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Pristine
rain forest covers most of Koh Chang, making the island an eco paradise.
The island appears very mountainous from the shore, with the highest
peak, Khao Salak Phet (744 meters), in the middle of the island.
The rocks are mainly granite and the slopes are rounded rather than
sheer cliffs, so that trekking is possible. Mangroves and beach
forest line the shores, and the whole island supports a huge diversity
of wildlife, including macaques, monitor lizards, pythons and barking
deer. White-winged terns, nightjars and several species of hornbill
are some of the indigenous birds and many others migrate here.
Hiking Trails
Koh
Chang offers scenic hiking trails that take just a few hours, particularly
from Khlong Son to Hat Sai Khao (white Sand Beach) and from there
to Hat Khlong Prao. In the south, the harder and longer Kai Bae
- Bang Bao trail is a challenging experience and passes through
shady rubber and coconut plantations.
Elephant Trekking
There are two different elephant treks to try in Koh Chang. The
Chang Chutiman company between Klong Prao and Kai Bae has a choice
of one or two and a half hour treks which go into a pomello orchard,
and then for the longer trek, into the National Park's tropical
rain forest to a waterfall. The Ban Kwan Chang elephant camp in
the north of Koh Chang is supported by the Asian Elephant Foundation.
There are half day tours, which last from 8:30 am to 11 :30 pm and
include a one and a half hour trek into the forest, an elephant
show and a chance to watch the animals bath and feed.
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