ratanakiri:treks_and

What to do & what to see in Ratanakiri?

With the commercial flights from Phnom Penh having been suspended, most of visitors now travel to Ratanakiri overland. The roads to Ratanakiri from Phnom Penh via Kampong Cham, Kratie, and Stung Treng are paved. The last 140 km of national road #78 from O'Pongmorn intersection (20 km east of Stung Treng) to Ban Lung is still unpaved, but has been graded and improved. Bus services now (by 4 companies) operate all year-round, making Ratanakiri reachable from Phnom Penh in 1 day.

The first half of the last 140 km road is in Stung Treng's soil, and another half in Ratanakiri. Most of the areas on both side of the road are rarely inhabited by people, and forest is remaining well intact. However, clearing of the forest land for human settlement and farming seems to progress quickly, signaling more Khmer migrants from the low land provinces to the northeast. Needless to say, the road from Stung Treng to Ratanakiri is considered the most beautiful tree-lined road in Cambodia - giving you a feeling of traveling in the middle of nowhere!

Visitors from Lao will travel to Ratanakiri via Stung Treng province and will join in the same road above. Visitors from Vietnam through O'yadao/Lethanh crossing will find the areas along the national road #78 from the Vietnam border more developed in terms of human settlement and commercial plantations.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is funding for improvement of the airport in Ratanakiri, so in the future (we are not sure when?) when the flights are back you will be landing in style. For more up to date information about traveling to Ratanakiri, please click “How to get there” on the left.

What to see and do in Yaklom Hill Lodge and the Surroundings:

-Viewing platforms : There are 3 viewing platforms in our lodge – the north, and the east (ideal for watching sunrise) on the northern hill behind the restaurant, and the south platform for viewing sunset on the southern hill behind room number 14. All 3 platforms give you a panoramic view of landscape of Ratanakiri. Some of our guests have been to this platforms in the night with clear sky in order to see the stars - of course with a beer.

-Nature Trails : The viewing platforms of the 2 hills are connected by short nature trails, starting from the woode staircase just in front of the restaurant. Walking on these trails, you might have opportunity of sighting small wildlife, and certainly you will see many kinds of birds, apart from many kinds of trees. Welcome to you all nature lovers! Check out the map of the lodge before you start.

-Hiking Trails : As our lodge is the only one situated in the countryside of Ratanakiri, i.e. in Yaklom commune, our guests may want to take a hike to the adjacent areas surrounding the lodge – the hills and farms to the south, southeast, and west; the fruit orchards and farms along the national road number 78 to the east, and the farms and the village (Phume Phnom) to the north. Guided trekking (half and full day) can be organized. (See Our Trekking below.)

-Bird Watching : A group of our guests has done a birding activities during their stay here, and come up with a start list of 22 types of birds in the lodge areas (check in our guest book). And this list still grows! So far, we have already sighted more than 60 bird species in the lodge areas and we are now in the process of declaring our lodge areas as a bird sanctuary. If you are a bird watcher, you can do your birding activities here in the lodge (or even from your balcony!) – why go far. (We hope that we will be able to organize bird watching activities in the future – we are learning.) At the hall back of the restaurant, we have set up a mini-exhibition of the bird species found in our lodge. This may be a good place to start before you do the bird watching in the area. Visitors are most welcomed to add the new species you find in our bird book placed in front of the reception counter.

In the Province: Please see the below Suggested Itineraries.

Some Suggested Itineraries

Note : Guests do not need to follow the order in this suggestion, or complete all activities on that day. This suggestion serves more or less like the contents you may want to do during your visit to Ratanakiri. Rainy season means access to some areas might be impossible or requiring longer travel time and more cautious preparation. Please check with us for updates. Or you may not want to do any of the following at all, as to relax or to chill out in our lodge may be just enough!

