Get ready—we’ll pick you up right at your hotel to head south! But don’t worry, we’re not going too far—just about 20 kilometers from Phnom Penh, to be exact. Our destination is Anloung Chen Island, located on the Tonle Bassac River, a tributary of the Mekong. After a 45-minute drive to Svay Rolum, we’ll board a boat to reach the shores of the island.
The morning walk begins once the boat lands on the shores of Anloung Chen, after only a 5-minute crossing. This two-hour hike is a great opportunity to discover nature outside of Phnom Penh, in a very pleasant island setting. You can purchase local food at much more reasonable prices than in the capital, including the famous teuk ampov (sugarcane juice) or grilled meat skewers!
You’ll discover the island’s two major pagodas. The first, Wat Kbal Koh, is simply passed through on foot, and the second, Wat Chong Koh, is where you’ll stop for a few dozen minutes at the end of the hike to enjoy the site. You’ll be able to stroll through small flowery groves and observe the monks at work. You can grab a bite to eat and have a drink here, calmly seated on the park benches. Don’t forget to bring a hat to protect yourself from the sun, as the hiking paths are quite exposed.
The hike presents no challenges such as climbs or rugged terrain. It is perfectly suitable for families wishing to discover the Cambodian countryside. You’ll walk right alongside the locals’ stilt houses and will have the opportunity to chat with them with the help of our guide. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in local habits—even if only for two hours—with no downtime, where everything new that piques your curiosity can be thoroughly explained by our guides.