Ratanakiri Waterfalls Tours – Yeak Loam Lake & Nature Trips

Day Trip Guide for Banlung and Ratanakiri

The Waterfalls

Ka Tieng is closest to Banlung (8 km) and the easiest to visit — a wide cascade with a big swimming pool popular with local families on weekends. Cha Ong is more dramatic: a single tall drop surrounded by dense canopy, reachable via a short walk down stone steps. Kachanh is quieter and less visited, a good choice if you want a waterfall mostly to yourself. All three are accessible by tuk-tuk and require minimal walking. Best after rainy season (October–November) when the flow is strongest.

Yeak Loam Lake

About 5 km from Banlung center. The lake is managed by the Tampuan indigenous community, who charge a small entrance fee. There’s a walking trail around the entire perimeter — roughly 45 minutes at a relaxed pace — with information boards about local plants and trees. Swimming is the main activity: the water is cool, clear, and remarkably deep. No motorboats or jet skis — just forest and water.

Cultural Visits

The Jarai cemetery at Andoung Meas district features rows of carved wooden figures — men, women, animals — placed around burial huts. The Kachouk cemetery near Veun Sai is reached by boat along the Sesan River, which makes the visit itself an adventure. Both offer a window into belief systems that predate Buddhism in Cambodia by centuries. Phnom Village is known for hand-loom weaving — you can watch women produce scarves using dyes made from jungle plants.

Practical Details

All day tours leave Banlung between 8:00 and 8:30 AM, returning by 4:00–5:00 PM. Transport is by tuk-tuk (most tours) or motorbike. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and some cash for snacks and gem purchases. Tours can be combined or customized depending on your interests and group size.