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A walk on
the wild side.
 The majority of visitors get as far as
the beach and a snorkelling trip and possibly an elephant ride but that's it
as far as activities go. One reason for the lack of trekkers is that
it isnt something that you can easily do on your own without a guide.
Many people like to go hill walking but here are usually plenty of marked
trails in National Parks. In Thailand many of the major parks have
marked trails which are well signposted and easy to follow. However,
on KC the National Park staff are more interested in taking 200 baht of
foreign tourists wanting to walk 400 metres to see a waterfall than they are
in providing any useful services such as marked trails.
Therefore, you need a guide. Most
guides are locals who know the areas and will happily take people up into
the jungle when they have free time. However, there are very few
licensed tour guides doing trekking work and even fewer who speak enough
English and also know enough about the flors and fauna that you will see to be able to actually guide you, rather than
you just playing 'Follow
the leader' up a hill.
Your guide
The guide I recommend is called Tan.
He has his own one-man trekking company 'Tan Trekking'. He's been taking guided treks for
over 10 years, first in Chiang Mai, later in Krabi - where he had a good
business that was sadly washed away in the tsunami and in 2006 he moved to
live on Koh Chang. He's a licensed tour guide and the only trekking
guide on the island that is licensed by the Tourist Authority of Thailand, and having spent a few
years living in Australia, speaks very good English.
Tan Trekking only started in Dec 2006
and follows unique routes that have been marked and mapped out by Tan
himself.
You won't meet other groups going along the same trail. He has made his own
trails and laid guide ropes on the steeper sections of the trek. The
treks currently take place in Klong Son valley.
** New Routes. For the 2008 - 09
trekking season, there will be new routes. One for fitter trekkers
including a strenuous hike from Klong Son valley up the rear of Khao Chom,
the mountain overlooking white Sand Beach which involves ascending a 500
metre ridge, dropping down to near sea level then a steep uphill trek to
around 650 metres above sea level. Before returning the same route - all
this through jungle. You will need a massage and a day on the beach after
doing this. A half day easy trek in the Klong Prao area, suitable for
families with young kids who want to venture into the jungle is also planned
as is an across island trek. Start on the west coast and finish on the east
coast.
About the Trek
The Klong Son trek is a new and unique
trek starting with a jungle trek up to 500 metres, stopping for lunch on the
mountain top. After lunch you will continue down the opposite side of the
mountain and arrive at Klong Son waterfall, after a swim in the crystal
clear water you can walk to Ban Kwan Chang elephant camp where you have the
option to finish the day with a gentle elephant ride through the lowland
jungle.
This trek involves walking about 5km.
It is suitable for anyone who is in reasonably good health and moderate
fitness. Remember that appropriate footwear is essential. You
will need good walking sandals or trainers etc - definitely not flip-flops
or beach sandals.
It's also recommended that you bring
along Mosquito repellent, Sun cream, Swimming suit, Light towel and dress in
light clothing - cotton shirts & t-shirt ( as you will be sweating a lot.)
If you need a bit more adventure then
there is an alternate route that is only suited to people with a more
adventurous spirit and higher fitness level as it involves a visit to a
remote rock pool which can only be reached by descending down a cliff face
using a guide rope.
Group Size
The minimum is two people, maximum is 6
people. No large groups. You will be picked up from your hotel between
8:30 - 9:00 am and will get back to your hotel between 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Price
The price includes transportation from
& to your hotel, lunch, coffee, fruit, water, waterfall fee, backpack
Trek only - 950 baht/person
Trek + Elephant trek - 1,300
baht/person
How to book
When you're on Koh Chang you can call
Tan direct at: 089.645.2019 to book. (His mobile will be switched off whilst
he is trekking, so evenings are the best time to reach him). Please
tell him that you got his phone number from this site.
If you want to book in advance you can
do so by email - see below the photos. No advance payment is required,
you will be asked to pay Tan on the day of your trek. But you'll need
to contact Tan when you are on Koh Chang to confirm your booking.
Photos
These were taken by a couple of Tan's
customers in 2007
Heading up the hill . . .
Through the jungle . . .
Taking a shortcut to the swimming hole . . .
Now you're in the jungle . . .
Cooling off at a larger pool. . .
Tan will carry your lunch, drinking water and fruit
with him . . .
You'll learn a bit about the flora and fauna in a
jungle. New roots grow out of the trunk of this tree . . .
Heading down . . .
Optional elephant trek at the end of the day . . .
Email bookings / Enquiry
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