Day 1 – Waterfalls and Yaklom Lake

-Cha Ung waterfall (10 km), and Kachanh waterfall (7 km), rubber plantations, elephant ride from Phume Kateung to Katieng waterfall (entrance fee to each waterfall : 2000 riels)

-relax and swim at Yaklom lake in the afternoon (there is hiking trail around the lake, as well as from behind the ticket booth ending at the second swimming platform), hill tribe boy high house and girl house, visit environment and cultural center by the lake near the third platform (the lake is just 2.5 km from the lodge taking around 45 minutes to walk) (entrance fee to the lake : 4000 riels)

Day 2 – Voensai District, boat trip to the Tampuan cemetery at Kachon village

-visit morning market in Ban Lung, take transport (car or motorbike) to Voensai district o the San river (35 km, northwest of Ban Lung, 1 to 1 and a half hour ), boat to Kachon village, visit cemetery (entrance fee to cemetery : 4000 riels)

-lunch in the village, continue to visit Lao and Chinese village, drive back to Ban Lung and go to see the recline buddha on the hilltop just west of Ban Lung behind the local temple

Day3 – Kreung communities in O' chum district

-take transport (motorbike or car) to Kreung villages in O' chum district (about 20 km northeast of Ban Lung, 30-40 minutes), on the way stop over the O' chum hydropower dam and its reservoirs, the volcanic rock field (Veal Romplong Protected Area)

-visit to various Kreung villages in the area : La Ak village in La Ak commune, villages in Poy commune (e.g. Krala, Kres, Kh'meng)

-continue drive to Taveng district (45 km from Ban Lung) on the San river, boat cruise in the San river to visit Preuw communities along San river

Day4 – Tampuan long house and Jorai cemetery in Andong Meas district

-take transport to Andong Meas district (65 km northeast of Ban Lung, 1 and a half to 2 hours++), stop at Katae village in Malik commune (Tampuan tribe) to see the traditional long house

-from Andong Meas district center take a boat (or walk) to see the Jorai cemetery at Dal village by the San river, take the boat back

Day5 – Gem mine at Chomrom Beisrok and the seven-step waterfall

-take transport (motorbike or car) to Chomrom Beisrok area (35 km, 1 and a half to 2 hours, very difficult i rainy season), on the way stop at various rubber plantations and cashew nut plantations, visit zircon gem mining near the village of Chomrom Beisrok

-continue to the seven-step waterfall (entrance fee : 4000 riels)

Day 6 – the ghost town of Lomphat

-take transport to Lomphat district (35 km, 1 to 1 and a half hours) on Srepok river, visit local temple by the river in the modern day Lomphat, visit to the old site of Lomphat (as the former provincial capital) to see the war ruins of the town (abandoned highschool, the water towers with the bullet scars, etc.)

-in dry season (Feb-Apr) Tat Tay rapids (locally known as Kep Thmey) in Srepok river is the popular picnicing place of locals

Day 7 – Borkeo gem mines and Lumkut volcanic lake

-take transport (car or motorbike) to Borkeo district east of Ba Lung on road#78 (30 km, 1 hour), stop at gem mines just off the main road (road #78), continue to Borkeo market

-continue to the road to Lumpkut volcanic lake (about 55 km from Ban Lung), on the way stop over Jorai villages in Soeng commune, drive to Seda commune (Tampuan/Lao tribe), visit Lumkut lake just past Seda commune

Day8 – Jorai communities in O'yadao district

-take transport (car or motorbike) to O'yadao district east of Ban Lung on road #78 (70 km, 1 and a half to 2 hours), on the way stop at various Tampuan tribal villages

-visit various Jorai villages in O' yadao district

More on what to do

-Day-trip trekking (half-day to 1 full day) to the nearby villages and Yaklom Lake - please check in “Our Trekking” below.

-Trekking with village homestay (from 1day/1night to 3day/2night) in the Tampuan and Kreung communities - for details please check in “Our Trekking” below.

-Trekking with elephant ride and homestay in Kreung communities (2day/1night) - please see below for details.

-Trekking into the community forest (day-trip and overnight) - please see details below.

-Trekking in the Virachey National Park can be organized with the park office in town. See Ban Lung city map at the restaurant. (Virachey National Park Office is located in the premise of department of environment.) Please read the sign of the park at reception counter for more info and map. Yaklom Hill Lodge can arrange other logistics that are not provided by the park (foods, tour guide, transport to and from the park ranger station, etc.). More information can be obtained from Park Inofrmation Center in Ratanakiri - email address : soukhon07@yahoo.com You can also contact directly to the park's eco-tourism warden (Mr Soukhon) at Tel +855-12-1726817. PLEASE be noted that all the treks into the Virachey National Park MUST be organized by the park office in Ban Lung town. No hotels/guesthouses are permitted to arrange this. This means that if you ask your hotel to organize the trek into the park for you, they still have to contact the park office.

