Led by a highly experienced National Park Ranger, the first destination of the day will be Rajjaprabha Dam. As surprising as it may be, Cheow Lan Lake is actually man-made, despite the magnificence of its natural surroundings. It was created during the development of Rajjaprabha Dam in the early 1980s. After exploring the dam, you’ll board a longtail boat and set off across the waters of Cheow Lan Lake, surrounded by breathtaking vistas.
Cheow Lan Lake and its surrounding area are home to an impressive amount of wildlife. This bio-diverse ecosystem is known to host wild elephants, tigers, sun bears, leopards, macaques, gibbons, and many other species – although most are rare sightings as they’ve adapted to avoid human presence. Macaques and langurs are more common, though even these sightings aren’t guaranteed. The region is also a haven for bird watchers, with around 400 bird species, including the rare giant hornbills and kingfishers.
After an awe-inspiring boat cruise through these majestic surroundings, there will be a 1–2 hour hike through the tropical jungle. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for this trek. The National Park Ranger will provide valuable insights into the native flora and fauna as you explore the dense environment. There will also be an opportunity to visit one of the many caves in the area, where you can observe fascinating stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years, along with a large bat population.
Once the hike concludes, we’ll head to a bamboo raft restaurant on the lake for a simple local lunch. There’s also a chance to relax with a short swim or rest before returning to the pier.
