Ko Chang waterfall island

Ko Chang Island lies in the southeast of Thailand near the Cambodian border. It forms the heart of an awe-inspiring archipelago which remains relatively undiscovered by tourists. Ko Chang is a mountainous wilderness overgrown with lush forests, and its highest point reaches 744m. On the island you can take some challenging hikes that climb alongside waterfalls, or view the emerald wilderness atop an elephant. Of course, you don't have to do anything at all. You can simply laze in a hammock on one of the beautiful beaches, with a cocktail and a good book. You'll find excellent snorkelling and diving on both islands.

During this module, it's possible to arrange a day trip to the idyllic island of Ko Mak just off Ko Chang Island, an untouched island paradise far from the masses, where you can daydream on palm-fringed white beaches. This is an ideal module to round off your Thailand trip, as Ko Chang Island is only 5 hours from Bangkok by road.

Duration	4 days / 3 nights Departs daily from Trat (between October and April)	Accommodation	3 nights in beach bungalow resort with swimming pool. Comfort level 3 (see accommodation)
Price	From £119 per person - based on two people (high season surcharges may apply)	Includes	Accommodation with breakfast
Transport	Ferry	Excludes	Return ferry from Trat to Ko Chang Island (approx £5) Other meals, drinks, entry fees and excursions

Day 1: Arrival on Ko Chang Island

The town of Trat can be reached easily by a direct bus from the centre of Bangkok. It's also possible to fly here from the capital. From Trat you can take a songthaew (pickup truck taxi) to the pier at Laem Ngob for the ferry to Ko Chang Island. This ferry runs all day, leaving about once an hour, and the crossing takes only half an hour. When you arrive, you'll take another songthaew to your accommodation. This is extremely easy to arrange yourself and the 20 minute journey will cost just £1-2. After you have settled in to your delightful thatched bungalow in its lush green garden, you can take a dip in the azure waters. The resort stands on its own small private beach to the east of the island. From the swimming pool or the deck of your bungalow, you can listen to the gentle lapping of the waves and the calls of tropical birds.

Day 2: Ko Chang Island

Ko Chang Island is the second largest island in Thailand, so there's plenty of ground to explore. To see the island from an interesting perspective, you can plod through rubber plantations and tropical gardens on the back of an elephant (£7-15). You can go deep into the jungle atop your new friend, where the elephants will wash in a natural pool- a refreshing moment for both of you. There are also a variety of small local travel agencies that organise snorkel and boat trips in the archipelago. You can take hikes through the island wilderness in search of waterfalls, for which the island is famous. If you're feeling energetic, you can even climb to the top of the highest mountain. We can highly recommend a visit to the Treetop Adventure Park, if you're looking for some fun. Here, you will traverse the forest canopy on ropes and then swing back down to earth like monkeys. Or, of course, you can choose to relax on the sandy beach with a good book. It's entirely up to you during your stay on Ko Chang Island.

Day 3: Ko Chang Island

This morning, why not arrange yourself a day trip over to Ko Mak, it's very easy to arrange locally. Boats leave from Ban Bang Bao Pier on the south side of the island, for the short ride (approx 2 hours) over to Ko Mak. Ko Mak is far quieter than Phuket, Ko Samui, and Ko Chang Island - a real island escape. It is the ultimate destination for doing absolutely nothing. Bliss. Lounge in a hammock for the day, swim in the sparkling sea, sip on fruity cocktails and feel the sand between your toes. Have lunch at one of the many little restaurants, they all offer a wide range of meals, with freshly caught seafood their speciality. You can also snorkel around the unspoiled coral gardens (gear available for hire), or just stretch out on the bleached sandy beach. At low tide, it's possible to walk across to the nearby island of Ko Kham, which has beautiful coral reefs and coconut palms. If you don't fancy anything this energectic, then stay on Ko Chang and unwind with a Thai massage, or book a table at the restaurant on the beach. At dusk they'll fire up the barbecue, and you can sit on the candlelit beach, cold beer or tropical drink in hand, and try all kinds of tasty treats as you listen to the lapping of the waves.

Day 4: Ko Chang Island - Departure

Depending on the time of your onward bus or flight, you can arrange your own taxi to the ferry pier for the crossing back to the mainland.

This is a brilliantly convenient module to end your trip in Thailand, as the journey from Ko Chang Island to Bangkok takes only 4-5 hours by bus.
Note: The rainy season in Ko Chang Island runs from May to September.

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