Visit to Floating village inside Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is located on the mountain ridge which separates the east and west coast of the
Thai peninsula. It is situated in the west of Suratthani province in Ban Ta Khum and Phanom districts and
covers an area of 738.74 square kilometres. Khao Sok National Park is surrounded by the wildlife
sanctuaries of Khlong Nakha and Kaeng Krung National Park. To the west of Khao Sok lies the Phang Nga
National Park. These reserves make up the largest area of continuous evergreen tropical forests in
Thailand stretching to 4000 square kilometres!There are many trekking trails within the national park.
Some of these lead to crystal clear rivers, underwater caves and limestone cliff formations. These treks
range from 10 km. to 15 km. and have different gradients of difficulty. The Park opens at 6:00 a.m. and
closes at 6:00 p.m. throughout the week. Some of the destinations for trekking inside the park include
the Wing Hin, Bang Hua Raet, Bang Liap Nam and Sipet-chan waterfalls. San Yang Roi is the view point
for a bird's eye view of the jungle. One can also visit the floating village and Nam Taloo cave by a long
tailed boat. Hard core trekkers can trek through the dense jungle to visit Tam Nam pool. This round trip
can be completed in eight hours at a gentle pace.One starts one's trek to Tam Nam natural pool and
gorge at 6:15 a.m. ensuring to enter the park as soon as it opens at 6 a.m. After entering the park, one
crosses the wooden bridge across the Khlong Sok River and turns right to locate the forest trail.
Rainforests recycle 75% of the rainfall they receive in any given year through the process of evaporation
and transpiration. The water that rises as vapour eventually falls as rain. In the meantime it broods over
the forest in the form of humid air and rain clouds. These clouds moderate the effect of the sun by
reflecting some of the potentially damaging heat. Hence, trekking in a rainforest is equivalent of jogging
inside a steam bath. Tam Nam is a 12 km. trek which can take from six to eight hours, as it is a difficult
trek.

The extreme humidity dense undergrowth and thick forest cover makes every step a challenge!. The

first three kilometres are relatively easy, but a steady climb up the hill nevertheless. One can

feel one's muscles ache as one ascends the hill through a winding mud road. The obstacles here

are patches of quicksand, stones, rocks and boulders and not the trees. Bamboo groves line up

both sides of the path. One can sight a few stray macaques and an occasional gibbon dangling from the
treetops. The wild sounds of the rainforests pervade the morning air. Chirps of sparrows, whines of
hornbills, squeaks of the monkeys, clicking shrill squeaks of the monitor lizards and hoots of owls.

The number of wind-fallen trees also increase and one is constantly jumping over these obstacles

at every step. However, vines and creepers offer good support in one's march to the summit. After

an hour of dedicated effort, one can hear the roaring sound of a waterfall. Tam Nam is now only

200 metres away. The last 200 metres are the most difficult to cover. One descends the rocky path

on one's back clinging to vines on both sides for much needed support. One can sight a few stray
macaques and an occasional gibbon dangling from the treetops. The wild sounds of the rainforests
pervade the morning air. Chirps of sparrows, whines of hornbills, squeaks of the monkeys, clicking sound
of the lizards and hoots of owls. One takes one step at a time, mentally preparing for one of the
toughest treks inside the park. After two hours of non-stop trekking, one comes across Bang Hua Raet.
One rests under the canopy of the bamboo groves, on the banks of the stream. After catching one's
breath, one crosses a makeshift bridge over the stream, which is no more than two wooden planks
placed strategically across the boulders.

After one enters the core area of the jungle, trekking becomes a different stoy altogether. One has to
constantly pay attention if one is on the right track. The ramifications of getting lost inside a 4000 acre
rainforest in the middle of a strange country need not be explained. However, one is able to locate
isolated footprints of earlier trekkers and coupling this with intuition and carefully keeping the stream in
sight, one continues the uphill struggle. 30 minutes later one is not trekking but either jumping over
fallen trees or squeezing under giant trees that block one's path. The shape, size and number of trees,
keep increasing as one progresses further. The forest trail now begins to disappear and one is constantly
stepping on roots of giant trees to maintain one's pace. After an hour of struggle trying to get around
the trees, one finds a narrow path alongside the stream which is 50 feet below. Though the obstacles
here are lesser, the path is extremely slippery and every step needs to be watched. However, one
maintains one's balance by delicately clasping the numerous vines and creepers on the right and
relentlessly moving forward. It is important that one moves at all times, as one must return by 6 p.m.
before the closure of the park. Imagine spending the night in a rainforest, sleeping under the stars on
the forest floor! After about 45 minutes of a steady trek along the stream, the trail now climbs steeply
upwards.

One starts soaking in one's own sweat as if one has just experienced a sudden shower. Fully drenched
one stops to rest under a small pool. One quenches one thirst before climbing on. As one climbs higher,
the fauna undergoes a dramatic change. Gone are the bamboo, palms and ferns one encountered at
the beginning. The trunks of some of these giant trees are as wide as ten to twelve feet, having stood
undisturbed over centuries.

The number of wind-fallen trees also increase and one is constantly jumping over these obstacles at
every step. However, vines and creepers offer good support in one's march to the summit. After an
hour of dedicated effort, one can hear the roaring sound of a waterfall. Tam Nam is now only 200
metres away. The last 200 metres are the most difficult to cover. One descends the rocky path on one's
back clinging to vines on both sides for much needed support . Half slipping, half crawling, one steps into
an open gorge, covered by tree laden hills on three sides and the waterfall on the opposite end. The
shallow pool created by the water enveloped by the gorge is Tam Nam. One gets awestruck by the
beauteous scene around. The crystal clear pool, reflecting the golden sunlight and covered with smooth,
shining, round, shining, stones at the bottom. The colour of the water was azure. Throwing caution to
the winds, one enters the icy cold water of the pool to refresh oneself for the return trek. Meditating on
the rocky shores of this tiny drop of tranquility, encased in an oyster of peace was a divine experience
which touches the inner chords of one's soul.

How to get there?

The nearest international airport to reach Khao Sok National Park is the Suvarnabhoomi International
Airport at Bangkok. There are several options for Indian tourists to get to Koh Noi from Bangkok. From
Bangkok, one must fly to Phuket. From Phuket airport, one has to transfer to Phuket bus station.

Where to stay?
River View Guest House at Khao Sok is a value for money proposition which offers basic comforts and is
a value for money proposition by Indian standards. A standard double room costs approximately .600/-
Baht. Budget conscious, middle-class Europeans frequent this eco-friendly property at this time of the
year.

Where to eat?

Many small restaurants serving Thai cuisine dot Khao Sok. Freshly steamed banana in palm jaggery
sweetened coconut milk is a nutritious meal in itself, which vegans will relish. The food at the high profile
hotels is only for the gastronomically adventurous who like greasy food. Fresh tropical fruits including
durians, mangosteens, pineapples, tender coconuts and jack-fruits are available at the local market. The
Thai plain rice soup known as kongee is extremely delicious and nutritious. Is available at the eatery
located near the main entrance to the Park.

 Murli Menon, author of “ZeNLP-the power to relax” is a stress management consultant based at
Ahmedabad and can be contacted at [email protected]

Floating village inside Khao Sok National Park

During the speed boat ride to the floating village

Inside Khao Sok National Park