Asian Geographic - 08.2018

WHEN

December and March

WHERE

Virachey National Park

HOW

From Phnom Penh Airport,

take the bus to Banlung,

then a car to Virachey

EXPERIENCE

TREKKING

Located in Ratanakiri province, Cambodia’s

biggest national park is home to one of the

largest protected forests in Asia. Special treks

set up by the park office encourage visitors to

explore its 3,325 square kilometres of varied

environments: semi-evergreen lowlands, cloud

forests, upland savannahs, bamboo thickets

and mixed deciduous forest. For wildlife

lovers, the breathtaking natural landscape

plays home to clouded leopard cats, wild

buffalo, elephants, gibbons, sun bears, and

many unique tree species.

Eight-day tours by indigenous guides

include traversing the Phnom Veal Thom

grasslands, overnight camping beside the

Chour Preah rapids, and learning about the

lives of the hill tribes that reside within park

borders. It’s also possible to take a boat,

CAMBODIA

Camp in the

Pristine Virachey

Rainforest

bamboo raft or kayak up the river. The hilly

trek through dense forests is only for those in

fit physical condition. During the rainy season,

leeches are common, so take the necessary

precautions, like wearing long trousers.

Finish off this wilderness immersion with a

bowl of amok trei, a sweet curry with hints of

kaffir lime and lemongrass. Flaky white fish is

cooked in a pan with coconut cream, turmeric,

and chillies, before being steamed in a bowl of

banana leaves. The meat is so soft, it falls apart

on your fork.

left The landscape

from a viewpoint in the

Virachey National Park

PHOTOS © SHUTTERSTOCK

CAMBODIA

Virachey

National Park