Khao Sok cooking class: Learn Thai food with a local family

Harvest jungle ingredients and cook them over a fire with the family who grows them

A full-day cooking class in Khao Sok National Park where you prepare and cook a traditional Thai lunch with a local family in their jungle home, then float the Sok River on a handmade bamboo raft. The experience includes hotel pickup, all ingredients and cooking instruction. You'll also stop at the Khao Sok viewpoint and visit a cave temple. Available as a private trip or joined group.

The experience

The day starts at the Khao Sok viewpoint, where limestone cliffs rise above the jungle canopy. From there a short drive takes you to Mr. Yoo's home in the forest, where his family teaches you to identify and harvest seasonal fruits, herbs and vegetables growing around the property. Once you've collected what you need, you move into the kitchen to learn how they prepare it: chopping, stirring and seasoning a traditional Thai lunch using methods the family has used for years. You cook alongside them, eat what you've made, then say goodbye and head to the river.

The Sok River leg is a slow drift on a handmade bamboo raft, the same kind used here for centuries to move goods and people. As the raft glides downriver, limestone mountains rise on both sides and the gorge narrows around you. Partway down you pull onto a sandbank for jungle coffee brewed in a bamboo kettle, then walk to a small cave temple before the raft ride ends. The whole experience runs as a private trip or a joined group. Both include hotel pickup, all the food and cooking tools, and bottled water throughout the day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• all fresh ingredients for the cooking class.
• traditional cooking instruction and utensils.
• a full Thai lunch you prepare.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• jungle coffee and a walk to the cave temple.
• the Khao Sok viewpoint stop and the bamboo raft float down the Sok River.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tripGuide in English or Thai · No fixed timePrivate tour, pickup is included

Joined Group TripGuide in English or Thai · No fixed timeIncludes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 to 75 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Stroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Discovery Travel - Khao Lak

Is this one for you?Book the private trip if you want Mr. Yoo's family's full attention during the cooking lesson and a more intimate pace. Choose the joined group trip to meet other travelers and share the cost while following the same itinerary and learning the same recipes.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Thai.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of food do you actually cook in the class?

The menu changes with the season, but typically includes Thai chicken curry, stir-fried vegetables, tempura vegetables and fresh fruit. Mr. Yoo and his family choose what to prepare based on what is growing or available that day, so you learn to work with what the jungle provides rather than following a fixed recipe.

How long is the whole experience from pickup to drop-off?

The full day runs from hotel pickup through the river float and cave temple visit. You spend the morning at the family home learning to harvest and cook, eat lunch there, then float the river in the afternoon before returning to your hotel.

What happens if I book the joined group trip instead of private?

Both options follow the same itinerary and include the same activities: cooking with the family, lunch, and the bamboo raft float. The joined group trip means you'll share the experience with other travelers rather than having Mr. Yoo's family to yourself.

Is the bamboo raft ride safe for people who aren't strong swimmers?

The raft drifts gently down the river. It is not a whitewater or adventure ride. You sit on the raft and float, so swimming ability is not required. The raft has been used in this area for centuries as a practical transport method.