For location of each attraction, please refer to the detailed provincial map at the reception hall of Yaklom Hill Lodge. Our receptionist will be more than pleased to assist you.

Our Trekking

We are researching with the respective villages/communities the routes of trekking, and each route will be posted in this menu and our website once they are finalized. In designing our trekking, and when feasible, we meet and discuss with local hill tribe villagers (especially elders) who know well about the route, its contents, as well as how hard, how long, and how far of it. Then our staff, tour guide, and a village guide where necessary, will give that route a try.

The price of the trekking charged by us also includes, where applicable and practical, our contribution to the villages/communities that are along the trekking route. Contribution may come in different form and may be different from village to village, depending on discussion and agreement with the village, and, more importantly, appropriateness to village development activities and problems/needs. Other extra income for the villagers may be in the form of village guide fee, and sale of villagers' handicraft, and in some cases lodging fee on overnight stay in the village.

The lodge reserves the right to amend the programme and prices without prior notice when they are due necessary.

1. Day-Trip Trekking

Trekking-1 : Farm walk in Yaklom commune (a half-day trekking)

This half-day walk with the distance of about 10 kms. will give you a picture of how people in Yaklom commune (Tampuan hill tribe) practice their slash and burn (or swidden) farming. The trekking starts from the lodge on the west hiking trail up the hill side of Phnom Korl. The paths walked are the ones frequented by Tampuan hill tribe villagers (of Phumes Sil, Lapo, Lon, and Phnom) in Yaklom commune to their farms. (Phume is a Khmer word, and means “village”.) The walk goes through hilly and beautiful landscape, some points at which you may need to exercise your energy a little bit more.

You will pass a number of swidden farms where you will see and (when possible and suitable) join farm activities according to the cropping calendar or cropping pattern of the season. There are more and more Khmer people inhabiting the areas around Yaklom lake and you may notice some changes : plantations, flower gardens, forest clearance, etc.) The walk ends at the lake about lunch time. You can spend the whole afternoon at the lake and walk back to the lodge by yourself.

*Price : USD10.- (English speaking ecotour guide), Maximum : 6 persons, Guests should wear hiking shoes, trouser, hat, and bring with them enough drinking water. A handy raincoat might be needed in rainy season (May/June to October). A hiking stick can be borrowed from the lodge.

Trekking-2 : Farm walk in Yaklom commune and Yaklom Lake (a 1-day trekking)

This circuitous trekking starts from the lodge on the west hiking trail up the hill side of Phnom Korl. The paths walked are the ones frequented by Tampuan hill tribe villagers (of Phumes Sil, Lapo, Lon, and Phnom) in Yaklom commune to their farms. The walk goes through hilly and beautiful landscape, some points at which you may need to exercise your energy a little bit more. You will pass a number of swidden farms where you will see and (when possible and suitable) join farm activities according to the cropping calendar or cropping pattern of the season.

Then you will be heading through some more farms with some ups and downs before you arrive at the entrance of Yaklom volcanic lake. Lunch at the lake. Trek around the circular lake and have a look at the lake from different angle. Visit the lake's environment and cultural center where hill tribe exhibits are on display. Swim and relax are a must. If you are fit enough, then it is challenging to swim across the lake whose diameter is about 800m. Walk back to the lodge, on the way stop over Phume Phnom to observe Tampuan women weaving hill tribe clothes. The distance of this trek is approximate 15 km.

*Price : USD20.- (English speaking ecotour guide), Maximum : 6 persons, Guests should wear hiking shoes, trouser, hat, and bring with them enough drinking water, lunch box, and entrance fee for the lake (USD1 per person). A handy raincoat might be needed in rainy season (May/June to October). A hiking stick can be borrowed from the lodge.

