Responsible Travel 🌿
Leave only footprints. Discover how to explore Khao Sok's bio-diverse wonders while protecting its people, wildlife, and forest canopy.
Preserving Khao Sok for Future Generations
As one of the world's oldest wet evergreen rainforests, Khao Sok's ecosystem is incredibly rich but highly fragile. Simple daily actions can make an immense difference.
1. Leave No Trace
Always carry out all waste you bring into the National Park, including biological waste like fruit peels which can impact native animal behaviors. Stay strictly on marked trails to avoid soil erosion and crushing rare undergrowth flora.
2. Ethical Elephant Experiences
We strongly support non-riding elephant sanctuaries. Never purchase tickets for camps offering elephant riding, chains, hook shows, or unnatural performances. Choose ethical observation reserves where rescued elephants spend their days foraging, mud-bathing, and socializing.
3. Reducing Single-Use Plastic
Khao Sok Village and Cheow Lan Lake do not have massive garbage processing systems; plastic is often burned or trucked miles away. Bring a reusable water bottle (many hotels offer free refills) and politely refuse plastic bags or straws at local convenience stores.
4. Supporting Local Communities
Support the local economy directly. Hire local licensed guides, eat at family-owned roadside diners, purchase fresh fruits from roadside farm stands, and purchase handmade local bamboo crafts. This keeps tourism profits in the hands of the community.
5. Respecting Wildlife & Nature
Keep a safe, respectful distance from wild macaques, gibbons, and birds. Never use flash photography which can blind and disorient nocturnal animals. Avoid picking forest flowers or collecting limestone stones or shells as souvenirs.