Cambodia North Eastern tour
| country: | Cambodia |
| location: | Angkor Wat |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade year round to suit your budget and requirements |
| price: | From £500 (8 days) including domestic flights only, as per itinerary, based on two travelling. Price includes airport transfers, B&B accommodation, guides & admission fees. Reductions for groups of 4 - 8. We can help arrange flights from the UK |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
A real “off-the-beaten-track” adventure, travelling to some of Cambodia’s least-visited destinations. This trip combines nature and cultural experiences, with the chance to stay overnight in a minority village.
One of the most remote and striking destinations in Cambodia, Rattanakiri in the North East is like no other place in the country. Pristine jungle, dazzling waterfalls and ethnic minority tribes combine to make this an interesting, adventurous and relaxing trip all at the same time. 4WD expeditions, trekking, swimming and even elephant riding are all included, and our local guides help to ensure that wherever you go, you are welcomed as a friend. Your journey overland to Rattanakiri takes you first to the small Mekong riverside town of Kratie. Home of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins, Kratie has a charming character all of its own and seems to have better sunsets than almost anywhere else in the country.
Our private tours are designed to show travellers with limited time as much as possible of this fascinating country, and are led by a local tour leader or guide who can add insight to every stage of the journey.
You can choose the grade of accommodation you would prefer from a selection that has been hand-picked by us for their comfort, atmosphere and friendly staff – most of which are locally-owned. We can also create a custom itinerary for you that includes other destinations or incorporates special interests such as wildlife, art or social welfare.
One of the most remote and striking destinations in Cambodia, Rattanakiri in the North East is like no other place in the country. Pristine jungle, dazzling waterfalls and ethnic minority tribes combine to make this an interesting, adventurous and relaxing trip all at the same time. 4WD expeditions, trekking, swimming and even elephant riding are all included, and our local guides help to ensure that wherever you go, you are welcomed as a friend. Your journey overland to Rattanakiri takes you first to the small Mekong riverside town of Kratie. Home of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins, Kratie has a charming character all of its own and seems to have better sunsets than almost anywhere else in the country.
Our private tours are designed to show travellers with limited time as much as possible of this fascinating country, and are led by a local tour leader or guide who can add insight to every stage of the journey.
You can choose the grade of accommodation you would prefer from a selection that has been hand-picked by us for their comfort, atmosphere and friendly staff – most of which are locally-owned. We can also create a custom itinerary for you that includes other destinations or incorporates special interests such as wildlife, art or social welfare.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart for Kratie by 4WD – around 5 hours, with a few short stops en route. In the afternoon travel by small private boat to see the rare freshwater dolphins in the Mekong River – the only place in Cambodia where they can be seen. Overnight at a small local hotel. |
| Day 2: | Travel by private 4WD to Banlung, capital of Rattanakiri province - this trip will take around 5 hours along an unsealed road. Along the way, you may well see some wildlife - this road sees hardly any cars and travels entirely through the countryside. On arrival, check into a local eco-resort, small simple wooden lodges surrounded by forest. In the afternoon, swim in the beautiful crater lake of Boeng Yeak Lom, with beautiful clear water, in the middle of the rainforest. |
| Day 3: | Travel by private 4WD through beautiful scenery to the Virachey National Park, passing a number of Kreung (minority tribe) villages built in the bamboo forest. Continue by small private boat to some more remote villages (where you will eat a simple packed lunch – included), and walk back to the boat departure point (around two hours on fairly flat terrain) before returning back to Banlung. |
| Day 4: | Really get “off the beaten track” - trek for around 5 hours (fairly easy grade) through the countryside, passing through jungle and minority villages. A packed lunch is included, and late afternoon you will arrive in one of the villages where you will stay overnight. |
| Day 5: | Pick up from the village by your 4WD and transfer to ‘jungle transport’ for a one hour elephant ride to the Kachang waterfall, where you can take a refreshing swim. In the afternoon, visit the stunning Cha Oung waterfall, where it is possible to walk behind the waterfall and the drop is so steep that the cascade of water dwarfs anybody standing under it.. Return to your lodge in time to take a walk up to the hill to watch the sunset. |
| Day 6: | Visit the Banlung market, which sells locally grown fruit, before returning by 4WD to KRATIE, where you will stay overnight. |
| Day 7: | In the morning, visit the largest wat in Cambodia - complete with over 100 columns, it is a place of local pilgrimage and home to some very old monks. In the afternoon, travel by private boat to an island in the Mekong river, then walk for around 3km around its coast to see its flora and fauna (including some unexpected creatures!) and rural way of life. Return to Kratie town early evening. |
| Day 8: | Return to Phnom Penh after breakfast, following a different route whch goes through the forest close to the Mekong River. On the way, see the pepper plantations and how bricks are made. Lunch will be at a small resturant on the way. Arrival in Phnom Penh mid-afternoon, in time to connect with an evening flight out (additional nights’ accommodation can be arranged for an additional charge) |
travellers' tales
Our most memorable experience on the trip was our overnight stay in a village, with a Minority tribe... This was an incredible opportunity to really observe how the people live, and and to appreciate how different their lifestyle is! (more)
this tailormade holiday
Our private tours are designed to show travellers with limited time as much as possible of this fascinating country, and are led by a local tour leader or guide who can add insight to every stage of the journey. You can choose the grade of accommodation you would prefer from a selection that has been hand-picked by us for their comfort, atmosphere and friendly staff – most of which are locally-owned. We can also create a custom itinerary for you that includes other destinations or incorporates special interests such as wildlife, art or social welfare.how this holiday makes a difference
 We are a social enterprise, created from the outset with the aim of providing local people with much-needed employment, a sense of community and opportunities for development. Using best business practices to improve lives in areas of need, we provide direct support to on-the-ground humanitarian and conservation projects. We believe that truly responsible travel should benefit both the client and the destination in equal measures. The client gains an insight into other countries and cultures, learning a little bit about themselves in the process. The destination receives economic benefit and opportunities for self-development – but never at the sacrifice of their culture or integrity. In order to achieve these aims we operate two policies alongside each other: the first to minimise what we take, the second to maximise what we give back. Self-administration of projects and funds ensures that 100% of our support goes directly to the people who need it. As a social enterprise, our tour leaders are all local people who have been personally chosen and trained by us, and have been able to realise their potential and work towards a better future for themselves and their families. Encouraged to have an input on how the company operates and develops, our team brings constructive criticism, fresh ideas and a deeper level of interaction with our clients. This trip is a fascinating journey to one of the country's most remote and unvisited destinations – a chance to really appreciate the culture and natural beauty of Cambodia. Run as a private tour or as an extension to our 14 day small group trip, you stay in small, simple, locally-owned hotels and guesthouses (including a hill resort comprising small wooden bungalows set in the forest). You will be accompanied throughout by one of our local tour leaders, who in addition to providing you with a wealth of information will also give you a true insight into the culture of the country. While in Rattanakiri you will be escorted by a local guide, who lives in the area and is well known and liked by the inhabitants of the minority villages. This ensures that our visits are always well-received and that we do not interfere with the daily lives of small communities. During the trip, you will meet with a conservation organisation to learn about what is being done to protect some of the country’s most endangered species, and take a walk in a community-managed jungle area where the entrance fees directly benefit the local people. The homestay in the jungle is a unique opportunity to really interact with a minority tribe, who are compensated directly for their hospitality. In addition, our commitment to fair salaries and in-country training ensure that the country directly benefits from your holiday. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |