The province played its part in Cambodia’s contemporary tragedy, serving as a base for the Khmer Rouge leadership during much of the 1960s. Pol Pot and Ieng Say fled here in 1963 and established headquarters in Ta Veng in the north o the province. Gem mining and tourism form the life blood of the province. There is good quality zircon mined in several parts of the province and the prices are low compared to the west (Ratanakiri actually translates as ‘hill of the precious stone’). However, in the long run, tourism is the future thanks to the abundant natural attractions the province has been blessed with. Boeng Yeak Lom, a volcanic lake, is outstanding, but in time the massive Virachey National Park may prove popular too.
Roads in Ratanakiri are not as impressive as the sights – dry season means chewing on dust, wet season mean sloshing about in mud; take your pick. Boat are a popular means of transport for scenic trips, but the province is too isolated to make river travel into Stung Treng a realistic option.
Banlung, Ratanakiri Province
Banlung is the dusty provincial capital of RatanakiriProvince and the most popular base from explore the natural attractions of the area. The town was originally known as Labansiek before the war, but the district name of Ban Lung has gradually slipped into use among locals. The town itself is not exactly inspiring, but with attractions such as Boeng Yak Lom just a short distance away, none is complaining. Many of the minorities from the surrounding villages come to Ban Lung to buy and sell at the market, making it one of the more lively commercial centers in the provinces.
Trekking, Ratanakiri Province
Trekking has really started to take off around Ratanakiri, but it is important to make clear arrangements with your agency to ensure you get what is expected out of a trip. There are lots of popular routes that take in minority villages and scenic spots around the province, including Kreung villages near the road to Ta Veng, and Jarai village up in Andong Meas district. Many visitors opt for a trek into ViracheyNational Park, but be aware that most of these treks barely scrape the park itself, and spend much of the time in the park buffer zone. There are plans to develop bigger treks into the park, but it will take time to establish facilities along the way, as it is one of the most wild and remote area in Cambodia.
Bung Yaklom, Ratanakiri Province
The protected area of Yak Lom includes an intriguing circular crater-lake, believed to have been formed 700,000 years ago, situated amid pristine jungle. Some people swear it must have been formed by a meteo strike as the circle is so perfect. The indigenous minority people in the area have long considered Yak Lom a sacred place and their legends talk of mysterious creatures that inhabit the water of the lake. It is one of the most peaceful, beautiful locations. Cambodia has to offer and the water is extremely clear with visibility of up to 5m. It is a great place to take a dip early in the morning or late in the afternoon. There is a small visitors center nearby that has information on ethnic minorities in the province, local handicrafts for sale and suggested walks around the lake. The area is administered by the local Tompuon minority and proceeds from the entry fee go towards improving life in the nearby villages.
Ou Sean Lair Waterfall, Ratanakiri Province Ou Sean Lair Waterfall is one of the popular waterfalls of this area. It can be counted among the top tourist attractions in Ratanakiri. A large number of travel enthusiasts visit Ratanakiri each year. The province is located in Northeastern Cambodia. Its capital is Banlung. The word Ratanakiri is derived from two Sanskrit words and means mountain of gems. The rich wildlife and remote tribal villages draw a number of tourists who come here looking for a thrilling vacation. There are a number of splendid sightseeing destinations including mountains, lakes, structures and waterfalls. This province is divided into 9 districts. Visit the Ou Sean Lair Waterfall, Ratanakiri for a memorable experience during you trip to the beautiful Cambodian province.
Ou Sean Lair Waterfall in Ratanakiri is located 26 kilometers south of the provincial capital of Banlung. Ask at the lodge where you are staying if they organize tours to this destination. The waterfall has 4 floors. These make for a spectacular sight when you are looking at them from a distance. You can take photos of Ou Sean Lair Waterfall to remember your experience by. The height of each of the 4 floors is 4 meters. Surrounding the waterfall there are beautiful landscapes. You can also go for a bath in these falls. Make sure to take some precautions while bathing here.
At the Ou Sean Lair Waterfall, Ratanakiri water flows throughout the year. You can enjoy the beautiful sights around the site. On the way to Ou Sean Lair Waterfall, Ratanakiri you will see exotic villages and mines. You can go through the mines looking for precious metals. A visit to this place is a memorable experience for most travelers.
