Chi Phat Community-Based Ecotourism Site

Website: www.ccben.org or www.ecoadventurecambodia.com
E-mail: info@ccben.org
Phone: +855 23 355 272

Communities

Local Chi Phat Communities

Who they are

Chi Phat is mainland South East Asia’s largest remaining tract of rainforest situated directly in the heart of the Cardamom Mountains. The Chi Phat Ecotourism Site was established in 2007 by an Environmental NGO called Wildlife Alliance. The Chi Phat Commune is made up of 2,500 people (around 550 families). The people are followers of Buddhism, but do not consider themselves to be very religious by nature. Each family cell is independently organised, with little or no social network to rely on. In the past, the people of Chi Phat experienced great suffering at the hands of the Khmer rouge regime, and are still struggling today to support their families.

In an attempt to diversify their income streams and build sustainable livelihood, Wildlife Alliance with ther local population are promoting this world of natural wonders. With mountains, rugged rainforests trails, waterfalls, mangroves, low land and Malaluka swamps, and cultural artifacts such as burial jars and wooden coffins, it is a enchanting place for travellers to get lost in.

What they offer

Itineraries:

1. Mountain Biking to the Jar Site

Day 1: Phnom Penh/Koh Kong/Sihanoukville – Chi Phat:
- 07:30: Departure to Chi Phat by public bus (to be organised by traveller)
- 10:30: Arrival at Andoung Tuek
- 13:00: Take a boat to Chi Phat (Public boat departs at Andoung Touek between 12:00 and 13:30, costs: US$2.50)
- 15:00: Arrival at Chi Phat, registration at CBET office, short explanation about the project activities and options, accommodation and tour booking at CBET office (with CBET office manager).

After booking accommodation, the guesthouse/homestay owner will bring the visitor to the guesthouse (homestays come with discount bicycles). Visitors are free to rent bicycles or motorbikes (with driver) and visit the Reforestation Project, the Bold Mountain View point or tour around the commune close to the waterfalls and villages.
- 19:00: Dinner at CBET office

Day 2: Chi Phat – Ancient Jar Site – Chi Phat: (42km)
- 06:30: Breakfast at CBET office
- 07:00: Start mountain biking to the Jar site (with a local guide)
- 11:00: Arrival at the jar site
- 12:00: Lunch at a nice river about 300m from the jar place
- 13:00: Start biking back to Chi Phat on the same way
- 15:00: Visiting Teuk Vet (Curve River) waterfall
- 16:00: Arrival and visit of O’Samput (Dragon Fish River), bat cave and waterfall
- 17:00: Arrival at Chi Phat CBET office
- 19:00: Dinner at CBET office
- 20:00: Overnight at guesthouse or homestay

Day 3: Chi Phat – Phnom Penh/Koh Kong
- 07:00: Breakfast at CBET office
- 08:00: Leaving Chi Phat to Koh Kong by slow boat (Chi Phat public boat)
- 10:00: Arrival at ADT – take bus or taxi to PNH or Koh Kong (organised by traveller)

Please note: Visitors may depart Chi Phat to Andoung Touek by motor taxi if they wish (US$7.00 with CBET Motor Taxi group) or depart with the public boat the following day at 8:00am (US$2.50)

2. Mountain Biking on the Jar Trail

Day 1: Same events as itinerary 1.

Day 2: Chi Phat – O’Peam Krovanh (Cardamom tree river) Camp site: (about 31km)
- 06:30: Breakfast at CBET office
- 07:00: Start mountain biking to O’Peam Krovanh campsite
- 08:00: Arrival at and visit to O’Samput (Dragon fish river), bat cave and waterfall
- 08:30: Visit and swim in Teuk Vet (Curve River) waterfall
- 09:00: Continue biking to Jar site (13km) from Teuk Vet waterfall
- 11:00: Lunch on a small river at O’Ampov
- 12:30: Continue biking to jar site
- 13:00: Arrival at Jar site
- 14:00: Continue bikig to O’Peam Krovanh campsite (about 10 km) from jar site
- 16:00: Arrival at O’Peam Krovanh campsite
- 18:00: Dinner at Camp site (by CBET forest cook)

Day 3: O’Peam Krovanh campsite – O’Malu (Betel leave river) waterfall – Chi Phat commune: (about 24km)
- 07:00: Breakfast at Camp site (by CBET forest cook)
- 08:00: Start mountain biking to O’malu water fall (about 11 km)
- 11:00: On the way lunch at a small river O’da (Flat stone River) and swimming in the river
- 13:00: Arrival at O’Malu waterfall (relax and swim)
- 14:30: Continue biking to Chi Phat through O’kay mountain community (about 13.5km)
- 17:30: Arrival at Chi Phat
- 18:00: Dinner at CBET office

