Backpacker Cardamom Mountains Trek

Get up early, meet your driver, and head off to Cambodia's less-traveled South. Gaze out the window as you leave the city behind and relax during the five hour drive. When you arrive at the village of Andong Tuek, you will be met by a station guide and travel by boat to Chi Phat, a journey of around two hours. When you arrive in Chi Phat, register with the CBET office and enjoy a simple lunch. Your guide will talk you through what to expect over the next few days and help with your check-in. Once you've checked-in, walk about 2 km. from the village to the nearby Chhay Chrey rapids and observe the  beautiful and peaceful rapids, or even jump in for a swim! You'll be picked up by motorbike and head up to Bald Mountain, riding through villages and farms along the way, waving hello to people who are working their farms. When you arrive at Bald Mountain, enjoy the spectacular scenery and beautiful sunset. Then head back down the mountain by motorbike and return to Chi Phat where you settle in for dinner.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Chi Phat Homestay
Transportation: Phnom Penh to Andong Tuek by Car or Van, Andong Tuek to Chi Phat by Boat, Chi Phat to Bald Mountain by Motorbike and Return

An early start takes you down the Piphot river and up the Stung Prat tributary in a motorized sampan. Enjoy a packed breakfast as the sun rises over the forested hills and the mist evaporates over the river. After a couple hours, transfer to a traditional rowing boat for silent bird watching on the way to Damnakkhos. Upon arrival in Damnakkhos, we'll start the trek to Veal Ta Prak. Enjoy a lunch at O'Chonleas Pran (Refugee River), cooked by a CBET forest cook. After lunch, we'll continue trekking to our campsite, located near two small streams and a meadow. Before dinner, walk to the nearby Veal Ta Prak pond to try spotting some wild animals which come to drink at the pond. If you're lucky, you'll see them but even if you see no animals, your guides will help you spot and identify any tracks. Return to the campsite for dinner and snuggle into your hammock with mosquito net under a simple forest shelter. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Veal Ta Prak in a Hammock
Transportation: Chi Phat to Veal Ta Prak by Motorized Sampan and Rowboat

In the very early morning, walk to the nearby Veal Ta Prak pond to try spotting wild animals again.Then return to the campsite for breakfast, which is made by your forest cook. After breakfast, continue the trek to the Veal Ta Prak junction and the O'Key trail. You'll have lunch on the way back to Chi Phat on the return trek. You'll arrive in Chi Phat in the late afternoon and the rest of the day is free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Chi Phat in a Homestay

Enjoy your breakfast and then board the boat back to Andong Tuek. Good luck on your onward journey!

Meals: Breakfast