Trekking -3 : Trekking the O'Trao Valley : a half-day Trekking

This trek starts in front of the lodge across national road number 78 on the western rim of the valley, then winds down through the valley -crossing the “Taro Creek”- where Tampuan hill tribe grow wetland and upland rice, and some Lao and Khmer people growing fruit tree crops. Then the walk continues through the jungle upward and along the eastern side of the valley, at one point offering the panoramic view of the valley to the west -including the mountains in our lodge. On the way you will have opportunity to see farming practice of Tampuan people, their animal trapping devices, and field hut and way of life in the field. Crossing 2 more streams, up the hill through more jungle and farms, you will arrive at Phume Laen Kraen (Tampuan hill tribe) of Aekkapheap commune, O'chum district around 2 or 2 and a half hour later. Take a rest before looking around the village : the bamboo water spring, the community hall, the rectangualr shape of the village layout, women weaving traditional clothes, old coffee trees, and etc. You will be picked up by motorbike or car back to the lodge.

*Price : USD15.- (English speaking ecotour guide), Maximum : 6 persons. Guests should wear hiking shoes, trouser, hat, and bring with them enough drinking water, and some money if they want to buy hand-woven cloth onsite. A handy raincoat might be needed in rainy season (May/June to October). A hiking stick can be borrowed from the lodge.

Trekking-4 : Trekking the O'Trao Valley : a 1-day trekking

O'Trao (or Taro creek) is one of the 4 small streams that feed water into the O' chum hydropower dam reservoir. The valley (part of it can be viewed from both of our viewing platforms) covers the areas in Yaklom commune of Ban Lung district, and Aekkapheap commune of O'chum district. The O'chum hydro power dam is the main power supply to Ban Lung town. (This reservoir can be seen from our lodge's north viewing platform.)

This 15 km or so, circuitous, full-day trek starts in front of the lodge across national road number 78 on the western rim of the valley, then winds down through the valley -crossing the “Taro Creek”- where Tampuan hill tribe grow wetland and upland rice, and some Lao and Khmer people growing fruit tree crops. Then the walk continues through the jungle upward and along the eastern side of the valley, at one point offering the panoramic view of the valley to the west -including the mountains in our lodge. On the way you will have opportunity to see farming practice of Tampuan people, their animal trapping devices, and field hut and way of life in the field. Crossing 2 more streams, up the hill through more jungle and farms, you will arrive at Phume Laen Kraen (Tampuan hill tribe) of Aekkapheap commune, O'chum district. Rest and lunch in one of the traditional house. Then look around to observe the village life with opportunity to see handicraft in the making - weaving hill tribe fabric of loin cloth, skirt, or blanket - usually in dry season when women are free from farm work (December to April), and water spring where people fetch water from the “bamboo” water. The trek then continues west from the village through bushes and farms downward to the ending part of O'Trao where it flows water into the reservoir. The walk ascends to the west rim of the valley entering areas of Phmue Phnom of Yaklom commune, Ban Lung district through plantation and village, then crossing the road back to the lodge.

*Price : USD20.- (English speaking ecotour guide), Maximum : 6 persons. Guests should wear hiking shoes, trouser, hat, and bring with them enough drinking water, lunch box, and some money if they want to buy hand-woven cloth onsite. A handy raincoat might be needed in rainy season (May/June to October). A hiking stick can be borrowed from the lodge.

Trekking-5 Trekking in Ochum distric in Kreung hill tribe community

Ochum district is mainly inhabited by Kreung people who maintain the slash and burn farming practice. Recently, cashew nut has been introduced and become one important cash crop for these people, like in other parts of the province. Guests leave Yaklom Hill Lodge by car for Phume Korn (Kreung hill tribe) of La Ak commune in O’chum district. After arriving at Phume Korn, observe the village life and start trekking from Phume Korn to Phume La Ak through hilly terrain of forest, bushes, stream, and slash & burn farms. Observe farming activities, chat with hill tribe farmers, and check out some agricultural practice where possible (2 hours). Arrive at Phume La Ak (Kreung hill tribe), rest and lunch; observe the village life-style. Leave Phume La Ak and continue trekking to Phume Krala through hills, forest, streams and farms. Arrive at Phume Krala (Kreung hill tribe), and take a rest in the community hall, free time, and then drive back to the lodge.

*Price : English speaking ecotour guide&village guide USD25.-; Maximum 5-6 pax; car USD50.- (lunch, drinking water not included)

2. Trekking with Village Homestay

The best way to understand village lifestyle and hill tribe culture is to stay in the village. Overnight stay provides opportunity to guests to learn how people live in their own community. Of course, people can also learn from the guests as to why they come to visit their village. So keep your mind open to talk to the villagers. To respect to the place you stay and its culture and tradition, we request your proper behavior throughout your stay in the village. Check advice at the end of this section before you decide, and check with your tour guide while in the village.

