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 an'd barking deer. White-winged terns, night jars 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 Kh/ong Son to Hat Sa; Khao (white Sand Beach) and from there to Hat Khlong Prao. In the south, the harder and longer Kai Bae - Bang Baa 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.