Short day
The rafting day
Close to your hotel
- Length5 hours
- StopsRaft, falls, turtles
- GuideEnglish
Decide with ease
Khao Lak trips: every day trip compared side by side
Rafting, elephant and turtle day in Khao Lak
★ 4.7 · Rated by 2,767 guests
Two questions, one day trip
Which Khao Lak day trip suits you
Say what kind of scenery you like and how much time you have, and a trip appears with its starting price.
The one for you
The rafting, elephant and turtle day
from $69
5 hours with a bamboo raft, a waterfall, elephants fed with bananas and the turtle center.
The one for you
Khao Sok hike and river raft
from $92
8.5 hours with a 6 km round trip hike, a bamboo raft and a viewpoint.
The one for you
Cheow Lan Lake day
from $161
10 hours for a small group of up to 10, with a longtail boat on the lake and a cave.
The one for you
Similan snorkelling day
from $75
9 hours by speedboat with 2 snorkelling stops and meals, in the open season only.
The one for you
Temples and the Dragon Cave
from $72
9 hours with the Dragon Cave Temple, Bang Rieng Temple and Suwan Khuha Cave Temple.
Jungle lakes, reefs, a river raft, temples and a market town all leave from Khao Lak. See what each day costs from, how long it runs and when it does not run at all.
Editorial team, khaolakrafting.com · Updated November 12, 2026 · 6 min of reading
Essentials
- Rafting dayThe river, elephants and turtles day lasts 5 hours and starts from $69.
- Jungle and lakeA Khao Sok hike with a river raft takes 8.5 hours, from $92.
- IslandsA Similan snorkelling day takes 9 hours, from $75.
- Temples and townA temple tour with the Dragon Cave takes 9 hours, from $72.
- SeasonThe Similan national park closes from 16 May to 14 October.1
Khao Lak trips at a glance
Khao Lak is a base, and most of the excursions leave from it by van or boat. Tours from Khao Lak, as the listings we compared show, fall into four groups: jungle and lake days around Khao Sok, island and bay days by speedboat or longtail, short river and temple days close by, and private versions of all of them. Prices run from $52 for a half day in Takua Pa up to $312 for a trip with a night on a lake.
Each group asks something different of your day. Jungle days trade hours in a van for forest, rafts and a lake. Island days trade a long boat ride for coral and clear water. The short days keep you close to your hotel, which is why the rafting day sold here finishes inside 5 hours. A good plan for a week mixes a long outing with a few short ones, so you are not tired out before the holiday is half over.
The harbour at Thap Lamu, just south of Khao Lak, is where most Similan day trips and liveaboard boats set off.2 That tells you the sea trips start on the water, while the inland ones start with a drive. The table below lists every trip with its from-price and length, and the questions beneath it narrow the choice. Prices are starting figures per person, with the private days priced for the group.
Side by side
Khao Lak trips by from-price, length and type
| Trip | From | Length | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafting day | $69 | 5 hours | River and animals |
| Khao Sok hike and raft | $92 | 8.5 hours | Jungle |
| Cheow Lan Lake | $161 | 10 hours | Lake |
| Lake overnight | $312 | 2 days | Lake |
| Similan snorkelling | $75 | 9 hours | Islands |
| Surin Islands | $112 | 9 to 10.5 hours | Islands |
| Phang Nga Bay | $73 | 8 hours | Bay |
| Phi Phi early bird | $117 | 8 to 9 hours | Islands |
| Temples and Dragon Cave | $72 | 9 hours | Culture |
| Takua Pa town | $52 | 4 hours | Culture |
Each fare is the starting amount on its listing for one traveler; none of them is firm.
Jungle and lake days around Khao Sok
Khao Sok National Park lies inland in Surat Thani province, covering 738.74 square kilometres and set up as a national park in 1980.5 Its limestone cliffs rise out of a reservoir, and the status list from the tourism authority shows it open.6,7 Khao Lak operators run it as a day trip, so the drive is part of the plan.
