3-Day Trek to
The Secret Jungle
Most agencies offering tours around Ratanakiri follow a similar path, with shared destinations. Being born and 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.
More Remote Means More To See
With this added day, we’ll be trekking further into the jungle than most normally do. That means we’ll have ample more opportunities to see rare birds, reptiles, and insects taht live within the Virachey National Park.
Check This Off Your Bucket List
Did you ever think you’d be setting up camp at the base of a waterfall?
Nightly Routine
Unlike the first night, tonight’s dinner will have been freshly caught earlier in the day. The other difference is that you won’t want to skip the chill night trek, as we’re much more likely to see rare creatures.
Day Three 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.
Lunch With A View
Having reached this beautiful viewpoint, you won’t want to leave. Don’t worry! We will stay for lunch.
A Reluctant Return Home
Getting back down the mountain will be quicker, and from there we will take the ferry across the river, 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 1/3
- 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 2/3
- 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, walk for three hours.
- Stop for lunch, rest for twenty minutes.
- Continue trek, walk for an hour and a half.
- Arrive at waterfall campsite for second night, camp routine.
Day 3/3
- 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, walk for four hours.
- Arrive at beautiful SECRET viewpoint. This is the perfect picture locale. We will prepare lunch here and enjoy the beautiful sights.
- Continue trek, walking for an hour and a half.
- Arrive at boat ferry, return home.