The Best Eco-Tourism Experiences You Need to Have in Cambodia

Visit Banteay Srei

The Visit Banteay Srei project launched in 2016 with a network of villagers opening up their doors to guests in the form of homestays; businesses are also welcoming tourists wanting to get a glimpse of work life in this rural district which sits outside of Siem Reap. The website details homestays, activities and itineraries that take in nature, food, culture, lifestyle and handicrafts. The main star of the show is Banteay Srei Temple, coined the Jewel of Angkor for its intricate carvings. The beauty of this temple is that, unlike Angkor Wat, it is not over-run with tourists, making meandering round the ancient site much more pleasurable.

The northeastern province of Mondulkiri is packed full of jungle, rolling hills, bunong hilltribes and plenty of elephants. Elephant Valley Project offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal to the magnificent mammals, while learning more about the negative effects of elephant tourism, which is prevalent throughout Southeast Asia. The sanctuary offers a permanent or temporary respite for over-worked and neglected elephants, who can kick back, relax and enjoy life in their natural habitat, As such, don’t expect any elephant rides — this is an activity the project strongly advocates against. Instead, visitors can spend the day watching the beasts wallowing in mud, washing themselves in the river and stomping through the jungle, tearing saplings out with their trunks.

Cambodia Rural Discovery Tours

Kratie is a province that is all too often missed, but for those wanting to see a slice of real Cambodia, then this is the destination for you. Cambodia Rural Discovery Tours (CRDT) have recruited and trained locals, who come equipped with on-the-ground knowledge of the area, to carry out a series of tours across Kratie. Trips include a variety of homestays in local villages, cycling through the countryside, visits to see endangered Irrawaddy dolphins swimming in the Mekong, boat trips and an introduction to Cantor’s giant softshell turtles and a conservation project to boost their dwindling population. CRDT has also opened Le Tonlé Training Restaurant & Guesthouse, which also doubles up as a hospitality training school to provide locals with skills for a sustainable income.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAYeTrOhKnU

Chi Phatt

As Southeast Asia’s largest remaining rainforest, the Cardamom Mountains are full of rare and exotic flora and fauna. This remote area is full of dense forest, grasslands and mountains that stretch to the horizon and take in waterfalls, villages and exotic wildlife. The last decade has seen the Cardamoms open up, and, while much of it remains off limits, an increasing number of homestays and tours into the heart of the jungle have launched. Wildlife Alliance was the first to start operating, working with villagers in Chi Phat community to open a range of authentic homestays and a way to discover the real Cambodia. Former poachers have been trained as guides to take guests through the jungle on hikes or bike rides as well as a range of other activities.

Sam Veasna Center

This project’s main mission is to protect and conserve the country’s population of rare and dwindling birdlife. Since 2006, the Siem Reap-based organisation has been leading half- to 21-day custom birding and wildlife tours, led by local experts and specialist guides, to some of Cambodia’s most important and protected areas. Destinations include the Tonle Sap floodplain, the eastern plains and southern Cambodia. Birds commonly spotted include the giant Ibis, white-shouldered Ibis, Bengal Florican, Greater Adjutant, Milky Stork and Sarus Cranes. The wildlife tours take in a range of species, including yellow-cheeked crested gibbon, black-shanked douc langur, plus Asian elephants and bears.

Chambok

Comprised of nine rural villages with more than 760 families, Chambok community offers the chance for visitors to experience authentic village life while exploring its natural surroundings. Located on the fringe of Kirirom National Park in southwest Cambodia, about two hours from Phnom Penh, the area is home to lush waterfalls, thick forest and paddies. Launched in 2002 to provide locals with a sustainable form of income, guests can take treks into the forest, swim at the 12-meter (40-foot) waterfall, go on bike rides and learn how to make traditional crafts. The female-run restaurant serves locally sourced food. Two- and three-day treks can also be arranged with local guides.

Betreed Adventure

Nestled completely off-the-beaten-track in Preah Vihear province, Betreed Adventure is the perfect trip for nature-lovers and thrill-seekers. Its main aim is to protect 6,400 hectares of savannah land that is home to various endangered and threatened species, including banteng (wild cow), pileated gibbons, silver langurs, barking deer, sambar deer and many birds. Visitors can also explore cave temples that date back to Angkorian times, quarries where the stones to build the country’s glorious temples were carved from, a 300-metre (984-foot) zipline and more.