3 off-the-beaten-path adventures in Cambodia

To truly explore Cambodia off the beaten path means moving beyond the typical visits to Angkor, Koh Rong, or Kampot. It means trading the coastline for rivers and waterways, and escaping mass tourism in search of serenity and calm.

Voyage Seripheap invites you to discover three unique adventures far removed from the usual tourist routes—deep in the heart of the Mekong and Tonle Sap regions. From the tranquil islands of Koh Trong and Koh Pean, to a river journey between Battambang and Siem Reap, these excursions offer peaceful escapes from the urban hustle and the crowds.

The Pomelos of Koh Trong

If you’ve already witnessed the graceful dance of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River, why not continue your journey along the water to Koh Trong? Located just across from the town center of Kratie, this idyllic island offers an almost surreal sense of tranquility.

No cars are allowed here—only a few motorbikes occasionally make it onto the small wooden ferries. The 7-kilometer loop around the island can easily be explored on foot or by traditional ox cart. Koh Trong is known for its lush groves of pomelo trees, with nearly every home growing this iconic Southeast Asian citrus fruit. You can sample them on the spot—and maybe even bring a few back to the mainland.

(Koh Trong is also home to many traditional river houses.)

The Bamboo bridge of Koh Pean

Further downstream along the Mekong, closer to Phnom Penh, lies Koh Pean—an island directly across from the town of Kampong Cham, just 90 minutes from the capital. But what makes this destination special is how you get there: by crossing a bamboo bridge, a remarkable structure built entirely by hand.

Once across, you’ll be rewarded with 12 kilometers of untouched countryside stretching from north to south. The bridge is dismantled each June when the monsoon arrives and the waters rise, only to be rebuilt every November by the locals of Koh Pean and Kampong Cham.

(The bamboo bridge of Koh Pean is a seasonal marvel.)

Cruising the Stung Sangkae River

For a truly original way to travel between Battambang and Siem Reap, consider taking the Stung Sangkae River boat—a 7-hour journey through some of Cambodia’s most authentic and scenic landscapes.

As you drift along, you’ll pass close to local fishing villages and encounter the flora and fauna that define this part of the country. The leisurely pace of the ride allows you to fully absorb the peaceful beauty of Cambodia’s rural heartland—a real breath of fresh air.

(A traditional fishing house on the Stung Sangkae River)

Thibault Bourru