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There’s a corner of Cambodia where elephants roam freely through the forest. Welcome to Mondulkiri – the country’s wild east, a world away from the temples of Angkor or the buzz of Phnom Penh. A Mondulkiri tour is the perfect way to explore this remote region. Read on Asia King Travel’s guide for a balanced journey between eco-adventure and cultural encounters.
Mondulkiri is the sun-soaked and windswept highland of Cambodia
Mondulkiri is Cambodia’s most untamed. Far from the country’s tourist crowds, it has the draws of the highland that everyone loves. The biggest draw is meeting elephants in a meaningful way. Instead of climbing on their backs, you are their friend walking next to them step-by-step. Sanctuaries here focus on conservation and care, connecting you with these giants while knowing your visit supports their wellbeing.
Speaking of people, not the Khmer, but the Bunong who make up the majority in Mondulkiri. That’s why you’ll find a completely different culture here. They live close to nature and have quite a “wild” way of life. Spending a day living like them will be a one-of-a-kind experience. In short, Mondulkiri is where you come to trade the tourist trail for something wilder, deeper, and infinitely more memorable.
The sweet spot to visit Mondulkiri is between October and May. The temperature is cool enough for outdoor activities. Since mornings and evenings in the highlands can be surprisingly chilly, bring a light jacket or sweater to stay warm. And a good pair of trekking shoes is essential for exploring the jungle trails.
And then, of course, there are the elephants. They’re the soul of Mondulkiri, and how you choose to meet them matters. Thankfully, the rides and circus tricks are fading nowadays, so please don’t go against the current.
Choose to visit elephant sanctuaries as a way to support this threatened species
Projects like the Elephant Valley Project and community-run sanctuaries are shining examples of ethical travel. Here, the elephants are allowed to just be elephants, and your visit is helping them rather than exploiting them.
Suggested for you: Mondulkiri Trekking Tour 4 Days: Nature Explore
Your adventure begins with a long but rewarding drive from Phnom Penh into the remote eastern highlands. The journey takes around seven hours, with a stop in Kompong Cham to stretch your legs and enjoy a simple local lunch by the Mekong River.
In Sen Monorom, check into your guesthouse or eco-lodge then take a walk around town. Day one is nothing special, it’s for transporting and letting the city fade behind you and easing into the slower, cooler rhythm of Mondulkiri
The provincial town Sen Monorom will be your base in this Mondulkiri Tour
Waking up in Mondulkiri is like hitting the reset button. The morning air is cool, carrying the scent of pine trees and damp earth, and the only sound is the distant call of birds echoing across the hills. Today is the day most travelers look forward to, you will meet Mondulkiri’s gentle giants at the Elephant Valley Project.
After a hearty breakfast, set off into the jungle with your guide. The trail winds through thick bamboo groves and open forest clearings, alive with the hum of cicadas. And then, almost suddenly, there they are: elephants emerging quietly from the trees. Be soft with them, because they used to be hard labor or tourism elsewhere in Cambodia.
Spend the day observing and learning about the elephants' stories
Lunch is a simple picnic in the forest, eaten to the soundtrack of rustling leaves and the occasional trumpet from the herd. In the afternoon, you might follow the elephants down to the river to wash out the dust. Standing on the riverbank, watching them roll and rumble in the water, is a moment that feels both grounding and unforgettable. Or, dive with them!
By late afternoon, you will return to Sen Monorom. Your phone is full of cute elephant pictures and your heart is full of joy. The day gives you a lesson about how wonderful to be friends with nature rather than exploit it. A quiet dinner in town feels like the perfect way to reflect on what will likely be one of the highlights of your Mondulkiri elephant tour.
By your third day in Mondulkiri, the rhythm of the highlands begins to sink in. Today’s adventure takes you to one of Cambodia’s most spectacular natural wonders: Bou Sra Waterfall. The drive from Sen Monorom to the takes about 1 hour, but you will feel short since the fresh green embraces you along the drive. Open the car window and let the cool breeze in.
Then you hear it before you see it: the roar of water crashing into the valley below. Bou Sra isn’t just a waterfall; it’s a three-tiered cascade of pure power, plunging into misty pools that shimmer in the sunlight. Standing at the viewing platform, you can feel the spray on your skin, and if you’re up for it, you can scramble closer for that perfect photo or even dip your toes in the cool water.
The magnificient of Bou Sra Waterfall
After soaking in the drama of Bou Sra, the afternoon slows down into a visit to a Bunong village. The Bunong are the indigenous people of Mondulkiri, and their lives are deeply intertwined with the land and the elephants that roam it. Walking into the village, you will see traditional stilted houses and maybe catch the smell of sticky rice cooking in bamboo.
Sharing a meal with a Bunong family is a highlight in itself. A simple but full meal with grilled meats, fresh vegetables, and rice wine served in clay jars that you sip from using long bamboo straws. Even if you don’t share a language, the conversation flows easily through the smile and their invitation for more food. The warmth of hospitality is universal.
By day four, you’re ready to dive deeper into Mondulkiri’s wild side. You will need your local guide to venture into the forests far beyond Sen Monorom. The trail begins softly, winding through rolling hills before plunging into the dense green heart of the jungle.
The air here feels different. Cool, damp, and alive with the sounds of birds and insects. Sunlight filters down in shards through the canopy, painting the forest floor in shifting patterns of gold. Along the way, your guide points out medicinal plants and wild fruits you may have never heard of.
The Bunong people are always willing to invite you to stay and enjoy the evening with them
Around midday, you will stop by a shaded clearing for a picnic lunch. Maybe it’s rice wrapped in banana leaves, grilled chicken, or freshly cut fruit. Nothing fancy, but everything tastes better after a morning’s hike.
In the afternoon, the trail leads to a hidden waterfall. Unlike the mighty Bou Sra, it is smaller, but its charm lies in its seclusion. By the late afternoon, you are back in the town. The dust on your boots and the damp edges of your clothes are proof of a day well spent in a Cambodia trekking tour.
There’s no rush today, just enough time for a quiet coffee at a local café before the journey back. Many travelers stop by family-run shops to pick up a taste of the highlands to take home. Grown in the region’s fertile red soil, Mondulkiri coffee is a local treasure. A bag or two makes a great souvenir.
Road to Mondulkiri
By mid-morning, your driver will be ready for the return to Phnom Penh. Long drive, like the time we arrive. As you arrive back in the city by evening, the buzz of Phnom Penh brings you back to the world you used to after a magical journey in Mondulkiri.
Over five days in the Mondulkiri tour, you’ve walked with elephants, cooled off under secret waterfalls, trekked through untamed jungle, and shared stories with the Bunong people. That’s too many experiences to remember. So, if you want an off-the-beaten-path escape, Cambodia trekking and elephant watching are calling your name. Contact Asia King Travel to create your perfect trip.
Suggested for you: Mondulkiri Tours
