Adventure tour from Koh Kong to Phnom Penh
This soft adventure tour takes us through pristine jungle and riverscapes from Koh Kong to Phnom Penh.
On boat trips, treks and a mountain bike ride we discover the natural beauty of some of Cambodia’s most remote areas first hand and experience the traditional lifestyle as part of a homestay in a local village.
Overview
5 Days (4 Nights) from Koh Kong to Phnom Penh- Day 1 Koh Kong, mangrove forest of Peam Krasop; river boat trip to Koh Pao
- Day 2 Jungle trek and boat trip to Rainbow lodge
- Day 3 Homestay in the village of Chiphat; mountain bike tour
- Day 4 Hike in Kirirom National Park
- Day 5 Country life in Chambok, continue to Phnom Penh
Day 1: We start this journey with a visit of Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary. Cambodia’s largest and most pristine mangrove forest is considered to be one of the most beautiful mangrove coastal ecosystems in Southeast Asia. It is also the home of a number of endangered bird and mammal species. We take the walkway constructed by the local community to a watch tower from which we enjoy the view over the unique ecosystem and observe fishermen at their work. We take a boat ride along the meandering mangrove canals to a remote beach, from where dolphins can be spotted during the dry season.
At around noon we return to Koh Kong town for lunch before we board a small speed boat that takes us upriver to the Koh Pao rapids. A short walk over the rocks and through the jungle will bring us to some beautiful pools where we can swim and relax. Our boat takes us back to Koh Kong where we arrive towards the evening.
Day 2: We leave Koh Kong in the early morning after breakfast. On the way to the Rainbow Lodge we visit the Ta Tai Waterfalls. The Ta Tai river flows from its source in the Cardamom mountains through the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary to the Gulf of Thailand. Depending on the season the waterfalls are a series of smaller falls and natural pools in which it is possible to swim or a thundering mass of water which can only be admired from the riverbank. We continue through the Cardamom mountains to Ta Tai Bridge, from where a fishing boat takes us upriver to scenic Rainbow Lodge. This eco-friendly bungalow guesthouse is beautifully located on the bank of the river and seems a lifetime away from civilisation. After lunch we take a walk through the lush jungle to a beautiful spot on the river where we have time to relax and have a swim before we return to the Lodge for a refreshing sunset drink.

Day 3: Today we visit one of the remote communities in the Cardamom Mountains, the village of Chiphat. The community has received development aid and training from Wildlife Alliance, an international organisation for wildlife and nature protection. A boat picks us up and takes us upriver to the village. On the 2-hour ride into the southern Cardamom mountains we have the opportunity to observe wild animals from our boat. At Chiphat we meet our hosts and receive useful information on the village and our accommodation before we have lunch. Later we embark on a mountain bike trek through the wilderness in the area. We return to the village where the community has prepared dinner for us to enjoy under the star filled sky.
Day 4: We say good bye to our hosts and return by boat to the main road, from where we continue overland to Kirirom National Park. The Kirirom plateau is about 800m above seal level and affords spectacular views of the Cardamom mountains. We drive up to the top, from where we start our trek through pine forest to two small lakes. Occasionally we spot rare birds and other wildlife on the way. After our picnic lunch we continue downhill through the dense forest to a wonderful waterfall where we can swim before returning to our resort where we enjoy some free time around the swimming pool before dinner.
Day 5: We leave early today to visit the village of Chambok, an eco-tourism community at the foothills of Kirirom National Park that is supported by a local aid organisation. We explore the village and surrounding area with its rich flora and fauna by oxcart before we have lunch at a beautiful spot. A short trek leads us to a spectacular 40 m high waterfall where we have some time to relax before we drive to Phnom Penh.
The above tours are therefore sample itineraries.
Jungle, rivers and mangrove forests
The border town on the coast is not only increasingly popular as a gateway to Cambodia for overland travellers, but also as a destination itself.
With its many pristine rivers, dense mangrove forests, virtually undiscovered Koh Kong island and the nearby jungle-coverd Cardamom Mountains, Koh Kong province offers a wealth of eco-tourism and adventure possibilities.
Bustling Capital
Cambodia’s bustling capital is situated at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. Legend has it that Phnom Penh was founded when a woman by the name of Penh found Buddha images washed up on the bank of the Mekong River. In 1373, a temple, Wat Phnom, was built on a hill to house them. With Phnom in Khmer meaning hill, Phnom Penh literally translates as Hill of Penh. Officially the city was founded in 1434 by King Ponhea Yat, following the fall of Angkor.
Today, Phnom Penh is a city of more than 1.5 million people. With continuing urban development it is fast developing into an economic hub of the region, at the same time retaining its distinct atmosphere with its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial buildings and an abundance of chic bistros dotted along the riverfront, bustling markets, intriguing boutiques and stylish hotels.
Places of interest include the royal palace including the Silver Pagoda with its spectacular floor made up of 5,000 silver tiles, the National Museum housing treasures from the world’s finest collection of sculptures from the Angkor period, Wat Phnom, the city’s landmark and the notorious Toul Sleng Genocide Museum.
Phnom Penh is also ideal gateway for daytrips to the surrounding countryside. Particularly attractive are boat trips on the Mekong and Tonle Sap combined with a visit to the picturesque Silk Island or a visit of Udong, once the Capital of Cambodia, and the floating villages of Kampong Chhnang.
In this Category
The Wild Northeast
Soft adventure components, including an elephant ride, a homestay in a minority village as well as boat and cycling tours.
Cambodia by Bicycle
Cycle along idyllic country roads, explore pristine riverscapes and stay in small villages on this remarkable journey.
Southern Adventure
Discover the natural beauty of some of Cambodia’s most remote areas first hand.
Other Categories
Cruise Cambodia
Discover the lifestyle of the Khmer in floating villages and visit places of interest that are not easily accessible overland.
Beach Breaks in Cambodia
Sihanoukville Beach Break or Escape to laid-back Kep, the former sea resort of Cambodia’s elite.
Angkor Discovery
On this tour you will visit the most important temples of the Angkor era surrounding Siem Reap, including Angkor Wat.