kayak, snorkel and swim in the paradise of nature.

Itinerary: Khao Sok and Krabi Soft Adventure 8 Days:
Day 1 Arrive Khao Sok
Pick up from Surat Thani Airport, train or bus station, hotel and ferry pier.
Please advise your mode of arrival, time and pick up point.

On arrival in Khao Sok, check in at one of the selective eco friendly resort bungalows with comfortable beds with fan, hot and cold shower. Enjoy fresh lunch at the resort. After lunch, walk to the national park visitor center and get oriented with the Khao Sok National Park setting. South Khao Sok with the park headquarters is the main gateway for many wonderful hiking trips. Dinner at the resort restaurant. Overnight in comfortable bungalow beds with fan, cold and hot shower. Meals: BLD.

Day 2 Trek the Rainforest trails to enjoy scenery and wildlife
07.00AM depart to Ratchaprapha Dam, board a long tail boat to Khao Sok National Park trailhead at Tone Tuey creek and trek to Namtaloo Cave through the thick rainforest. Along the way, we will hear hornbill and gibbon calls and possibility of seeing one or many is there. Also, Macaques and langurs monkeys are frequently seen.

We can hear sounds of many birds and chances of seeing any species of bird and other wildlife is always possible. Once we reach the mouth of Nmataloo Cave, we take a break. Then, we enter the cave along the Tone Tuey River for one and a half kilometers and get out further down where the river re-emerges.
Inside the cave, we will see two to three different species of bats hanging to the ceilings, fresh water fish, catfish, toads, and frogs. The cave itself is beautiful with stalactites and stalagmites. At some points in the cave the river is pooled which comes up to neck level while at some points we need to swim (approximately five to ten yards). Swimming and walking along the fresh water river is pleasant experience.

Tone Teuy Creek and Namataloo Cave area is habitat for Elephants, Tigers, Barking Deer, Serow, Bear, Wild Boars, Pig-Tailed And Stump-Tailed Macaques, and others abundant here. Although there are some cleared areas by the communists in the early 80s, this area is still one of the most wild and adventurous sites of Cheow Lan Lake, where most visitors to Khao Sok wish to be. Bat Cave, Namtaloo Cave, Seroo Cave, and Kangrow Cave and scenic nature trails are the attractions here not to mention the extraordinary scenery.

Precaution: The Namtaloo Cave trekking along the stream is for the Adventurous who can swim and do basic rock climbing because the cave trip requires these skills. People who do not wish to do the cave trip can do most of the trip activities fine except the cave trek. Then return trek, ride boat back to the dam pier and drive back to your resort. Overnight in comfortable bungalow beds with fan, cold and hot shower. Meals: BLD.

Day 3 Raffelsia Kerri Trail Hike and Sok River Kayak
Breakfast and depart to Raflesia Kerri trail for three to four hour trekking. Then, return to resort for lunch break; after lunch, depart for two hours kayak in Sok River. Enjoy a pleasant kayak trip downstream, which passes through scenic limestone mountains with evergreen forests. Along the river, we can see two to three different species of king fishers, little Herons and various other birds. We can also see small Mangrove snakes and Pythons coiled in the tree canopy while the frog calls are constant. At the end of kayak trip, drive to resort and dinner. Overnight in comfortable bungalow beds with fan, cold and hot shower.
Meals: BLD.

Day 4 Kayak in Than Bok Khor Ranee National Park
Enjoy kayaking along the river, which is flanked by mangrove forests and scenic limestone karsts mountains. The highlight of the trip is paddling through the marvelous tidal caves. We will see stalagmites and stalactites in Lod cave, and visit the Pee Hua Tho cave which has prehistoric paintings. Once we paddle through the Light cave, we will find ourselves in the fascinating paradise room, where we can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful scenery. Next, we paddle through the Dark passage cave.

Schedule:
Breakfast and depart to Than Bok Khoranee National park.
Around 10.00am, arrive at Bor Tor pier of Than Bok khor Ranee National Park, where we begin our kayak trip.
Basic instruction on how to use a sit-on-top hard shell kayak is given for your knowledge and safety issues.
Enjoy kayaking and exploring the fascinating stalactite and stalagmite at the Light Cave, more exciting kayaking to the Dark Cave;
Continue adventure through the Lod Cave, which is famous for its beautiful stalactite and stalagmite.
Visit Pee Hua Tho Cave with prehistoric paintings and paddle back to the pier. Enjoy freshly cooked delicious lunch.
Next, transfer Taan Bok khor Ranee National Park scenic nature trail for a short walk and return transfer to resort. Meals: BL.

