Kratie
Just a 4-5 hour car journey from the capital of Phnom Penh, Kratie Cambodia feels like another world. The riverside town – within the larger province of the same name – is surrounded by rice fields, lotus farms and sleepy wooden villages. It also holds some hidden surprises: like the fact that it houses Cambodia’s biggest wat (Buddhist temple). Or that it’s also home to the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin. But this pretty area has plenty more to offer…and our travel team can help you to reveal its hidden treasures.
Why visit Kratie?
Kratie makes an ideal stopover if you’re travelling from Phnom Penh on to Mondulkiri (which would be a 9-hour trip otherwise). It provides the perfect opportunity to slow down after city life and to embrace nature instead.
The main reason tourists visit Kratie town – and indeed, Kratie province – is for a Mekong River cruise, which includes a spot of Kratie dolphin watching. Although the pods can be elusive, the locals are experts in tracking them…plus, a big part of the experience is in your journey to find them: starting with a longboat from Kampi, just 15km north of Kratie town.
Psst…Plenty of dolphin-watching tours operate in this area – and our local travel team can connect you with the most reputable one.
Other top things to do in Kratie
There’s more to the area than dolphins! You can also catch a boat to Koh Trong island and within just 5 minutes, you’ll land at this charming eco-tourism island of pagodas, floating villages, rice paddies and homestays. As it’s only 14km around the island, it makes for a great cycling tour – or you can stay overnight in one of its luxury resorts.
In and around Kratie town, there’s plenty of gorgeous temples and pagodas to catch your eye: don’t miss the glittering gold and pink Krong Kracheh Pagoda or the 100 Pillar Pagoda. Kratie Central Market is great for budding photographers wanting to snap a glimpse of local life and the Mekong Turtle Conservation Center (MTCC) is well worth a visit as you do your pagodas tour.
If that all sounds like too much activity for you, simply sitting with a beer and enjoying sunset over the Mekong River is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Kratie – maybe even during your Cambodia trip!
Plan your Kratie adventure…
For those interested in nature, eco-tourism and wildlife – or for anyone who wants to experience traditional, rural life in Cambodia while taking in some temples and markets – Kratie is well worth a visit. Accommodation in the town is basic enough – but there are fabulous luxury resorts down the road or on Koh Trong island.
Our travel assistants can help you work out where to stay and what to do in Kratie based on your individual style, needs and preferences. We can arrange your transfer from wherever you are in Cambodia and if you need any tips during your stay, we’re just a phone call away.
Travel Tips
- Book a boat trip down the Mekong to watch some incredibly cute Irrawaddy dolphins at play
- Add on a visit to Mondulkiri and see some elephants to continue your animal-spotting adventures
- Try the local snack, kralan: made from sticky rice and red bean, and served in bamboo stems, it’ll keep you going for your boat trips and bike tours!
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