A warm welcome to KhaoLak, a beautiful unspoilt paradise location, which lies in the Takua Pa district of Phang-Nga province on Southern Thailand's azure Andaman coastline, about 1 and 1/2 hrs drive from Phuket International Airport. It offers an almost unsurpassed appeal to nature lovers and those seeking peace, tranquility and complete relaxation in a wonderfully scenic environment.
The name KhaoLak has come to be known as 'the mountain beside the sea'. There is a shrine of Chao Pho Khao Lak dedicated to the wizard of the mountain.
Hat Khao Lak ( KhaoLak beach ) is an exceptionally pretty and long (several kilometers) stretch of pristine sand picturesquely studded with granite boulders. It actually comprises of three individual beaches, and at the far northern end there is a network of sandy beach trails, some of which lead to completely deserted stretches.
The coast is set against a background of casuarina pines, which in turn give way to lush green palm groves, interspersed with lakes, and rubber & coco plantations.
Partly encompassing Hat Khao Lak, the forested hills of Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park tower over the natural coastal beauty. This 125 sq km National Park is a lovely collection of sea cliffs, hills, beaches, and evergreen forest. Several other land based National Parks (and also two Marine Parks) can be reached from Khao Lak.
The Khao Lak environs also offers some splendid offshore diving and snorkeling experiences. Live coral formations can be found just off the coast. There is also a nearby wreck dive. The Similian Islands National Marine Park can be easily reached and lies 55 km due west of Khao Lak. These islands are world renowned among diving enthusiasts for amazing underwater siteseeing at depths down to 30m. Also within reach, to the north west, is the Surin Islands National Marine Park; these islands are also suited to exploring and hiking, in addition to snorkeling and diving; some of the best reefs at Surin do not require scuba gear.
The accomodation at Khao Lak ranges from some nicely designed Thai-style cottages and bungalows through to a few extremely tasteful and discrete upmarket hotel resorts (again often based on a single story cottage/bungalow theme) offering every luxury with views to the sea and surrounding forest.
We are pleased to offer direct Khao Lak Hotel information, via the hotels themselves as opposed to a third party.
In essence, Khao Lak offers relaxation, tranquility and charm in a splendid unspoilt environment on the beautiful Andaman coastline surrounded by National Park forest. It is also ideally situated to provide visits to numerous points of interest and natural attractions, including several Marine and Land based National Parks, not only in Phang-Nga province but also in neighbouring Surat Thani and Ranong Provinces.
The beautiful Andaman coastline of Southern Thailand, in Phang Nga province, provides the peaceful tranquil paradise setting of Khao Lak with it's 9km stretch of pristine sandy beach set against a background of casuarina pines and overlooked by the towering evergreen forest of Khaolak-Lamru National Park.
This is an unsurpassed and unspoilt locale for nature lovers or those seeking complete relaxation.
Khao Lak is 80km from Phuket International airport, and is ideally situated to provide visits to numerous points of interest and natural attractions, including several land and marine based National Parks. The Similan and Surin islands, with their world renowned dive sites, are just a short trip away. The list of attracions and activities is quite extensive - beautiful deserted beaches, hiking, waterfalls, hot springs, elephant trekking, diving, snorkeling, reefs, lakes, estuaries, canoeing, wild life, remote islands ... to name a few.
There is a good range of excellent accomodation, discreetly nestled in the environment, and offering every amenity and luxury, according to your budget, with views to the sea and surrounding forest. Night life is quiet and relaxing.
Hat Khuk Khak
Four kilometers north of Bang Niang, lies the deserted beach of Khuk Khak, which streches some three kilometers. This is a tremendous stretch of sand with no facilities. There is however an extremely secluded small luxury resort facility tucked away nearby. Make a left turn at km 66 marker at the small village of the same name, on highway 4, then proceed a further two kilometers.
Pakarang Beach
Also worth a visit is the quiet sandy beach of Pakarang, which is set back three kilometers from km marker 69 on highway 4. During the rainy season, a certain amount of dead coral gets washed up on the beach - hence it's name. Nearby is Laem Pakarang (Coral Cape). This is also the site of a ship wreck.
Pakwib Beach
This beach is just north of the Laem Pakarang headland, and runs parallel to km 70 & 71 markers on route 4.
Hat Bang Sak
A further few kilometers north of Patwib lies the turquoise waters and fine white sand of gently curving Bang Sak beach, offset by the now familiar casuarina trees. The beach is situated 1 km off route 4, at distance marker 76km.
Hat Bang Sak has a slightly isolated Polynesian setting, and offers good southerly views. There is accomodation but it is limited and relatively basic.
