An intimate mountain retreat surrounded by rainforest, mist and some of southern Thailand’s most spectacular landscapes.
Caligo Resort Khao Sok — after several trips to Thailand, I finally made my way to Khao Sok National Park, somewhere that had been sitting on my travel list for almost ten years.
I’d heard plenty about the area’s ancient rainforest, dramatic limestone mountains and spectacular Cheow Lan Lake, but until this trip I’d never made it over to this part of southern Thailand.
It didn’t disappoint.
During our time in the area, we spent four nights staying at Caligo Resort, a collection of private villas surrounded by mountains and forest in Khao Phang, Surat Thani.
Located close to Ratchaprapha Dam and Cheow Lan Lake, the resort offered us a peaceful base for exploring the surrounding area, while the views from the property were reason enough to spend some time simply slowing down and taking everything in.
This is my personal review of staying at Caligo Resort, including the villa, swimming pool, surrounding views and our experience exploring Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake.
Before you book
Location: Khao Phang, Ban Ta Khun, Surat Thani, Thailand
Style: Private mountain villas
Best for: Couples, nature lovers and photographers
Highlights: Mountain views, morning mist, private villas and swimming pool
Nearby: Ratchaprapha Dam and Cheow Lan Lake
Caligo Resort is located in Khao Phang, within Ban Ta Khun district of Surat Thani, close to Ratchaprapha Dam and Cheow Lan Lake.
The resort is made up of a small collection of private villas, giving it a much more intimate feel than some of the larger resorts you will find elsewhere in Thailand.
The current villas are 54 square metres and designed for two guests, with private balconies overlooking the surrounding mountains and morning mist. Each villa also features a jacuzzi, while the resort’s pool villa has its own private swimming pool. You can see the different options on the official Caligo Resort villa page.
For us, the location was one of the biggest attractions. Caligo provides a peaceful base for exploring the Cheow Lan Lake area, while giving you somewhere quiet to return to at the end of the day.
If you’re planning to visit, I’d recommend allowing at least a couple of nights rather than simply passing through. The surrounding landscape is a big part of the experience, and the changing morning mist is something you’ll want time to appreciate.
First impressions
We arrived at Caligo Resort after making our way towards Ratchaprapha Dam, and the surrounding landscape immediately reminded us why we’d wanted to visit Khao Sok for so long.
The resort is surrounded by thick greenery and dramatic mountains, with the landscape changing constantly depending on the weather.
During our stay, the mornings were particularly impressive. Mist would settle across the mountains, creating layers of green and grey that slowly revealed themselves as the day warmed up.
After spending time travelling around Thailand, there was something really enjoyable about arriving somewhere where we didn’t feel the need to immediately rush off and explore.
Instead, we could sit outside, take in the views and simply enjoy being somewhere surrounded by nature.
Planning your own stay? You can find current information and booking options on the official Caligo Resort website.
The villa
Our villa at Caligo Resort was exactly what we were looking for from a stay in Khao Sok.
The room itself is spacious and comfortable, but the balcony was easily one of my favourite parts.
Looking out towards the mountains and morning mist, it was the perfect place to sit with a coffee and watch the landscape change.
The villas are designed for two people and include a private balcony, jacuzzi, en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and the usual facilities you’d expect from a comfortable stay.
There’s also a netting area on the balcony, which is a nice touch if you want to lie back and take in the surroundings or spend some time looking at the stars after dark.
For me, though, the real luxury was stepping outside first thing in the morning.
Rather than opening the curtains onto another hotel building or city street, we were looking straight towards the mountains.
It’s a simple thing, but when you’re travelling specifically to experience a landscape, having that view from your room makes a huge difference.
The pool
After exploring the surrounding area, the swimming pool at Caligo Resort was the perfect place to slow things down.
The panoramic saltwater pool looks out towards the surrounding mountains, with the morning mist often creating an atmospheric backdrop.
We spent some time relaxing around the pool during our stay, and it was one of those places where there wasn’t really any reason to hurry.
The combination of warm weather, mountain views and the quiet surroundings made it an easy place to spend an afternoon.
The pool is also another great spot for photography. When the mist begins to lift from the mountains, the changing landscape gives you a completely different view from the one you might have seen an hour earlier.
Caligo describes the pool as a communal saltwater swimming pool, designed to offer a gentle experience while retaining views across the surrounding landscape
t we were looking for from a stay in Khao Sok.
The room itself is spacious and comfortable, but the balcony was easily one of my favourite parts.
