After talking last week about some activities to do in the Mondulkiri province, today we will focus on its northern neighbor, Ratanakiri. Located on the border with Vietnam and Laos, this province is also full of fabulous natural sites, with authentic and unique charm, as well as many ethnic minorities who stand out with their different lifestyles and cultures. Just like Mondulkiri, the best time to visit Ratanakiri is between November and May. 

The ochre lands of Ratanakiri are a well-known image of Cambodia’s geological diversity. These expanses, contained in the valleys of the high plateaus of the region, can form clouds of glowing red dust when the winds of the rainy season approach. Calm the rest of the time, these plains offer, each season in its own style, a sublime and captivating vision of the place.

This will be the first impression that strikes you when you arrive in this remote region of Cambodia, which represents an ideal destination to get off the beaten track. Here, mass tourism does not exist. You will be surrounded by Khmers and people from minority groups when you arrive in the capital, Banlung, especially at the city's large market, where you can exchange and ask for advice from the vendors from these minorities. Then, the population density will fade as you visit some of the 240 villages in the surrounding countryside and jungles. Here are some must-see activities during your visit to Ratanakiri.

A dominant nature

Your first impressions of the Ratanakiri countryside will be marked by these hilly, ochre lands surrounded by hills and even mountains that dominate the landscape. After your stop in Banlung, the largest city in the province, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more, delve deeper into this nature, and discover more than what you can see through the window of your vehicle as you travel along the national roads. Although deforestation is a scourge for the region, industrialization is still far from tarnishing the picture. 

Just 5 km east of Banlung's city center lies the volcanic lake of Yeak Laom, formed in a crater over 700,000 years ago. The journey can be made by bus in 10 minutes, or for hiking enthusiasts, a real plus for a vacation in Ratanakiri, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the site on foot, enjoying the fresh air. Many activities can be done around the lake in addition to swimming, such as picturesque picnics by the shore, or boat rides. You can also continue your active day and walk through the lush jungles that cover the ochre lands and lead to lakeside shores. A trail has been developed through one of these jungles to circle the lake and encounter some exotic animal species such as colorful parrots! You will also have your first encounter with a minority ethnic group: the Tampuens. They number about 1,500 people scattered across 5 villages to the west and north of the lake, or near the road leading to it.

Ratanakiri is also famous for its numerous waterfalls nestled beneath the various canopies the region hosts. The best-known ones are Kachang and Katieng, which originate from the same stream: the Kotung. Located 7 km southwest of Banlung, these two impressive waterfalls overlap by a few hundred meters, with Kachang upstream and Katieng downstream. In addition to the spectacle and the mesmerizing sound these two natural sites offer, they are excellent places for picnicking and cooling off during the dry season, in the shade or in the water basins formed by the waterfalls.

Trekking to meet local ethnic groups and much more

Visiting the waterfalls, as well as any other activity related to nature you undertake during your stay in Ratanakiri, will bring you closer to the province’s ethnic villages. The Virachey National Park is one of the main natural areas in the region. Its environmental diversity, from rivers and lakes to jungles and mountains, is home to unique ethnic populations who will be happy to share their culture with you. To do so, many treks are organized, ranging from an afternoon to 10 days. This adventure will take you to meet these ethnic groups, to talk with the locals, eat with them, discover their values and principles passed down for generations, attend their work on-site, etc. 

These forest hikes will also give you the chance to meet an animal population very famous in this region of Cambodia: the gibbons. Guided by strict rules to avoid disturbing the monkeys, the hikes will take you deep into the jungles of the national park. You will be able to follow gibbon families, learn more about them, and distinguish their characteristic calls.