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Getting There and Around |
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From the south:
Regular flights and overland tours service Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Angkor Wat). Travel the 254km north to Kratie by bus, taxi or rent a vehicle. |
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From the north:
Weekly flights (Bangkok Airways) service Pakse (southern Laos). Travel the 187km south to Stung Treng by bus or taxi. You can also connect to Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri and Siem Reap. |
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A list of international airlines servicing Cambodia is available at the Ministry of Tourism website |
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Along the Trail network: Motorbike taxis, mountain bikes, local ferries and boat hire. |
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Along the Mekong River: local boat hire available, but the regular service between Kratie and Stung Treng is unavailable until demand increases. |
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For the eco-traveller – Mekong Discovery Mountain Bike Trail:
Stage one of a carbon-free cycling trail between Stung Treng and Kratie and eventually onto Phnom Penh. |
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Take a Mekong Discovery Trail
Explore River Life in Northeast Cambodia
The Mekong Discovery Trail takes you into the heart of the Mekong where the beauty of the river and the friendliness of the people create unforgettable river life experiences in northeast Cambodia.
The Mekong Discovery Trail is a network of safe, ecotourism journeys through some of the most natural and least populated parts of the Mekong.
The free trail guide provides maps, transport and accommodation options. You can travel on a small part of the trail, or all of it. You can travel alone or with a group. There are many options along the 180 km trail, which runs between Kratie and the Cambodian/Laos border. But remember to allow enough time to go with the flow of river life.
Along the trail, you will have the opportunity to see critically endangered Mekong River Dolphins, while minimising your impact on them and the habitats they rely on.
By using the Trail, you will also be assisting river communities, some of the poorest (but most welcoming) in Cambodia. |
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Ensure your Comfort and Safety
• Carry and drink plenty of clean water
• Wear a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
iiiiand long, loose protective clothing
• Avoid strenuous activity during the heat
iiiiof the day
• Wear helmets on motorbikes and lifejackets
iiiiin riverboats
• Keep to mapped tracks
• Do not take or carry illegal drugs
Show You Care
• Dress modestly and cover your legs and
iiiishoulders in villages
• Remove hats and shoes in Pagodas
• Put your rubbish in a bin, or take it with you
• Refuse plastic and encourage others to recycle
• Minimise your use of motorized transport
• Ask permission before taking photographs
• Refuse wild animal products andihistorical
iiiiartifacts
• Report cases of child sex tourism to the
iiiiauthorities |
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Highlights of the Mekong Discovery Trail
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Mekong River Dolphin Viewing
The Trail offers many opportunities to view critically endangered Mekong River Dolphins. Less than 100 of these animals
are left in the Mekong. Well managed ecotourism is part of the solution to increase their value to local communities and ensure their long-term protection. |
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Horse Carts in Kratie
Kratie town is famous for its horse carts. The Trail has helped establish a local association of horse cart operators who will conduct tours around the town and north along the Mekong River to the famous Kampi dolphin pool. Travelling by horse cart is a unique way to experience the riverside town of Kratie and its many attractions including the French colonial architecture. |
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House Boats on the Mekong
at Stung Treng
A very special way to relax and experience the Mekong River is on a traditional river boat. Sit back and enjoy the magnificent sunsets and sunrises and spectacular flooded forests of the Ramsar wetlands. Buy fish from passing boats and stop at riverside villages to shop in local markets. |
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Mountain Biking
with No Carbon Emissions
One option along the Mekong Discovery
Trail caters especially for experienced and intrepid mountain bike riders who are prepared for an 'off the beaten track’ experience. You will travel through some
of the least disturbed and most remote
parts of the Mekong, and stay overnight in guesthouses and home stays in rural villages along the way. |
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Local Produce from the Farms
and Markets
Kratie and Stung Treng Provinces are famous for their sticky rice (krolan) and pickled fish (nem), as well as delicious tropical fruits and fresh fish that are included in local dishes. Taste some while you travel along the Mekong Discovery Trail. You'll find a recipe for the famous Fish Amok in the Trail guide book. |
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Home Stays and Wat Stays
in Local Communities
A very personal way to experience the home life and daily rituals of Khmer villages is to stay in homes or Wats. Home stays and Wat stays are available at several places along the Trail. The Trail guide book provides a few tips about etiquette to make it easier to connect with the local cultures. |
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Trekking in the Forests
along the Mekong River
There are opportunities to trek through fringing forests that line the banks of the river, and to enjoy wonderful views over the maze of islands and braided river channels north of Stung Treng. A local guide will assist with navigation and make the experience so much richer. |
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