Ratanakiri Smiling Tours

DAY TOURS AROUND RATANAKIRI

Eco Tours Ratanakiri ( Khmer for Mountain of previous stones ) province is located in the north east of Cambodia, 588km from Phnom Penh. The population is around 180,000. It covers an area of around 10,782 square km.

It is an area rich in natural beauty and is home to several ethnic hill tribes and minority groups. Tourists can visit communities and experience first-hand the evening day life, traditions, customs and rituals of indigenous people.

DAY TOUR 1: ELEPHANT RIDE, CRATER LAKE AND WATERFALLS

We will begin the day by driving you to Katieng waterfall on the outskirts of the jungle. After enjoying the beautiful cool water we will help you mount an elephant which will take you on a two hours trek through streams, plantations, and some primary forest. Two more waterfalls are highlights of this trek, Kachanh and Cha oung waterfalls.

After the Waterfalls, we will travel to the famous Yaklom Crater Lake. After enjoying the lunch here, we can do some hiking visit the cultural centre and enjoy refreshing swim in this beautiful Cambodian land mark.

There will also be opportunities to meet villagers and view some authentic ethnic handicrafts and produce.

Elephant_02
Yeak Laom Lake

DAY TOUR 2: TRIP TO UDONG MEAS AND INDIGENOUS JARAI VILLAGES

We will leave Banlung at 8.30 am and enjoy a 1 hour moto or car journey through Andong Meas district, stopping along the way to visit local mining communities and examine the beautiful gem stones that they find.

We will also welcome by Jarai and Kachock villagers who will invite us to observe their daily lives, traditions and rituals. We will then travel to Andong Meas where we will board a boat on the Sesan river and take a trip that includes visits to gold mining communities ends with a visit to the fascinating Jarai cemetery which house ancient graves and authentic Jarai wooden carving representing the dead.

This is a rewarding excursion which will give you an insight into the ancient cultures of Ratanakiri.

zircon-mine
rough zircon

DAY TOUR 3: TRIP TO VEAN SAI, KACHOCK VILLAGE

This trip gives an insight into the diversity of cultures represented in Ratanakiri. We will take you one hour and half trip through beautiful scenery, pausing to visit a traditional Kreong village, and buffalo herds.

When we arrive at Vean Sai, the river adventure begins. Traveling up river through the beautiful jungle, we will stop to visit ancient Kachock tribe’s beautiful cemetery and nearby Koh Piek village.

We will then travel down river and stop for lunch in a good quality local restaurant serving authentic local cuisine. We will then cross the river to visit the Chinese and Laos village and visit the traditional medical centre. Here, local healers meet and collaborate to produce traditional medicines based local natural produce.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn or buy some of these remedies before returning to Banlung.

river tour
village visit