Day 5 Kayak Tha Lane Bay mangrove forests
Tha Lane bay mangrove forests and karts limestone mountains adorned with lush vegetation, beautiful vertical cliffs, stalactites, caves, lagoons and stunningly beautiful scenery are some of the gems of Krabi for a pleasant day trip. We will paddle through the mangrove forests along the limestone mountain cliffs, narrow canyons and lagoons to explore the floras and faunas of Tha Lane. If lucky, you will see Gibbons in the trees while crab eating Macaques and Water Monitor lizards are frequently seen. Occasional visitors to the area are the sea otters along waterline at the cliffs. Red billed King Fisher and white belly sea eagles are some of the resident birds frequently sited in the area. Our final paddle will be through the vertical canyons, which leads to the beautiful seafront and then to the pier where we will have lunch.

Schedule:
Breakfast at resort and depart for kayak trip at 09.00am,
Around 10.00am, arrive at Tha Lane Bay Pier.
Start adventurous kayaking along the mangrove forest.
Fresh lunch will be served at the local restaurant at pier.
Then, continue journey by vehicle to Tha Prom Klong Nam Song, a natural fresh water stream often referred as crystal pool for refreshing swim before heading back to our hotel. Arrive back to hotel around 3.30-4.00pm.
Meals: BL.

Accessories to Bring: swimwear, sunglasses, sun-lotion, insect repellent, camera, clothes, wide-brim hat, and beach slippers.

Note: This program is under the limitation of the weather conditions.
Basic training for how to maneuver kayak is provided.
Remark: Schedule is subject to change due to the weather condition.

Day 6 Snorkel around the outlying islands by long-tailed boat
Breakfast and then depart for a half-day trip by covered long-tailed boat will take us to the outlying islands, one of which (Koh Hong) boasts a former pirate's cove surrounded by sheer cliffs. It is accessible only at high tide. Its clear water makes great snorkeling while the sandy beaches around this island is great for swimming, walking and sunbathing. After lunch, return to resort and at leisure.
Meals: BL.

Alternative program is to small islands (Koh Lak, Koh Dam Kwan (Chicken Island), Koh Si, Koh Taab and Koh Poda, and Phra Nang Cave) and beautiful uninhabited beaches close to Phranang Bay. If you are looking for easier trip close to your hotel, choose this alternative.
Depart from hotel at 9.00am.
After lunch, return to hotel and then at leisure.

Day 7 Krabi at Leisure
Breakfast resort and day at leisure to explore Krabi on your own.
Leisure day options to consider in Krabi are: Receive spa treatments, relax on the beach, stroll around the market to pick up your favorite souvenirs and tasting local and international cuisines or visit places not covered in the tour. Meals: B.

Day 8 Depart from Krabi
Breakfast at hotel and depart for your next destination.
End of tour service. Meals: B.

Meals (Breakfast=B, Lunch=L, Dinner=D):
The meals, such as lunch and dinner are not included in some locations. This is done in purpose in order to let you have choices of choosing your own favorite dish where the variety of local and international cuisine is abundant.

Tour Includes:
Seven nights accommodation in Khao Sok and Krabi on twin sharing with breakfast,
tour activities as per the itinerary,
Meals are as outlined in the tour program,
entrance fees to monuments and parks visited,
English speaking local eco tour guide service on the tour,
all transfers on arrival, departure and during tour by air-conditioned van and cabin seating pick up truck in remote areas,
Kayak and snorkeling equipment including life jackets, and insurance for the duration of the tour,

Tour Excludes:
Bangkok to Surat Thani train fare and airfare if travel by flight and overnight hotel, and Krabi to Bangkok one way airfare and airport departure tax,
Meals such as lunch and dinner not mentioned in the program,
items of personal nature including personal expenses, personal insurance, alcoholic and soft beverages, telephone, laundry, tips, charges for delays caused by situations beyond our control including bad weather, natural disasters, civil unrest, and emergencies.

Package Price Terms and Conditions:
All package prices are net per person in US Dollars. Package prices are subject to change should there be major changes in government tax policies, Thai currency exchange rates and/or major changes in US Dollar exchange rates. We reserve the right to alternate an itinerary in the event of natural disasters, bad weather, civil unrest or other unforeseen factors that pose threat to our clients and crew. Alteration of an itinerary is made for the safety of our clients and the crew. Please treat the above program as guideline for your trip planning. We will provide you with fine tuned itinerary with specific details before departure.

Accommodations: Comfortable bungalows with fan, cold and hot shower in Khao Sok and quality beach area resort accommodation in Krabi.