Enjoy Rural Cambodia

2 or 3 day trips in Rural Cambodia

If you have a few days to spare, you could combine a trip to Takeo with a longer trip (2 or 3 days) to the southeast coast of Cambodia. The visitor can spend the first day in Takeo and then finish in Kep for the start of another adventure quite different to the preceding day

Kep
Kep was a former retreat for the French in the early 1900s followed by a favourite holiday destination for the Khmer elite some years later. It was hit hard both during the Pol Pot regime and then during the Vietnamese occupation however in the past few years, there has been a resurgence and interest in the place and a number of new guesthouses have become available
Kep is often cooler than other parts of Cambodia and when the rest of Cambodia is dry and dusty, the lush green of the tropics is likely to be seen in and around Kep due to higher rainfall than other areas. On the way from Takeo you'll see the changing landscape with limestone outcrops dominating the horizon in numerous places. There are many coconut and sugar palms scattered throughout the rice fields and if you are lucky you may stumble across someone selling their palm juice from their bamboo storage containers
As a consequence of the higher rainfall, this area is a major vegetable growing area of Cambodia. Depending on the season you can see fields of pumpkins, sweet potatoes, watermelon, marrow, eggplant, sugar cane and pepper. There are also many fruit trees including mangoes, bananas, durian and pawpaw to name a few
The limestone outcrops are home to various caves which, for the adventurous can be fun to explore. If you are lucky you might be able to see a few families making clay pots in the small village of Samrong Leu

Once in Kep, it is a quiet and restful place with spectacular views over the ocean. For the seafood lovers you won't be disappointed after you have feasted on delicious crabs, prawns, squid and fish which are available at most times of the year. There are delicious local sweet snacks made of sticky rice which are wrapped in local leaf which are easily bought on the waterfront. You will stay in a lovely bungalow with terrific views of Bokor mountain, the ocean and magnificent sunsets

The beaches of Kep are not as spectacular as Kompong Som but swimming is possible and a welcome relief after a day of travelling. Rabbit Island lies close to Kep and is a short trip for those wanting to explore islands. Swimming and snorkelling is better at the island than around Kep so for the swimming buffs, you'll surely be happy. The island has a few Khmer families who farm seaweed which is used in the production of agar agar - the Asian equivalent of gelatine, and commonly found in Asian desserts. Coconuts and seafood are in a never ending supply on this island even if it means a fisherman collecting crabs from his crab pots when you order them! The island is not yet developed therefore accommodation is only available in Kep

Both salt and pepper are farmed in this region. On the flats between Kep and Kampot, salt fields are easily seen and worth a look for those who are unfamiliar with salt farming. The Ministry of Health has been working with these farmers to introduce iodisation of the salt as iodine is lacking in many parts of Cambodia. It is not uncommon and the visitor is bound to see numerous Khmer with large goitres

Also found around the hills of Kep, are numerous pepper farms. This pepper was loved by the French and exported in great amounts in days gone by. A visit to one of the farms makes for an interesting visit after leaving Kep

Caves
Between Kep and Kampot a quaint riverside town some 25 minutes from Kep, are a few caves which are worth visiting. Phnom Chhnork has a 7th century brick temple inside the main chamber and Phnom Sorsia has a white stalactite formation resembling an elephant hence the name 'White Elephant cave'

Kampot is a charming town with numerous colonial buildings lining the riverfront and dotted throughout the town. In the past few years, more tourists and expatriates have found the beauty and charm of the place so numerous guesthouses have surfaced. For those interested in textiles, visit the local weaving training school where natural dyes are used to dye the cotton prior to weaving the famous Khmer kromar. If you missed out on a massage at the Seeing Hands massage in Phnom Penh you are able to try a relaxing massage from one of the local masseurs

The major attraction in Kampot is Bokor mountain which lies over the river from the town of Kampot. The mountain provides beautiful views, including glorious sunsets which are best seen from the restaurants lining the Kampot river. This mountain was a French hill station and with its elevation (>1000m), makes for a much cooler place than on the plains below. The mountain may be covered in cloud when the remainder of the sky is blue and cloudless. The views from the top of the mountain are spectacular however with the mist rolling through you sometimes needs to wait for the fog to clear before you are fortunate enough to see the entire view. Currently the road is very bad and takes about 2.5 hours to reach the top. For those who are willing to have an uncomfortable yet unforgettable day we can arrange to rent a 4WD (at extra cost). The forest is beautiful as are the views so for some, the trip is worthwhile. This trip would be scheduled for day 2 as it takes all day

3 day trip
Takeo-Kep-Kampot

A trip to Bokor mountain can be arranged on day 2 however extra costs would be incurred

It is possible to have a two day trip to Takeo and Kep which would include Takeo on day one and then island/tour Kampot or salt pans or pepper plantation/cave/tour Kampot before returning to Phnom Penh

One needn't return to Phnom Penh after visiting Takeo, Kep and Kampot. A lovely drive from Kampot to Kompong Som (Sihanoukville) is possible and gives those beach lovers a chance to have a good swim and explore the coast more. The sandy beaches of Kompong Som are beautiful and in the dry season the water crystal clear

Costs (USD)

Tariff - 3 day trips in Cambodia

3 day trip to Takeo, Kep and Kampot return to Phnom Penh	1 person	2 persons	3 persons	4 persons
Trip includes: Transfers Phnom Penh - Kep return Entrance fees Phnom Chhisor, Phnom Da, Angkor Borei museum, silk village, pepper farm, salt flats, caves, fishing village Boat trip to Phnom Da (Takeo), Rabbit Island (Kep) and or canoe trip near Kep Drinks (soft drink and beer) Breakfast on day 2 and 3, morning tea, afternoon tea, lunches (X3 - 2 of which include fresh seafood) Accommodation (2 nights in a beautiful resort in Kep (fan only) or Kampot (up to guest to decide where to stay) Personal tour guide (including informal stops to explain interesting sites along the way) Trip does not include: Dinners (2) Trip to Bokor - additional costs would be incurred	$520	$340	$290	$250

 

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