The trip began in Phnom Penh so participants made their way there. After the usual Phnom Penh catch up (some readers will know what that involves), we met early the next morning to head out. To make things a little more interesting some of us were on motorbikes, this allowed us more flexibility to explore more widely and get the wind in our hair.
First stop was Kirirom and the Chombok Community ecotourism project. It was interesting to be welcomed by the community with Kralan (sticky rice cooked in bamboo over a fire). Time was tight so no time to visit the waterfall, we had a sumptuous lunch and visited the villages genuine homestays before heading onwards and upwards to our tent for the night at V Kirirom Resort, a sprawling and rather eclectic mix of accommodation, there is something there for everyone…literally.
First off was a hike to the stunning viewpoint of Thmor Loy. The Hike took us through striking pine forests and grasslands along a ridge to a rocky outcrop that looks out towards the Aoral Wildlife Sanctuary and the Cardamom Mountains. With Cambodia’s highest peak, Phnom Aural (1,813 meters (5,948ft)) as a backdrop against a sea of forest, it gave me wanderlust. I’ve yet to climb it and hope it’s not too long before I get to do so. The view was well worth the walk.
As we were a big group we were in tents which were actually very comfortable due to the substantial mattress in each one. Dinner was held at their Pipe Room event space, a beautiful, natural amphitheater, the perfect place for groups and MICE events to hold their evening gala dinners. Ours didn’t disappoint, the food was excellent all round and with a fire blazing and the Hanuman Beer flowing (thank you World Bank), the evening was a blast.
Bright and early the next morning we went to visit some of the local village projects including the very quirky Coconut school with a range of collectable items made from recycled materials followed by an introduction by the forest rangers. We then continued on to Shinta Mani Wild, the most luxurious tented lodge in Cambodia and iconic throughout Southeast Asia. The Zipline into the lobby is certainly memorable and a privilege to have been able to do it a couple of times now. I was happy to see that the facilities were still as beautiful as I remembered them and they had not suffered from 2 years of Covid. With a helicopter circling overhead carrying arriving guests it was time for us to move on.
The afternoon ride to Chiphat was great on the winding Koh Kong road. A storm was brewing and it was a race against the clock to make it to our destination before the sky fell. We did it with just seconds to spare and was able to watch the deluge with a cold beer from the dry comfort of the visitor centre. One bonus of the rain was an upgrade to a rather nice guesthouse room, so a good night sleep was had.
After breakfast and a presentation from the local community we pressed on to the Cardamom Tented Camp, a river boat trip far into Botum Sakor National Park. The boat trip really gives you a sense of remoteness with its jungle clad riverbanks. It was great to hear about the genuine activities available to guests to get them out and exploring the forests in the location of the camp. Safari style tents are the accommodation and are well appointed to boot.
Onwards to Tatai River where we embarked on another boat for our trip downstream stopping at the picturesque floating tented lodge now known as Canvas & Orchids Resort. The boat trip continued around to Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary, mangrove forest, Asia’s largest. There is a visitors centre with an interesting boardwalk that weaves its way through the mangroves to a lookout point, certainly worth a visit if you have time on a trip to Koh Kong.
This evening we were in tents again at the well placed Koh Kong 2000 resort, but the view was great and we were able to enjoy a substantial seafood barbeque with crabs and mussels caught by the local fishermen. A fun night ensued as tomorrow meant heading home and the end of the trip. This is where being on bikes is tough, on the long run home.
It was a very well timed trip as business and tourists are returning to Cambodia in larger numbers by the week. It was a great opportunity to refresh on existing products and even look at new options for our discerning guests post covid, as we push for Cambodia to become a standalone destination with longer and more diverse trips taking place. It was also a great insight into the potential of Ecotourism in Cambodia going into the future.
Big thanks to the MoE and World bank for Organising such an important trip at such a poignant time.
