“Northern highland frontier with loads to explore & enjoy – deep in the jungle” - An area noted for its rugged beauty, remote hills and intriguing diversity of cultures. This region rewards those that travel here with extraordinary sceneries of rolling hills, cascading waterfalls and life played out along the Mekong. An excellent location to immerse in the culture by trekking between local communities. From indigenous hilltribe villages to faded colonial towns and horse drawn carts, a relaxed atmosphere prevails where interaction with local cultures and the chance to participate in communitybased tourism projects are plentiful.

North of the Cambodian capital is the town of Kratie. This typical Khmer small town is located on the banks of the Mekong River and the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins are frequently spotted. Kratie makes a great stop on the way to Stung Treng, another rural town located on the Laos border. This beautiful riverside town does not have much in terms of sightseeing, but the town provides a relaxing atmosphere and chance to experience the local culture.

To the northeast, two provinces are worth exploring. Although the roads are not in the best conditions, the scenery is fantastic and the trip is rewarding. Rattanakiri province is located near the Vietnam and Laos borders and is home to a variety of Cambodia’s ethnic minorities. An endless amount of trekking opportunities, dozens of waterfalls, and great wildlife spotting can be done in Rattanakari. Also, the area is home to the beautiful Yeak Loam Lake, a volcanic crater whose clear waters are perfect for swimming. Mondulkiri province is further east and also showcases Cambodia’s natural beauty. Although the largest province in the country, it is one of the least populated and hill tribe trekking is the most popular activity for visitors.

Key Destinations:

Stung Treng
Often described as an outpost destination, sleepy Stung Treng is usually a stop off en-route to Kratie or the Laos border. Stretching along the Mekong River, the main activities here include a visit to the Mekong Blue weaving center – the hospitality school of Tourism for Help and scenic boat trips through to the flooded forest and to Sophamit Waterfall. Use the ecotourism villages of O’Svay and Preah Rumkel as your base for trekking, cycling, kayaking and dolphin-watching.


Rattanak Kiri
Rattanak Kiri province lies in the northeast of the country (600 km or 9-10 hour drive from Phnom Penh, bordered by Vietnam to the east and Laos to the north. Whilst a journey here by car is nine hours from Phnom Penh, helicopters can be chartered to reduce the journey time. Its distance from the regular sites of Cambodia means it is rarely included on itineraries, which adds to its charm.

Perfect for those looking for nature and wildlife, the diverse geographical area encompasses rolling hills, cascading waterfalls, indigenous hill tribes, crater lakes and dense rainforest teeming with exotic flora and fauna. It offers great opportunities for the adventurous to enjoy eco-tourism. Activities include excursions/treks to remote Khmer Loeu villages and jungle areas, waterfalls, gem mines, and visit the tranquil volcanic lake of Yeak Laom near the town of Banlung, here you can swim in the clean, turquoise waters.

Mondol Kiri
Mondol Kiri is the largest province of Cambodia but is sparsely populated with about 40,000 people. Located on the eastern highlands, Mondolkiri has scenery and a climate quite unlike anywhere else in the country. There are rolling grassy hills, serene rivers, powerful waterfalls, and forested mountains. At an average elevation of 800m, it can get quite chilly at night. Mondulkiri has numerous tourist attractions such as waterfalls, indigenous hill tribes, national parks and the only place for elephant trekking in Cambodia. Sen Monorom, the provincial capital, is a quiet town with a frontier feel, although it has potential to develop into an eco-tourism center.

How to get there: Half day drive from Phnom Penh to Kratie and full day for Phnom Penh Rattanakiri. Most of the road is in good.