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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: JARAI TERRITORY
Long and dusty (or muddy) day. Driving eastwards, first stop in some Tampoun villages in order to observe the tribal customs and bargain for some traditional handicrafts Continue through rubber trees, cashew nut and coffee plantations to Bokeo, then Andong Meas (the gold well) to reach the Sé San River. Boat ride in a dugout canoe. After 1h30min reach the Jaraï village of Phum Tang. Dinner and overnight in traditional huts.
Day 3: TREKKING
After visiting the cemetery of Phum Dal village, head back towards Andong Meas. The last stretch (8kms) will be done walking through Katchas and Jaraïs villages. The landscape is beautiful: rice fields, mountain and primary forest. Stop for the night in a Katcha village and observe the daily life of the highlanders. Local dinner & overnight in traditional huts.
Day 4: BACK TO BANLUNG
Reach Andong Meas after crossing the river and drive back to Banlung. Free time. Around 17h excursion to the volcanic lake of Giant Laom: superb and perfectly round water extent surrounded by forest. Dinner & night at lodge.
Day 5: 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 6: 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 7: BANLUNG-PHNOM PENH
Early shopping at the Banlung market and the free time before leaving to catch the plane back to Phnom Penh.
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