Dolphin Watching
Boat trips to Kampi Pool to spot Irrawaddy dolphins surfacing at dawn.
Region 03
North Mekong Region
Along the great river.
Kratie · Stung Treng · Kampong Cham
3
Provinces
5
Destinations
—
Waterfalls
Nov–Apr
Best season
About the region
Along the great river.
North of Phnom Penh, the Mekong slows and widens, forming a string of islands and sandbars that shelter one of the world's rarest creatures — the Irrawaddy dolphin. The riverside towns of Kratie and Stung Treng have kept their unhurried colonial character, and the surrounding countryside is dotted with temples, wetlands, and the kind of quiet travel that leaves room to breathe.
01
The river
The Mekong widens here into a slow, island-studded riverway. Sandbars and flooded forests support the largest freshwater fish migration in the world.
02
Wildlife
Ninety Irrawaddy dolphins remain in a 180 km stretch. The river also shelters giant catfish, softshell turtles, and rare river birds.
03
Culture
Kratie and Stung Treng preserve faded colonial shophouses and a way of life built around the river — fishing villages, sunset ferries, and riverside markets.
04
Why visit
For slow travel on one of the world's great rivers — dolphins at dawn, bicycle rides on car-free islands, and sunsets that fill the whole sky.
~180 km
River length
~90
Dolphins left
5+
Protected islands
Experiences
What you actually do here.
Six signature experiences that define a trip to the North Mekong Region.
Island Cycling
Car-free Koh Trong, weaving through rice paddies and riverside villages.
River Cruises
Sunset cruises and slow ferries up the Mekong.
Bamboo Bridge Walks
Wold longest bamboo bridge at Kampong Cham, rebuilt each year by the community.
Colonial Towns
Walk the old shophouse streets of Kratie and Stung Treng.
River Beaches
Sandbars and swimming spots along the Mekong.
Destinations
Where to go in the North Mekong Region.
5 places mapped in this region. Filter by province or category — every place links to its detail page.
Temples
Wat Nokor Bachey
វត្តនគរបាជ័យ
Ancient temple ruins with a living pagoda built inside
Kampong Cham$2 entry
Mountains
Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei
ភ្នំប្រុស ភ្នំស្រី
Twin hills with pagodas and a well-known local legend
Kampong Cham$1 entry
Hidden Gems
Kampi Dolphin Pool
អាងត្រីផយកាំពិ
Boat tours to see rare Irrawaddy river dolphins
Kratie$9 entry
Islands
Koh Trong Island
កោះត្រង់
Peaceful car-free river island near Kratie
Kratie$0 entry
Islands · Thala Barivat
Koh Han
កោះហាន
Koh Han is a peaceful Mekong River ecotourism destination in Stung Treng, known for its flooded forests
Stung Treng
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Most popularGuided tours
Bookable, guided, and locally run.
Run by vetted operators. A share of every booking supports local communities.
Easy3 Days
Kratie Highlights
- Guide
- Boat
- Meals
From
$190
5 Days
Mekong Discovery
- Guide
- Boat
- Homestay
- Meals
From
$380
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Travel information
What to know before you go.
Getting there
5–6 hours by road from Phnom Penh to Kratie; 8 hours to Stung Treng.
Best time
December to May for clearer water and easier dolphin spotting.
Mobile coverage
Good in towns, intermittent along the river. Offline maps recommended.
Safety
Very safe. Boat trips follow standard safety rules — wear a life vest.
ATMs
ATMs in Kratie and Stung Treng town. Cash preferred in islands and villages.
Weather
Warm year-round — 26–35°C. Cooler, drier November to February.
Travel with purpose
River tourism that protects the dolphins.
Boat fees, homestays, and guide bookings fund dolphin conservation patrols and alternative livelihoods for fishing families.
Travelers supported
280+
River communities
6
Dolphins protected
90
*
Coming soon: Education Fund Impact Tracker — see exactly where every dollar goes.
Gallery
Moments from the North Mekong Region.
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