Four Places to Visit During Rainy Season
Veal Thom is a natural site that turns from being a vast golden plain in the dry season to an endless green meadow in the rainy season. Photo provided by Choun Phirom
- By Heng Sreylin
- June 26, 2023 3:26 PM
PHNOM PENH – Choun Phirom, an outdoor enthusiast with twenty years of experience, has recommended Cambodianess four places to visit during the rainy season for nature and open spaces lovers.
First comes Veal Thom, a natural site that turns from being a vast golden plain in the dry season to an endless green meadow in the rainy season. Located in the Virakchey National Park, in Ratanakiri province, Veal Thom – which literally means “big plain” in Khmer – offers an incredible sight of wilderness and wildlife and is one of Cambodia’s best places to watch the sun rise and set.
Heading to the country’s far west, Chhay Tapang and Chhay Young waterfalls give adventurers a glimpse of freshness in the middle of the Cardamom mountain range, in Koh Kong province.
With a height of 100 meters, Chhay Tapang is the tallest of the two and is located in Chom-Sla village, Chi Phat commune, Thmor Bang district, at the heart of the Areng valley. Travelers will have to go around 30 kilometers deeper in the forest to find Chhay Young, the second outstanding waterfall in the area, with more than 70 meters in height.
Chhay Tapang is located in Chom-Sla village, Chi Phat commune, Thmor Bang district, at the heart of the Areng valley. Photo provided by Choun Phirom
But accessing these two natural sites is no easy task. Hikers have to travel 20 kilometers from Brolay commune, Thmor Bang district, up the Areng valley, a rich and well-known natural site, that attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all over Cambodia.
Not far from there – at least as the crow flies – Khnorng Veal mountain peaks at 900 meters, at the border between Koh Kong and Kampong Speu provinces. In addition to offering a stunning view of the nearby valleys, the area is surrounded by waterfalls and lush rainforests.
Phirom said Khnorng Veal is a good place for those who have little experience in outdoor activities.
Khnorng Veal mountain peaks at 900 meters, at the border between Koh Kong and Kampong Speu provinces. Photo provided by Choun Phirom
“If you have little experience climbing mountains or want to explore new places, you should try trekking up Khnorng Veal mountain. But be well prepared and watch out for the approximate hiking time, the road condition, and consider taking a guide,” he said.
Finally, Phirom recommended nature lovers hike on top of Khnang Phsa mountain, which lies over the border between Kampong Speu and Koh Kong provinces.
It is an adventurous tourist-friendly area where visitors have to travel along an easy-to-climb road with beautiful scenery along the road. Visitors can watch the sunrise from the top in the morning and watch the sunset from the ridge in the evening.
Choun Phirom advises those who want to experience outdoor activities for the first time to be careful and have all the necessary equipment for hiking.
Khnang Phsa mountain also lies over the border between Kampong Speu and Koh Kong provinces. Photo provided by Choun Phirom
Basic supplies would include mountaineering equipment such as raincoats, waterproof tents and shoes, easy-to-dry clothes, dry food and medicine.
Trekkers must also check the weather forecast before starting their hikes and let local guides know they are in the area when traveling as a group.
Making sure to have an experienced mountaineer to accompany them is a real plus, said Phirom.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Te Chhaysinh for Cambodianess.