The shorter way in is a hike and river raft day. It lasts 8.5 hours, from $92, and covers a trail of 6 km round trip, a bamboo raft on the Sok River, a Thai lunch and a viewpoint. Entrance fees and the paddler fee are included, but alcoholic drinks are not. Its 755 reviews average 4.7. The day fits neatly into a single free day of a longer stay, as long as you are happy to start early.
The lake day is longer and costs more. A small group of up to 10 people spends 10 hours at Cheow Lan Lake, rafting the Khao Sok River, crossing the dam lake by longtail boat, visiting a cave and eating at a floating raft house, from $161. A 2 day version adds a night on a floating bungalow, from $312, for a group of up to 8. Choose the overnight if you can spare the time.
Hours away
Khao Lak trips by length in hours
- Elephant visit3
- Takua Pa town4
- Little Amazon4.5
- Rafting day5
- Phang Nga Bay8
- Khao Sok hike8.5
- Similan snorkel9
- Cheow Lan Lake10
Each bar shows the hours a listing states for the trip, pick-up to drop-off.
Island and bay days by boat
The sea trips are the ones with a season. The Department of National Parks closes several Andaman Sea islands every year from May to October, including Mu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin.8 In the park status list, Mu Ko Similan National Park was closed from 16 May until 14 October.1 Do not book a Similan or Surin day for those months.
Within the open season, a Similan snorkelling day by speedboat lasts 9 hours and starts from $75, with 2 snorkelling stops at Koh Pousar and Collar Bay and meals included. A Surin Islands day with a Moken village visit lasts 9 to 10.5 hours, from $112, and the boat ride alone takes about 80 minutes each way.
Phang Nga Bay is a day on the water that also starts from Khao Lak. A longtail boat tour with canoeing, the Koh Panyi floating village and a lunch there lasts 8 hours, from $73, and 2,315 reviews average 4.7. A Phi Phi early bird speedboat day lasts 8 to 9 hours, from $117, and visits Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island. Boat trips can be delayed or cancelled for weather, and the captain decides.9
Three kinds of day
River, jungle or sea
Long day
The Khao Sok hike
Jungle and a viewpoint
- Length8.5 hours
- Trail6 km round trip
- GuideEnglish
Sea day
Similan snorkelling
Open season only
- Length9 hours
- StopsTwo snorkel sites
- MealsIncluded
Short days close to your hotel
Not every outing needs a long drive. The rafting day sold here, with elephants fed with bananas, Ton Pling Waterfall, the Sea Turtle Conservation Center and a river lunch, lasts 5 hours from $69. Pick-up is included, and the operator sends the time once you have booked. It suits the first full day of a holiday, when you want an easy start.
The Little Amazon canoe ride with a short trek to Tam Nang Waterfall lasts 4.5 hours, from $54, for a small group limited to 10. The walk to the waterfall is about 800 meters on gravel and concrete, and in the rainy season the park may close for weeks after flash floods, in which case Chong Fah Waterfall is arranged instead. An elephant observation visit lasts 3 hours, from $53.
Culture fills the rest. A Takua Pa tour covers the food market, a tsunami museum, Kong Ka Temple and the old town in 4 hours, from $52. The full-day temple tour with the Dragon Cave, Bang Rieng Temple and Suwan Khuha Cave Temple lasts 9 hours, from $72. Dress so that knees and shoulders are covered at the temples.
Price your group
Add up the day trips
Choose the party size and add the trips up together.
Side-by-side: 4 options
Add up the day trips
Choose the party size and add the trips up together.
- Rafting day5 hours · starts at, per person $69
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View - Khao Sok hike8.5 hours · starts at, per person $92
≈
View - Temples tour9 hours · starts at, per person $72
≈
View - Phang Nga Bay8 hours · starts at, per person $73
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View
GetYourGuide's starting prices, converted at the ECB reference rate; exact pricing appears when you book.
Planning your week
A week of Khao Lak trips
Arrival day
Rest and pick a base
Settle in near the beach before any early start.3
Early in the stay
A short river day
The rafting day lasts 5 hours.
Middle of the stay
A long jungle day
Khao Sok takes 8.5 hours, with a trail walk and a raft ride on the Sok River.
Later in the stay
A boat day
Phang Nga Bay takes 8 hours by longtail boat from Khao Lak.