As this trekking will require staying in the village, we need to know at least 1 full working day (or longer) in advance in order for preparation with the village. The lodge reserves the rights to deviate or cancel the programme or its contents without prior notice when needs arise or due to weather/road conditions or any other unforeseen difficulties.

Trekking-1 Trekking and village home stay in Tampuan community in Ochum district –Phume La En Kraen (1 day and 1 night)

This trek starts from the north of lodge after lunch passing farms, O’Trao valley, shallow streams, and forest on rolling terrains. Observe farming practice of villagers on the way. The walk takes about 2 to 2.5 hours before arriving at Phume La En Kraen in the evening. This Tampuan hill tribe village is famous for its hill tribe fabric weaving by women (usually in the dry season). Explore around the village to see people lifestyle, check out old coffee trees, before taking a “refreshing shower”at the bamboo shower site – the village water source. Dinner at the host villager’s house and have a chat with other villagers. Overnight in the village.

After simple breakfast the next day morning, say goodbye to the host villagers and head west to the end of the O’chum dam reservoir through forest and farms. Cross the shallow stream and ascend to the boundary of Phume Phnom on the western rim of O’Trao valley. Arrive at Phume Phnom and turn left to the main road to the lodge at about midday.

*Prices : 1 person : USD40.-; 2 persons :USD27.- per person; 3-4 persons : USD22.-per person; 5-6 persons (maximum) : USD19.- per person

Prices include : English speaking guide, all meals (1 dinner+1 breakfast)&drinking water, basic sleeping gears, and lodging fee in villager house.

Trekking-2 Trekking and village home stay in Kreung community in Ochum district –trekking covering villages in La Ak and Poy communes (2 days and 1 night)

This trek provides visitors opportunity to experience the lifestyle of Kreung hill tribe people in Ratanakiri, both in their slash&burn farms and the in the village. After a 40 minute car transfer from the lodge, the trekking of the first day is originated from Phume Kokpoy –a Kreung village in Ochum district. The walk is through hilly terrain of bushes, stream, and slash & burn farms. Depending on season, you can observe farming activities, chat with hill tribe farmers, and check out some agricultural practice where possible. It takes about 2 to 2 and a half hours before arriving at the Kreung village of Phume La Ak , also in the same commune of La Ak in Ochum district. Phume La Ak typifies the Kreung settlement ones can see in Ratanakiri, i.e. the villagers’houses circle the community hall in the center of the village. Trekkers will have lunch here in the community hall. After taking a rest, trekking will continue from Phume La Ak to Phume Krala (Kreung hill tribe), also in Ochum district but another commune of Poy (2.5 hours).

After arriving at Phume Krala, trekkers will check in the community hall, have free time for rest, exploring the village, and personal routine. Dinner, informally meet/chat with village chief and other elders/villagers (subject to their availability and conditions). Overnight in Phume Krala with the host family or in the huge community hall for a large group (mat, pillow & net provided).

On the next day after simple breakfast, trekkers will continue trekking to another Kreung village of Phume Kres through forest and farms on hilly terrains (1.5 to 2 hours). Continue another 1 hour walk to the waterfall where you can enjoy lunch by the fall. (Lunch can also be had in the village and a walk to the waterfall can be done afterward.) Take a rest and then walk back to the village. Drive back to the lodge. On the way stop by the volcanic rock field (Veal Romplong Protected Area), where long time ago lava had flooded this part of the forest, making it a stone field with the black basalt rock - ask the guide to locate a hollow part under the ground of the field!

*Prices : 1 person : USD175; 2 persons :USD96 per person; 3-4 persons : USD83 per person; 5-6 persons (maximum) : USD74 per person

Prices include : car transfer throughout the trekking, English speaking guide and village guide , all meals&drinking water, basic sleeping gears, and lodging fee for the host family or to community.

