2-Day Trek to
The Secret Jungle
Most agencies offering tours around Ratanakiri follow similar paths, with shared destinations. Being raised in this province, our guides know of places that tourists have rarely been taken. We will take you there, but you have to promise not to tell anyone where it is ! 😉
↓ Scroll to experience the trek ↓
(or see full itinerary here)
First Stop: Banlung Market
Every journey begins with a stop at the morning market. Here, we will get supplies and experience the bustle of local economy.
Journey to the Jungle
To reach the entrance of such a remote place, we will drive for over an hour by tuk-tuk, then take a ferry to cross the river.
Koh Pang Village
Similar but distinct when compared to the surrounding tribes, the Animist villagers of Koh Pang will greet us warmly as we pass through their village.
The Trek Begins!
We will spend the next four hours trekking into the wilds, stopping only briefly for lunch.
Riverside Campsite
We will reach the first campsite in the late afternoon. Feel free to help your guides set up camp, or relax in a hammock like royalty—your choice! This is also a great place for swimming, as the river slows into a lazy lake just next to the site.
Food, Glorious Food!
After our guides are finished constructing their makeshift kitchen, they will prepare a multi-course meal for you. One guest told us it was better than a fancy restaurant in Phnom Penh!
Rest & Relaxation
To accompany the delicious dinner, local rice wine will be provided. Sip away and hear stories from your guides as the sun fades around you.
Optional: Night Trek
You can spend the rest of the evening relaxing, reading, skinny dipping, whatever! But you should know: after dark is optimal for spotting some of the rarest, most elusive critters inhabiting the area. And don’t fret—the night trek isn’t strenuous.
Sleep Beneath The Stars
When you’re ready, climb into your sleeping hammock, and rest easy beneath the mosquito net that will keep your bitefree all night long.
Day Two Begins!
We will rise early, as morning preparations must be done. This includes boiling the day’s drinking water, cooking (and eating) breakfast, as well as double checking equipment before heading off.
Climbing the Mountain
To reach the secret spot of beauty that this tour offers, we will need to ascend. Three hours of verticality will have you winded, but the view will be more than worth it.
The Secret Spot
Make sure your camera/phone has battery, because this is where you’ll want to be snapping pics. Not only is it a gorgeous view, but few people outside of Cambodia have ever set foot here.
A Late Lunch With Locals
Although we’ll provide some snacks at the peak of the journey, the delayed lunch will be worth it. Why? Because we’ll be welcomed into a local’s home on the outskirts of Koh Pong village.
A Reluctant Return Home
After another hour’s walk back to the river, we will take the ferry across, then return to the homestay by tuk-tuk.
Does this sound like the trek for you?
Don’t Leave Just Yet!
Having spent the past two days trudging through a remote jungle, we’d understand the desire to postpone your departure by a day or two, spend a whole twenty-four hours doing absolutely nothing. Lucky for you, our homestay is the only one in Ratanakiri that provides guests with a private bungalow, your own shower, and a porch (complete with hammock!) that stays shady and cool all day. You can easily extend your stay by a day—or a week!
Full Itinerary
Day 1/2
- Start Time: 8:30AM
- Head to the Minority market in Banlung to experience the local economy and stock up on supplies.
- Head out from town, drive for an hour and a half.
- Take the ferry across the Se-San River to the Koh Pang Village, where we will see the locals going about their daily lives.
- Begin trek, walk for an hour.
- Stop for lunch at the riverside, resting for twenty minutes.
- Continue trek, walk for two hours.
- Arrive at campsite for the first night.
- Camp routine
Day 2/2
- Wake up: 6:30AM
- Go through morning preparations, which includes boiling the day’s drinking water, preparing (and eating) breakfast, and double checking equipment.
- Start time: 9AM
- Begin trek, ascending the mountain for three hours.
- Arrive at beautiful SECRET viewpoint. This is the perfect picture locale.
- Descend the mountain, walking for two more hours.
- Arrive in outer Koh Pong Village for lunch with the locals.
- Walk one more hour to the boat ferry, return home.