A quiet day
Town and temples
Takua Pa takes 4 hours, with a market and an old town.
Last day
Keep it free
Keep the final day open for packing and the airport.4
When trips run, and when they do not
The rainy season runs from May through early November, and the Southwest monsoon lasts from May to October.2,12 The rain typically falls for 1 to 2 hours in the afternoon or early evening rather than all day, and September gets the brunt.12,13 Island days are the ones with a closed season, while the river and temple days carry only weather warnings.
Weather can still reshape a land day. The listings say the itinerary may change with bad weather, and the Little Amazon walk may be swapped for another waterfall after floods. TAT advises watching Thai Meteorological Department forecasts, since operators can shorten or postpone an activity when a downpour is heavy.11
Cancellation terms help in a changeable season. Most days listed here pay a full refund with 24 hours of notice, while the 2 day lake trip asks for 1 day and 12 hours. Reserving without paying now lets you hold a date and watch the forecast. Plan the open-air days for the mornings, since afternoon showers are the usual pattern.12
Video
A mini travel guide to Khao Lak with beaches, food and day trips
Foodie on Vacay on YouTube · The video only starts loading on your tap.
closes several islands in the Andaman Sea every year from May to October.
Before any trip
Pack, book and check
Pack for every trip3
- Sun cream, a hat and insect repellent for open-air stops
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel for waterfalls
- Clothes with covered knees and shoulders for temples
Book and check3
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on most days
- Confirm the pick-up time after booking
- Check whether park fees are in your fare
Choosing between the trips
The best day trips from Khao Lak are the ones that fit your time, so start with the hours you have. With a half day, pick the rafting day, the Little Amazon or the Takua Pa tour. With a full day, the jungle hike, the temple tour or an island trip fit. With 2 days, the lake overnight adds a night on the water. Be honest about the drive too, since the Khao Sok days put hours in a van.
Next, think about who is travelling. Families with small children may like the short river days, where the pace is slow and the stops are close. Travelers who want to snorkel need open season and calm water. Anyone who dislikes boats should keep to the land days, and the quiz above offers a starting suggestion in a few clicks.
Finally, use the season. The rainy season ends in early November, and the island parks stay shut until the rains are over.2,8 In the rainy months, move to the river, waterfall and temple days. That keeps your booking inside what actually runs and avoids a refund chase. Compare the from-prices once more in the table, then book the date that suits you.
FAQ
Short questions, short answers.
What is the best day trip from Khao Lak?
It depends on your time.
Half days suit the rafting day from $69; full days suit Khao Sok from $92.
Can I visit the Similan Islands in the rainy season?
No, not in the closed months.
The Similan national park was closed from 16 May until 14 October in the TAT list.1
How long is a Khao Sok day from Khao Lak?
About 8.5 hours.
The hike and river raft day takes that long and includes entrance fees.
How much is a Phang Nga Bay trip?
From $73.
The 8 hour longtail trip from Khao Lak includes canoeing and lunch on Koh Panyi.
Which trip is shortest?
The elephant visit.
The observation experience lasts 3 hours, from $53.
Do trips refund when the weather is bad?
Free cancellation applies.
Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before on most of these.
Is there an overnight trip?
Yes, to Cheow Lan Lake.
The 2 day tour from $312 sleeps on a floating bungalow.
Sources
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Opening/closed status of Thailand national parks ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Phang Nga retains its natural beauty for quiet beach holidays ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Phang Nga retains its natural beauty for quiet beach holidays ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Pullman Khao Lak adds 75 villas ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand Khao Sok National Park is 50th ASEAN Heritage Park ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand Khao Sok National Park is 50th ASEAN Heritage Park ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Opening/closed status of Thailand national parks ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Important information on marine tourism in Thailand during the Southwest monsoon season ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Important information on marine tourism in Thailand during the Southwest monsoon season ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Important information on marine tourism in Thailand during the Southwest monsoon season ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · TAT encourages travellers to check weather updates during monsoon season ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Important information on marine tourism in Thailand during the Southwest monsoon season ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · TAT encourages travellers to check weather updates during monsoon season ↩
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