CARDAMOM MOUNTAINS TREKKING: VEAL TA PRAK
from $130*
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4 Days / 3 Nights
Ref: CTVTP-4D |
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• Great Trekking • Discover the Remote Cardamom Mountains • Secluded Chi Pat Village •
• Beautiful Sunrise • Tropical Birds • Rowboat along Secluded River • Monkey Spotting •
• Overnight Jungle Camp • Mangrove Forest River Cruise • Local Village Life •
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 This 4 DAY Cardamom Mountains Trekking trip takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh into the mountain ranges remote foothills. From the secluded riverside village of Chi Pat you take a magical sunrise cruise along a misty winding river, looking out for early morning wildlife. After a couple of hours the trekking begins as you head through dense forest and cross various rivers. You set up camp near to the natural Veal Ta Prak grasslands which are home to a seasonal watering hole where various species of wildlife may be spotted. Your camp cook rustles up dinner and after chatting by the light of the camp fire and being amazed by the brilliant starry night you fall asleep to the sounds of the forest. The following day the trek continues along disused logging trails which the forest is reclaiming, and you arrive back in Chi Pat with a warm welcome from the villagers.
Below please find the detailed itinerary...
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Day 1: Phnom Penh to Chi Pat
- / L / D
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 An early start as you leave Phnom Penh and drive the 190km (3 - 4 hours) to the riverside community of Andoung Tuk. Here you board a boat for the approx. 2 hour upstream journey along the Preak Piphot river. During this journey through mangrove forests, as well as witnessing typical river edge villages and homes, be on the lookout for birds and mammals coming to the waters edge to drink. Upon arrival in the small, remote community of Chi Pat you will be welcomed at the Community Ecotourism Office and have a 'Welcome Lunch'. After being shown to you guesthouse (basic facilities inc. mosquito net & fan), you will visit some nearby rapids where you can relax in the cool refreshing waters. Later you will be taken to the local community's reforestation project where you can help by planting a tree (donation included). You will enjoy a lovely sunset atop 'Bald Mounatin' before returning to the village for dinner. It is then an early night to be prepared for an early start the following day. |
Day 2: Cardamom Trekking: Chi Pat to Veal Ta Prak (approx 10km)
B / L / D
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Waking early whilst it is still dark you meet your community guide and forest cook and board you motorboat just as day is breaking and sail along the cool waters with the early morning mists rising from them. As the sun rises and you are entertained by the skies changing colours you can enjoy your packed breakfast. Soon you turn off the Preak Piphot river and sail up the secluded and winding Pruit River. After an hour the motorboat cuts its engines and you transfer to a traditional row boat and continue upstream. Now being engine-less you can really appreciate the stillness of your surroundings and hear the bird call from the thick forests lining the river. This is the ideal opportunity to see the area’s birdlife as well as watching out for other wildlife such as monkeys and flying squirrels. Eventually the rowboats arrive at a small clearing where you disembark, and begin your Cardamom trekking. Here you disappear into the forest and follow the winding and undulating trail which is full of exotic sights, scents and sounds, including gibbons calling from high up in the tree tops. Lunch is taken next to a scenic river and you will be amazed at how quickly your forest cook sets up the camp fire and prepares a hot, basic but tasty meal. After relaxing the trek continues, on route the guide will point out various signs of wildlife, plus various plants which have many uses. Try the delicious forest leaves and fruits which he suggests. In the mid afternoon you reach your low-impact campsite and hammocks are strung up. In the late afternoon you may wish to walk to Veal Ta Prak the nearby grassy clearing / watering hole. Here you can look out for hornbills, parrots, wild pigs, deer and monkeys. Then it is back to camp where the forest cook will have prepared your dinner. The rest of the evening can be spent around the campfire exchanging stories and gazing up into the starry night… |
Day 3: Cardamom Trekking: Veal Ta Prak to Chi Pat (approx 13km)
B / L / D
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Another early start as you return to Veal Ta Prak to spot more wildlife. Back at camp breakfast will be waiting, and once camp is ‘struck’ your Cardamom trekking continues as you follow old logging trails back to Chi Pat. Much of today’s trekking is through secondary forest as most of the valuable primary forest was logged during the wild and tumultuous 1980’s that this area witnessed. After sometime you leave the shade of the trees behind and descend across an open, parched and sandy grassland. This also used to be forested hillsides and is a clear example of the past mistakes that the Chi Pat Community Based Tourism project is aiming to correct. Back in Chi Pat lunch and a nice cool drink will be awaiting. In the afternoon you are free at leisure and may wish to visit the nearby rapids for a refreshing swim. After freshening up a tasty dinner will be served at the Community Ecotourism Office, after which you are free to wander around the village and experience rural community night life. |
Day 4: Chi Pat to Phnom Penh (or other destination)
B / - / -
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After a leisurely breakfast you will bid farewell to Chi Pat as you journey back to Andoung Tuk. On arrival at Andoung Tuk you will meet your waiting vehicle and be returned to Phnom Penh, allowing you time to reflect on the wonderful and unique Cardamom Mountain trekking experience you have enjoyed in the seldom visited mountains of Cambodia, and taking away very fond memories…
N.B. from Andoung Tuk you may choose to travel on to the beaches of Sihanoukville or Koh Kong (the border with Thailand).
N.B. The details of the above itinerary may change dependent on local conditions.. |
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| *The cost for the above tour is $130 (US dollars) per person based on 4 people sharing 2 rooms |
| If there are more of less than 4 people travelling in your party, or if the above suggested itinerary does not fully meet your needs please email us as we will be happy to discuss alternative arrangements. |
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- All sightseeing tour and transfer services as detailed in the above itinerary
- Community Guides (limited English)
- Accommodation in Chi Pat (basic no a/c)
- Hammocks for sleeping in the forest
- All necessary entrance fees
- All necessary boat trips
- Private air conditioned vehicles (transfers)
- Daily drinking water
- All meals as detailed in the above itinerary
(B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner)
- Services not detailed in the above itinerary
- Travel to tour start location (Phnom Penh)
- Cambodian Visa fees (currently $20 per person)
- International airport departure tax (currently $25 per person)
- Expenditure of a personal nature
- Drinks with included meals
- Discretionary tips
- Travel insurance
- Any payment / money transfer charges
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| N.B. Currently the English speaking skills of the Community Guides is limited. If you wish we can arrange an English speaking qualified guide to accompany you from Phnom Penh. |
| N.B. The above tour uses public bus transport from Phnom Penh to Andoung Tuk, 1 way Andoung Tuk to Chi Pat by public ‘cargo’ boat, and 1 way Chi Pat to Andoung Tuk by motorbike taxi. If you would prefer private road transport and private return boat transport, please contact us for prices. |
| Cardamom Mountains Trekking: Veal Ta Prak Trail, 2 Day Trekking |
