Khao Sok Thailand Jungle Survival Course Itinerary

Khao Sok National Park is our primary destination for jungle survival courses as the terrain is very rugged and this is the largest area of old-growth jungle in Southern Thailand.

We are based in Phuket and trips to Khao Sok generally start in Phuket. We can arrange transfers from elsewhere. Transfers from Phuket are included in the price of the tour.

Khao Sok National Park jungle survival courses also include our standard tour activities such as kayaking, wildlife-spotting and hiking (trekking) to the viewpoint and the Nam Talu Cave.

Day 1, the days focus: water, fire, using a knife

Pick up anywhere in Phuket at approximately 7:30 AM (depending on where you are staying)
Transfer to the dam at Chiew Larn Reservoir at Khao Sok National Park, click here to see a map
boat transfer to the remote floating bungalows
Short paddle and discussion about prioritizing
Back to the bungalows for lunch
Afternoon walk in the jungle to find water sources and learn more about bamboo
Working with knives
Back to the bungalows and out for a sunset wildlife-spotting paddle jungle survival drinking water from bamboo

Day 2, the days focus: traveling safely on rough terrain, making natural rope, water from vines, wild edible plants

Sunrise wildlife-spotting paddle
Return to the bungalows for breakfast
Hike to the viewpoint, learning about the various plants and how to safely travel on rugged terrain
Back to the support boat (used to transfer to the viewpoint) for lunch
Transfer to the cascading creek for a trek in very steep terrain
Transfer back to the bungalows and prepare for an afternoon paddle

Day 3, the days focus: making shelter

After breakfast, transfer to an island and spend the first half of the day learning how to lash bamboo and build a bamboo shelter
Transfer back the bungalows and learn how to make a hammock out of one piece of bamboo
If you are on a three-day trip, go for a short paddle and prepare to return to Phuket

Day 4, the days focus: traveling safely through a cave, trekking, edible plants and insects

After breakfast, transfer to the Nam Talu Cave. (Not available if it is raining or has been raining)
Return to the bungalows for lunch
Afternoon trek on a trail that has a lot of evidence of large mammals. Learn about animal signs.
We'll identify several wild edible plants and insects along this trail
If you are on a four-day trip, prepare to return to Phuket
If you are on a longer trip, do an afternoon wildlife-spotting paddle

Day 5, the days focus: fire, wild food

Sunrise paddle
Mountain trek in a different part of the park. Learn more about wild edible plants
Produce a fire with a fire striker
Have lunch at the support boat or in the jungle
Continue training in this mountain area
Return to bungalows and prepare to return to Phuket

Flexibility and customizing: Though not listed in detail, the above itinerary is a rough guideline for the programs offered.

If you would prefer a more rigorous program, the paddling option can be eliminated or lessened. If you would prefer a more casual program that takes more advantage of the abundant wildlife found in this amazing national park.

On more rigorous programs, you have the option of learning all that is listed on this page. On less intense programs you focus on the most essential elements.

Our mission with this endeavor is to help you build the confidence to stay calm if you ever find yourself lost. You should be able to analyze your situation and figure out the best course of action.

Our method is to teach you common sense survival that is regional specific (tropical Asian jungles), but can still be adapted to elsewhere. There is a lot of misinformation about what is essential in a survival situation and what priorities should be addressed in order of importance. Our approach is always energy conservation first.

Click here to see a jungle survival image gallery.

Phang Nga Province Jungle Survival

Here are the various survival trails

Here is an image gallery

Here is a video of one of the most hardcore route

Phang Nga Province trekking and survival course prices

Here is a BBC jungle survival show that I did in February of 2014.

Certification in Paddlesports and First Aid

Dave is a British Canoe Union Level 2 Coach (trained to Level 3) and is one of the most experienced paddler in all of Southern Thailand.

Dave is an Emergency First Response Instructor and a certified rescue technician through the Rescue 3 International organization. Dave is also a certified Life Guard through the British Canoe Union. View certifications. Paddle Asia guides are EFR certified in CPR, First Aid, and basic life guard training.