The only way to reach Mondulkiri’s most beautiful natural spots is by trekking into the surrounding forests. There are many hidden ancient paths and untouched waterfalls to visit.
We can help you arrange a Mondulkiri Forest trekking adventure.
Trekking provides a great chance to see the beauty within the local forests and a chance to spend time with some of the Bunong minority people. Being part hunter gatherers, the Bunong people have an incredible knowledge of the forest, its terrain, plants and animals, food sources, medicinal plants and other useful skills. While trekking along with them, you will get a good chance to observe they’re ways from up close.
Trekking groups are usually led by one Bunong tracker and an English speaking guide (optional).
Treks includes some climbing, hiking, swimming and camping, the trek can be modified according to your level of fitness and or special needs (trekking with kids etc).

Bunong guide in the forest.

Our Trekking programs, help to create a positive livelihood for our guides and their families. Mondulkiri is still a relatively isolated destination and cotourism is new here, please help set a good example by showing the locals you care about the environment. Please help collect left over litter from the campsite before you leave.

One day forerst hike:

Trip Includes:
Guiding, transport, takeout lunch and water.

* Departure from Nature Lodge at 8:30 after breakfast.
* Driving to the beginning point at one of the Bunong communities.
* From there taking a foot path into the forest.
* picnic lunch and swimming by the spectacular K'bal Preah waterfall.
* There are many chomkas ( forest gardens ) to visit in the area.
* Start heading back in the afternoon.

Average trip duration:
9 am –3-4 pm

In the wet season, it's a good idea to leave a little earlier as it might rain in the afternoon.

Bunong family with their elephant..

Jungle Trekking with OverNight camping

There are different trekking routes you can take, they take between 2 – 4 days to cover ( 1 – 3 nights ). The longer the routes, the further you can reach into remote areas and deeper forest. You will notice more wildlife, and the indigenous people you will meet are more isolated and traditional.

Our trekking programs Include:
English speaking guide, Bunong tribal tracker, one elephant porter with their mahout, transport to starting ending poing, camping equipment, water and all meals in the forest.

First day schedule:
* Departure from Nature Lodge at 8:30 am after breakfast.
* Driving out to the trek starting point at a Bunong tribal village, a brief tour through the village, visit traditional Bunong tribal homes.
* From there, going on foot into the forest with one Bunong tribal tracker, one elephant porter with their mahout and an English speaking guide (optional).
* There are many lovely waterfalls and streams along the way.
* if you are still and quite, you might see some wildlife: monkeys, deer, wild boar, slow lorris, monitor lizards and other animals.
* You can join your guide while he gathers some edible forest vegetables and while he goes fishing in the river.
* You can help the mahout to give the elephant it's daily bath.
* Enjoy meals around the camp fire.
* Spend the nights camping outdoors by a waterfall, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.
* There are places good for swimming near the camp site.

Average trip duration:
8 30 am – 3 - 5 pm on the day of return
( depending on how many days you are trekking )

Three Days Deep JungleTrekking Adventures:
Trekking for three days allows you to go much further into the heart of the forest. You will get a much better chance to see wildlife the further you go. Along with your guides, you will experience an ultimate jungle survival adventure, spending two nights camping outdoors, collecting some of your food and fishing.

Trekking Includes:
English speaking guide, Bunong tribal tracker, one elephant porter with their mahout, transport to starting/ending poing, camping equipment, water and all meals in the forest

Trek schedule:

Departure from Nature Lodge at 8:30 am after breakfast.

Driving out to the trek starting point at a Bunong tribal village, a brief tour through the village, visit traditional Bunong tribal homes.

From there, going into the forest on foot or on elephant.

Your mahout can show you how to ride sitting on the elephant's neck.

If you are still silent, you might see some wildlife like: monkeys, deer, wild boar, slow lorris, monitor lizards and other animals.

You will be camping outdoors by a waterfall that has big pond, where you can swimming and help the mahout to give the elephant it's daily bath.

You can join your guide while he gathers some edible forest vegetables and while he goes fishing in the river.

Enjoy dinner around the camp fire and spend the night surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.

Day 3 – 4 trekking and home stay:

You will be making your way deep into the forest, to a remote Bunong community. They is no road going there, trekking is the only way to get there.

Spend the second night at a tribal family home stay.

Return between 3 - 5 pm on day 4, depending on how fast you walk.

Preparing for your trek
For  trekking on foot, you will require some comfortable walking shoes, long trousers, warm clothes to wear at night and swimming gear,  a small backpack, a torch and mosquito repellant. Sun protection is advisable.
In wet season, you would need a raincoat. If you don’t have one, let us know and we will provide one for you.
You will need to carry your personal sleeping pack (weighs 1kg and 100 g) and your water bottles. Your guides will carry the rest of the equipment.
Please have breakfast and be ready to leave at 8 15 am, transport will depart at 8 30 pm.

