Outdoor Adventures in Southern Cambodia: Trekking & Ecotourism in Chi Phat & Koh Kong - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh, Transfer to Chi Phat, Waterfall Walk

Welcome to Cambodia and the sprawling capital of Phnom Penh! Meet your driver outside the airport and set off on a 4.5-hour transfer to Andoung Tuek. There, you'll board a boat for a scenic two-hour ride along the Preak Piphot River to Chi Phat, a community-based ecotourism village nestled in the Cardamom Mountains. When you arrive, register at the community center, enjoy a nourishing lunch, and get ready for a 1.8-mile (3 km) trek to Chhay Kpos Waterfall. Follow your guide through the dense tropical rainforest, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like playful monkeys or vibrant kingfishers.

As you approach the waterfall, the sound of cascading water will grow louder, setting the scene for the unmatched sight of water tumbling over rugged rocks into a clear, inviting pool below. The surrounding area is lush with dense jungle foliage, providing a tranquil backdrop that enhances the waterfall's charm. Go for a refreshing dip or simply enjoy the view from the shore before returning to the village along the same path. Enjoy dinner at the community center, then settle into your accommodation for the night.

Day 2: Trek to O'Ampov via Scenic Rivers & Waterfalls

Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to start your three-day trek through the dense rainforest. Today's trek is approximately 13 miles (21 km), taking you first to O'Spott (Dragon Fish River), named after the dragonfish-shaped rock formations that line its banks. The clear waters provide a refreshing spot to cool off as you watch the river cascade down some of these rocks, creating a small waterfall. Continue to a nearby bat cave that's home to thousands of bats that take flight at dusk. 

 

Your next stop is Teuk Vet Waterfall, where you can break for lunch overlooking the picturesque cascade. Go for a refreshing dip in the natural pool below before making your way to an ancient jar site, where you'll find the remnants of stone jars scattered across the terrain. These massive vessels, believed to date back to the Iron Age, are thought to have been used for burial practices or storage, though their exact purpose remains up for debate. After learning about the jars, continue to your campsite near O'Ampov for a much-deserved dinner and rest in a hammock covered by mosquito nets.

Day 3: Trek to an Ancient Jar Site & O'Peam Krovanh

After a nourishing breakfast at the campsite, set off on today's 13-mile (21 km) trek. Your first stop of the day is another ancient jar site, where you can take in the sheer size and number of the jars, each carved from solid rock and weathered by centuries. Then, around midday, you'll arrive at O'Peam Pika, a tranquil river perfect for swimming. Dry off on the riverbanks while you enjoy lunch overlooking the water before completing the trek to your campsite near O'Peam Krovanh. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, going for a swim, and then settling down for dinner. 

Day 4: Trek to O'Malu via Picturesque Rivers

Day three of your trek takes you on an 11-mile (18 km) hike to a campsite along O'Malu (Betel Leaf River). On the way, stop at O'Kroch (Wild Orange River), named for its vibrant, citrus-like hue during certain times of the year. Continue to O'Da (Flat Stone River), where you can go for a refreshing swim and enjoy lunch on the riverbanks. When you arrive at camp in the afternoon, spend the rest of the day stretching your legs, relaxing in your hammock, or swimming in the river before your final dinner under the stars.

Day 5: Trek to Chi Phat, Transfer to Canvas & Orchids Retreat via Koh Kong

Rise for an early breakfast, then finish the last 8.6 miles (14 km) of your trek, taking you back to Chi Phat. If you're too tired, opt for a motorbike taxi to the village instead. When you arrive, meet your driver for a two-hour transfer to Koh Kong, where you can board a shared boat to Koh Andet, a miniature island home to Canvas & Orchids Retreat. This environmentally friendly lodge hires local villagers and former poachers and hunters to utilize their traditional skills and knowledge of the region that have been passed through generations.

When you arrive, check into your luxurious tent floating atop the Tatai River, then explore the ecolodge at your own pace. Go for a swim in the tranquil water, try your hand at fishing, or book a sunset cruise with a local guide. If you opt for the cruise, you'll watch the surrounding jungle, mangroves, and river transform from day to night. When darkness falls, you can go on a guided walk into the jungle to look for fireflies lighting up the trees. For dinner, head to the on-site restaurant to enjoy locally inspired cuisine or Western options made with fresh, seasonal produce.

Day 6: Boat Cruise to Tatai Waterfall

Depending on the tide, your day will start around 10 am with a scenic boat ride along the Tatai River, flanked by verdant mangroves and dense jungle. Navigate the waters for 45 minutes, passing the charming Tatai Village, where you can glimpse traditional Cambodian life along the riverbanks. Then, your captain will turn into a tributary, taking you deeper into the Cardamom Rainforest. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys swinging from branch to branch or birds like kingfishers, hornbills, and egrets flying overhead. Within minutes, you'll reach the base of Tatai Waterfall. 

Disembark and go for a refreshing swim under the cascade, enjoying a natural hydro-massage before finding some shade for a picnic. Switch to a kayak to explore more of the area, or continue the cruise to the mouth of a small river, where you can kayak to a traditional Cambodian farm dotted with lush rice fields and tropical fruit trees. After spending six hours on the water, return to the lodge and enjoy its amenities until dinner. 

Day 7: Dawn Jungle Hike, Free Afternoon at Canvas & Orchids Retreat

Enjoy an early morning cup of coffee to wake you up, then grab your camera and follow your guide into the rainforest at dawn. Board a kayak and start paddling upstream, watching as the first light of day breaks through the canopy of trees over the river. Listen to the chorus of chirping birds and the distant calls of gibbons, keeping your eyes peeled for a wildlife sighting. Leave the kayak behind as you continue your exploration of the jungle on foot, getting a close-up look at the diverse flora and fauna that can be found here. 

Following the two-hour hike, you'll return to the ecolodge for breakfast and to enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. Go for a refreshing swim in the river, explore more of the area on a kayak, or consider booking a tour to meet the Khmer people on Koh Andet. Meet some of the farming families that live nearby and learn about their day-to-day life as you tour their traditional village. In the evening, return to the ecolodge for your final dinner in Cambodia.

Day 8: Transfer to Phnom Penh, Depart

Enjoy your final views of the Tatai River while you check out of the ecolodge and jump on a shared boat back to the main road. Your driver will meet you there and transfer you 5-6 hours back to Phnom Penh. Along the way, you'll witness a transformation from the lush, tropical scenery of Koh Kong to the rural countryside dotted with traditional Khmer villages, expansive rice fields, and serene rivers. As the bustling urban landscape of the capital appears, head straight to the airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!