Private Tour | 3-days/2-nights private tour in Cheow Lan Lake
The boat prices in Cheow Lan Lake will increase from November onwards. The price difference will be 1,000 Baht for a 2D/1N tour and with 1,500 Baht for a 3D/2N tour. This price difference will add to the total price of the all displayed per person prices further below.
Situated between Khao Sok National Park and Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Cheow Lan Lake has one of the most beautiful scenic views in Thailand.
While a 2-day/1-night stay leaves less time for various activities due to check-in and check-out times from the floating resorts, a 3-days/2-nights tour gives a much better opportunity to enjoy more of the attractions and activities around the lake.
Activities
With the 3-days/2-nights tour in Cheow Lan Lake you will be able to see scenic rock formations, hike to a viewpoint, visit a cave, hike in the jungle, kayak and drive around in the vicinity of your raft house for wildlife watching. The tour includes two nights stay in a raft house (floating bulgalows/floating resorts) of your choice, a private guide and a private boat with driver.
Why to book a private tour?
While the group tours in the lake are conducted with larger boats shared by up to 18 people and has a fixed itinerary, no others will share the guide or the boat with you during our tours. Our tours are strictly private and flexible, our guests can decide their day-to-day activities with the their guide.
Raft house options
500 Rai Floating Resort (high-end)
500 Rai Floating Resrt is one of the best raft houses in the lake, with 15 houses/units of various sizes. It is located at the far end of the lake, between Phupha Waree and Krai Son raft houses, with one of the best views in the lake. It is the only option in the lake providing electricity 24 hours/day (deluxe option with only 12 h/day a/c powered, others 24 h/day).
Following are the room types;
| Deluxe (4 pax) | 36 ㎡ - Master bedroom with double-size bed, loft with two mattresses. 1 kayak, 5 life jackets. A/c from 6 pm to 6 am. Check-in 2pm, check-out 9:30am |
| Villa (4 pax) | 42 ㎡ - Master bedroom with double-size bed, loft with two mattresses. 1 kayak, 5 life jackets. A/c 24h/day. Check-in 2pm, check-out 9:30am |
| Family Villa (8 pax) | 72 ㎡ - 2 connecting villas, 2 master bedrooms with double-size bed, 2 lofts with 4 mattresses, a/c 24h/day, 2 kayaks, 8 life jackets. Check-in 2pm, check-out 9:30am |
| Deluxe Suite (4 pax) | 72 ㎡ - Master bedroom with double-size bed, loft with 2 mattresses, a/c 24h/day, 2 kayaks, 7 life jackets (2 sofa beds for additional 2 pax if needed). Check-in 4pm, check-out 1pm |
| Family Suite (10 pax) | 86 ㎡ - 2 master bedrooms with double-size bed, 2 lofts with 6 mattresses, a/c 24h/day, 2 kayaks, 7 life jackets (2 sofa beds for additional 2 pax if needed). Check-in 4pm, check-out 1pm |
| Honeymoon Suite (4 pax) | 92 ㎡ - Master bedroom with double-size bed, loft with two mattresses, a/c 24h/day, 2 kayaks, 4 life jackets, private swimming pool, jacuzzi. Check-in 4pm, check-out 1pm |
Panvaree The Greenery Floating Resort (high-end)
The raft house is located in the entrance of Khlong Long tributary. Compared to other optiong in the lake, Panvaree The Greenery Raft House has fewer cabins/houses which makes it a relatively quiet place even when the place is fully booked, ideal for people avoiding crowds. Quality wise it is no doubt one of the best and most popular raft houses in the lake. Electricity is provided from 5pm until 9am.
Following are the room types;
| Superior room (2 pax) | For couples or 2 adults + small child (child to share same bed as parents but quoted half price). Rooms can be with either a double bed or twin beds, unfortunately can't be chosen, either one can be booked depending on availability and other circumstances. |
| Family section (4 pax) | For families up to 4 pax, 2 storeys, 2 rooms, 1 bathroom, 1 king size bed in each room. |
The price for the rooms varies depending on week-day, week-end day or holidays.
Panvaree Resort (high-end)
Located right next to Panvaree The Greenery, Panvaree Resort has similar quality and price level with different type of bed settings, it too has less cabin/houses. The rooms gets a bit cheaper at Panvaree Resort for groups of 3 people or more.
Following are the room types;
|
Garret house king (4 pax) |
Semi-detached to a garret house queen, with a king size bed and a loft area with 2 single mattresses on the floor. |
| Garret house queen (4 pax) | Semi-detached to a garret house king, with twin beds and a loft area with 2 single mattresses on the floor. Max 4 people |
| Private garret (4 pax) | Solitary unit (not semi-detached), with twin beds and a loft area with 2 single mattresses on the floor. Max 4 people |
The price for the rooms varies depending on week-day, week-end day or holidays.
