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CAMBODIA'S NEW FRONTIER: RATTANAKIRI
Day 1: PHNOM PENH-BANLUNG
In the morning flight to Banlung, capital of Rattanakiri, nicknamed "the Red City" because of the omnipresent laterite. Transfer to the lodge/guesthouse. Drive by jeep on a bumpy road to discover the surrounding waterfalls (Teuk Cha Ong, Okatchang).
Day 2: KROEUNG TERRITORY
Drive north towards Laos and the village of Taveng. Cross the volcanic lava field of Veyrum Plâng. As we go north, you cross different types of landscape: primary forest, clear forest, bamboo forest and “african” bush. Stop in some Kroeung villages. 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. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: TAMPOUN TOTEMS
Direction northwest through bamboo forests to reach the village of Voeune Saï. This village is like a Chinese enclave in Cambodian territory, most villagers not speaking Khmer. Upstream we find Tampoun villages that practice funeral statuary. We can admire superb totems in the village of Ka Choan, reached by boat or jeep. Dinner & night at lodge.
Day 4: BANLUNG-PHNOM PENH
Early shopping at the Banlung market, then a short trip to the volcanic lake of giant Laom, superb place surrounded by pristine rainforest. Swim or go for a walk around the lake before leaving to catch the plane back to Phnom Penh.
NOTE: domestic flights to and from Banlung, the capital of Rattanakiri province, are on President Airlines and Royal Phnom Penh Airways. Weight allowance 10kg/pax. USD0.5 per extra kg.
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