This area is popular with locals on picnic trips or visiting the small seafood stalls along the shoreline. The grilled fish dishes offered here have gained a reputation comparable to that at Rawai Beach in the south of Ko Phuket. Even though the beach may not fully compare with Khao Lak, it is a fun visit, maybe doing as the locals do.
Poseidon Beach
Secluded Beach, KaoLak Beach (spelt with no 'h') and Poseidon Beach are small quiet sandy beaches just a few kilometers South of Khao Lak at km markers 54 and 55.
Geographically they are slightly seperated from the centre of Khao Lak by the headland (and National Park Office) of the KhaoLak-Lamru National Park.
Hat Thai Muang
Some 25km south of Khao Lak in the Thai Muang National Park is the spectacular clean sandy beach of Hat Thai Muang, which stretches 14km and effectively runs parallel to Route 4. A 1.5km side road leads down to the beach.
The water is clear and good for swimming.
Also known as Turtle Beach, it is especially famous as during the months from November to February, sea turtles, including the leatherback, come ashore to lay their eggs in the moonlight.
A tradition has developed, called 'turtle walking', which encompasses both the unobtrusive observing of the egg laying turtles and, after the hatching period, the releasing of young turtles into the sea (turtle releasing festival).
Hiking
The beautiful and natural environment of KhaoLak and it's surroundings, including nearby land and marine based national parks, offer a wide range of interesting and varied activities for everyone to enjoy including canoeing, rafting, diving and snorkeling, safaris, elephant trekking, and of course hiking.
Hiking trips, whether to view flora, fauna, bird watching or visit waterfalls will no doubt be centered around the nearby national parks:-
Khaolak-Lamru national park partly encompasses Khao Lak, and is ideal for hiking, forest walks and viewing wildlife.
It offers tropical evergreen forest, granite mountains, hills, beaches and sea cliffs, and a fairly varied selection of flora and fauna considering it's size.
Four waterfalls are popular. There are also coastal trails, near the Park HQ, on the picturesque headland of Leam Hin Chang.
The national park of Khao Lampi - Thai Muang lies about 24km south of Khao Lak, and covers two distinct regions. Thai Muang is a long narrow coastal and mainly beach section, famous for turtle conservation.
Tropical evergreen forests cover the hilly and fairly mountainous regions of Khao LamPi. Here, there are several hiking opportunities and two interesting waterfalls.
There are four picturesque waterfalls at Sri Phang-Nga national park, which lies 65km north of Khao Lak, and avails itself to good hiking trips.
This park is fairly large, covering 240 sq km., and is fine virgin evergreen forest, with numerous hills, streams, and a few outcrops of limestone cliffs in the east.
The park provides a basic campground and toilets, but visitors should bring their own equipment.
The spectacular 645 sq km Khao Sok national park, is in neighbouring Surat Thani province.
It features thick native rainforest, punctuated by towering outcrops of limestone karsts, sparkling streams, an island studded lake, several caves, many trails, a vast range of flora and fauna, and at least eight popular waterfalls. Hiking is almost unlimited.
The Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea are world renowned for excellent diving and picturesque sandy beaches.
Inland, the nine islands are mostly relatively low lying formations with some thick forest and a few hiking trails.
In particular, Ko Similan (the largest island) is good for hiking, and exhibits the largest granite outcrop; this distinctive formation offers sweeping views from the top.
In addition to the superb marine attractions of the Surin Islands, the inland evergreen rainforests are also quite popular for hiking and trekking.
The north island (Ko Surin Nua) supports the most nature trails.
The fauna is quite varied and the eighty recorded bird species include the rare Nicobar pigeon.
Elephant Trekking
At Ton Patiwat there is a Wildlife Preservation Centre, which encompasses a forested area with brooks and small waterfalls.
Elephant trekking is one of the highlights of tour programs at Ton Patiwat. Several local travel companies offer fun eco-tourism trips here, for all age groups. The Centre is located in Tambon Sorngprak, between the routes from Phangnga Town to Amphoe Kapong.
Khao Sok National Park is a truly outstanding and amazing experience, offering all kinds of activities. The main limiting factor will probably be your stamina.
Elephant trekking through streams and along tracks close to meandering rivers in the midst of the jungle, is perhaps one of the more leisurely activities.
There are various adventure tour itineries for Khao Sok National Park, covering from one to four days.
Hot Springs
At Kapong there are hot springs and an associated natural pool at a temperature of 65C.
Kapong is on route 3090, and you will pass close to the springs if you visit Lam Ru and Hin Lad waterfalls in Khaolak-Lamru national park. Hence you could easily combine the trip.
Ban Bor Dan hot springs are located between Thai Muang town and the National Park of the same name. The waters have quite a high mineral content, including calcium and sodium, and also various iodides and chlorides, and are of course popular for relieving stress, arthritis and promoting skin care. One can just lie there for hours and soak up the goodness!
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