Cha Ung Waterfall, Ratanakiri Province
The Cha Ung Waterfall is one of the popular tourism destinations in the beautiful province. Cha Ung Waterfall in Ratanakiri is located almost 8 kilometers west of Banlung, the provincial capital. You will find here water flowing throughout the year. The source of the water of Cha Ung Waterfall is the Eisey Patamak Mountain or Svay Mountain. A big hole is also present below this falls. Here you can sit and watch the cascading waters from behind. Relax in tranquility here and inhale the cool fresh air stemming from the falls.
Cha Ung Waterfall, Ratanakiri is said to be the highest in the province. During the rainy season it fills up with water and is a wonderful spectacle. For one of the best views of the falls you can view it from the top of the cliffs, from where the water falls down. You can also snap the Cha Ung Waterfall, Ratanakiri from down the stream in front of the waterfall or from the naturally carved out cliff behind the falling water. The path to this waterfall is also beautiful, going through a beautiful para rubber plantation. It also passes through a Kreung hill tribe village and many cashew nut plantations. The Cha Ung Waterfall, Ratanakiri is under the management of Cha Ung Commune Committee.
Katieng Waterfall, Ratanakiri Province Is a memorable experience for the tourists. The province of Ratanakiri lies in Northeastern Cambodia. The word Ratanakiri is derived from the two Sanskrit words Ratna meaning gems and Giri which stands for mountain. The province is a popular destination for tourists all throughout the year. There are a number of tourist attractions in Ratanakiri. The rich wildlife and remote tribal villages here attract numerous travel enthusiasts. You should check out the Katieng Waterfall, Ratanakiri for a refreshingly new experience.
Katieng Waterfall in Ratanakiri is located just 7 kilometers northwest of Banlung, the capital of the province. You will find it located in the Koutung Stream. The beautiful waterfall lies just 3 kilometers below another fascinating waterfall, the Kachang Waterfall. Katieng Waterfall stands 10 meters high. One of the specialties of this waterfall is that it never dries up. Water continues to flow and fall through this place the whole year. You can also enjoy the picturesque landscapes surrounding the waterfall. Take a break at Katieng Waterfall, Ratanakiri during your sightseeing and take a few snaps. The natural landscape is also a gathering place for a variety of birds. You can indulge in bird watching here too.
The Katieng Waterfall, Ratanakiri is one of the less visited waterfalls in the area. You can enjoy some wonderful time if you combine your visit to this waterfall with an elephant ride. Elephant rides are available from the elephant village of Phume Kateung, north of the falls. You can also see the Katieng Waterfall, Ratanakiri from flights, if you are lucky. When the plane is landing or taking off, watch out for the falls. Elephant rides to this falls are available for an hour and a half. These can be organized by the lodges you are staying in.
Ou Sensranoh Waterfall, Ratanakiri Province Ou Seansranahis one of the popular waterfalls of this colorful province. Ou Sensranoh Waterfall in Ratanakiri is located 9 kilometers south of Banlung, the provincial capital. Ou Sensranoh Waterfall is 18 meters high and is a wonderful sight for the sore eyes. Here you will find water flowing and falling all throughout the year. So you can visit this place whenever you are on a visit to the beautiful Cambodian province of Ratanakiri. Rest on the banks of the falls to enjoy the fresh air and clean ambiance. There is also a dense forest surrounding the falls. Explore the forest looking for fascinating species of plant and animal life.
Ou Sensranoh Waterfall, Ratanakiri offers you a beautiful scenic spot to rest and relax. The natural surroundings of the falls also attract a large number of exotic birds. You can spend some time bird watching here. Among all the waterfalls in the region, the Ou Sensranoh Waterfall, Ratanakiri ranks among the most popular ones. Visit this place for a refreshing experience during your tour of the colorful province.
Teuk Chruos Pram Pil Chhan (Seven Level Waterfalls), Ratanakiri Province
It is the popular waterfall with seven gentle tiers, located about 35km southeast of ban Lung, but the trail to get here is tough at any time and pretty much impossible in the wet season. A visit here can be combined with a visit to the current hot spot for gem mining in Chum Rum Bei Srok. This involves a walk of several kilometers through the forest, as motorbikes cannot make it.
