Ratanakiri
Cambodia · 280 m
Description
Ratanakiri (រតនគិរី) is Cambodia's north-eastern corner, a red-earth plateau of rubber and cashew between the Laotian and Vietnamese borders, and its name means gem mountain after the zircon and amethyst still dug from pits in the hills. The provincial town of Banlung sits five kilometres from Yeak Laom, a near-perfect circular lake filling a crater some four thousand years old, ringed by a shaded path through jungle. Waterfalls drop off the plateau edge at Ka Tieng, Ka Chanh and Cha Ong, fullest between August and October. North of the town Virachey National Park covers more than three thousand square kilometres of the Annamite foothills, Cambodia's largest protected area and an ASEAN Heritage Park, crossed only on multi-day guided treks. The province is home to Tampuan, Kreung, Jarai and Brao communities.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 4 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – January
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Yeak Laom Crater Lake
- Virachey National Park(Multi-day trip)
- Ka Tieng Waterfall
- Cha Ong Waterfall
- Ka Chanh Waterfall
- Banlung
- Tampuan and Kreung Villages
- Gem Mining Pits
- Boeung Kansaeng Lake
- Phnom Svay
- Sesan River
- Cashew Plantations
- Kratie(Day trip)