Laguna Cheow Lan Raft House
Laguna Cheow Lan Raft House is located in Khlong Long tributary, in the middle of the lake. Each room have a king size and a single bed, private bathroom, a/c, balcony and can accommodate up to 3 people. The beds are on the floor. Electricity is provided from 6pm until 6am.
(a new increased price will apply for Laguna Cheow Lan from January 2025 onwards)
Phupha Waree Raft House
Phupha Waree Raft House is set back in a private alcove just inside Klong Pey, compared to most basic raft houses in the lake it is considered a bit better option. The rooms are equipped with 2 joined queen size beds, a private bathroom, a/c, balcony and can accommodate 2-4 people. While the smaller rooms will be booked for up to 3 people, the larger rooms will be booked for 4 people. Electricity is provided from 6pm until 6-7am.
Sai Chon Raft House
Sai Chon Raft House is a cheaper alternative. While being a very basic raft house, it is still a better option when compared to most other basic options in the lake mostly because the rooms have ensuite private bathroom. The raft house is located in Khlong Long tributary of the lake, not too far from the pier. The quality is somewhere between bamboo and average options. While the smaller rooms have 1 king size bed, the larger rooms have 2 king size beds. The rooms are equipped with fan only, electricity is provided from around 6pm until 6-7am.
Unlike the other raft houses, kayaking is not free at Sai Chon Raft House, rental will cost 200 Baht per kayak. The kayak fee is optional, not included in our listed prices for Sai Chon Raft House.
Itinerary
There is no strict itinerary with our lake tours, the following itinerary is just an example. Depending on the location of your raft house, weather conditions, your preferences the itinerary may be much different. Example; you may decide to do more kayaking, skip some activities for the other, or simply just decide to relax and spend some time with friend(s)/family at the raft house.
Day 1
- 10 am, Board your long-tail boat at Rajjaprabha Dam (Cheow Lan Lake Pier) enjoy the scenic tour of limestone karst formations on the way to floating bungalows
- Check in to the raft house. Enjoy a traditional Thai lunch
- Depart for a guided hike to a nearby viewpoint which has a breathtaking view over the lake
- Return to the raft house for a swim, relax and enjoy the scenery
- Afternoon wildlife safari by boat
- Enjoy your dinner
Day 2
- Breakfast
- Board long tail boat for a morning wildlife safari by boat
- Return to the rafthouse for free time
- After lunch, guided jungle hike
- Return to the raft house for a swim, relax
- Enjoy a traditional Thai dinner
Day 3
- Rise before breakfast for the morning mist safari, the best time to gibbons, macaques and dusky leaf monkeys
- Alternatively explore the surrounding area by kayak
- Return to raft house for breakfast
- Depending on the raft house and it's location the tour ends around 9:30 to 10 am at the pier
Where & When?
The tour starts at Cheow Lan Lake Pier (Rajjaprabha Dam), 65 km from park headquarters. We can arrange transfer from/to Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi, Ao Nang, Surat Thani and Khao Sok village straight to tour start in the morning or transfer to the mentioned towns after the tour.
The nearest airports are Surat Thani (~1h), Krabi (~2h) and Phuket Airport (~2.5h), you are recommended to arrive to the area a day before the tour start. This tour is not recommended to start the same day when arriving from the islands or the airports.
This tour is available throughout the year.
When to book?
High seasons periods in the lake are November to mid April and mid July to end of August. Bookings for these months should be done well in advance, earliest possible. Even if some of the raft houses may still have rooms available days/weeks before, guide availability is more of a concern. The guides may get fully booked months in advance for the busiest times of the year.
Panvaree The Greenery superior rooms should be booked at least 6-12 months in advance for the busier months of the year, family rooms too may get booked far in advance.
Laguna Cheow Lan should be booked at least 3-6 months in advance for the high seasons months.
Phupha Waree can be booked a couple of months ahead, for the high seasons months they may get fully booked for most dates 1-4 months before.
Sai Chon tends to have more availability compared to the other raft houses we offer, sometimes days/weeks before. But for the certain peak dates, they too will eventually get fully booked many months before.
Tour details in short:
- Duration: 3 days/2 nights
- Type: Private tour
- Price: * see the pricing table *
- Group size: 2 or more people
- Grade: Easy
- Transport: Long-tail boat
- Start: 10am (day 1)
- End: around 9:30 to10 am (day 3)
What to bring:
- Rain clothing, specially on rainy season
- Sneakers for hiking, sandals for waterfall/cave visit
- Personal toiletries
- Swimming clothing & towel
- Hat
- Flashlight
- Insect repellent
- Sunblock lotion
How much?
