Waterfall Exploration
Trek to hidden cascades and swim in natural pools surrounded by jungle.
Region 01
Cardamom Mountains
Cambodia's last great wilderness.
Koh Kong · Pursat · Kampong Speu
3
Provinces
18
Destinations
4
Waterfalls
Nov–Apr
Best season
About the region
Cambodia's last great wilderness.
Stretching across the southwest corner of Cambodia, the Cardamom Mountains form one of the largest intact rainforests left in Southeast Asia. The range shelters an extraordinary concentration of wildlife — clouded leopards, sun bears, Asian elephants, and gibbons — and hides rivers, waterfalls, and remote villages reachable only by boat or on foot.
01
Geography
A 4.5-million-hectare arc of rainforest and limestone karst running along Cambodia's southwest border with Thailand. Rivers cut deep valleys through the range, and the coast meets the Gulf of Thailand where mangroves meet the sea.
02
Wildlife
The Cardamoms are the last refuge for Cambodia's largest mammals — Asian elephants, clouded leopards, sun bears, pileated gibbons, and the critically endangered Siamese crocodile. More than 60 mammal species have been recorded.
03
Culture
Remote villages of the Chong and Por indigenous groups live within the forest, maintaining traditions tied to the land. Community-based ecotourism now offers a way for them to protect their forests while sharing them with visitors.
04
Why visit
For jungle trekking, waterfall swimming, kayaking, and wildlife spotting — all in a part of Cambodia where you can still travel for a full day without seeing another tourist.
~4.5M ha
Protected area
60+
Wildlife species
3
National parks
Experiences
What you actually do here.
Six signature experiences that define a trip to the Cardamom Mountains.
Wildlife Watching
Guided night walks and camera-trap trails with local rangers.
Jungle Trekking
Multi-day treks through primary rainforest with Bunong guides.
Kayaking & River Cruises
Paddle the Tatai River, past floating villages and mangrove forests.
Community Tourism
Stay in locally-run homestays and eat with families who know the forest best.
Camping Under Stars
Riverside camps, hammocks, and the sound of the forest at night.
Destinations
Where to go in the Cardamom Mountains.
18 places mapped in this region. Filter by province or category — every place links to its detail page.
Mountains
Kirirom National Park
ឧទ្យានជាតិគិរីរម្យ
Cool pine-forest plateau with hiking and waterfalls
Kampong Speu$5 entry
Waterfalls
Stung Damnak Kboun
ស្ទឹងដំណាក់ក្បួន
a natural streamside destination in Koh Kong Province, associated with the scenic National Road 10
Koh Kong
Waterfalls
Tatai Waterfall
ទឹកជ្រោះតាតៃ
Jungle river waterfall in the Cardamom Mountains
Koh Kong$1 entry
Eco Tourism · Tmor Bang
Steung Areng Community
សហគមន៍អេកូទេសចរណ៍ធម្មជាតិស្ទឹងអារ៉ែង
A community-based ecotourism destination in the heart of the Cardamom Mountains, offering authentic nature and cultural
Koh Kong
Waterfalls
Veal Ksach Waterfall
ទឹកធ្លាក់វាលខ្សាច់
A hidden waterfall in Koh Kong surrounded by the pristine forests of the Cardamom Mountains.
Koh Kong
Hidden Gems
Chi Phat Ecotourism Village
ភូមិអេកូទេសចរណ៍ជីផាត
Community-run ecotourism base in the Cardamom Mountains
Koh Kong$0 entry
Mountains · Veal Veng
Phnom 1500
ភ្នំ១៥០០
A scenic mountain destination in Pursat Province known for its winding mountain roads, green valleys, and cool weather
Pursat
Eco Tourism · Mondol Seima
Koh Por
កោះប៉ោ
ucked within the lush jungle waterways of Mondol Seima, Koh Por is an untouched ecotourism sanctuary
Koh Kong
Historical Sites · Mondol Seima
Khun Chhang Khun Phen Stupa
ចេតិយឃុនឆាង ឃុនផែន
a small historic and religious monument situated on a rocky outcrop in a tidal channel in Koh Kong
Koh Kong
Entertainment · Khemarak Phoumin
Koh Kong Town
ក្រុងខេមរភូមិន្ទ
Koh Kong Town is a peaceful coastal town in southwestern Cambodia, near the Thai border
Koh Kong
Eco Tourism · Mondol Seima District
Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary
ដែនជម្រកសត្វព្រៃពាមក្រសោប
one of Southeast Asia's most expansive and fertile mangrove habitats
Koh Kong$1.25 entry
Beaches · Mondol Seima
Cham Yeam Beach
ឆ្នេរចាំយាម
The westernmost beach of Cambodia, offering a peaceful coastal escape near the Thai border.
