The Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri provinces, located in Cambodia’s eastern reaches, are prime terrain for those looking to get off the tourist trail.
The region boasts vast swaths of rugged landscapes, where nature runs wild and cultural traditions run deep. As tourism infrastructure improves in the region, EXO Travel is excited by the possibilities on offer.
Sophie Chan, EXO Cambodia Product Manager, and our product team recently returned from an in-depth inspection trip in Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri. We asked her to share her impressions and takeaways.
‘Our trip started off with a drive to Stung Treng, a small town on the Mekong River, before continuing to Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri. In these regions, you feel like you have entered a different world. The local life is very authentic, untouched by the modernity that we see in Phnom Penh,’ she remarked.
‘In Ratanakiri, there are so many opportunities to learn about local ways of life‘
Ratanakiri is tucked in the northeast corner of Cambodia, sharing a border with Laos and Vietnam. Due to this location, the area is home to a variety of ethnic groups, each with their own traditions and customs.
‘In Ratanakiri there are so many opportunities to learn about local ways of life. We were able to see traditional textile weaving- which uses a different method from what you can see in Siem Reap- and also the production of local rice wine,’ Sophie explains.
Sophie’s favourite experiences were a full day around Yeak Loam Lake, which included trekking and visiting a local village of the Tampuon people, and a shorter two-hour trek from a lava field to a Koreung community village.
Details: The town of Saen Monourom is the best base for exploring the Mondulkiri province. It is located around 6-7 hours drive from Phnom Penh and only 3 hours by road from Ban Lung, Ratanakiri. There are a few simple but clean accommodation options including Mayura Hotel and two new properties, Pidoma Hotel and KNN Resort.
‘Mondulkiri is a really special area, unlike any other landscape in Cambodia.’
Mondulkiri is Cambodia’s largest province but also, it’s least populated. It’s a prime destination for nature lovers and ecotourism, with huge swaths of rugged forest, abundant wildlife and waterfalls.
‘Mondulkiri is a really special area, unlike any other landscape in Cambodia. The people value their natural environment, working hard to protect it from pollution and learn about conservation methods,’ Sophie explains.
The highlight for her was trekking to Jahoo Gibbon Camp, a joint conservation project of the local Bunong people and WCS (an international conservation group). The camp is home to seven species of Gibbon as well as numerous bird species. There is also a wonderful, ethical elephant sanctuary in the area, where guests can view elephants- from a distance- in their natural habitat.
Details: The town of Saen Monourom is the best base for exploring the Mondulkiri province. It is located around 6-7 hours drive from Phnom Penh and only 3 hours by road from Ban Lung, Ratanakiri. There are a few simple but clean accommodation options including Mayura Hotel and two new properties, Pidoma Hotel and KNN Resort.
EXO’s Eastern Adventure Cambodia is a 10-day journey featuring experiences in Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri that highlight the region’s natural wonders and cultural diversity. Following her recent inspection trip, Sophie not only refreshed the itinerary but is also looking at other new routes.
‘I am feeling a lot of excitement because I can see that there are many things that we can do to promote these areas,’ Sophie explains.
‘Now that I am back in the office, I will be working on creating new programmes for the northeast and east. I can see so much opportunity in the region, especially with the new hotels- it’s very promising!’
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