The tour will be led by a private guide which means no others will join you while exploring the lake and surrounding areas. The price for this tour package depends on the choice of accommodation and number of people, please see price per person further down.
The prices below do not include entrance fees to the national park.
Optional charges;
Coral Cave Rafthing
- From Krai Son or Phupha Waree raft houses; 1,900 Baht fixed price and 200 Baht per person entrance fee for Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary
- From Sai Chon or Panvaree The Greenery raft houses; 400 Baht fixed price and 200 Baht per person entrance fee for Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife oriented tour
Although our tour is more about visiting the attractions, enjoying the scenery and water activities in the lake, our price includes a bit of safari driving around the lake in hope to see a glimpse of wildlife around.
If you wish a more wildlife oriented tour, we can arrange it for an additional 2,000 Baht for on early morning of a late afternoon session a bit further away from your raft house area. Please let us know in case. The wildlife oriented tour is only suitable for the 2nd day over a 3D/2N tour and for this price, only one driving session.
| Price per person | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pax | Sai Chon | Phupha Waree | Laguna |
| 2 | 10,600 THB | 12,200 THB | 13,200 THB |
| 3 | 8,500 THB | 9,300 THB | 11,000 THB |
| 4 | 7,450 THB | 8,350 THB | 9,900 THB |
| 5 | 6,800 THB | 8,200 THB | 9,300 THB |
| 6 | 6,350 THB | 7,400 THB | 8,900 THB |
| 7 | 6,050 THB | 7,100 THB | 8,600 THB |
| 8 | 5,800 THB | 6,900 THB | 8,400 THB |
| Price per person | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pax | Panvaree Resort | Panvaree T. G. | 500 Rai |
| 2 | 16,600 to 18,700 THB | 15,900 to 18,500 THB | 27,400 to 56,700 THB |
| 3 | 13,400 to 16,400 THB | 16,400 to 20,200 THB | 22,400 to 38,400 THB |
| 4 | 10,700 to 12,200 THB | 12,500 to 15,200 THB | 20,000 to 30,600 THB |
| 5 | 12,200 to 14,800 THB | 14,700 to 18,600 THB | 25,200 to 26,100 THB |
| 6 | 11,400 to 14,300 THB | 11,500 to 14,200 THB | n/a |
| 7 | 10,100 to 12,200 THB | n/a | n/a |
| 8 | 9,200 to 10,700 THB | n/a | n/a |
Displayed prices are per person
Tour rates include:
- Lodging
- Guide
- Long-tail boat transportation
- Lunch and dinner on day-1, all meals on day-2 and breakfast on day-3
- Drinking water
- Kayaking (not included at Sai Chon Raft House)
- Accident insurance for incidents during the tour (covering the hospital costs)
Tour rates doesn't include:
- Entrance fees to the park
- Transfer to the lake from the nearby towns
- Kayaking (only at Sai Chon Raft House, the fee is included at the other raft houses we offer)
Reviews from our guests
By: World Wild Hearts | posted Sun 16 Apr, 2023 | Sai Chon
A video review from one of our guests. This clip wasn't promoted by us, nor were we informed in advance about it.
Review by; World Wild Hearts
By: Jason Paley | posted Tue 10 Sep, 2024 | Phupha Waree
BOOK THIS TRIP! We did so much research knowing we wanted to stay on the lake in Khao Sok National Park and also wanted a private tour to avoid the hassle that comes with traveling in a group, especially in rainy season. Ultimately we landed on this company after reading some reviews, and we are so grateful we did. Everything was lined up perfectly from our arranged travel from Khao Sok to the reservoir pickup, the raft house, and the arranged travel from the reservoir to our ferry to take us to Ko Tao, with the timing planned out perfectly and the cost given up front.
The raft house was what we expected - it was beautiful to be on the lake, have a kayak and access to jump straight in the water, and there were some elements of "roughing it" in terms of the room but again, it is a floating raft house, this was to be expected.
What we cannot say enough about, and what was easily one of the top highlights of our three week travels in Thailand, was our guide Junn and the boat driver Jon. Junn was the coolest, most fun person we interacted with on our whole vacation. She was so knowledgeable about the local plants and animals, and had a child-like excitement spotting the animals and plants she grew up around as a kid (she is a local.) Spending the few days with her on our little safaris, with her perfect photography and understanding of the area made our trip. She allowed us to do all the things we wanted to even in the pouring rain, huge shoutout to Junn!
What you have to understand about staying on the lake, and the tours in general, is that if you are looking for a bougie experience, stick to the islands/cities. It's sad to see people leave bad reviews for the tour company when most of the criticism is about the rain (come on, do your research, and read the info the company sends you) and the raft house (there's only so many places you can stay on the lake, and again, it's a remote floating raft house). If you are looking for a unique experience and can manage some minor issues with the lodging, which you trade for sleeping on the water, this trip is for you. We even got to hop in our kayak, travel for five minutes, and sit watching monkeys swing from tree to tree for an hour, where else can you do this?
