IN7-CA4D: PHNOM PENH - RATANAKIRI - PHNOM PENH

4days/3nights

Day 1: Phnom Penh - Ratanakiri (L,D)
Transfer from hotel to Phnom Penh International Airport for a domestic flight to Banlung, capital of Ratanakiri, nicknamed “ The Red City” because of the omnipresent laterite. Lunch at Terres Rouges Lodge. Leave in a jeep on a bumpy road for the discovery of the surrounding waterfalls. Teuk Cha Ong is the most impressive of them. Next to the waterfall of Okatchagn is a hill tribe village with elephants which may be observed in the forest. Dinner and accommodation at Terres Rouges Lodge (14 rooms only).

Day 2: Ratanakiri (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the lodge.
Direction northwest today, cross bamboo forest before reaching the village of Voeune Sai located on the left bank of the Se San River. The view on the Chinese village on the other side of the river is quite pretty. Actually, this place is almost a Chinese enclave in Cambodian territory, most villagers don’t even speak Khmer. Upstream of the Se San are a certain number of Tampoun villages that practice funeral statuary; if possible by boat (otherwise by jeep) visit to the village of Ka Chaoan with its superb totems. Dinner and accommodation at Terres Rouges Lodge.

Day 3: Ratanakiri (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the lodge.
Travel north today, in the direction of Laos, cross the curious extent of volcanic rocks of Veyrum Plang: a lava field in the forest with a small waterfall nearby (only in the wet season though) and what locals call tiger caves. Continuing to Taveng, cross different types of landscapes: primary forest, clear forest, bamboo forest and “African” bush. Stop at a few nice Kroeung villages located quite far away in the forest. The Kroeung people have the particularity of erecting bachelor houses standing on very long bamboo poles, these houses will remain so till the young man finds a wife, then, they are destroyed. The right time to see them is usually from February to August.
Lunch at a small waterfall lost in the forest and then further visits of villages. Dinner and accommodation at Terres Rouges Lodge.

Day 4: Ratanakiri - Phnom Penh (B)
Breakfast at the lodge.
Early shopping in the Banlung market, then a little trip to the volcanic lake of giant Loam, superb place surrounded by pristine rainforest. Swim or take a walk around the lake before leaving to the airport for a flight from Banlung to Phnom Penh. Arrive in Phnom Penh and transfer to hotel.