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From a boat you see the lake as a corridor between limestone walls. Kri Sorn is where that changes: you climb above the water and the reservoir opens up below you — islands, bays and the forest, with the karst hills behind. It is the wide shot of the whole area.
It comes as a stop on guided lake trips, usually combined with Khao Sam Kloe and a raft house, and it is the part of a boat day where you use your legs. The path is short but steep and there is almost no shade on the upper part, so the reward-to-effort ratio depends mostly on the hour you go.
What you actually see
The view is over the reservoir: green water winding between hills covered in rainforest, the steep limestone towers of the region behind, and — on a good morning — mist sitting on the water. It is the only place on a standard lake trip where you look down on the lake rather than across it.
What you do not get is a long walk or solitude. This is a viewpoint stop of a few minutes, in the same day as the pillars and the raft house, and in high season you may share the top with another group.
Where it fits in a lake day
A typical day trip from the dam runs: boat out, Khao Sam Kloe for photos, the Diamond Cave, lunch at a raft house, and the viewpoint on the way back or out. Overnight trips slot it into the afternoon, which is also when the heat is at its worst.
If the climb matters to you, say so when you book and ask whether the operator includes it — tour contents differ, and some lake trips substitute other stops. On an overnight stay you have the advantage of choosing the hour.
Ask before you count on it
Lake tours vary from operator to operator, and a viewpoint stop can be dropped for weather, timing or group pace. If Kri Sorn is the reason you are booking, confirm it is included rather than assuming.
Lake tours with a viewpoint stop
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Full dayKhao Sok: Full-Day Ratchaprapha Dam Tour, Boat Trip & Lunch
- Full-day tour to the Ratchaprapha Dam with a boat trip
- Lunch included, as named in the listing
Best for: Visitors who want to see the lake in a day and sleep on land.
Check price & availability →
3 daysKhao Sok National Park: 3-Day Nature & Jungle Tour at Cheow Lan Lake
- 3-day nature and jungle tour
- Includes Cheow Lan Lake, as named in the listing
Best for: Travellers who want the jungle and the lake in one ready-made package.
Check price & availability →Last verified 29 September 2026
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
It is normally visited inside a guided lake trip, since it starts from the water side rather than from a public trailhead. Ask your operator whether their itinerary includes it.
Short but steep, in heat and humidity, with little shade on the upper part. It is walking, not climbing, and most people manage it — just do not treat it as a gentle stroll.
Different: the boat gives you the lake between the cliffs, the viewpoint gives you the whole reservoir at once. On a decent morning, both are worth it — the viewpoint is the better photograph.
