Cambodian Rural Development Tours

Website: www.crdtours.org
Facebook: CRDTours
E-mail: info@crdtours.org
Phone: +855 (0) 99 83 43 53

Who they are

Cambodian Rural Development Tours (CRDTours) offers everything you need to make the most of your time in Kratie and Stung Treng, while also ensuring that your travels contribute to rural development in the areas you visit. Their donations support the established local NGO, the Cambodian Rural Development Team and many of their tours provide direct support to local communities through visits to community-based tourism sites.

What they do

Their local knowledge ensures that you will receive the best possible value, and they can help design packages to suit your requirements. They can cater for those interested in rural development, nature and the environment, history and culture, and even just taking time out to relax in this laid back region of Cambodia.

They can organise:

Rural development and community tours providing first-hand experience of development projects and engagement with local communities.

Visits to local attractions, including dolphins, river islands, pagodas, picnic sites, mountains, forests.

Extended all-inclusive tours featuring multiple attractions and homestays.

Information enquiries, including eating and shopping suggestions.

Travel bookings to and from Kratie/Stung Treng e.g. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Pakse (Laos).

Local transport bookings including taxis, tuk tuks, horse and cart, bicycle and moto hire.

Accommodation bookings, including homestays, in Kratie and Stung Treng.

What they offer

Learn about this Conservation International project working towards the long-term sustainable conservation of the wild population of one of the world’s rarest and largest fresh water turtles – the Cantor’s softshell turtle. The largest known wild population survives in the Mekong River but it is endangered here and almost extinct in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

Housed in the grounds of the 100 Pillar Pagoda and partnered with the Buddhist monks that reside there, their goal is to conserve Cantor’s turtle populations in their natural habitat, through a community-led nest protection scheme.

Funding and support for the site comes mainly from local monks, integrating science and community. The monks also lead the opening ceremonies for the centre, including a blessing and a release of carefully selected, mature turtles with Buddhist symbols on them (to deter fishermen from capturing them!)

Visit on a ready-bake tour that will take you to the centre, through the neighbouring pagoda and onto a glimpse of rural Cambodian life on the nearby island of Koh Pdao. Or, if you so wish, add the Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre onto a custom tour.

Koh Preah means Island of God. The name caught on after local people found many statues of The Buddha on the island after the Khmer Rouge years were over. Koh Preah is a small, remote and picturesque island in the heart of the Mekong, as it passes through Stung Treng province. CRDT have been working in this important location for biodiversity for the last three years and it is an excellent place to begin your Cambodian experience after arriving from Laos.

The stretch of Mekong to the South of Koh Preah is the beautiful ‘Central Section’, offering an opportunity to travel by boat to Koh Pdao in Kratie province. Travel through twisting, intertwining channels painted with small uninhabited islands, undulating sandbanks, rapids and flooded forests.

Home to a wide range of biodiversity, Koh Preah is rich in natural recources, Khmer culture and stunning theatre from which to watch the critically endangered Irrawaddy River Dolphin. It is also home to many types of rare birdlife, so is ideal territory for bird watchers.

Live and work with the local people of rural Cambodian. However, this will not be a ‘human zoo,’ your host family will want you to get your hands dirty! Cook food, help plant rice (in season), get in sync with community culture and lifestyles, immerse yourselves in local community groups, livelihood activities and volunteering programs… Or, just relax and let it all sink in.

Visit Koh Preah and other attractions in Stung Treng on your way into Cambodia from Laos, or as part of your journey away from the bright lights, temples and well-worn paths of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Pass through this laid back region on your way to Laos and make a difference to the lives of the people you meet there.

You can arrange a trip to Koh Preah with a custom group tour.

Sweeping riparian landscapes, natural delights, rare creatures, local culture and lifestyles collide to form shapes previously unimagined…

Perhaps you’re looking for the peace, tranquillity and natural beauty of rural island life or an opportunity to immerse yourself completely into village life, whatever you’re looking for Koh Pdao abides. Choose a few or many activities to suit your travel ambitions.

The rare and graceful Irrawaddy river dolphins can seen from Koh Pdao in their natural habitat. You can take cycling adventures along the village roads or into the wilderness, enjoy boat trips along the Mekong River. Local guides with personal knowledge of the areas can get you right off the beaten track if that is what you are after

Without fail people that visit a homestay say the most appealing qualities of Koh Pdao (and Koh Preah) is becoming the newest siblings in local families, and getting one’s hands a little dirty in volunteering activities such as helping local people plant or harvest rice. You can also experience a traditional Khmer dance performance from the local arts group – you might even get invited to join in!

Koh Pdao is the largest island in the Mekong River. It is home to many of CRDT’s projects and an opportunity to meet the local community, learn about their lives and how your visit supports their development.

See Koh Pdao on their 100 Pillar Pagoda & Koh Pdao Trail or visit Koh Pdao as part of a custom group tour.

The critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins symbolise the magnificence of the Mekong river and its continued high biodiversity. They can be seen jumping and playing at Kampi all year round and from Koh Pdao or Koh Preah in the dry season.

