Cambodian hill tribes and totem poles - North Cambodia Trekking Module

Most of north-eastern Cambodia has yet to be discovered by the outside world. It's a remote area where hill tribes live in isolation. Each tribe has its own language, culture and traditions. Although their traditional dress isn't as colourful as that of the mountain tribes in Thailand or Vietnam, their culture is just as interesting and perhaps even more rustic and authentic. During your Cambodia trip from Phnom Penh to southern Laos, add this module to your itinerary as a detour; it's a worthwhile addition for those with a little more time to spend here and who are looking for less well known areas in Cambodia.

From Stung Treng in northern Cambodia you'll travel by car to Banlung, where refreshing waterfalls and the Tampuan mountain tribes will be visited. Tampuan graves are marked with wooden totem poles carrying every day articles. The cemetery is located on the banks of the river and it is overgrown by plants, giving it a very mysterious feel. This Cambodia trekking module will allow you to explore the untouched region of Ratanakiri province.

After breakfast your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Stung Treng and take you to the town of Banlung. You'll travel over red sandy roads through an area that has only recently been discovered by tourists. The Ratanakiri province lies in the tri-country area of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and far away from the civilised world.

Early in the afternoon you'll check in at the cosy, warm and inviting lodge in Banlung. The wooden bungalows are built on poles in the traditional style of the area. Amidst the jungle and in between two hills, you'll truly enjoy your stay here. The volcanic Yaklom Lake is only a five-minute drive away. Before your Cambodia trekking experience tomorrow, you will have time for a refreshing dive into this lake and into the cool waters plunging down from the vine-covered Cha Ung waterfall.

Today during your Cambodia trekking experience, you'll travel by foot from your lodge to visit with some of the ethnic minorities in the smaller mountain village. During this Cambodia trekking module, you'll be escorted by a guide who was originally also an inhabitant of one of these villages, which makes him able to tell you quite interesting stories about the Tampuan culture. This tribe is known for their special cemeteries with totem poles and long houses. You'll have a chance to take a look at the traditional houses and even to play a game of football with some of the local children. If you make an effort to learn a few Cambodian words before meeting the villagers, you'll be able to make contact with them. Trying to speak their language will undoubtedly lead to some hilarious moments.

Sometime in the afternoon you'll return to Banlung and the rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. In the evening you can try Thai and Laotian dishes in your lodge's restaurant. The sounds of nature that you'll hear while at your lodge will only add to the feeling that you're experiencing during this Cambodian jungle adventure.

Although there are no activities planned for today, there is plenty to do and see in the area. For instance, you could visit the city of Banlung independently or sit on the banks of the large lake Yaklom with a good book and relax after your Cambodia trekking adventure yesterday.

You could also go on an elephant ride, passing by wooden houses and rubber and cashew nut plantations on a wobbling elephant. From time to time you may have to duck to miss a branch or leaves. There are many excursions you can participate in and all of them can be arranged quite easily on the spot. At the end of the day you'll find yourself on the back of your jumbo friend at the edge of waterfalls, where both of you can take a refreshing dip to clean off the dust from the ride.

When you wake to the sound of crickets and other tropical noises, you'll be picked by your driver and driven back to Stung Treng, arriving back around noon.

After this Cambodia trekking module, you can continue your journey to the Laotian border with the Cambodia travel module Mekong, dolphins and Laos and spend a couple of days relaxing on Khong Island.