5 Days Private Guide Tour Hidden Adventure of Cambodia Kratie and Mondulkiri

5 Days Private Guide Tour Hidden Adventure of Cambodia Kratie and Mondulkiri

Discover Cambodia’s wild side. This itinerary is perfect for the adventurous or second timers who have already been to the temples of Siem Reap and wish to discover the unknown gems of Cambodia. Head to remote Kratie and Mondulkiri province where nature unfurls in all her glory, untouched and pure.

All our tours are exclusive private tours, so you will not be put together with other guests

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1: Phnom Penh – Kratie

Stop At: Koh Trong, Mekong River, Kratie Cambodia
Road journey from Phnom Penh to Kratie with sightseeing: Leave Phnom Penh and travel northeast to the bustling provincial city of Kompong Cham. En route, there is the chance to pause at Skuon, affectionately known as 'Spiderville', where it is possible to sample the local delicacy of deep fried tarantula. Arrive in Kompong Cham mid-morning and visit the sacred hills of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (man and woman hill). Later you will stop at the 'fusion' temple of Wat Nokor, an 11th century sandstone temple with a colourful modern wat set in its central courtyard. There are some intricate carvings at this temple and the kitsch contrast between the Hindu past and the Buddhist present is almost unheard of elsewhere in Cambodia. You will then enjoy a local lunch in Kompong Cham. Afterwards the road journeys continue on the east bank, passing through the old river port of Chhlong, a small and peaceful village on the Mekong River Bank with typical Khmer and Colonial architecture, and enjoy the diversity of landscapes of the surrounding pretty country side. On reaching Kratie, a sleepy Mekong port and gateway to an encounter with the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin that inhabit the upper reaches of the Mekong, you will take a small ferry boat to the island of Koh Trong situated in the middle of the Mekong River opposite Kratie town check into your hotel.

Lodging: Rajabori Villas (Bungalow Room) – Kratie
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Lodging: Rajabori Villas (Bungalow Room) – Kratie

Day 2: Day 2: Kratie – Mondulkiri

Stop At: Phnom Sombok, Road 308, Kratie Cambodia
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Irrawaddy dolphin spotting trip: After breakfast travel to nearby Kampi and set off in search of the rare Irrawaddy dolphin which inhabits this stretch of river. Travel by motorised boat to access the deep pools where the dolphins are found before switching to local paddle boat to avoid disturbing these gentle creatures. Viewing is commonplace, although it is easier to see the dolphins in the shallower waters of the dry season, than in the swollen river of the wet season. After spending some time alone with these rare creatures, return to the mainland for your onward journey to North of Kratie, visit Wat Phnom Sambok to see the Buddhist monasteries and enjoy the magnificent views of the surrounding countryside from the hilltop.

Road Journey from Kratie to Sen Monorom: Later this morning travel south towards the small junction town of Snuol, our gateway to the wilds of Mondulkiri. After a (very) local lunch in the small town of Snuol, leave behind the surfaced roads of civilization and take on the red earth roads of hill country. The first half of the journey from Snuol is flat, passing through patches of lush forest and areas of cultivation and plantations. After Khau Si Ma district, the road snakes up through the mountains that give Mondulkiri its name of 'where the mountains meet'. There is lush jungle hugging the road and locals claim to see tigers on this stretch at night. Nearing Sen Monorom, the provincial capital, the scenery changes again, jungle giving way to clusters of pine trees and rolling grasslands. The scenery is unique for Cambodia and dotted with traditional Pnong villages, the main minority group in Mondulkiri.

Lodging: Mayura Hill Resort (Superior Villa) – Mondulkiri
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Lodging: Mayura Hill Resort (Superior Villa) – Mondulkiri

Day 3: Day 3: Mondulkiri

Stop At: Mondulkiri Province Hall, Krong Saen Monourom, Cambodia
Meals included: Breakfast

Tour of Bou Sraa Falls and minority villages: Early morning, visit the local market where many of the Phnong people from the nearby villages are coming to trade with their distinctive baskets they carry on their back. Full day visit to the nearby hill tribes villages and the pretty waterfalls just a few kilometers away from the sleepy capital. There are hundreds of minority villages around Sen Monorom. One of the largest and easiest to access being Phlung village inhabited by Phnong chunchiets. The curious huts have woven wooden walls and thatched roofs almost to the floor. Three or more families often live in just one hut. You will be lucky to see more than a handful of people during daytime, as they are all out working in the fields.

Next, you’ll head east towards the double drop waterfall of Bou Sraa, one of the most famous in Cambodia. Stop along the way at a Phnong minority village to learn a little about their way of life. You may be invited to drink some rice wine, as Pnong villagers are extremely hospitable and welcoming of outsiders. Continue to Bou Sraa to explore the falls. It is possible to access both drops and there are swimming opportunities for those who want to take the plunge.

Lodging: Mayura Hill Resort (Superior Villa) – Mondulkiri
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Lodging: Mayura Hill Resort (Superior Villa) – Mondulkiri

Day 4: Day 4: Mondulkiri

Stop At: Mondulkiri Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary, Krong Saen Monourom, Cambodia
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Visit to The Elephant Valley Project: Depart Sen Monorom after breakfast and travel to the nearby Elephant Valley Project which, with the support of the Pnong villagers, rescues and treats domestic elephants who have suffered illness or injury. To enjoy a unique ‘be a mahout for a day’ experience, you will be introduced to the elephants and get to know more about their behaviour, their body language and to learn to direct and control them before your first opportunity to enjoy this traditional form of transport. After lunch take an elephant trek through the stunning Mondulkiri countryside to a waterfall for a refreshing swim and elephant bath. In the afternoon return to Sen Monorom.

Lodging: Mayura Hill Resort (Superior Villa) – Mondulkiri
Duration: 6 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Lodging: Mayura Hill Resort (Superior Villa) – Mondulkiri

Day 5: Day 5: Mondulkiri – Kompong Cham – Phnom Penh

Pass By: Mekong River, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Meals included: Breakfast

Road journey from Sen Monorom to Kompong Cham: This morning leave behind the wilds of Mondulkiri, dropping off the windswept, pine-clad hills through teaming jungle back to the lowlands of Cambodia. Arrive in the provincial city of Kompong Cham. Tour of Koh Paen & the Bamboo Bridge: Drive 1km south of central Kompong Cham to the famous bamboo bridge, a structure made from scratch each year at the start of the dry season out of local materials. Cross the bridge and set foot on the laid back Mekong island of Koh Paen, a great place to see daily lives of the local fisherfolk and farmers on this fertile stretch of the river. The best way to see the island is on a hired bicycle, which your guide can arrange for you. From here we transfer back to Phnom Penh direct to your hotel or Phnom Penh Airport in time for your flight to next destination. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey.

Departures: Daily private tours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.