Off the beaten track: Khao Sok National Park

For the longest time, travellers to Thailand have traditionally headed to the north of the country for jungles, wilderness and mountains and to the south for sea, sand and sun. Yet with Khao Sok National Park right on Phuket’s doorstep, it doesn’t have to be like that – it’s actually possible to sunbathe on Phuket’s lovely beaches in the morning and find yourself in the almost untouched wilderness of Khao Sok in the afternoon.

And getting to Khao Sok is easy: Most tour operators can arrange transport and, with local roads in good condition (in the dry season), renting a car and driving yourself is also an option. The latter also gives you the opportunity to explore the national park on your own once you get there.

A network of smaller or larger trails snake their way through the park and, if you’re lucky (and stay quiet), you might be able to see some of the park’s rare wildlife. There is a 300-baht entry fee which comes with a detailed map of the park. If you’re not comfortable with roaming around on your own, guided tours can also be arranged at the park entrance.

Covering more than 700sqkm, Khao Sok National Park is a nature-lover’s paradise. It’s covered by one of the oldest evergreen forests in the world – believed to be over 160 million years old – complemented by huge limestone mountains that rise up here and there, dramatic waterfalls, inviting and cooling swimming holes, deep lakes and mysterious caves. With all this wilderness, the park is home to an astonishing array of wildlife, including wild elephants, gibbons, tapirs, tigers, deer and wild boar.