Cambodian hill tribes and totem poles - northern Cambodia

Most of north-eastern Cambodia has yet to be discovered by the outside world. It's a remote area where Cambodian hill tribes live in isolation. Each Cambodian hill 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 Cambodian hill tribes will be visited.

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 Rattanakiri 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. In the afternoon you'll have time for a refreshing dive into this lake and into it's cool waters, plunging down from the vine-covered Cha Ung waterfall.

Today you'll travel by foot from your lodge to visit with some of the ethnic minorities in the smaller mountain village. You'll be escorted by an English-speaking guide who will be able to tell you interesting stories about the Tampuan culture. You'll have a chance to take a look at the traditional houses and perhaps even to play a game of football with some of the local children. 

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.

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 could 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.

After waking 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.

From here you can continue your journey to the Laotian border with the Cambodia travel module Mekong, dolphins and Laos.