Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TREKKING AND ELEPHANT RIDES AROUND SEN MONOROM
Trekking
in Sen Monorom, although not yet as big as in Banlung, is becoming increasingly
popular, with a variety of routes lasting from a day to a week. The best operators use Bunong
guides, who intimately know the forests through which you'll be walking. Treks generally
include a mix of cultural and scenic attractions, with visits to Bunong villages and waterfalls
along with jungle hiking and wild swimming.
Also popular are the ubiquitous
elephant rides
touted in just about every guesthouse in
town - although none rivals the experience you'll get at the
Elephant Valley Project
(see
p.238). Treks start either from the village of Phulung, about 8km north of town, or from Potang,
8km to the south; a half- or full day rolling around on an elephant costs $15/$30, including
transport to the village, a Phnong-speaking guide and lunch if you're out for the full day.
Overnight camping treks are also possible, but for most the novelty wears off after a few hours
of bumping about.
TREKKING AND TOUR OPERATORS
The Bunong Place
On the main road just south of
the market.
The Bunong staff here can also arrange
visits to local villages and elephant rides.
Green House Tours
On the main road near the
market
T
017 905659,
W
greenhouse-tour.blogspot
.co.uk.
Owner Sam is a good source of information and
arranges a range of treks and excursions, including tours
by mountain bike into the hills.
Mondulkiri
088 593 5588,
W
mondulkiritourguide.com.
Authentic off-the-
beaten-track treks - not cheap, but well run, with licensed
English-speaking guides and everything provided.
Tour
Guide
T
4
lodgings in large bungalows, nicely furnished and with hot
water, fans and hill views from their private balconies.
Good value, alth
ough
it's 1.5km to town and there's no
restaurant or bar.
$12
EATING AND DRINKING
★
Banana's
500m down the hill west of the market
T
092 412680.
This Dutch-owned place is the classiest of
Sen Monorom's modest selection of restaurants, set in a
mini-jungle by the river and serving up good Western food
ranging from
Schnitzels
to
coq au vin
. The food isn't cheap
(mains around $7) but servings are generous and the
quality's high.
Daily 9am-10pm.
The Green House
On the main road near the market
T
017 905659.
A long-running travellers' stalwart, serving
up the usual selection of Khmer and Western staples (mains
$2-4). Also a popular place for an after-dark drink, with a
decent beer and cocktail selection.
Daily 7am-10pm.
Khmer Kitchen
Just east of the market.
Tourist-friendly
local café (with English menu) dishing up good,
inexpensive Khmer and Chinese-style food (plus a few less
convincing Western dishes), with mains around $3.
Daily
8am-9pm.
Mondulkiri Pizza
Behind the hospital
T
0975 222219.
Newish restaurant in a cute little bamboo building with a
lively atmosphere and the best pizza (around $5) you could
reasonably expect in the wilds of Mondulkiri.
Daily
10am-9pm.
Sovannkiri
NR76
T
097 474 4528.
Australian-Khmer-
run place with a great selection of local and Western dishes
including good burgers and steaks, plus cheap beer. Mains
$2-6.
Daily 8am-10pm.
DIRECTORY
Internet
Tr y
The Green House
café/bar (see above); most
guesthouses in town now have free wi-fi.
Money
There's an ATM at the Acleda Bank (Visa only)
opposite
The Green House
.
Shopping
The minimart at the Total petrol station is
handy for basic provisions.
Phnom Bai Chuw and the Sea Forest
7km northeast of Sen Monorom, along the road past Phnom Dosh Kramom
Northeast of Sen Monorom, an observation platform atop the grassy hill of
Phnom Bai
Chuw
offers one of Mondulkiri's classic views, looking down over miles of jungle
canopy as it sweeps and rolls over the hills below - the so-called
“Sea Forest”
, as it's
popularly known. Squint a little, and you really can almost believe you're looking at the
supersized waves of some gigantic green ocean.
