Banlung, northeast of Kratie, is the dusty capital of Ratanakiri, the
remote northeastern province of Cambodia. Though remote and mountainous, it is accessible
via road and air. Banlung is the base
camp to go exploring the beautiful ecology and the various tribal minorities of
Ratanakiri.
You
can rent bicycles, motorcycles or go about on foot or on the back of an
elephant. Yep, some tour agencies in
Banlung can arrange an elephant to ride from selected villages into the jungles
to waterfalls or lakes or even village hopping. Do note that most of the roads
are of red laterite earth which means dust and when wet, mud.
There
are volcanic crater lakes to go swimming in and have a picnic such as the round
Yeak Loam lake and not so round Lumkud lake to the east of Banlung. Then there are the Ka Chang, Ka Teang, Cha Ong and Bai S’rohk Waterfalls
to appreciate and chill in.
Virachey National Park is north of Banlung. It’s a must see place for adventure travellers
for the beautiful vistas especially at the Veal Thom Grasslands. Then there are the various hill tribe
villages and cemeteries and temples such as Wat Rahtanharahm to go and have a
peek at to drink in the sights and sounds.
