Tourism & Destinations: Ideal Getaways Away from the Crowds for Khmer New Year
- Partenaire Presse
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
For all those who need a break, to de-stress, The Post and Cambodge Mag present three sites that make an ideal getaway for those who want to refresh and "keep social distance."
Three-Hour Hike to the Oryas Waterfall in Ratanakiri
The Oryas waterfall is located in Lam Av village, Koh Pang commune, Veun Sai district, Ratanakiri province. Perfectly isolated, intact, and unexplored, it features waterfalls cascading 40 m into the Sesan River.
Chab Vael, 27, from the Kachak ethnic minority, is a local guide from the village. He takes tourists by boat for one hour to venture along the Sesan River, docking at Koh Peak commune.
Upon disembarking, tourists are welcomed by indigenous communities and the rice fields of Tumpoun village in Koh Peak. They then embark on a three-hour hike through the forest of neighboring Koh Pang commune before spotting the Oryas waterfall.On the forest path, hikers spend one hour walking through Tumpoun village. Vael ensures they have time to soak in the scenery and observe the locals' way of life.After two hours of forest walking, visitors hear the faint sound of the falling water. Then a large wooden shelter appears. Visitors can relax and have a meal before heading to the falls in Lam Av village, Koh Pang commune.Travelers can head directly to the Kachak village pier by contacting Vael at 097 829 2413 or through Green Jungle Trekking Tours-Cambodia, which organizes trips to the attraction at 088 454 6466.
Two-Hour Trek to Stung Ta Sok Waterfall in Pursat
The Stung Ta Sok waterfall lies between Phnom Samkoh natural reserve and the Cardamom Mountains. Here too, visitors must do a two-hour trek to reach this unexplored natural area.
Local guide Korng Noy is ready to give visitors a unique experience. Relax, picnic, and swim in refreshingly cold water to recharge after your two-hour hike.Visitors, who should use their own vehicle to avoid shared taxis, can park at Seng Meng Kry's. After a refreshment stop about 30 km from the Osoam community center, visitors continue on foot to Chhay Broy waterfall, which is 50 m high and just a 10-minute walk along a stream in the jungle.The trail being tricky, visitors should preferably hire a local guide to avoid getting lost. Noy also offers visitors artisanal wine that he is expert at preparing.Enjoy the cool breeze blowing from the north when you reach Stung Ta Sok waterfall. 10 m high, it plunges into a vast clear-water pool where exhausted visitors can swim before a sumptuous lunch.The trek between Chhay Broy and Stung Ta Sok waterfalls takes 90 minutes to two hours. The trek starts near Chhay Louk village, Veal Veng district, Pursat province.For more information, contact local guide Mr. Korng Noy at 081 667 407.
Two-Hour Hike to Admire the Stunning Phnom Tbeng Waterfall
And finally, we have Phnom Tbeng waterfall. It is located 600 m above Tbeng Meanchey mountain and about 35 kilometers from Preah Vihear city. Visitors pass by Phnom Tbeng at the base of the 1,345 steps leading to the mountain and Dombouk Khmao pagoda after about one kilometer.
The clear waterfall against a backdrop of green vegetation covering the cliff walls makes it the ideal spot for photography enthusiasts.
Khek Thuon, who can be hired to carry tourists' luggage to the mountain summit, explains that most people can't carry heavy loads while climbing, "so they hire me to do it instead, especially since some parts of the stairs are very steep."
"From the foot of the mountain to the summit, you climb 1,092 steps, with three stops along the way to visit. Once at the summit, there are another 253 steps to reach Tbeng pagoda, or Dombouk Khmao," explains Thuon, who charges 30,000 riels for his services.
About 280 km from Phnom Penh, Phnom Tbeng waterfall is accessible by taking National Road 6, then turning north onto National Road 62 in Trapaing Russey commune, Kampong Thom province.
When you arrive at the foot of the mountain, local guides welcome you and offer to carry your luggage to the summit. The service costs between 30,000 riels ($7.5) and 50,000 riels ($12.5).
Raksmey Hong with our partner The Phnom Penh Post
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