Cruising into the Hidden Heaven of Nature
Rajjaprabha Dam
Travel Info
From Surat Thani town, follow the signs “Rajjaprabha Dam” on Highway 401. The entrance to the dam is on the right before reaching Ban Ta Khun district. Mostly, the tour package includes a free pickup service from your accommodation in a communal van, which is more convenient and wastes less fuel.
From Ko Samui
Minibus + ferry to Ko Samui costing 500 baht leaves Khao Sok at 09:00 and the ferry gets to Ko Samui at 15:30. During the high season there is also an afternoon minibus + night boat costing 600 baht. The minibus leaves Khao Sok at 15:00 and the night boat arrives at Ko Samui at 06:00 the next day.
GPS Location
N9° 0.976’, E98° 51.441’
Contact
Khao Sok National Park
+66 7739 5139
+66 7739 5154 to 5
Facilities & Services
Guide, boat, accommodation, restaurant and parking.
Day 1
Rajjaprabha Dam or Chiao Lan reservoir was constructed in 1982 under the supervision of Khao Sok National Park and the Provincial Electricity Authority to generate hydro-electricity to Surat Thani city and other nearby towns. When water filled the dam over 150 islands formed; many of them are stunning pillars rising upright against the bright blue sky. The mysterious and charming scenery makes us all gaze on in awe at the beauty of the exotic sights that is often likened to the incredible “Guilin” landscapes in southern China.
The journey starts with an hour of pleasurable sightseeing by long-tail boat; cruising into the dam where you are able to enjoy the astonishing elegance of the dam itself and crystal clear waters of the reservoir. Then you have to trek across the mountain ridge to the inner area so called “500-rai Inland Sea” where your floating raft house and major attractions are located.
After having lunch, you continue to explore “Tham Pakarang”, abundant with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites inside. Then heading back to the accommodation, you may go swimming, kayaking or let yourself indulge in the glorious sight of twilight over the magnificent landscape while waiting the sun lower itself to kiss the water. In the late evening, the night safari tour by boat is available upon request.
Day 2
n the early morning, the dawn has lighted the portrait of mountains and cliffs, covered in rain forest and forming yet another spectacular natural scene in the mist. You will feel relaxed with the chill wind and wild animal sounds; such as, hornbills and gibbons. The beauty of nature is so beautiful that no camera can record it. After breakfast, you will experience the adventure at “Tham Nam Thalu” where the stream flows inside the cave for a distance of over 500 metres. Within the cave are splendid stalagmite and stalactite formations growing luminously in different shapes through thousands of years of mineral deposits, left behind by trillions of drops of water.
The adventure trip to Rajjaprabha Dam is beyond a pleasant excursion but also a reminder of the wonders of nature, a call to life.
Know Before You Go
"There is no mobile phone signal and the electricity is available only from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m."
Recommendation
"The trip can be made throughout the year. At least 3 days and 2 nights is required to explore all attractions inside the dam."
Please
"Do not touch the stalagmites and stalactites in the cave at all and dump garbage in the spot provided."
To Ko Samui
"Minibus + ferry to Ko Samui costing 500 baht leaves Khao Sok at 09:00 and the ferry gets to Ko Samui at 15:30. During the high season there is also an afternoon minibus + night boat costing 600 baht. The minibus leaves Khao Sok at 15:00 and the night boat arrives at Ko Samui at 06:00 the next day."
Luxury Resorts on Koh Samui
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