The tour starts in BANLUNG. Drive north to Kachon Village which takes approximately 45 minutes. In Kachon, take a scenic boat ride for about one hour upstream the Sesan river to a small village of Kachock people which is located at the edge of Virachey National Park. Upon arrival to the village, meet our local indigenous ranger, make some final adjustments for our trek.
From village, start our trekking tour to Virachey National Park, one of the most important wildlife and forest preservation areas in the whole of South East Asia. Soon you leave civilization behind and trek through bamboo forest, rocky hills, streams and tropical jungle. Along the trails, our guide is very pleased to give you information about plants and animals living in the park. Keep an eye out and you might spot wild animals and birds. If you are lucky, you could see a clouded leopard, elephants or a tiger. During the trek, there are regular breaks to enjoy beautiful scenery and to rest a little bit.
After 4 hours of trekking, arrive at our campsite which is near from a waterfall. While the guide and ranger setting up shelters and preparing food for dinner, you can refresh in the nearby waterfall. Sitting around campfire and enjoy your simple but tasty dinner.
Overnight in tents.
In early morning, our guide and ranger will prepare hot coffee, tea and breakfast for you. After breakfast, trek back through the beaten tracks of the forest back to Koh Piek Village. Reach the village after 3 hours then have your lunch at a local house in village.
In the afternoon, continue further south of village where you can will see the sacred cemetery of Kachock indigenous group. It houses ancient graves and authentic wooden carving representing the dead people. Carved wooden statues such as the pregnant woman, soldier and elephant tusk are placed around the grave. Our guide will tell you about the animist belief of Kachock hill tribe and how they bury their deceased with a great ceremony.
After the visit, walk along Sesan River, and take a boat back to Kachon Village. The driver will be awaiting at the Kachon village to provide a transfer back to Banlung. If your energy allows, then pay a visit to Yeak Laom Lake, which was formed many centuries ago from a volcano. Swim in crystal clear waters and enjoy the beautiful scenery of this Volcanic lake.
Overnight in Banlung.
Leave Banlung behind and travel southwest towards O’Pongman before veering north towards one of the most remote Eco-Tourism Communities, Preah Rumkel a small village alongside the Mekong River. The drive takes about 4 hours (200km). Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a traditional lunch in a local family house.
In the afternoon, board a local boat which will take us into mighty Mekong river to watch Irrawaddy Dolphins. As soon as we have spotted the first dolphins, your boat driver will turn the engine off and you will follow the dolphins silently (duration 1 to 1.5 hours).
Afterwards, head north to the incredible Sopheakmit Waterfall to see the beautiful natural scenery and the stretch of the amazing Mekong. The waterfall is close to the Cambodia-Laos border and you can see how the mighty Mekong follows its path at this scenic stretch of the river. The waterfall is accessed either by a 3km trek or by boat.
NOTE: It depends on water level in order to access the waterfall by boat. During the rainy season, we will travel by road instead because the current of the waterfall is too strong to boat here.
If time is available, take the boat across the river to visit small, picturesque Hang Khone Village which is situated in southern end of Laos. The French used this as a ferry port where goods were then transferred back to the ferry by train before they continued their travel by river. Paddle through tranquil waters and channels in order to spot more dolphins. Tonight, camp on a sandy beach and enjoy sunset before dinner around a campfire.
Overnight in camps in Preah Rumkel.
This morning, from O’Svay, take a kayaking tour down river through the remote flooded forests of the Mekong Ramsar Wetland which stretches south along the Mekong River from the border with Laos to Stung Treng. It is one of four bio diverse river regions in Cambodia, with a surface area of 14,642 hectares. The Ramsar Wetland area has become most important for biological diversity and is a haven for critically endangered mammals, birds and fish including the critically endangered Giant Mekong Catfish and the vulnerable Irrawaddy Dolphin.
Our paddling tour of the forest continues until one point that you feel enough, then return back to O’Svay before traveling by road to the provincial capital of STUNG TRENG.
Overnight in Stung Treng.
Breakfast
Breakfast will be served at a local restaurant near the market in Stung Treng. After that, visit Mekong Blue, a local silk weaving centre offering work and an income to disadvantaged young women in this remote area. You can tour the workshops and, if you like, shop for beautiful silk items that carry the ‘UNESCO Seal of Excellence’.
NOTE: The Mekong Blue is closed on Sundays.
From here, our guide will take you to KRATIE, the capital of Kratie Province in eastern Cambodia. Along the way, make an optional stop at to Kampi Village which is 15 km from Kratie town center. This village is the home of 80 of the dwindling population of Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins and is also one of the best places to observe the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins along the Mekong.
Arrive in Kratie, have lunch and take a short rest before taking a 10-minute boat to KOH TRONG ISLAND, a beautiful quiet island opposite the riverfront of Kratie Town. Check in your hotel then free at leisure.
In the afternoon, jump on a bicycle then pedal to discover around the island. A 9 kilometers (6 miles) loop road around the island's perimeter provides the perfect opportunity to discover villages on this island. Along the way, stop for rest in a village, enjoy local fruit while observing the daily rituals and routines of the traditional village life. At the end of day, watch the sunset from the island’s western banks. Then return to your hotel.
Overnight in Koh Trong Island.
In the morning, drive to the capital of PHNOM PENH via Kampong Cham which is quaint and charming with its bustling morning river scene and wide boulevard streets beside the river. Arrive in Phnom Penh at noon, you will be transferred to the hotel for check in.
After a short rest, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh starting at the National Museum of Fine Arts, housing the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture. Continue with the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, famed for its lavish decorations – the floors are paved with silver tiles and statues of Buddha are encrusted with thousands of diamonds. start our half day tour of Phnom Penh.
In the late afternoon, take a walk along the riverside promenade, filled with food stalls, people exercising and courting couples.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
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