Provided meals description:
For lunch: Takeout from Nature Lodge
Over night campfire dinner: Vegetable soup, roasted potatoes, BBQ beef/chicken, rice.
Over night breakfast: Baguette with boiled eggs and jam, coffee or tea.
Second day lunch: noodle soup with rice.
Your meals might be complimented by freshwater fish and forest vegetables.

About The Bunong Elephants

Traditionally The elephant has a very important religious role and ceremonial meaning in Bunong culture. The Bonong people believe that the spirit of an Elephant is a formation of two spirits of each kind of cattle and farm animal that joined together.
Breeding elephants is considered Taboo in their religion. The only way to create a baby elephant is by organizing an official Elephant marriage ceremony and sacrifice rituals. It is very complicated and expensive, therefore basically impossible.
In the old days, special hunting experts could capture new elephants in the wild.
Today, this custom is strictly banned by conservation bodies in their efforts to save what is left of Cambodia’s wild elephant population. It is said that the great majority of Mondulkiri’s Domestic and wild elephants were shot and killed by the Khmer Rouge soldiers during the terrible events of the 70’s and the chaos that followed.
Today, a small number of elephants are the last that remains of this special part of Bunong heritage. They are still being used as forest transport and carriers. Tourist rides were introduced as a way to generate income for both animals and families. Most owners are very concerned and care very much for their elephant, it is considered a member of their family.
By the Bunong traditional laws, it is forbidden to work an elephants more then 4 hours per day, 20 days in a month. The elephant must be freed to graze in the forest for the rest of the time. Sadly, it isn’t always the case. Not everyone follows the old ways. Some elephants are being used to transport heavy timber out of the forest or worked too often for too long.
At Nature Lodge, we organize rides only with owners that agreed to keep the traditional ways. We would never support owners of unhappy or overworked elephants. therefore, during busy periods, for instance the Khmer public holidays. We sometimes may not be able to organize elephant rides.

Elephant riding trips

Please book elephant riding trips at a day in advance as the mahout (elephant caretaker) needs time to find the elephant in the forest and recapture it.

One day elephant riding trip:
8:30 am, travel to a Bunong village (Pulung or Patang), where you meet the elephant and their family, mount and ride through the countryside and into the forest.
Lunch time: the elephant released for a feeding break. During that time, you can enjoy your time by Pulung or O’ranna waterfall. Have lunch, swim and walk around in the near by forest.
Afternoon: head back to the village on a different forest trail
Average trip duration:
8 30 am – 4 pm
The Trip Includes:
elephant ,transportation to the village, takeout lunch and drinking water.

At least two persons required for this trip

English speaking guide can be hired at $ 15 per day on your request.

Preparing for an elephant riding trips: bring some swimming gear and sun protection.
Please have breakfast and be ready to leave by 8 15 am. The elephant is brought to the village to meet you. If it waits too long, they might try to wonder back into the forest...

Carring the rice harvest.

Elephant riding in Mondulkiri.

Over Night Elephant Trekking
Departure from Nature Lodge at 8:30 am after breakfast.
Driving out to Pulung Bunong village, a brief tour through the village, visit traditional homes, meet the elephant and their family, mount and ride through the countryside and into the forest . There are many lovely hidden waterfalls and streams along the way. If you wish, your mahout will show how to ride sitting on the elephant’s neck.   Help your mahout give the elephant a bath, gather some edible forest vegetables. Spend the night camping outdoors surrounded by the sounds of the jungle. You may visit some Bunong families who live in the forest. You might see some monkeys, deer, wild boor and various birds.
Average trip duration:
8 30 am – 4 pm the following day
The Trip Includes:
elephant and mahout, transportation, camping equipment, water and four meals.
At least two trekkers are required for this trip

English speaking guide can be hired at $ 15 per day on your request.

Traveling is a great experience but moving fast from one place to another can also take it's toll on your mind and health. If you feel the need to just stop, take a break and recover. Nature Lodge provides a peaceful, quiet place, a cool, green place to relax and let yourself recharge with positive energy. Here are some ideas for relaxing activities:

Book Exchange: There's nothing like reading in a hammock… We can help when you're out of good books. Board games, cards and a pool table are also avalable...

Work out and practice your hobbies: Whether you're into juggling, yoga or your favorite sport, there's a peaceful, private environment and big lawn and lots of space for you to just do your thing...

Around the lodge there are perfect jogging/walking trails.

Express yourself. get inspired, The hills of Mondulkiri will surely get you in the mood for painting or drawing.

Stargazing:

Mondulkiri's little light pollution makes is a perfect stargazing location - Especially in November and December when the milky way is just spectacular

Bird watching

A bird watching couple from the UK had managed to identify 71 different species of birds on the Nature Lodge grounds – in only two days!

We host seasonal courses in:

Meditation, yoga, martial arts, photography and cooking.

Nature Lodge Offers special rates for instructors who bring their students here for retreats, just contact us for more info.