Cambodia Canoeing & Kayaking
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Exploring River Life in Northeastern Cambodia
The Mekong Discovery Trail takes you into the heart of the Mekong where the beauty of the river and the friendliness of the rural people create unforgettable river life experiences in northeast Cambodia.
The Mekong Discovery Trail is a network of safe, ecotourism journeys through some of the most natural and least populated parts of the Mekong River basin in Cambodia.
You can choose to travel on a small part of the trail, or along all of it. You can travel alone or with a group. There are many options along the 180 km trail, which runs between Kratie and the Cambodian/Laos border. But remember to allow enough time to go with the flow of river life.
Along the trail, you will have the opportunity to see critically endangered Mekong River Dolphins, while minimising your impact on them and the habitats they rely on.
By exploring the Mekong Discovery Trail, you will also be assisting river communities, some of the poorest 
(but most welcoming) in Cambodia.
Symbiosis Expedition Planning will assist you with your preparation, and will arrange guides and vehicles, book village homestays, guest houses and hotels as required... even overnight stays at the local "Wat" (Buddhist temple). We can also provide bicycles, kayaks, boats or motorcycle taxis to get you to the most interesting parts of beautiful, rural Cambodia.
Highlights of the Mekong Discovery Trail
Mekong River Dolphin Viewing
The Trail offers many opportunities to view critically endangered Mekong River Dolphins. Less than 100 of these animals are left in the Mekong. Well managed ecotourism is part of the solution to increase their value to local communities and ensure their long-term protection.
Horse Carts in Kratie
Kratie town is famous for its horse carts. The Trail has helped establish a local association of horse cart operators who will conduct tours around the town and north along the Mekong River to the famous Kampi dolphin pool. Travelling by horse cart is a unique way to experience the riverside town of Kratie and its many attractions including the French colonial architecture.
House Boats on the Mekong at Stung Treng
A very special way to relax and experience the Mekong River is on a traditional river boat. Sit back and enjoy the magnificent sunsets and sunrises and spectacular flooded forests of the Ramsar wetlands. Buy fish from passing boats and stop at riverside villages to shop in local markets.
Mountain Biking with No Carbon Emissions
One option along the Mekong Discovery
Trail caters especially for experienced and intrepid mountain bike riders who are prepared for an 'off the beaten track’ experience. You will travel through some of the least disturbed and most remote parts of the Mekong, and stay overnight in guesthouses and home stays in rural villages along the way.
Local Produce from the Farms and Markets
Kratie and Stung Treng Provinces are famous for their sticky rice (krolan) and pickled fish (nem), as well as delicious tropical fruits and fresh fish that are included in local dishes. Taste some while you travel along the Mekong Discovery Trail. You'll find a recipe for the famous Fish Amok in the Trail guide book.
Home Stays and Wat Stays in Local Communities
A very personal way to experience the home life and daily rituals of Khmer villages is to stay in homes or Wats. Home stays and Wat stays are available at several places along the Trail. The Trail guide book provides a few tips about etiquette to make it easier to connect with the local cultures.
Trekking in the Forests along the Mekong River
There are opportunities to trek through fringing forests that line the banks of the river, and to enjoy wonderful views over the maze of islands and braided river channels north of Stung Treng. A local guide will assist with navigation and make the experience so much richer.
Kratie (pronounced Krah-chay) is the southern gateway to the Mekong Discovery Trail and the rare Mekong River Dolphins that shelter in pools 16 km north of the town. Kratie is a friendly, 'sunset' town on the banks of the Mekong River with a bustling central market.
Some of the buildings and streetscapes are reminders of French colonial days when the town was a river port. The shady boulevard along the river comes alive with food stalls at night. There is plenty of accommodation and reliable basic services for visitors.
Riding a mountain bike along the Mekong Discovery Trail gets you off the beaten track without harming the environment or adding green house gasses to the atmosphere. It will also improve the livelihoods of remote, rural villages you visit along the way.
