The Farm House Smiling Gecko is located in Kampong Chhnang province, approximately 80 km north of Phnom Penh, in the village of Khum Tbaeng Khpos. The property sits some twenty kilometers beyond the former capital of Oudong, deep in the Khmer countryside, surrounded by rice paddies and hills.

Why stay here

This accommodation is run by the Smiling Gecko NGO, which funds development support programs for rural Cambodian communities. Spending one or two nights allows you to see firsthand how a development aid initiative operates, while stepping away from conventional tourist routes. The setting is ideal for travelers seeking a rural pause after the intensity of Phnom Penh or before heading north toward Battambang.

A rural farm atmosphere

The setting is that of an agricultural operation integrated into an NGO project. The rhythm follows village life: early rises, return from the fields in late afternoon, working farm activities on-site. The surroundings are framed by rice paddies and hills of the Khmer countryside, with minimal noise and no hotel neighborhood feel. Travelers interact with the NGO's local teams, who freely share insights into their work.

Stilt bungalows

The accommodation features 34 rooms spread across 17 bungalows. The structures are wooden, built on stilts in traditional Cambodian style, and each has a terrace overlooking the surrounding countryside.

The rooms blend this traditional setting with practical amenities: double bed with mosquito net, fan, air conditioning, and private bathroom with shower and toilet. The comfort is simple, befitting a farm-school rather than a resort.

Services and activities on-site

• School visit at the association's facility in the village, to understand the educational component of the project
• Farm exploration and discovery of agricultural activities supported by the NGO
• Guided hikes through the surrounding hills, passing Buddhist pagodas and monasteries
• Opportunity to attend early morning prayers and receive a blessing from the monks
• On-site dining featuring farm produce

Starting hikes early allows you to enjoy the cool morning air and soft light on the hills before midday heat sets in.

Location

Allow approximately 2 hours by road from Phnom Penh, passing through Oudong. The route traverses countryside dotted with stupas and rural markets. The site is far from major tourist routes, making a private transfer or car with driver from the capital necessary.

Things to see nearby

• Oudong: former royal capital (17th–19th centuries), with its hilltop stupas, about twenty kilometers away
• Kampong Chhnang: town renowned for traditional pottery and its port on the Tonlé Sap River
• Floating villages in the region, accessible by boat from Kampong Chhnang
• Phnom Penh: possible return to the capital and its memorial sites (Royal Palace, S-21, National Museum)

To extend your journey, other Cambodian properties deserve a stay, such as Anaya Koh Rong on the coast or Veranda Natural Resort in Kep.

Planning your stay

Farm House Smiling Gecko fits naturally into a Cambodian itinerary combining Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, and Tonlé Sap Lake. To build a complete itinerary, consult our Cambodge travel guide.