Voeun Sai, Ratanakiri Province
Voeun Sai is a district, located on the banks of Tonle Se San, Voeun Sai is a pleasant little community of Chinese, Lao and Kreung villages. Originally, the town was located on the north banks of the river and known as Virachey, but these days the main settlement is on the south bank. The north side of the river is the most interesting, with old Chinese settlement that dates back more than 100 years ans several Lao and Chunchiet villages nearby. It is possible to cross the river for 500r on a small ferry and walk west for a couple of kilometers, passing through a Chinese village, a Lao community and a small Chunchiet area, before emerging one a wealthy Chinese village complete with large wooden houses and inhabitants who still speak Chinese. Check out how clean it is compared to the surrounding villages.
Voeun Sai is also home to Virachey National Park headquarters, although there is very little information available and it is easier to organize a trek into the park out of Ban Lung. Voeun Sai is about 35km northwest of ban Lung on an average-to-poor road.
Chunchiet Cemeteries, Ratanakiri Province
There are many chunchiet cemeteries scattered throughout the forests of Rataankiri. Kachonis one-hour boat ride east of Voeun Sai and has an impressive Tompuon cemetery in the forest beyond the village. Family groups are buried side by side in the forest and there are effigies of the deceased. When a lengthy period of mourning is complete, villagers hold a big celebration and add two carved wooden likenesses of elephant tusks to the structures. Some of these tombs date back many years and have been abandoned to the jungle. Newer tombs of wealthy individuals have been cast in concrete and show some modern influences unscrupulous art collections and amateur anthropologists from Europe have reportedly been buying up the old effigies from poor villagers, something tantamount to cultural rape. Remember that this is a sacred site for local Tompuon people – touch nothing and act respectfully.
Ta Veng, Ratanakiri Province Ta Veng is an insignificant village on the southern bank of Tonle Sesan, but acts as an alternative gateway to Virachey National Park. It was in the Ta Veng district that Pol Pot, Ieng Sary and other leaders of the Khmer Rouge established their guerrilla base in the 1960s. Locals say nothing remains of the remote based today, although in a dismal sign of decline, they point out that Ta Veng had electricity before the war.
Ta Veng is about 75km north of Ban Lung on a rollercoaster road through the mountains that affords some of the province’s finest views. There are some very steep climbs in sections and for this reason it wouldn’t be much fun in the rain. No scheduled pick-ups run up here so it is necessary to come by motorbike or charter vehicle. The road passes through several minority villages, where it is possible to break the journey.
Andong Meas, Ratanakiri Province
Andong Meas district is growing in popularity thanks to a combination of minority villages, Jairai cemeteries and a short river trip. There is a pleasant trail from Andong Meas to a Jarai cemetery on the banks of Tonle Sesan. From here it is possible to return to Andong Meas by river.
ViracheyNational Park, Ratanakiri Province ViracheyNational Park is the largest protected area in Cambodia, stretching east to Vietnam, north to Laos and west to Stung Treng province. The park has never been fully explored and is likely home to a number of larger mammals, including elephants, leopards and tigers. Optimists speculate that there may even be isolated rhinoceroses or kouprey (wild oxen), but this is unlikely. Rangers also claim there waterfalls, some as high as 100m, but these are many days’ hike from the park boundary.
A new ecotourism program is currently under development at the park, focusing on small-scale culture, nature and adventure trekking. The program aims to involve and benefit local communities. Trip currently planned combine jungle trekking with overnight camping, river journeys and village-based accommodation.
Veal Rum Plan, Ratanakiri Province Veal Rum Plan (stone field) in Ratanakiri is located 14 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Banlung. You will find stones covering the entire surface of this place. Dense stone outgrowths are also found around this place. This place has an exotic appeal which seldom fails to fascinate the travelers. Veal Rum Plan (stone field) is a bizarre open space in the forest, covered almost entirely by stone. This area represents a circular area of flat stone. Instances are found that depict this place to be the remains of a cooled lava flow. In Khmer it is known as Veal Rum Plan and in English, Field of Stone.
There are legends associated with the Veal Rum Plan (stone field), Ratanakiri. According to one of the legends, Veal Rum was a young boy who underwent a tragic accident here. While trying to retrieve his kite he fell from a tree on a black volcanic rock. It is believed that his spirit lives on, offering a protective blanket to the plateau and the surrounding trees.