Day 4: Same events as itinerary 1

3. Mountain Biking on the Jar Trail

Day 1: Same events as itinerary 1

Day 2: Chi Phat – O’Ampov (Sugar can river) Camp Site: (about 19km)
- 07:00: Breakfast at CBET office (By CBET cooking group)
- 07:30: Start mountain biking to the O’Ampov campsite
- 09:00: Arrive to and visit of O’Samput (Dragon fish river), bat cave and waterfall
- 11:00: Lunch on the way at Teuk Vet (Curve River) waterfall (opportunity to visit Jar site, depends on time left, 2km)
- 16:00: Arrival at O’Ampov Camp site
- 18:30: Dinner at Camp site (by CBET forest cook)

Day 3: O’Ampov Camp Site – Jar Site – O’Malu (Betel leave river) Camp site: (about 23km)
- 07:00: Breakfast at Camp site (by CBET forest cook)
- 08:00: Start mountain biking to visit Jar site (2km) and continue to O’Peam Krovanh (about 12km)
- 12:00: Lunch on the way at a small river O’Peam Krovanh (Cardamom tree river)
- 13:00: Continue biking to O’Malu Camp site (about 11 km)
- 15:00: Arrival at O’Malu waterfall (relax and swim)
- 18:00: Dinner at O’Malu Camp site (by CBET forest cook)

Day 4: O’Malu Camp site – Chi Phat: (about 13.5 km)
- 07:00: Breakfast at Camp site (by CBET forest cook)
- 09:00: Continue mountain biking to Chi Phat through O’kay mountain community
- 11:30: Arrival at Chi Phat – Lunch and dinner at CBET office (by CBET cooking group)

Day 5: Same events as itinerary 1

4. Trekking the Jar Trail

Day 1: Same events as in itinerary 1

Day 2: Chi Phat – O’Ampov (Sugar can river) Camp Site: (about 19km)
- 06:30: Breakfast at CBET office
- 07:00: Start trekking to O’Ampov campsite with a local guide
- 10:00: Arrival at and visit to O’samput (Dragon Fish River), bat cave and waterfall
- 11:30: Lunch (by CBET forest cook) at Teuk Vet (Curve River) waterfall and Continue trekking to O’Ampov Campsite
- 16:30: Arrival at O’Ampov Camp site (possibility of visiting Jar site depending on time left, 2km from campsite)
- 18:00: Dinner at O’Ampov Camp site (by CBET forest cook)

Day 3: O’Ampov Camp Site – Jar Site – O’Malu (Betel leave river): (about 23km)
- 07:00: Breakfast at Camp site (by CBET forest cook)
- 08:00: Start trekking to visit Jar site (2km) and continue to O’malu water fall
- 12:00: Lunch on the way at a small river O’Peam Krovanh (Cardamom tree river) and swimming (about 12 km)
- 13:00: Continue trekking to O’malu water fall (11 km)
- 16:00: Arrival at O’malu waterfall, relaxing and swimming
- 18:00: Dinner (By CBET forest cook) and overnight stay at O’Malu Camp site or at O’kay mountain community homestays

Day 4: O’Malu/O’kay – Chi Phat: (about 13.5km, over night in Chi Phat Commune)
- 08:00: Breakfast at O’Malu Campsite or at O’kay homestays (by CBET forest cook), Start trekking back to Chi Phat during the morning
- 11:30: Arrival at Chi Phat –Lunch at CBET office
- 18:30: Dinner at CBET office

Day 5: Same events as itinerary 1

5. Trekking on the Jar Trail

Day 1: Same events as itinerary 1

Day 2: Chi Phat – O’Ampov (Sugar can river) Camp Site: (about 19km)
- 06:30: Breakfast at CBET office
- 07:00: Start trekking to O’Ampov campsite with a local guide
- 10:00: Arrival at and visit of O’samput (Dragon Fish River), bat cave and waterfall
- 11:30: Lunch (by CBET forest cook) at Teuk Vet (Curve River) waterfall and continue trekking to O’Ampov Campsite
- 16:30: Arrival at O’Ampov Camp site (possibility of visiting the Jar site depending on time left, 2km from campsite)
- 18:00: Dinner at O’Ampov Camp site (by CBET forest cook)

Day 3: O’Ampov Camp Site – O’Peam Krovanh (Cardamom tree river) Camp site: (About 12km)
- 07:00: Breakfast at Camp site (By CBET forest cook)
- 08:00: Start trekking to the jar site (2 km from O’Ampov campsite)
- 12:00: Lunch at nice river (O’Peam Pika) and swimming
- 13:30: Continue trekking to O’Peam Krovanh
- 17:00: Arrival at O’Peam Krovanh (relax and swim)
- 18:00: Dinner at O’Peam Krovanh camp site (by CBET forest cook)

Day 4: O’Peam Krovanh Camp Site – O’Malu (Betel leave river) Camp site: (About 11km)
- 07:00: Breakfast at Camp site (by CBET forest cook)
- 08:00: Continue trekking to O’Kroch (Wild Orange river) river
- 12:00: Lunch at O’da (Flat Stone River) and swimming
- 13:30: Continue trekking to O’Malu Camp site
- 17:00: Arrival at O’Malu (relax and swim)
- 18:00: Dinner (by CBET forest cook) and over night at O’Malu Camp site or at O’kay mountain community homestays

