Adventure to Koh Kong

Koh Kong
 
Kong is the most southwestern province of Cambodia. It is one of the biggest provinces in the whole country with a long undeveloped coastline and a mountainous, forested and largely inaccessible interior, which embraces part of the Cardamom Mountains, the biggest coherent rainforest of Southeast Asia. Its tourist attractions include abundant wildlife; big waterfalls and casinos on the border to Thailand, while an Export Processing Zone and new port facilities are being developed for international trade. 

The province is an increasingly popular gateway to Cambodia from Hat Lek in southern Thailand, in part of the reasonably direct access to the port and beach resort town of Sihanoukville. While this was previously a gruelling journey by boat and pickup on rough bumpy roads using small ferries at river crossings, the donation by the Thai government of new road infrastructure is improving access greatly. 

The name means " Krong Island Province". Its capital is Krong Koh Kong, which is located in the West of the province right next to the Thai border. The city is surrounded with a large forested area connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries. It's generally a quiet town, but there are many reasons to stay in Koh Kong for more than one night such as the nearby islands, rivers, tours into the nature and the buzzing nightlife. 

The people of Koh Kong speak mainly Khmer, and most speak some Thai as well. You can also find many Chinese and Vietnamese speakers as well as a lot of broken English. Your stay here will be economical as lodging, food and transportation is relatively cheap here. Please make this place a stop on your travels through S.E. Asia and you won't be disappointed.
 
1.Areng Valleyoh
 
Mother Nature Cambodia's (MNC) campaign to save the Areng Valley from being destroyed by a senseless hydro dam kicked off in 2012.  Little known beyond the province of Koh Kong when we first got started, the stunning valley has now entered the hearts and minds of millions of Cambodians.  Not just that, the successes achieved by our innovative, fearless, and passionate campaign continues to inspire Cambodian embattled communities and environmental youth from across the country. Through the empowerment of local communities - especially women and local youth -, relentless posts on social media highlighting the area's beauty and the project's negative impacts, and acts of bravery seldom seen in other campaigns in Cambodia, we finally pushed the Cambodian regime and the Chinese energy giant Sinohydro to shelve the project. 
 
2. Chi Pat Community Based ecotourism

In Chi Phat, Wildlife Alliance and the community are working together to preserve the environment while providing exciting and unique experiences for visitors. Villagers who once roamed the forest to deplete it of its environmental heritage are now employed as guides leading trekking, mountain-biking, camping, and river boat tours through the wilderness surrounding both communities. Over 200 kilometers of hiking trails meander through the jungle, leading to natural wonders in the rainforest, deserted waterfalls, campsites, and post-Angkorian burial jar sites.

Villagers also operate homestays, guest houses, motorbike taxi services, and restaurants, giving visitors further insight into rural life in Cambodia. CBET Committee members are elected to lead the management of the project and provided ongoing training as they perform bookings, arrange itineraries, do accounting, and oversee community ranger patrols. A community waste management system has also been developed – one of the first of its kind in Cambodia.

The Cambodian Government has recognized Wildlife Alliance’s project in Chi Phat as an exemplar for ecotourism in Cambodia. Increasingly, the international community is recognizing the Cardamoms as an ideal destination for ecotourism.

  • The New York Times Travel Section featured the region in an article and slideshow in April 2011.
  • The Koh Kong Conservation Corridor was chosen as one of the Top Ten Regions in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2010 annual publication and in the Wall Street Journal.
  • Lonely Planet has also singled out Wildlife Alliance’s program in Chi Phat as the best community-based ecotourism destination in Cambodia, highlighting the increasing appeal of its locally run guesthouses, restaurants, and outdoor activities.
  • Wall Street Journal-Asia raves “poverty was the root cause of wildlife and forest loss in the Cardamoms … ecotourism offered the possibility both of alleviating poverty and leading villagers to see value in the nature surrounding them.” 
  • The Koh Kong Conservation Corridor has been featured as one of the Top Ten Regions in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2010 annual publication, The New York Times, and in the Wall Street Journal, highlighting the increasing international appeal of the local guest houses, restaurants, and outdoor activities.

For more information or to book a stay visit www.chi-phat.org or email info@chi-phat.org.

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