Looking out towards the mountains and morning mist, it was the perfect place to sit with a coffee and watch the landscape change.
The villas are designed for two people and include a private balcony, jacuzzi, en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and the usual facilities you’d expect from a comfortable stay.
There’s also a netting area on the balcony, which is a nice touch if you want to lie back and take in the surroundings or spend some time looking at the stars after dark.
For me, though, the real luxury was stepping outside first thing in the morning.
Rather than opening the curtains onto another hotel building or city street, we were looking straight towards the mountains.
It’s a simple thing, but when you’re travelling specifically to experience a landscape, having that view from your room makes a huge difference.
Aerial film
During my stay at Caligo Resort, I was also asked to create a short aerial film showcasing the resort and its beautiful surroundings.
With the mountains, rainforest and dramatic landscape surrounding the property, it was the perfect location to step back and capture the resort from a different perspective.
Using the drone, I was able to show not only the villas and resort itself, but also the incredible setting that makes Caligo such a special place to stay.
For me, this was a great opportunity to combine my travel and landscape photography with commercial content creation, creating a short film that gives a real sense of the location and atmosphere of the resort.
Exploring Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake
Of course, the main reason for coming to this part of Thailand isn’t simply to stay at the resort.
It’s the landscape outside it.
Khao Sok National Park is famous for its ancient rainforest, limestone mountains and incredible biodiversity, while nearby Cheow Lan Lake is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and dense jungle.
During our stay, we spent time exploring the area around Ratchaprapha Dam and Cheow Lan Lake, and it quickly became clear why this part of Thailand has become such a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers.
The lake is particularly impressive. The combination of emerald-green water, dramatic cliffs and thick rainforest creates a landscape that feels almost unreal when you’re standing in front of it.
If you’re planning a visit to the area, I’d recommend allowing enough time to properly explore rather than treating Khao Sok as a quick stop between destinations.
You can find more information about the park through the Khao Sok National Park guide, while the resort’s own website also provides information about activities and attractions around Caligo.
Photography at Caligo Resort
For a photographer, Caligo Resort is one of those places where you can easily spend hours simply watching the landscape.
The surrounding mountains and morning mist create constantly changing conditions, particularly around sunrise when the light is softer and the atmosphere is at its most dramatic.
I found myself reaching for a wide-angle lens for the larger landscape scenes, while a standard focal length worked well for capturing smaller details around the resort.
The mist was probably my favourite part to photograph. Rather than waiting for completely clear conditions, I found that the layers created by the cloud and mountains added much more atmosphere to the images.
It’s also a good reminder that photographing somewhere isn’t always about finding perfect weather.
Sometimes the conditions that initially look less than ideal are what make the final photograph more interesting.
If you’d like to see the equipment I currently use when travelling and working around the world, you can also take a look at my Travel Photography Kit 2026.
Final thoughts
Sadly, our four nights at Caligo Resort eventually came to an end.
After wanting to visit Khao Sok for so many years, finally spending time in the area was every bit as impressive as I’d hoped.
What I’ll remember most about Caligo isn’t necessarily one particular feature of the resort.
It’s the feeling of waking up surrounded by mountains, watching the morning mist move through the landscape and having somewhere peaceful to return to after exploring Cheow Lan Lake.
For me, that’s what makes the resort work so well.
It’s not trying to be a huge resort packed with endless facilities. Instead, the experience is centred around the location, the views and the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the surrounding landscape.
For photographers, couples and anyone looking for a peaceful base while exploring Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake, Caligo Resort offers a memorable place to stay.
And after waiting almost ten years to finally visit this part of Thailand, I’m very glad we made the trip.
More travel guides
Planning more adventures? You might also enjoy some of my other travel guides and photography stories:
How Travelling Changed My Life: Lessons From 15 Years of Travel
A look back at 15 years of travelling and the lessons, experiences and people that have shaped my life along the way.
My Travel Photography Kit 2026
A look at the cameras, lenses, drone and editing equipment I currently use while travelling and working around the world.
The 5 Best Things to Do on the Isle of Skye
My guide to some of the most spectacular places to visit on one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands.
Work With Pete
I create natural, story-led photography and video for luxury hotels, resorts, tourism brands and lifestyle businesses.
Having worked with hospitality and lifestyle brands including Four Seasons, I create imagery that captures not just how a property looks, but how it feels to experience it.
From hotel interiors and architecture to food, lifestyle, landscapes and destination content, I create visual stories that can be used across websites, social media, campaigns and marketing.
View my Hospitality Photography portfolio or get in touch if you’d like to discuss a project.