Ou Chaloy, Ratanakiri Province Ou Chaloy is one of the popular tourist attractions in Ratanakiri. Ou Chaloy, Ratanakiri is located on the Sre Pok River. This river is a major tributary of Mekong. It runs through the province to meet the Mekong River near Stung Treng town. Of the 440 kilometers length of the river, 281 kilometers is in Cambodian territory. It was a crucial water course before the development of infrastructure in this region. Ou Chaloy in Ratanakiri is located on this river, 34 kilometers southwest of Banlung, the provincial capital. To enjoy the recreation options for tourists here, you have to visit the Ou Chaloy, Ratanakiri during the dry season. Include the destination in your itinerary for a satisfactory tour of the colorful Ratanakiri.
Norng Kabat Forest in Ratanakiri Province Houses a beautiful pond, which is frequented by many birds and animals. Visitors who come to the Ratanakiri Norng Kabat Forest can also enjoy the wonderful opportunity of watching the beautiful animals and birds that frequent the pond.
The Norng Kabat Forest, Ratanakiri has become the popular destination of the bird watchers. Animal lovers also throng the Norng Kabat Forest, Ratanakiri. The foreign travelers can find many renowned tourist destinations in the vicinity of the Norng Kabat Forest, Ratanakiri. The Norng Kabat Forest, Ratanakiri also offers the international travelers the unique opportunity of visiting the ethnic villages of the town. A visit to the ethnic villages of Ratanakiri will acquaint tourists with the culture and custom of the local people.
The ethnic villages of Ratanakiri experience an influx of local as foreign tourists. By undertaking a tour of these ethnic villages the international tourists can get a clear understanding of the traditions and beliefs practiced by the indigenous people. You can also know about the festivals celebrated by the ethnic people by traveling these ethnic villages. The traditional dance and music performances of the ethnic villagers are a major draw for the international visitors.
Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, Ratanakiri Province Thisis one of the must-see places in the colorful Cambodia. The province of Ratanakiri is located in the northeastern part of the country. The word Ratanakiri is derived from the Sanskrit words Ratna and Giri, which combine to mean ‘a mountain of gems’. Countless tourists throng this place every year to experience and enjoy the rich wildlife, ecotourism prospects and remote tribal villages. If you want to tour this province extensively, make it a point to include Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, Ratanakiri in your itinerary.
Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ratanakiri. Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary in Ratanakiri is located 37 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital, Banlung. The total land area of this sanctuary is 250,000 hectares. Travelers are fascinated at the various sights and sounds of the exotic place. If you are lucky, you can have a glimpse of the special kinds of animals that are present here, like tigers, elephants and red-headed vultures.
Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, Ratanakiri is so large that it overlaps the neighboring provinces of Mondolkiri and Stung Treng. Generally you will find here the same types of animals as are present in Virachey. But there are a few additional attractions like the endangered and rare species. Included among these is the wild ox, Ko Prey. There are also projects on Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, Ratanakiri, done by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Based on the reports of these projects, the management is planning to promote ecotourism of this place. Plans are also being undertaken to develop the sanctuary with good access and modern visitor facilities.
Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri Province The Kachang Waterfall is a popular name among the Tourist Attractions in Ratanakiri. The Kachang Waterfall in Ratanakiri is a landscape that exists side by side with the Katieng Waterfall. What is more, the area in which the Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri is situated is complemented by a number of good hotels that facilitate the needs of the travelers. Tourism, which is a thriving industry in Cambodia, is a major source of revenue for the government.
The Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri is located in the Kontung stream and it flows into the Sre Pok River. The Kachang Waterfall can be well accessed since it is only a distance of about 6 kms from Banlung. The total height of the Kachang Ratanakiri is 1.2 kms. The water of the Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri flows perennially and makes for an exciting sight to view. Travelers are assured of commanding a good looking or magnificent landscape. The Kachang Waterfall is surrounded by huge clouds of fresh mist that form in the landscape.
Visitors to the Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri can take a bath at the foot of the falls and sit to look at it as well as other natural and scenic beauty and charm. Another alternative at the Kachang is for the visitors to go around viewing other natural sights on foot, or undertaking an elephant ride. The scenery at the Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri also promotes a variety of bird life. There are a number of bird species thriving here, much to the delight of the bird watchers and photograph enthusiasts.
There are two other waterfalls situated near the Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri. These are the Katieng Waterfall and the Ou’Sensranoh Waterfall. The Katieng is a serene landscape complete with different species of birds and wildlife. Ou’Sensranoh is perfect for an ecological tour.
