Lake Cheo Lan, Thailand

General information and history

If you are on holiday in Phuket , be sure to visit Cheow Lan Lake . The water area is located on the territory of Khao Sok National Park, in Surat Thani Province. The area of ​​the water area is about 165 km². The reservoir is surrounded by karst mountains, thickets of tropical trees and winding rivers. The water in the reservoir can be turquoise, or it can be blue – it all depends on how sunny the day is. The minimum depth is about 70 m, the maximum is 300 m, the greatest width is about 1000 m. 

The origin of  the lake

Who would have thought that it was not Mother Nature but human hands that worked on the creation of Cheow Lan Lake. This happened in 1982 after the construction of the Rachaprapa Dam on the Klong Saeng River. After the construction of the dam, two villages had to be flooded, a piece of land in a mountain crevice where residential villages were located, all of this ended up under water. 

The locals’ homes, a Buddhist temple, agricultural plots, and a school were submerged and remain there to this day. The residents of the flooded villages were given new plots of land in advance and were given the opportunity to engage in the tourist business. 

Best time to travel

The climate in the southern Thailand region is divided into 2 seasons – dry and rainy. Dry prevails from November to April (as in Phuket ). At this time, the weather is sunny, there is almost no precipitation, you can go kayaking, swimming, walking in the jungle. 

Entertainment for tourists

The state carefully protects the protected Khao Sok, so tourists can feel like a part of untouched nature, absorb its beauty and tranquility. There are no fashionable hotels, expensive restaurants and bars, shopping centers and entertainment parks. But there are incomparable natural landscapes, boat rides on the lake , walks through the mysterious jungle. On the way to the Khao Sok National Park, in addition to Lake Cheow Lan, you can see monasteries and temples, learn a lot of interesting things about Buddhism and local culture.

Active recreation

For vacationers who don’t mind meeting curious primates, we recommend buying a tour along various routes in the Thai reserve. The park has special sites for viewing unique attractions, where you can admire the magnificent views of the territory and take memorable photos against their backdrop.

Elephant trekking

Elephant rides are very popular in Thailand and on the lake in particular, especially among children. To do this, you need to sit in a special saddle located on the animal’s back. The giant will slowly take you along the paths, through the dense jungle. There are always professional instructors nearby, just like during walks in Phuket . 

From the height of an elephant’s back you will see much more than from the height of your own growth: stunning forests, picturesque hills, beautiful waterfalls, different types of plants, birds and wild animals. And the ride on this huge animal itself already causes a certain thrill, gives new emotions. 

Exploring the caves

There are several interesting caves on Cheow Lan Lake . One of them is Tam Tao in the center of an artificial lake. The cave is amazing in its size, stalactites and stalagmites are visible everywhere. There is lighting and equipped paths inside, underground lakes and rivers. 

No less popular is the Hau Dao Cave, famous for its incredible stalagmite and stalactite shapes. As you go deeper into the cave, you will come across a modest-sized temple where you can pray or simply enjoy the atmosphere of the place. 

Nam Tulu Cave

Nam Tulu, or “wet cave,” is one of the largest in Khao Sok. Inside the cavity is a riverbed about 50 cm deep (you have to walk through it) and sections that you have to swim through. The cave is home to bats.

Other entertainment options

In addition to passive relaxation on the beach, Cheow Lan offers a lot of active entertainment.

1. Kayaking and canoeing . The lake offers equipment for rent for a detailed exploration of the reservoir.
2. Swimming . Tourists can swim in the lake, plunging into the clear water in hot weather.
3. Jungle walks . During such hikes through dense thickets it is easy to see local birds and animals, enjoy the fabulous view of the forest.
4. Visiting temples . On the way to Khao Sok Park, in addition to Cheow Lan Lake, you can see monasteries and temples, learn a lot of interesting things about Buddhism and local culture.

Hotels and accommodation

There are no prestigious hotels or luxury hotels in Khao Sok. Vacationers stay in tourist centers with houses on the water, scattered around the reservoir.

