Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
well. He also has a truly stunning hand-drawn map of Ratanakiri province. Khieng can of-
ten be found around Boeng Yeak Lom.
DutchCo Trekking Cambodia
( 097 679 2714;
www.trekkingcambodia.com
)
One of the most experienced trekking operators
in the province, run by - wait for it - a friendly Dutchman. Runs four- to five-day treks
north of Veon Sai through Kavet villages and community forests, and one- to two-day
trips around Kalai (south of Veun Sai), among many other tours.
TOUR
Parrot Tours
TOUR
( 012 764714;
www.jungletrek.blogspot.com
)
Sitha Nan is a national-park-trained guide with
expert local knowledge. Runs a range of overnight treks in the gibbon-infested forests
north of Itub.
RESPONSIBLE TREKKING AROUND RATANAKIRI
Overnight treks in the forests of Ratanakiri are very popular these days. Die-hard trampers spend up to
eight days sleeping in replica US Army hammocks and checking out some of the country's last virgin
forest in and around Virachey National Park.
Where possible, we recommend using indigenous guides for organised treks and other excursions
around Ban Lung. They speak the local dialects and can secure permission to visit cemeteries that are
off limits to Khmer guides.
Unfortunately, with a few notable exceptions (namely Khieng;
Click here
), the level of English
among indigenous guides tends to be only fair. If you need a more fluent English guide, we suggest
hiring both an English-speaking Khmer guide and a minority guide, if it's within your budget.
A loose association of Tompuon guides is based at Boeng Yeak Lom. They have neither a phone
number nor an email so you'll just have to rock up. They can take you on an exclusive tour of several
Tompuon villages around Boeng Yeak Lom. You can observe weavers and basket makers in action,
learn about animist traditions and eat a traditional indigenous meal of bamboo-steamed fish, fresh ve-
getables, 'minority' rice and, of course, rice wine.
Among private tour companies, only Yaklom Hill Lodge employs a full-time indigenous (Tom-
puon) guide, but you'll need to request him. Virachey National Park also employs some indigenous
guides and uses minority porters, while tour companies listed in this section can all hire indigenous
guides on request.
Sleeping