Trekking -3 Trekking and village homestay in Tampuan and Kreung communities in Ochum district -trekking covering villages in Ochum commune (Tampuan), La Ak commune (Kreung)(2day&1night)

After simple breakfast in the morning of the next day, the trek continues to Phume Kokpoy (Kreung hill tribe) to which it takes about 2.5 hours to arrive. Lunch and rest. In the afternoon trekkers will spend about 2 to 2.5 hours in the walk before hitting the local road to arrive at Phume La Ak –another Kreung village. Phume La Ak is located at the end of this local road and presents the typical Kreung village, i.e. all the villagers’ houses circle the community hall at the center of the village. This community hall serves as a multi-purpose building of the villagers that includes receiving the guests who want to spend a night (or nights). After rest, picked up and drive back to Ban Lung. On the way stop by the volcanic rock field (Veal Romplong Protected Area).

*Prices : 1 person : USD146; 2 persons :USD84 per person; 3-4 persons : USD64 per person; 5-6 persons (maximum) : USD56 per person

Prices include : car transfer throughout the trekking, English speaking guide and village guide , all meals&drinking water, basic sleeping gears, and lodging fee for the host family or to community.

Trekking-4 Trekking and village homestay in Tampuan and Kreung communities in Ochum district -trekking covering villages in Ochum commune (Tampuan), La Ak commune (Kreung), and Poy commune (Kreung) (3 days & 2 nights)

Tampuan and Kreung hill tribes form the major part of ethnic minorities (or the Khmer Leu) in Ratanakiri province, apart from the Jorai. This trek offers visitors opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of these people. The trek starts from the north of Yaklom Hill Lodge on the trail winding down to O’trao Valley. Crossing the O’trao stream, the trekkers will ascend on the hill through forest and then step out to the slash and burn farm. Look back to see the panorama of Ratanakiri landscape. After 2 and a half hour, trekker will arrive at Phume La En Kraen (Tampuan)– lunch stop point. After lunch, observe women weaving hill tribe clothes (dry season), and look around the village. Another 2 hour walk or so will bring the trekkers to Tampuan village of La En Chong. Check in community hall, rest, dinner, and chat with the villagers before spending a night here. After simple breakfast in the morning of the next day, the trek continues to Phume Korn (Kreung hill tribe) to which it takes about 2.5 hours to arrive. Lunch and rest. In the afternoon trekkers will spend about 3 hours in the walk before hitting the local road to arrive at Phume La Ak –another Kreung village. Phume La Ak is located at the end of this local road and presents the typical Kreung village, i.e. all the villagers’houses circle the community hall at the center of the village. This community hall serves as a multi-purpose building of the villager that includes receiving the guests who want to spend a night (or nights). Overnight at Phume La Ak. The next day morning after breakfast, trekkiers will continue from Phume La Ak to Phume Krala (Kreung hill tribe), also in Ochum district but another commune of Poy (2.5 hours).

After arriving at Phume Krala, trekkers will have lunch at the huge community hall –even bigger than that of Phume La Ak. In the after noon, trekkers have choice of continue trekking to another Kreung village of Phume Kres (2 hours) or walk to see small waterfall of Phume Krala (1 hour) (in rainy season). Picked up and drive back to Ban Lung. On the way stop by the volcanic rock field (Veal Romplong Protected Area).

*Prices : 1 person : USD234.-; 2 persons :USD138 per person; 3-4 persons : USD105 per person; 5-6 persons (maximum) : USD87 per person

Prices include : car transfer throughout the trekking, English speaking guide and village guide , all meals&drinking water, basic sleeping gears, and contribution to community.

3. Sleeping with Elephant :Trekking with elephant and village home stay

To further the idea of improving a home stay and income for the host families of tribal communities in Ratanakiri, in the third quarter of 2007 Yaklom Hill Lodge has piloted a home stay in villages in La Bang I commune of Lomphat district, which includes trekking on foot, elephant trekking, and overnight at the elephant keeping families. In this case, the host family (which also owns elephant) will receive fees from lodging, provision of meals and sleeping gears, and, more importantly, hiring elephant. This kind of home stay will also support and encourage the families to keep elephants at their home areas in Ratanakiri where their habitat and feed are abundant and still much intact. (For some reason, many of elephants in Ratanakiri have been sold and brought to Siem Reap – the province of Angkor temples- where they are held in captivity and used purely to serve tourists on a daily basis.) In Ratanakiri, elephants are no longer used for logging, but in farm works, and fishing and hunting trips of the villagers. This means that being used for tourism is still not high priority and it is common that there are no elephants to serve tourists in certain periods of the year as they are used in family activities (e.g. in a multi-day fishing/hunting trip into the deep jungle.)

