talesofasia guide to the provinces of Cambodia

Mondulkiri

updated January 2006

Cambodia's most sparsely populated and remote province, I'm not in the best position to give much information on this place as this is the one Cambodia province I've yet to visit, though if you're reading through this Provinces Guide section you'll find a few other provinces I'm scarcely more qualified to discuss. Nonetheless, with eight years in and out of Cambodia I can at least throw out a few tidbits I've picked up from people who have visited this province.

Mondulkiri is bordered by Ratanakiri to the north, Vietnam to the east and southeast, Kratie to the southwest and west, and shares a very small border with Stung Treng to the north.

There haven't been flights here for years so if you're coming it's by road from Kompong Cham or Kratie. The "road" north to Ratanakiri is not suitable for anyone except experienced motorcyclists who not only can handle a motorbike but have a clue about Cambodia as well.

The province is populated predominantly by minority hilltribes.

Any visit to this province will require basing oneself in Sen Monorom, the tiny provincial capital. There are a few places to stay and eat here, with the Pich Kiri Guesthouse the most popular. Contrary to what the Rough Guide to Cambodia says, English-speaking guides are available to accompany you on treks to some of the area villages, which can include spending the night. Trekking can be on foot or by elephant. Other than trekking to some of the nearby villages, the only other attraction is a couple of waterfalls, though by all accounts, Bou Sraa Waterfall is one of Cambodia's largest and most impressive. Lonely Planet does a considerably better job covering this province than Rough Guide.

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