Cambodia - North East Cambodia, Ratanakiri
Cambodia Information
Capital: Phnom Penh
Major language: Khmer
Population: 13.7 million (UN 2006)
Head of state: King Norodom Sihamoni
Currency: Riel
Major Religion: Buddhism
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See Cambodia Holidays
Ratanakiri
Kachon 'Ghost' Village - not to be missed whilst in Ratanakiri
Anyone looking to truly get off the beaten track and away from the Angkor Wat crowds
should head to Cambodia’s north-east.
The region has only recently opened up to visitors. Whilst roads remain poor in
parts (we say roads, actually more like dirt trails at times) and therefore journeys
can be long; the rewards are immense - this is a truly stunning corner of Asia.
This remote area is extremely rural and the vast majority of the inhabitants are
farmers. Local produce includes pepper and cashew nuts and there are also numerous
rubber plantations to be explored.
Ratanakiri
We use Banlung as base to explore the province of Ratanakiri. Accessible only by
road, there are a series of day trips that can be made from this dusty provincial
capital.
In the surrounding area you can enjoy activities such as elephant trekking; camping
safaris; visiting Kroung tribal villages; and relaxing with mystical water spirits on the banks of stunning
Boeng Yeak Loam (a stunning crater lake and the biggest swimming pool in Cambodia!). One of the highlights for many is a visit to the unusual village of Kachon, where mysterious funeral 'celebrations' are held in the surrounding forests and visitors arriving shortly after the wet season will be rewarded with sights of majestic waterfalls throughout their journey.
There are also a number of Laos, Chinese and Vietnamese settlements within striking distance. It is also possible to continue into Laos at the border of Don Kralor.