Koh Kong
Beaches · Mondol Seima District
Koh Yor Beach
ឆ្នេរកោះយ៉
Stretching along the windswept peninsula of Mondol Seima, Koh Yor Beach is a relaxed mainland coastal
Koh Kong
Islands · Koh Kong Distict
Koh Kapik
កោះកាពិ
a nature-based island destination in Koh Kong Province, known for its extensive mangrove forests, sandy beaches
Koh Kong
Waterfalls
Sila Meanchey Waterfall
ទឹកធ្លាក់សិលាមានជ័យ
all, is a natural waterfall attraction in Krong Khemara Phoumin, Koh Kong Province
Koh Kong
Islands · Koh Kong District
Koh Kong Krao
កោះកុងក្រៅ
Cambodia’s largest and most undeveloped island, offering pristine white-sand beaches
Koh Kong
Islands · Kiri Sakor District
Koh Sdach (King Island)
កោះស្តេច
a small, authentic fishing island in the Koh Sdach Archipelago, offering a rare glimpse of traditional Cambodian
Koh Kong
Eco Tourism · Srae Ambel District
Stueng PorPok
ស្ទឹងពពក
a community-run mountain camping site in Koh Kong’s Cardamom Mountains
Koh Kong
Suggested itineraries
Start from a plan. Make it yours.
Hand-built routes you can save, tweak, or ask the AI to customise.
Best for first-timers3 Days
Cardamom Explorer
- Tatai River kayak
- Cardamom Tented Camp
- Waterfall swim
$180 – $260Customise with AI
Most popular
Deep exploration7 Days
Ultimate Cardamom Adventure
- Multi-day trek
- Elephant corridor
- Mangrove delta
$650 – $920Customise with AI
Guided tours
Bookable, guided, and locally run.
Run by vetted operators. A share of every booking supports local communities.
3 Days
Cardamom Highlights
- Guide
- Meals
- Transport
- Permits
From
$240
5 Days
Wildlife Expedition
- Guide
- Meals
- Camps
- Camera traps
From
$520
Easy2 Days
Community Discovery
- Guide
- Homestay
- Meals
From
$160
DER DER AI Planner
Not sure where to start?
Let DER DER AI create a personalised itinerary based on your interests, travel style, budget, and available time.
Travel information
What to know before you go.
Getting there
4–5 hours by road from Phnom Penh to Koh Kong, or 3 hours from Sihanoukville. Private transfer recommended.
Best time to visit
November to April for dry, cool weather. Waterfalls peak June to October.
Mobile coverage
Strong in Koh Kong town, patchy to none deep in the forest. Download offline maps.
Safety
Low-risk area. Always trek with a local guide. Leech socks recommended in wet season.
ATMs
ABA and Canadia ATMs in Koh Kong. Bring cash for villages — cards rarely accepted.
Weather
25–32°C year-round. Humidity peaks May to October. Evenings can drop to 18°C at elevation.
Travel with purpose
Every trek here protects the forest.
Tourism in the Cardamoms directly funds ranger salaries, anti-poaching patrols, and community education. When you book through Der LG, a portion goes straight to the people protecting this forest.
Travelers supported
500+
Communities
10+
Ranger posts funded
12
*
Coming soon: Education Fund Impact Tracker — see exactly where every dollar goes.
Gallery
Moments from the Cardamom Mountains.
Keep exploring
