Eastern Cambodia - Cambodia - page 561

Preah Rumkel
This small village is emerging as hotbed of ecotourism thanks to its proximity to the An-
long Cheuteal Irrawaddy dolphin pool near the Lao border. With its Ramsar-recognised
wetlands, dozens of islands, a rich array of bird life and various rapids and waterfalls cas-
cading down from Laos, this is one of the Mekong River's wildest and most beautiful
stretches.
The half-dozen frolicking dolphins in the Anlong Chuteal pool (known as Boong Pa
Gooang in Laos) can easily be sighted from shore in Preah Rumkel, where there is an ex-
cellent community-based homestay (per person US$3, plus per meal US$3) program if you want
to stay another day. There's a US$2 per person charge to see the dolphins.
Excursions out of Preah Rumkel include a hike up a nearby mountain and a boat/hiking
trip to view the rampaging Mekong rapids cascading down from Laos. The rapids are an
awesome display of nature's force, especially in the wet season.
Hire a longtailed boat in O'Svay or, closer to the Laos border, Anglong Morakot, to ex-
plore the area and view the dolphins at Anlong Cheuteal. Boats cost a negotiable US$25
round trip to Preah Rumkel and the dolphin pool. Add US$10 if you want to continue up-
stream to the rapids. Anlong Morakot is only 4km from the border so travellers coming in
from Laos could get there in about 10 minutes on the back of a moto (about US$2). Be
sure to arrange onward transport to Stung Treng - either at the border or in advance
through Xplore-Asia or Riverside Guesthouse in Stung Treng. These companies can also
prearrange your moto and boat ride from the border to Preah Rumkel. A taxi to Stung
Treng from this area costs about US$45.
Better yet, through Xplore-Asia you can kayak with the dolphins and then paddle down-
stream to O'Svay - or through bird-infested flooded forests all the way to Stung Treng. A
full-day kayak excursion south of O'Svay costs US$65 per person; add US$20 per person
to include the boat trip upstream to the dolphin pool and the Mekong rapids.
Siem Pang
POP 5000
A relatively prosperous town that stretches for about 6km along the Tonlé Kong, Siem
Pang is a good place to observe rural life or just relax by the riverside in a remote outpost.