Day 5: O’Malu Camp site – Chi Phat: (about 13.5km)
- 08:00: Breakfast at O’Malu Campsite or at O’kay homestays (by CBET forest cook), start trekking back to Chi Phat during the morning
- 12:00: Arrival at Chi Phat –Lunch at CBET office
- 18:30: Dinner at CBET office

Day 6: Same events as itinerary 1

6. Trekking on Veal Ta Prak Trail

Day 1: Same events as itinerary 1

Day 2: Chi Phat – Veal Ta Prak (Silver Field) Pond: (19km by boat, 9.5km trekking)
- 05:30: Leave for sunrise, bird watching trip on a motor and traditional row boat along the Stoeng Prat (Cattle Skin Cord) River, the trip includes:
- Motor boat (CBET Motor boat group, about 1 hour), Row boat (maximum 2 people on 1 row boat) (CBET traditional row boat group, about 2 hours), Breakfast provided on boat, Quality Binoculars, Life jackets
- 10:00: Arrival at Domnak khos (Sleeping place) and start trekking to Veal Ta Prak
- 12:00: Lunch at O’Chonleas Pran (Refugee River) (by CBET forest cook)
- 13:30: Continue trekking to Veal Ta Prak campsite
- 17:00: Evening walk to the nearby Veal Ta Prak pond to try spotting wild animals coming to the pond, back in the camp site dinner made by the forest cook.

Day 3: Veal Ta Prak Camp Site – Chi Phat Commune: (12.5km)
- 05:30: Walk to the nearby Veal Ta Prak pond to try spotting wild animals
- 08:00: Breakfast at campsite made by the forest cook
- 09:00: Continue trekking to the Veal Ta Prak junction and continue on O’key (Loom Stream) trail
- 12:00: Lunch at a small river in O’Key village by the forest cook and visit O’Kay mountain community
- 13:00: Continue trekking on O’Key trail back to Chi Phat village (12km)
- 15:00: Arrival at Chi Phat village
- 16:00: Relax and swimming at the nearby waterfall Chhay Thourain (Durian Waterfall) behind the village
- 19:00: Dinner at CBET office (by CBET cooking group), overnight stay in Chi Phat

Day 4: Same events as itinerary 1

Location

Chi Phat is located on the Stung Phipot (Phipot River) about 20 kms upstream from highway 48 at Andoung Tuek. Highway 48 is the main highway linking Phnom Penh with Thailand, through the Cambodian border town and provincial capital, Koh Kong. Andoung Tuek is about 4 hours bus ride from Phnom Penh.

From Phnom Penh to Andoung Tuek:
Bus- Paramount Express located on Mao Tse Tung Blvd, near Psar Domkhor. Leaves around 7:30am.

The buses arrive at Andoung Tuek in time for the local boat to Chi Phat.

View on Google Maps

What you need

- Hat
- Sun glasses
- Sunscreen
- Light and quick dry clothing
- Insect repellent
- Fleece jacket
- Torch (head torch is ideal)
- Good walking shoes & socks
- Silk hammock-liner
- Towel
- Krama / sarong

Accommodation & Amenities

Chi Phat offers guesthouse and homestay accommodation options. Accommodation includes a private room with a bed and mosquito net.
Bathroom facilities consist of either squat or sit down toilet, and water cistern with scoop shower.
There is no electricity in the villages.
Simple and delicious local cuisine – curries, soup, prawns, chicken, papaya salad, and rice. The meals served on the trek are basic but well cooked – rice and egg are the staples.
All prices are in US dollars.
Transportation to Chi Phat from Andoung Touek with a wooden boat: $35.00 (max.20p.)
Transportation to Chi Phat from Andoung Touek with a speed boat: $50.00 (max.7p.)
Homestay: Room (2p.) $3.00, per extra person $1.00
Guesthouse: Room (2p.) $5.00, per extra person $1.00
Food: Breakfast in village $2.50, lunch/dinner in village $3.50. In the forest $2.50
Bicycle rental/day: High level $10.00, simple $2.00, children’s bike $1.00
Trekking equipment rental/day: Backpack $2.00, hammock & tent $2.00, rain coat $1.00
Porter/day: per porter $6.00
Overnight Fee: $1.50
Guide/day: 1-2p. $6.00, 3p. $8.25, 4p. $10.00
Forest cook/day: 1-3p. $6.00, 4p. $8.25, 5p. $10.00
Chhy O’kut waterfall: $2.00
Ta Ngol mountain view point: $3.00
Reforestation project: $3.00
O’key mountain community: $6.00
O’malu waterfall: $7.00
Bat cave/waterfall: $7.50
Jar site: $10.00
Chi Phat to ADT (Andoung Touek): $7.00
Sunrise bird watching tour by motor boat: $20.00, by row boat $10.00
Veal Ta Prak tour by motor boat $20.00, by row boat $5.00
Bat cave tour by row boat to Chhay Tameas: $9.00
Chhay O’kut waterfall: $3.00
Ta Ngol mountain view point: $3.00
Bat cave and waterfall: $10.00