Editor’s Note: The story below chronicles the adventure of Alice on her trip from Phnom Penh to Mondulkiri. All images and content are from the contributor.

Currently living in Phnom Penh, we decided with some friends to leave the capital city during Water Festival and go on discovering North East of Cambodia and especially Mondolkiri.

We booked a bus through BookMeBus to go there. The journey was great, the landscape was really beautiful and very different to all I’ve seen in Cambodia so far, with all those hills and this luxuriant vegetation. Our first impression when we got there, was this really peaceful mood prevailing in this small village surrounded by nature and animals. This is so pleasant after the spirited Phnom Penh!

We were hosted and guided by two native from a Mondolkiri village during the entire week-end, which is a great way to discover this region. We stayed in a traditional house for the first night, talking and eating with locals.

The second day we left early morning to go for two days trekking in the jungle! That was an amazing experience. We swam in waterfalls, saw crazy animals, slept in hammock (in the middle of the forest), fished and eat from the river, saw elephants … Coming back in the village after this incredible 2 days trek, people invited us to a weeding in the village! That was so great!

Mondolkiri is far from being my best trip since I am in Cambodia, not only for the amazing landscape but also because it was a real interesting exchange and sharing moment with the locals. It is a place not to be missed during your trip in Cambodia!

I would recommend to go there just after the rainy season, when the landscape is entirely green and rain is not anymore an obstacle to go on discovering. You should stay there at least three days, which is I think the minimum if you want have time to appreciate this so special atmosphere. Moreover, if you want to see the elephants, I would recommend you to choose a Cambodian NGO, in order contributing to local initiatives.

I did enjoy this trip a lot because we always were with locals therefore I can only warmly recommend you to avoid guesthouses there!

Enjoy your trip in Mondolkiri!

Going to Mondulkiri?

Alice