Cheow Lan Lake Day Tour: Prices & Itinerary
A longtail boat day tour on Cheow Lan Lake, Khao Sok
Cheow Lan Lake is the highlight of Khao Sok National Park. A day tour takes you by longtail boat past towering limestone cliffs. You visit a cave and eat lunch at a floating restaurant. There's time to swim and kayak too.
This guide compares Cheow Lan Lake day tours from Khao Sok village, the lake pier and Krabi. It also covers hiring your own longtail boat. If you're staying in Phuket, see our Khao Sok tour package from Phuket guide for those tours.
- These are seller prices on the date I checked. They change with the season and group size. Check the seller's page before booking.
- The park fee differs by source. Thailand Magazine's day tour lists a ฿200 park fee plus a ฿20 trash fee. Most other sources, including Viagotour and Cheow Lan Lake Tour, say ฿300 for foreign adults. A ฿40 pier fee is added on top.
- Thailand Magazine's Cheow Lan Lake page has no date. Its ฿1,500 day tour and longtail hire prices may have changed. Visit Thailand Today (October 2026) confirms the same longtail hire prices.
- I couldn't find a Khao Lak day tour with a baht price. Khao Sok Lake Tour gives a rough range of ฿1,800 to ฿3,200 for day tours from Phuket or Khao Lak. It doesn't name a specific seller.
- Nam Talu Cave isn't available. Siam Tour and Realty says it's closed until further notice. Visit Thailand Today says it's closed from June to November.
- No seller mentions halal meals. Lunch is usually Thai food at a floating restaurant. Ask for seafood or vegetarian food when you book.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Pier | Ratchaprapha Dam Pier |
| Park fee | ฿300 per foreign adult (24 hours), plus ฿40 pier fee |
| Private longtail hire | ฿2,000 for 2 hours, ฿2,800 for 3 hours, per boat |
| Day tours from Khao Sok village | From ฿1,500 per person |
| Day tours from Krabi | From ฿3,100 per adult |
| Best arrival time | 08:00 to 10:00 |
| Best months | December to April |
Day tour prices
From Khao Sok village
Village day tours are the cheapest way to see the lake
| Tour | Seller | Price | Park fee | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khao Sok Lake Day Tour | Thailand Magazine | ฿1,500 per person | Extra (฿200 + ฿20 trash fee) | View tour |
The tour meets at 08:30 at the tour office in Khao Sok village. It returns by 18:00. It includes an English-speaking guide, transport, meals and drinks. Groups are up to 20 people. You pay cash at the start.
From the lake pier (private tours)
These start at Ratchaprapha Dam Pier. You need to get there yourself or book a transfer.
Thai National Parks private tour (park fee extra):
| Group size | Price per person | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | ฿7,900 | View tour |
| 2 people | ฿4,400 | View tour |
| 3 people | ฿3,200 | View tour |
| 4 people | ฿2,600 | View tour |
| 5 people | ฿2,300 | View tour |
| 6 people | ฿2,000 | View tour |
| 7 people | ฿1,800 | View tour |
It includes a private guide, a private longtail boat, lunch, snacks, a kayak and insurance. It runs from 10:00 to about 16:00.
Viagotour private longtail tour (park fee extra, ฿340 per adult):
| Group size | Price per person | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 people | ฿2,599 | View tour |
| 4 to 6 people | ฿1,999 | View tour |
| 7 to 20 people | ฿1,550 | View tour |
It includes a private longtail boat, lunch at a floating restaurant and kayaking. It runs from 10:00 to 15:00. Viagotour also offers transfers from Surat Thani airport, train station and bus station.
From Krabi
| Tour | Seller | Adult | Child | Park fee | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khao Sok & Cheow Lan Lake Day Trip | Siam Tour and Realty | ฿3,100 | ฿2,700 | Included | View tour |
Pickup is 06:30 to 07:30. You're back at 18:00 to 19:30. It includes Diamond Cave, lunch at a floating restaurant and an English-speaking guide.
From Phuket
Day tours from Phuket start at ฿2,600 per adult with Phuket-Tour.com. See our Khao Sok tour package from Phuket guide for the full price comparison.
DIY: hire your own longtail boat
Hire a longtail boat yourself at Ratchaprapha Dam Pier
If you have your own transport, you can hire a longtail at the pier. Visit Thailand Today and Thailand Magazine both list these prices:
- 2 hours: ฿2,000 per boat
- 3 hours: ฿2,800 per boat
Thailand Magazine says the price is the same regardless of group size. There's no guide and no jungle trekking. Add the ฿300 park fee and ฿40 pier fee per person.
Best for: Groups of 4 or more who just want to see the cliffs and take photos.
Sample day tour itinerary
This is Thai National Parks' private tour from the pier:
10:00Meet at the pier and board a longtail boat
Pra Kai Phet (Diamond) Cave
MorningCruise across the lake to the Khlong Kla arm. Then take a jungle hike to Pra Kai Phet (Diamond) Cave.
Lunch is served at a floating raft house
MiddayLunch at a floating raft house
AfternoonBoat tour to see the Khao Sam Kloe limestone pillars. Then go kayaking and swimming at the raft house.
16:00Back at the pier
If you're coming from Khao Sok village, add about an hour's drive each way. Thailand Magazine's village tour starts at 08:30 and returns by 18:00.
What's usually included
Most day tours include kayaking
Most day tours include:
- A longtail boat ride
- A cave visit, usually Coral Cave or Diamond Cave
- Lunch at a floating restaurant
- Swimming and kayaking
- A guide (except DIY longtail hire)
Check whether your tour includes transfers and the park fee.
Best time to go
Khao Sok Lake Tour says crowds are light before 09:00. They peak from 11:00 to 13:00. Arrive between 08:00 and 10:00 for the calmest water.
Visit Thailand Today says December to April is best, with February the driest month. September is the wettest.
What to bring
- Swimwear, a towel and water shoes
- Sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent
- A dry bag and a poncho
- Cash for the park fee, drinks and snacks
- Halal snacks, as halal meals aren't offered
Tips for Malaysian travellers
- Stay in Khao Sok village for the cheapest day tour, from ฿1,500.
- Ask for halal, seafood or vegetarian lunch when you book.
- Bring cash. Thailand Magazine says the floating restaurants don't exchange money or have ATMs.
- Consider staying overnight. Smiley's 2-day lake tour costs ฿2,500, only ฿1,000 more than a day tour.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the park fee is included. It usually isn't for village and pier tours.
- Arriving at the pier at midday, when it's busiest.
- Expecting to visit Nam Talu Cave on a day tour. It's closed.
- Booking a private tour as a solo traveller. A group tour is much cheaper.
Sourced from Thailand Magazine Khao Sok Lake Day Tour, Thailand Magazine Cheow Lan Lake Guide, Thai National Parks 1-Day Tour at Cheow Lan Lake, Viagotour Khao Sok Lake One Day Tour, Siam Tour and Realty Day Trip from Krabi, Phuket-Tour.com 1 Day Tour, Khao Sok Lake Tour One Day Tour, Cheow Lan Lake Tour 2026, Visit Thailand Today Khao Sok Guide and Khao Sok Smiley 2 Days Overnight Lake Tour.