Photo:Ahmet Yüksek ✪ — Pexels License, Pexels · Ahmet Yüksek ✪ — Pexels License, Pexels
Cheo Lan – a reservoir created in 1987 when the Ratchaprapha dam was built and the valley in Khao Sok National Park was flooded. The former mountain peaks remain above water – over a hundred limestone cliffs, so the lake is called Thailand’s Guilin. Average depth is about 40 m, maximum about 90 m. Houses, schools and temples remain on the bottom: before the flooding, 385 families were relocated from here.
This is one of the farthest day trips from Phuket: the pier on the lake is about 155 km away, 2.5–3 hours one way. But along the way there are two points that attract visitors on their own: Samet Nangse viewpoint and Bang Tong temple.
Step-by-step route
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Samet Nangse Viewpoint
The viewpoint is in Phang Nga province, above the bay: below is turquoise water, mangrove forests and dozens of rock islands. You go up in a pickup on a steep red dirt road – better not wear light clothing, the road is dusty. In the morning fog often lies between the islands, usually clearing by 8–9 am.
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Bang Tong Temple
Wat Mahathat Wachiramongkol in the Ao Luk area, Krabi province. Its main feature is a golden stupa about 95 m high, built on the model of the Mahabodhi temple in India's Bodh Gaya. Construction began in 2002 for the current king’s 50th anniversary. Enter the temple with shoulders and knees covered.
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Viewpoint at Ratchaprapha Dam
The dam, 95 m high and 761 m long, blocked the valley in 1987. Its name – “the king’s light” – was given by King Rama IX. From the platform you can see the lake disappearing between the cliffs deep into the national park.
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Longtail Boat Safari
You travel across the lake on a wooden longtail boat, all in life jackets – splashes fly as you go. Around you is one of the oldest evergreen rainforests: the park is home to gibbons, hornbills, macaques and Asian elephants. No one guarantees wildlife sightings on a day trip, but gibbon calls from the cliffs are often heard.
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Guilin Rocks – Khao Sam Kloe
Three almost identical limestone pillars rise straight from the water – mountain tops that were almost completely submerged when the valley was flooded. This is the lake’s main photo spot: boats stop here for pictures.
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Lunch on a Floating Restaurant
Accommodation and restaurants on the lake sit on pontoons – hardly anyone goes to the shore. Lunch is in the middle of the lake, between the rocks.
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Canoeing and Swimming
The water is fresh, emerald, about 28 °C. From the pontoon it’s deep right away – under the floating houses it can be over 20 m, so you swim only with a life jacket. Do not drink the lake water: tourists report stomach problems after doing so.
Daily
- 2600 ฿
- Children 4–10 2300 ฿
What to bring
- Swimsuit – better to wear it right away
- Towel and change of clothes
- Temple clothing: shoulders and knees covered
- Raincoat and waterproof phone case
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
- Cash for small expenses
Good to know
- The road is the main thing to consider in advance. The pier is about 155 km away, 2.5–3 hours one way, and travelers sometimes say up to 4 hours. If you find long drives hard, look at the 2‑day program “Khao Sok and Cheo Lan” with an overnight stay on the lake.
- The lake is in Khao Sok National Park. Entry fee for foreigners – 300 baht per adult and 150 baht per child.
- Swimming is allowed only with a life jacket: the pontoons are deep right away.
- In the temple – shoulders and knees must be covered.
- Khao Sok is the rainiest region of Thailand. Rain falls from late April to November, usually short and in the evening. The clearest water is from November to April. The lake is open year‑round.
- Fog at Samet Nangse and a clear horizon are not guaranteed in any season – it’s weather, not a schedule.
- Traveling with small children is tough because of the road.
Questions and answers
How long does it take to get from Phuket to Cheo Lan?
The pier on the lake is about 155 km away – 2.5–3 hours one way, depending on where your hotel is in Phuket. On the way there are stops at Samet Nangse viewpoint and Bang Tong temple.
Can you swim in the lake?
Yes, at the floating restaurant, wearing a life jacket. The water is about 28 °C, fresh. The depth near the pontoons is immediately deep, and it’s best not to drink the water.
One‑day trip or overnight?
In one day you’ll see the highlights: the viewpoint, the temple, Sam Kloe rocks and the lake. With an overnight stay you add sunrise on the water, an evening boat safari and cave temples, and the road doesn’t take the whole day. For that there’s a 2‑day “Khao Sok and Cheo Lan” program.
Can you go with children?
Yes, there’s a child price for ages 4–10. But keep in mind the drive: 5–6 hours in the car in one day can be hard for little ones.
Will we see wild animals?
We won’t promise it. Elephants and tapirs are in the park, but they’re mostly seen on multi‑day trips. In a day you’ll most often hear gibbons and see macaques and birds.
The organiser reserves the right to make changes to the program due to weather or other conditions that prevent the excursion from taking place.
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