By: Itxaso Visser | posted Sat 7 Sep, 2024 | Phupha Waree
A scam. The accommodation was horrible, absolutely not like the pictures, old, very dirty, very small, and a lot of water damage (as in the paint was literally falling off the walls). Water came into the rooms through the literal holes in the doors. Our guide was nice, that was the only positive point. We could not do much due to the rain, which is understandable. On the other hand, it rains 8 out of the 12 months of the year so an alternative programme that can be done when it rains, should have been in place. Would not recommend to anyone and will never come back.
> Tour operator's response
We already informed you this during the enquiry process;
"September is a rainy season month. Although the weather will be good most of the time, there can be occasional rain, but there can be intensive and long rain sessions which happen a few times a year. Our tours will conduct even if the weather forecasts show signs of bad weather, because a boat driver and a guide will be committed to this service but also; rooms will be booked. We can't offer last minute discounts because some attractions/trails may not be accessible. The lake tours should be booked with "no matter the weather" in mind."
"While the raft house is quite basic, in lake standards it is an average option."
With these lines, we have given you all the signs you need that you shouldn't book this tour with us if the rain/raft house choice is a concern for you.
For your consideration we have in fact given some other sign to you as well, so that we are transparent about all expectation, such as the English level of our guides.
This is a lake, and you have been unlucky with the rain that you did't want to get out or so bad that you couldn't get out, what else can be done if you are stuck at the raft house? What alternatives can there be? Play chess?
All the previous reviews during the rainy season tells clearly rain is not of a big issue for most of the time, the very vast majority still enjoys the tour.
I have stayed in both rooms types at Phupha Waree, it is exactly how it is at the photos. Again, just check the previous reviews to see how many things otherwise. You are not complaining about the bed, the bed space, anything specific about the room, but you are only complaining about the water problem in the bathroom that leaked into the room, how can that be seen in the photos of the rooms?
Did you take the water issue with the reception team to sort out? This doesn't mean the same issue is with every single rooms. September is a low season month, not all rooms booked out, it would take a few moments to change to a new room.
How can water leaking to the room not be a big problem? Do you think the management would ignore a such issue? Would they allow the water do further damage the room floor and the bed? The logic tell me that this just started to happen while you were there.
We are puzzled how some of our guests doesn't bring up the issue with the reception team, but instead complaining afterwards to us. We are not managing the rooms, we book these on behalf of our guests.
So, rain ruining your tour, you are not putting any effort to address the bathroom issue and call this "a scam"?
By: Nicholas Schmid | posted Fri 6 Sep, 2024 | Phupha Waree
Nhum was outstanding in every way, we had a really really wonderful time!
By: Helen Townend | posted Fri 6 Sep, 2024 | Phupha Waree
Great stay at Koh Sok NationalPark - the best thing we've done in Thailand
Junn and Jon our guide and boat captain were fab, very attentive and great at spotting animals, we saw monkey, toucan, eagle, bison and even elephant
Floating hotel was great as was the food
Thanks so much
By: Ann De Jonghe | posted Sat 31 Aug, 2024 | Phupha Waree
Thé hotel is located in a beatifull environment. Thé houses have their own kayak, which we used to go and see thé monkeys opposite our lodge. Thé food could be better but is ok and you wo'nt be hungry as they serve until you have enough. Our guide was friendly and helpful but his English was rather limited. We had quite some rain but liked it nevertheless, particularly thé waterfall hike.
By: Jana Sommer | posted Thu 22 Aug, 2024 | Phupha Waree
Everything was Perfect! Starting with the booking process with extremely helpful and attentive staff. The trip it self was so much fun! And having a private guide was amazing. Will definitely recommend to my friends when visiting Thailand.
By: Andrea Tschan | posted Mon 19 Aug, 2024 | Phupha Waree
It was very amazing. Our guide Nid was very friendly, helpful, funny and he knew so much about nature and wildlife. And we really enjoyed his evening gitarre session ;). The nationalparc is really amazing, truly a place to visit. The stay was nice but the food was just to much. It was good but we couldn‘t eat everything because it was too much food to eat for 2 people.
By: Ingrid van Denderen | posted Mon 19 Aug, 2024 | Phupha Waree
Our guide Noom was kind, helpfull, funny and looked wellicht after us. The accommodation needs a renovation. And the service was a little bit dissapointing. It is beter if we can choose our own meals.
By: Thomas Koomen | posted Sat 17 Aug, 2024 | Phupha Waree
The park was fantastic and the view was mesmerizing, our guide was really friendly but a bit to much and did not know a lot about the wildlife. All in all still a great trip