Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime four day trek as we venture to the remote villages and forests of Cambodia from the secluded village of Chi Phat into the isolated forests of Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains. These mountains are one of the last places in South East Asia with large expanses of intact lowland rain forest, where forest connects mountaintops to the ocean, pristine rivers cascade into the sea, and wildlife is still in abundance.
Perfect for the solo traveller and groups alike, our trek will take us to various natural and cultural sites in the forest such as waterfalls, ancient burial sites, bat caves as well as experiencing wildlife such as monkeys, hornbills and flying squirrels. What can be better than venturing deep into the forest, being one with nature and sleeping under the stars?
Day One: Phnom Penh Arrival Upon arrival you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel. For the rest of the day you are free at leisure to relax and acclimatise. In the evening you will be taken to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner and your first taste of Khmer cuisine.
Overnight at Tea House Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day Two: Phnom Penh to Chi Phat You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to bus station to catch a bus to the riverside community of Andoung Teuk. Upon arrival, we board the Chi Phat Community boat for a 2-hour upstream journey along the Preak Piphot River. During this ride, be on the lookout for birds and mammals coming to the water’s edge to drink. Upon arrival in the small, remote community of Chi Phat you meet the eco-tourism staff and get a short introduction regarding their hard work within the community. Afterwards have lunch and discuss the activities for the following days.
Overnight at Sun Bear Bungalow (only fan)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day Three: Trek from Chi Phat to Veal Ta Prak (10km) Waking early whilst it is still dark you meet your community guide and forest cook, board your motorboat and cruise along the cool waters. As the sun rises and you are entertained by the skies changing colors you can enjoy your breakfast. Soon you turn off the Preak Piphot River and sail up the secluded and winding Stung Pruit River. After an hour the motorboat cuts its engines and you transfer to a traditional row boat and continue upstream. Now being engine-less you can really appreciate the silence of the surroundings and hear birds from the thick forests lining the river. This is the ideal opportunity to see the area’s birdlife as well as watching out for other wildlife such as monkeys and flying squirrels.
Eventually the rowboats arrive at a small clearing where you disembark, and begin your Cardamom trekking. Here you disappear into the forest, follow the winding and undulating trail which is full of exotic sights, scents and sounds, including gibbons calling from high up in the tree tops. Lunch is taken next to a scenic river and you will be amazed at how quickly your forest cook sets up the campfire and prepares a hot, basic but tasty meal.
After relaxing the trek continues, on route the guide will point out various signs of wildlife and various plants. Try the delicious forest leaves and fruits which he suggests. In the early afternoon you reach your low-impact campsite and hammocks are strung up. Later on, you may wish to walk to Veal Ta Prak the nearby grassy clearing / watering hole. Here you can look out for hornbills, parrots, wild pigs, deer and monkeys. Hike back to the camp where the forest cook will have prepared your dinner. The rest of the evening can be spent around the campfire exchanging stories and gazing up into the starry night.
Overnight in a hammock in a jungle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Four: Trek from Veal Ta Prak to Chi Phat (13km) Another early start as you return to Veal Ta Prak to spot more wildlife animals. Back at the camp you will have some breakfast and continue your Cardamom trekking tour as you follow old logging trails back to Chi Phat. Much of today’s trekking is through secondary forest as most of the valuable primary forest was logged during the wild and tumultuous 1980’s that this area witnessed. After some time you leave the shade of the trees behind and descend across open, parched and sandy grassland.
Back in Chi Phat you will have lunch. In the afternoon you are free at leisure and may wish to visit the nearby rapids for a refreshing swim. After freshening up, a tasty dinner will be served at the Community Ecotourism Office and then you can wander around the village and experience rural community night life.
Overnight at Sun Bear Bungalow (only fan)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Five: Chi Phat to Phnom Penh – Departure (no guide) You may wish to rise early this morning in order to walk down to the river and watch the magical sunrise and the villagers slowly waking up. After breakfast you bid farewell to Chi Phat as you journey back by motor taxi to Andoung Teuk. On arrival at Andoung Teuk you will catch bus and return to Phnom Penh, allowing you time to reflect on the wonderful and unique Cardamom Mountain trekking experience you have enjoyed in the seldom visited mountains of Cambodia, and taking away very fond memories. TOUR OPTION Upon arrival in the Phnom Penh, we set off on a tuk tuk exotic food safari! You've just spent the week enjoying nature, now it's time to eat them! Experience all sorts of dishes from deep fried duck bills, roasted rats, spider curry or how about monkey brains on toast?
Meet your driver and transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Cost: £550 per person
Inclusions Accommodation in Chi Phat (basic with no a/c) Community boat Andoung Teuk / Chi Phat Local guides in Chi Phat All necessary entrance fees All necessary boat trips Bus ticket from Phnom Penh to Andoung Teuk Bus ticket from Andoung Teuk to Phnom Penh Pickup and Drop off at the airport Hammocks for sleeping in the forest Daily drinking water All meals as detailed in the above itinerary
Exclusions Services not detailed in the above itinerary Travel to tour start location (Phnom Penh) Cambodian Visa fees Drinks with included meals Expenditure of a personal nature Discretionary tips Travel insurance Any payment/money transfer charges
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