Ratanakiri and Mondolkiri or the discovery of a wild Cambodia

Ratanakiri and Mondolkiri are two remote and wild provinces that still distil a scent of adventure. These neighboring provinces, on the Northeastern edge of Cambodia, will reveal to you another, more authentic face of the Khmer kingdom.

Mondolkiri, the "little Switzerland" of Cambodia

Mondolkiri, meaning "meeting of the hills" in the Khmer language, is a vast region located in the northeast of Cambodia, at an average altitude of 800 meters, composed of landscapes all in curves of green valleys, primary forests and thick jungles. For a long time almost inaccessible due to poor access routes, Mondolkiri is gradually opening up to foreign travelers since the construction of an excellent road that has opened up this remote and preserved territory. Sen Monorom, the provincial capital, perched at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, is now only a 4-hour drive from Phnom Penh. A true land of adventure, Mondolkiri arouses interest and curiosity among seasoned travelers eager to discover its landscapes of rolling highlands with soft green fur, home to a rich ecosystem, and where many ethnic minorities live.

Mondolkiri Province is mainly inhabited by the Phnong ethnic group, known as "mountain people" since this ethnic group lives in total symbiosis with nature. They draw their resources from there to feed themselves but also to build their traditional houses with thatched roofs which almost systematically contain the famous gongs that punctuate their traditional festivals and their animist rites.

From Sen Monorom, we invite you to go hiking through the abundant nature to meet the Phnong and other ethnic groups who share the territory. You will discover a daily life focused mainly on agriculture, hunting, fishing and gathering. Walking from green spruce hills to coffee plantations and then into jungles, you will discover some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Cambodia. With its 30 meters of height and its double waterfall plunging into the jungle below, the Bousra waterfall is one of the most spectacular in the country and an ideal place to relax during your hike. The waterfalls of Romanear, Dak Dam and Chrey Thom are also very popular for the natural pools that they offer to their visitors.

Take advantage of your trip to Mondolkiri to meet the elephants by visiting the Elephant Valley Project. This NGO aims to protect the elephants of Mondolkiri and to raise awareness among its visitors about the mistreatment and environmental dangers that threaten elephants, particularly their natural habitat, which is in danger due to deforestation. Elephant Valley Project offers you the chance to experience an intimate encounter rich in interactions with the pachyderm by walking with it, without riding it, in its natural environment.

>> Read more: Mondulkiri - Cambodia - 5 things to do absolutely

Ratanakiri, the Cambodian Far East

A landlocked province, the Northernmost in Cambodia, Ratanakiri is one of the least developed regions of the country. This region of wild and raw beauty is adorned with hills, mountains, wooded plateaus, rice plains, winding rivers, waterfalls and crater lakes. Few travelers dared to go to this very remote territory, discouraged by hours of hellish tracks. More accessible, Ratanakiri is gradually opening up to travelers to whom it likes to reveal all its natural and cultural treasures.

It takes at least two full days to fully enjoy Ratanakiri. There is no shortage of activities and there is something for everyone. Hiking enthusiasts love exploring Virachey National Park, the largest park in Cambodia. This vast natural area is a sanctuary for many animal species such as gibbons, pangolins, bears, leopards, wild elephants and birds, but also for abundant flora including many plants that are part of the traditional pharmacopoeia of ethnic minorities. These people live grouped in villages of wooden and bamboo houses in the shape of community longhouses or individual round huts often on stilts. Animists, these mountain tribes practice many traditional ceremonies in their villages including special funeral rites and ritual animal sacrifices such as the sacrifice of the buffalo. Some of these ethnic groups work in gemstone mines to extract blue zircon. It’s a grueling job that requires descending into wells leading to a complex of underground galleries built by hand to extract precious and semi-precious stones.

After the hike, travelers enjoy bathing in the many waterfalls that dot Ratanakiri. Like the Cha Ong Waterfall and its twenty meters of overhang or further away the Sean Lae Waterfall is composed of 4 levels and nestled in a superb natural setting. Others will choose to bathe in the volcanic crater lakes like the beautiful Yak Loum Lake, perfectly circular and nestled in a beautiful natural setting.

>> Read more: Top things to see in Ratanakiri, Cambodia

When to go to Ratanakiri and Moldokiri?

We advise you to go to these two provinces during the dry season, from November to April. More particularly in November, after the rainy season when nature is regenerated and the rivers and waterfalls are swollen with water.

Combining Ratanakiri and Modolkiri

A few years ago, getting from Ratanakiri to Mondolkiri was a real adventure in itself. The track that connected these two neighboring provinces, terrifying and dangerous, was nicknamed the "road of death". We got stuck in the mud and no supplies were planned on this section. Today, lovers of new destinations rejoice, an asphalt road connecting these two provinces at the end of the world and being able to combine them inevitably makes a trip to Cambodia unforgettable!

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