3.1 Two-day/One-night Trekking in La Bang I Commune (day 1 trekkking on foot and day 2 trekking on elephant)

The first day of this circuitous trek you will be transferred by motorbike or car to Katieng waterfall of La Bang I commune. Enjoy and refresh yourself or even swim in the cool of this beautiful waterfall, before you are led by our hill tribe guide for trekking on foot to Phume Kaplenh of La Bang I commune. The walk is through forest, hilly terrain, and paddy field. Make a lunch stop when you are hungry. Continue the walk through Veal Srae Prang (wetland rice paddy field)–said to be the rice bowl of the commune- before arriving Phume Kaplenh around mid-afternoon. Greet and check-in with the host family and rest. Walk through Phume Kaplenh and other 2 neighboring villages (Phume Katieng and Phume Kalong) to see the village lifestyle in the late afternoon. Back to the host family, there is an opportunity to get to know the elephant you will be riding the next day by taking a bath for him/her in a nearby stream (when circumstance allows). Dinner with the host family and sample “ Samlor Prong” – the vegetable thick soup cooked in bamboo – a typical dish of hill tribes in Ratanakiri. Overnight at the host family in Phume Kaplenh.

The second day after simple breakfast at the host family, you will board the elephant and head through paddy field and forest to La Bang II irrigation dam. Enjoy the scenery near the water reservoir where you will have lunch here. After lunch, continue riding elephant through the forest and hills to Katieng waterfall. If you like you can enjoy the waterfall once more, before being transferred back to the lodge.

Prices : 1 person : US$98; 2 persons : US$67 per person; 3 persons : US$81 per person; 4 persons : US$66 per person; 5 persons : US$73 per person; 6 persons (max) : US$65 per person.

Prices include : transfer from and back to the lodge, all meals, English speaking guide, drinking water, sleeping gears, lodging fee, elephant hiring, entrance fee at Katieng waterfall.

3.2 Two-day/One-night Trekking in La Bang I Commune (day 1 and day 2 trekking on elephant)

The route of this trekking is the same as the one above, but trekking of the 2 days is on elephant.

The first day you will be transferred by motorbike or car to Phume Kateung of La Bang I commune where you will board elephant and head to Katieng waterfall. Make a stop to feel a cool air at this beautiful waterfall and then continue the ride through the forest, hills, and paddy field. Stop for lunch on the way. Arrive in Phume Katieng of La Bang I commune in the afternoon. Check in and meet with the host family, and rest. You may also have time for walking around the 3 adjacent villages to see lifestyle of the villagers in the evening. Dinner with the host family and sample “ Samlor Prong” – the vegetable thick soup cooked in bamboo – a typical dish of hill tribes in Ratanakiri. Overnight at the host family in Phume Katieng..

Prices : 1 person : US$173; 2 persons : US$109 per person; 3 persons : US$130 per person; 4 persons : US$103 per person; 5 persons : US$118 per person; 6 persons (max) : US$101 per person.

Prices include : transfer from and back to the lodge, all meals, English speaking guide, drinking water, sleeping gears, lodging fee, elephant hiring, entrance fee at Katieng waterfall.

4. Trekking in the Jungle

For those who want to have a feel of more adventure in the jungle of Ratanakiri, we can organize the trek in the forest. Look below for the 2 treks .

4.1 Trekking in the community forest of O’chum district (1 night/2days)

The forest of Kalai commune is largely remaining untouched and the canopy of towering trees offer you a nice walk. Spending a night in the jungle will give you a feeling of adventure – with the sound and sight of the natural surroundings.

Day 1 Pick up from you guesthouse/hotel and you will be transferred to the village of Phume Kalai 3 (Kreung ethnic group) just 30 minute drive from Ban Lung. Meet with the village guide and make a final prepare for the day’s walk. Start the walk from the village past a few swidden farms to the jungle on the rolling and hilly terrains. Stop for lunch near one stream in the forest. After lunch and small rest, continue the walk through the jungle in the afternoon, and finally descending to O’kal stream where you will camp for a night and prepare to have dinner here.

