Cheow Lan Lake Tour from Krabi: Boat, Jungle & Lunch

Summary

Cheow Lan Lake day trip with boat cruise jungle hike and lunch

You’ll cruise Cheow Lan Lake’s emerald waters by longtail boat, wander through Khao Sok’s rainforest with a local guide, explore a cool cave full of stalactites, and eat lunch at floating bungalows before swimming or kayaking on your own. It’s one of those day trips from Krabi where you’ll feel both tired and oddly peaceful by sunset—something you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re not going to believe this,” was the first thing I messaged my sister after we’d glided out onto Cheow Lan Lake. The water was this weirdly perfect green — not blue, not quite jade — and the longtail boat’s engine made just enough noise to drown out my own thoughts for a bit. Our guide, Nok, pointed at a cluster of limestone towers jutting up like the backs of old elephants. She said locals call it the “Guilin of Thailand.” I tried to snap a photo but honestly, it didn’t come close.

The drive from Krabi was longer than I expected (maybe two hours?), but watching rubber trees flick past and seeing morning mist on the hills made it feel less like a transfer and more like… well, like you’re actually going somewhere. At the pier, Nok handed us cold water and grinned when I nearly tripped getting into the boat — she said everyone does that their first time. There were gibbons calling in the distance as we floated past tangled jungle; someone behind me whispered they saw a hornbill but I missed it. Typical.

After docking near some floating bungalows (they bob gently if you stand still), we had lunch — spicy curry, rice, fruit — nothing fancy but somehow exactly what I wanted after sweating through that short jungle hike. The cave was cooler than outside and smelled faintly earthy; stalactites dripped in slow motion above us. We kayaked for a while after eating, mostly drifting because none of us had much upper body strength left by then. Sunlight kept shifting across the lake so every photo looked different.

I keep thinking about how quiet it got once we turned off the engine heading back. Just wind and water slapping against wood. Nok told us stories about growing up near Khao Sok National Park — her laugh echoed off the cliffs when I tried to repeat one of her phrases in Thai (I definitely butchered it). By the time we reached Krabi again, my shirt was still damp from swimming and my head felt lighter somehow. Not sure if that makes sense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cheow Lan Lake Adventure from Krabi

• Drive from Krabi to Ratchaprapha Dam
• Longtail boat cruise on Cheow Lan Lake
• Jungle hike and cave exploration
• Lunch and leisure at floating bungalows
• Return boat ride and drive back to hotel

Top questions

How long is the day trip to Cheow Lan Lake from Krabi?

The tour lasts a full day with early morning pickup and evening return to your hotel in Krabi.

Is lunch included on the Cheow Lan Lake tour?

Yes, a traditional Thai lunch is served at floating bungalows on the lake.

What activities are part of this Cheow Lan Lake tour?

You’ll take a longtail boat ride, hike in Khao Sok National Park, explore a cave, swim or kayak, and have lunch on the lake.

Are hotel transfers included in this day trip?

Yes, round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in Krabi are included.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the group throughout the day.

Can children join this Cheow Lan Lake tour?

Infants can join if seated on an adult’s lap; however, travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers are not recommended to join.

Does this tour include entrance fees for Khao Sok National Park?

Yes, all necessary national park entrance fees are covered in your booking.

What should I bring for swimming or kayaking?

You should bring swimwear; kayak equipment and life jackets are provided as part of the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Krabi, all national park entry fees covered up front, a guided longtail boat ride across Cheow Lan Lake to floating raft houses where you’ll have a simple Thai lunch (with fruit and coffee), plus time for swimming or kayaking with all gear provided before heading back in the evening.