The Mekong is one of only five remaining freshwater habitats in the world that still support this species and has the largest freshwater population. The dolphins were identified as a flagship for conservation not just because they are critically endangered, but because the Irrawaddy dolphin has certain minimum requirements of its habitat that reflect the health of the river ecosystem for other species, including humans.

You can view dolphins on the Dolphin Discovery Trail or on a trip to either Koh Pdao or Koh Preah.

Koh Trong is a beautiful quiet island opposite the riverfront of Kratie Town. It is a short ferry ride between town life and a slice of Cambodia’s rural ways. In the dry season the island is surrounded by large sandy beaches which are ideal for a picnic after a dip in the Mekong.* Local guides will be happy to take you on a cycle or horse and cart tour of their charming homeland.

If you want to go it alone, bicycles are available for hire on the island (or in the town – getting a bike on and off the boat can be fun!) and the trail is somewhat signposted for you to follow. Besides the rich Khmer culture, on the island you will find picnic huts dotted along the river, an old Stupa, a Vietnamese Wat… and off the island you might see a floating village!

If you feel like a visit to Koh Trong with a guide check out the Koh Trong Island Trail. Pop into our bamboo booth (the ‘bam-booth’) in town or get in touch.

*Swimming in the Mekong River is not recommended between June – October.

Sambok Mountain is a tranquil spot on the road from Kratie Town to Kampi and Sambour. It’s a corking temple north of Kratie Town and situated on the only hill anywhere near Kratie. A long set of steps lead to a pavilion, the interior of which is painted with interesting depictions of Buddhist hell, warnings of what happens to those not virtuous enough to lead a holy and clean lifestyle.

The sound of nature is all around you once you get away from the road, there are several sets of steps that lead to the pagoda at the top and also a Nunnery. It’s a place for quiet reflection, and the only vistas in Kratie. From the top you can see out across swathes of rice paddy

Sambok Mountain makes a good stop on the way to or from seeing the dolphins at Kampi.

Visit Sambok as part of a tour to see the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin on our Dolphin Discovery Trail

Situated in Sambour district, opposite Koh Pdao, this beautiful pagoda has an interesting history, and actually has between 108-116 pillars depending on who you ask!

Sambor was the site of a thriving pre-Angkorian city during the time of Sambor Prei Kuk and the Chenla empire. Unfortunately not a stone of this old settlement remains in the modern town of Sambor, which is locally famous for having the largest wat in Cambodia. Known locally as Wat Sorsor Moi Roi, it was constructed on the site of a 19th-century wooden temple, a few pillars of which are still located round the back of the compound. This temple is a minor place of pilgrimage for residents of Kratie Province.

Resting in the same grounds as the Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre, leave your shoes with the smiling kids at the door and step into silent clouds of incense.

See the Pagoda on the 100 Pillar Pagoda and Koh Pdao Trail, or set up a custom tour of your own!

Every dry season (Nov – May) a complex of thatched huts are built at the site of the rapids at Kampi. These provide the perfect spot for a picnic, relaxing in hammocks and cooling off in the fast flowing water. It’s also possible to go island hopping by foot in the surrounding area.

A popular area for Khmer people to spend weekends and public holidays, an afternoon on the water at Kampi rapids is one well spent. Enjoy local cuisine and a drink while kids ‘raft’ down the rapids on woven mats and play ball in the water.

Cultural differences dictate that it’s more appropriate to wear shorts (men and women) and a T-shirt or something similar to swim in (women). Take a book or a deck of cards for out-of-water entertainment, your sarong for changing, a towel for drying and maybe a woven mat for rafting?

Organise a trip over to Kampi by itself, or as the relaxing end to a sightseeing tour of your own creation. You could also add this to a day watching dolphins and climbing Sambok Mountain.

Roka Kandal pagoda was constructed at the beginning of the 19th century. It is the oldest preserved pagoda in Cambodia. The interior decorations echo those of pagodas in Luang Prabang (Laos) but the roof is in the classic Khmer style. It was abandoned for many years but its recent renovation has brought it back to its former glory.

The interior has been turned into a showroom for local wicker and rattan handicrafts. Baskets, bags, slippers and lots more are available inside and all proceeds go to help local women in the province.

Visit the Wat as part of the Kratie Town Trail.

The Mekong Blue Stung Treng Women’s Development Centre was established by a Cambodian couple in 2001 and is located in Stung Treng on the Sekong river. The project focuses on offering opportunities that improve living standards through education, vocational training and employment to assist in breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy for vulnerable people, especially local women.

Learn about the silk weaving process all the way from the worms to the finished product, chill out in the cafe and pick up some beautifully crafted products for yourself or as gifts. All the profits support the women’s development centre.

Regarded as one of the finest silk products in Cambodia, Mekong Blue silk products are 100% hand-woven, of high quality, unique and UNESCO award winning.

Location

Le Bungalow Guesthouse,
#436 Riverside Road,
Kratie Town, Kratie, Cambodia

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