Day 2 Wake up in the sounds of the jungle, and have a simple breakfast. After breakfast, make a circuitous walk back to Phume Kalai 3 with a lunch stop on the way in the forest. Guests may also choose a shorter route on this day so that they can arrive in the village around mid day, go for lunch in Ban Lung and then have a relaxing swim at Yaklom lake.

*Prices : 1 person : US$70.-; 2 persons or more : US$60 per person Included : Round trip transport from and to Ban Lung, entrance fee, guide and local guide fees, meals and drinking water, and sleeping gears.

4.2 Jungle trekking with overnight-village overnight-Tampuan cemetery-Yaklom Lake (2 nights/3 days) This trekking will offer you with a 2 full day walk in the towering forest of Kalai commune and Poy commune of O’chum district with one night sleeping in the jungle. After the walk on the second day, you will have opportunity to spend one night in the Kreung tribal village of Phume Svay. Highlight of the third day is the boat trip to see the Tampuan cemetery in Voensai district.

Day 1 Trek and sleep in jungle : Starting from Banlung at 8 am getting to Kalai village by car around 30 minutes. After arriving, start walking to the jungle. While we are in the jungle we can see many different types of the tree - some of the trees the ethnic minorities people still use as herbal medicine. We camp near the stream with a small natural pool where you can swim at the end of the day. For sleeping, we sleep in the hammock in the jungle.

Day 2 Trekking to the village : Start trekking to the village at 8am. While we are in the village (Phume Svay), we can see the way of the traditional tribal life and can also exchange the experience with the local people. We will sleep in the community house. In the night the local will come to visit you with a big conversation. They might bring the traditional rice wine (in a jar) to welcome you for staying in their village.

Day 3 Voensai /Boat trip/Tampuan cemetery : After the two day trek, this third day will expose you to the culture and tradition of the Tampuan tribe in Voensai district. Today we get on the 4×4 car going to Voensai district there is a river here where we can make boat trip to visit the Tompuan cemetery and the Lao and the Chinese communities along the river side. After lunch In the afternoon get back to Banlung and continue to the Yak Lom lake and spend the rest of the day here with a nice swim.

*Price: US$130.- per person (minimum 2 persons) Included: Full board, 4WD car, Drinking water, All entrance fees, Boat trip

4.4 Trekking in Virachey National Park

Please be noted that trekking into the Virachey National Park MUST be organized through the park office in Ban Lung town. The park's website is : http://viracheyecotourism.blogspot.com For trekking in Virachey NP, contact Mr Soukhon of Virachey NP's Ecotourism Information Center : soukhon07@yahoo.com OR khonvnp.kh@gmail.com and Tel . +855-77-965196. The park offers various multi-day trekking options (from 2day/1night to 8day/7night and more). Many of our guests stayed at our lodge the first night or the first 2 nights before taking this adventure, and another night or so at our lodge after coming out of the park.

Things to bring, things to do, and things not to do

-shoes suitable for trekking, flip-flop during stay in the village, sun cream, insect repellent, torch, water

-the trails walked are mostly the ones that villagers use for traveling to their farms or to other villages. There might be parts of the trek (at the beginning or ending of that leg) that hit the local roads.

-the walk may be through some leach infested areas as well as wading through shallow streams

-walk only on the well-worn track (no land mines reported in Ratanakiri, but might be animal traps!)

-nudity and expression of affection in the village should not be practiced in the village

-get permission before you take picture of the villagers. Use you common sense by looking at the body language communicated by villager that it means “yes” or “no”. Ask the guide to help you out.

-respect to the hill tribe culture, check out some taboos (eg. sacred banana near the community hall, …) Ask the local guides.

-no gifts or candy to the villagers or kids, please. Unless it is organized in the community meeting manner

-if you are not qualified doctor, please do not prescribe medicine or perform medical consultation or treatment in the village

-do not step on crops while passing through farms. They are the result of farmers’ hard work and only once a year.

-please consider hygiene concern when you want to taste the locally produced rice wine.

-do not leave any garbage in the village, farm, and forest. Bring all of them with you to the lodge.

-all the villages visited have no electricity, so be prepared to sleep in the dark in the middle of nowhere. Candle will be use for lighting before bedtime.