CHAMBOK,
A NIGHT AT THE LOCAL IN A VILLAGE AT THE FOOT OF PHNOM KIRIROM
It is under the impetus of the NGO Mlob Baitong and the Ministry of the Environment, that the village of Chambok, located at the foot of Kirirom mountain, a place of pleasure where the Khmers like to come to picnic, s' was launched in 2001 in the "eco-tourism" adventure.
The village, located about a hundred km from Phnom Penh, offers an interesting alternative to the few resorts scattered around the mountains by giving you the opportunity to stay with locals.
It is under the impetus of the NGO Mlob Baitong and the Ministry of the Environment, that the village of Chambok, located at the foot of Kirirom mountain, a place of pleasure where the Khmers like to come to picnic, s' was launched in 2001 in the "eco-tourism" adventure.
The village, located about a hundred km from Phnom Penh, offers an interesting alternative to the few resorts scattered around the mountains by giving you the opportunity to stay with locals.
The village community earns its income from livestock farming and rice cultivation. However, just one possible harvest per year is not enough to generate sufficient income for the village, but it already makes it possible to feed families. Charcoal, drawn from the surrounding forests, is also a source of income.
Supported by the NGO, Chambok then became involved in this home-stay project which enabled him to work both to improve the village's income and to protect the surrounding forests, everyone becoming aware of the beneficial effects that '' would provide a preserved environment for the whole community and in the long term.
Panel for the protection of forests in Chambok
Village officials are trained to welcome visitors, some go to other provinces. It is the entire community that is mobilized for the project; women, for example, take charge of preparing meals for visitors.
The initiative benefits the entire village: the income generated is not donated in full to the family that receives you but will be partly redistributed to the entire community, which will use it to help the poorest in the village. , or for example to pay the hospital costs of a sick villager.
Home stay in Chambok
Although the welcome by the hosts is discreet, you will undoubtedly feel the organizational effort that goes into it. Do not expect anything in particular, the welcome is simple and pleasant. Of course, the accommodations offered are rudimentary; however, you will have at your disposal your own house built near your hosts, and you will have access to clean sanitary facilities, and will be able to sleep on small mattresses protected by mosquito nets, meals are simple but generous. At the foot of the mountain and the forests, the nights can be cool, remember to bring a little wool!
The main activity offered is a nice walk in the forest. On request, the first part of the path can be done by ox cart, if these, 5 made available by the NGO are not requisitioned for work in the fields (especially for the harvests in December ). You will have to tackle the foot of the mountain on foot, but the effort is worth it since the path will take you to several waterfalls. The first and second Samraong are rather modest in size, while Toek Chrak, 2.5 km from the starting point, has an impressive waterfall of around 40 meters. The last waterfall accessible by this path is 6 km from the starting point.
Village officials are trained to welcome visitors, some go to other provinces. It is the entire community that is mobilized for the project; women, for example, take charge of preparing meals for visitors.
The initiative benefits the entire village: the income generated is not donated in full to the family that receives you but will be partly redistributed to the entire community, which will use it to help the poorest in the village. , or for example to pay the hospital costs of a sick villager.
Home stay in Chambok
Although the welcome by the hosts is discreet, you will undoubtedly feel the organizational effort that goes into it. Do not expect anything in particular, the welcome is simple and pleasant. Of course, the accommodations offered are rudimentary; however, you will have at your disposal your own house built near your hosts, and you will have access to clean sanitary facilities, and will be able to sleep on small mattresses protected by mosquito nets, meals are simple but generous. At the foot of the mountain and the forests, the nights can be cool, remember to bring a little wool!
The main activity offered is a nice walk in the forest. On request, the first part of the path can be done by ox cart, if these, 5 made available by the NGO are not requisitioned for work in the fields (especially for the harvests in December ). You will have to tackle the foot of the mountain on foot, but the effort is worth it since the path will take you to several waterfalls. The first and second Samraong are rather modest in size, while Toek Chrak, 2.5 km from the starting point, has an impressive waterfall of around 40 meters. The last waterfall accessible by this path is 6 km from the starting point.
Waterfall in Chambok
You are also free during the day, if you are motorized, to go for a walk at the top of Phnom Kirirom, to enjoy the picnic area ... Your hosts will answer your questions with kindness for a little while you talk. little khmer. Not always easy for a neophyte to understand the answers which will be given to you, the Khmer spoken here being slightly different from the Khmer “of the city”!
PRICES :
A night at a homestay in Chambok will cost you 12,000 riel per person. Add to that 10,000 riel for a meal, 6,000 for breakfast.
Please advise of your arrival in advance by calling Mr. Phun 017 363 480 (English) / Mr. Touch 012 938 920 (Khmer) or by going there before the end of the afternoon.
A ticket for the access to the path that will take you to the waterfalls will cost you USD 3 if you are a foreigner, 1000 riel for a Cambodian visitor.
You can find more information at http://chambok.org/
ACCESS:
From Phnom Penh take the national 4 towards Sihanoukville. After about 80 km, you will find at Srok Phnom Srouch - Treng Trayeung a sign indicating the road that will lead you to Kirirom and Chambok.
Continue this road, after a good fifteen km, at a hotel complex, you will reach a fork. On the left, the road continues up the mountain of Kirirom, on the right, a dirt road will lead you, after ten kilometers, to Chambok.
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