Chi Phat

The Chi Phat Community Eco-tourism Project was set-up in early 2008 with assistance from Wildlife Alliance. Chi Phat is a remote riverside village in the little explored Cardamom Mountains, with no running water and electricity is by generator only. It is an incredibly bucolic place a playground of waterfalls and swimming holes carved out of the clean black rock. It is certainly laid-back and has a distinct feel quite unlike any other place in Cambodia.

Chi Phat is nestled in the southern valleys of the Cardamom Mountains which are South East Asia’s most important wilderness area. With very limited land access the village is reached after a 2-hour long-tail boat journey up the Preak Piphot river. Sailing through mangrove forests, the relaxing journey passes occasional river edge villages and homes. Also spot birds and mammals coming to the water edge to drink and feed. The mountains and forests are home to many globally endangered species such as Asian elephants, tigers, sun bears, monkeys, hornbills, flying squirrels and the last remaining Siamese crocodiles.

There is only a single dirt road through the village heading off into the forested hills and a cluster of wooden shop-houses with a couple of small restaurants. The villagers traditionally made a living from logging and hunting. However, as these activities have now been outlawed the community is taking advantage of the wonderful natural resource on its doorstep to earn an alternative income from ecotourism. It is hoped this will enhance the long term conservation of the forest and pressure those who continue illegally logging and hunting the endangered wildlife.

Chi Phat is starting point for single and multi-day trekking and mountain bike adventures into forested Carda mom Mountains. Besides of the forests there are various other natural and cultural sites such as refreshing waterfalls, recently discovered mysterious burial jars, bat caves and wildlife. In the early morning take a row-boat along the surrounding rivers and watch birds. Stay overnight in a traditional Khmer home-stay or basic guesthouse and experience the local life firsthand. Whereas the multi-day tours go deep into the forest and include sleeping under the stars and eating camp food.

A visit to the Chi Phat Community Eco-tourism project can last from 3 days up to more than a week. Round trips can be arranged from Phnom Penh, as a stopover between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.