Rafthouse

Cheow Lan Lake has unusual accommodations – rows of houses on the water. They are called raft houses and are held on special rafts. You must admit, spending some time here is pure romance! Check-in to the houses is until 17:00.  

Rafthouse site

To book a romantic lake house , contact your tour operator or visit the website. You will also have to pay for a boat to the rafthouse and back. The cost of the trip depends on the number of people. 

Hotel options

Housing of varying levels of comfort and, accordingly, different prices are available for living. 

How to get there

Lake Cheow Lan was built 150 km from Phuket Island , in Surat Thani Province. Many vacationers visiting the island come here to enjoy nature and entertainment. From Phuket to Cheow Lan you can get by car or book an excursion with a transfer. 

There are 4 more options on how to get to Cheo Lan.

1. By plane, train or bus from Bangkok, then by bus or train to Surat Thani, and then by taxi or tuk-tuk to the lake itself, where you can pay the entrance fee to the National Park and rent a boat for a walk
2. Taxi or transfer from Surat Thani airport or Krabi town directly to Cheow Lan Lake . Convenient but expensive.  
3. By rented car on Highway 401, which passes through the city of Takua Pa. 
4. With excursion . The tour price often includes transfer from Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi.

Tickets and price

The ticket price for visiting Cheow Lan depends on the chosen mode of travel and the season.

Khao Sok Park Tickets

Entrance to the park costs: 

• 200 baht for children aged 4 to 14 years; 
• 300 baht for adults; 
• free for children under 4 years old. 

The entrance fee to the park is already included in the tour price. If you visit Khao Sok on your own, you pay on site.

Excursions to the lake

Lake excursions are exciting guided trips throughout the year. 

Description of excursions

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most popular excursions on Lake Cheow Lan .

1. By boat on the water area , where you will see fantastic natural landscapes. The boatmen will show the main attractions of the lake: the Three Sisters rocks , the Guilin rocks, shady grottoes and lagoons.  
2. Visiting karst caves , where you should definitely take non-slip shoes. 

Cost of excursions Khao Sok-Cheo Lan

The cost of the excursion depends on the duration (1, 2 days) and the program.  

When traveling to Cheow Lan during peak season, we recommend booking excursions in advance. 

Flora and fauna of the lake

Lake Cheow Lan is famous for its many species of plants and animals, birds. Oak and teak trees grow here. Clouded leopards, monitor lizards, gibbons, tapirs, and biruangs (Malayan “sun ” bears) live in the vicinity of the reservoir. As in Phuket , macaques and bats live on land. 

From December to February, the rafflesia blooms here – a huge red flower with a very unpleasant aroma, similar to the smell of rotten meat. Because of this, the plant is also called the “corpse lily ” . 

Location on the map

Cheow Lan Lake is located in Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani Province, northern Thailand . 

FAQ

We answer the most frequently asked questions from travelers.

1. What to bring to Cheow Lan Lake ? We recommend light clothing, hat/cap, sunscreen, swimsuit/swimming trunks, change of clothes, mosquito repellent, comfortable walking shoes and a camera/smartphone.
2. Is there a cafe on the lake or near it for lunch ? Yes, as a rule, there is a restaurant and a mini-shop with snacks and essential goods at the tourist centers, some centers even have a bar with drinks.  When buying an excursion and staying in a rafthouse, three meals a day are included in the tour price. 
3. How long are the excursions ? Lake cruises last from a few hours to a full day. Some tours offer overnight stays in floating houses or campsites.
4. What you can’t do at Cheow Lan Lake ? When visiting the lake in Thailand, it is forbidden to go to unfamiliar places on your own, fish and hunt without permission, swim in prohibited areas, destroy plants, litter, engage in commerce without permission from the authorities, swim while under the influence of drugs/alcohol, etc. 

Conclusion

Cheow Lan Lake offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature, all kinds of activities, have a good rest, relax, and also get acquainted with the cultural heritage of the region. A trip to this unique reservoir in Thailand will certainly become an unforgettable experience for you, your family or friends.