Kampot bokor mountain · Bokor Mountain in Kampot
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Bokor Mountain in Kampot
Bokor Mountain in Kampot
A major reason for many travellers to venture to Kampot is its close proximity to Bokor National Park with its ruined French colonial resort town at the top Bokor Mountain in the Elephant Mountain range. This is one of the most spectacular sites in Cambodia and well worth a visit. Most guesthouses arrange day tours to the national park, prices and quality of transport varies so check before booking. March 2011 most tours were $18 (after negotiating) to $20 including the $5 entrance to the National Park and lunch. At the time of writing day trip prices ranged from a pick-up transport at US$6 per person for a shared taxi with an English speaking guide / driver to US$24 for the whole car for the day (Mr Cheang Try, a war veteran and now a guide has many great stories to tell about the park, tel. 012 974 698). There is an additional entrance fee to the national park that you have to pay at the entrance gate to the park. As the road has improved smaller cars, even private cars should be able to get up the mountain.
As of July 2011, the starting price for the package inclusive of sunset boat ride (which cost about US$5) is US$25, but is negotiable down to around US$20 (or maybe lesser depending on who you talk to and your negotiation skill - try orchid guest house, its $10-15 there) provided you get to the right tour agency/office. It is not actually a trekking tour but just an hour one-way trek upwards after 30-40min travelling up from the entrance. Those who can't trek can still go up by the provided transportation although minor road construction is still taking place, but this is doable. It is noted that it might not be possible to travel up yourself but only with guide. Take note that except for the Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino, other buildings are now occupied by the families of construction workers. Thus, you would not be able to go in and explore, which makes the entire trip less interesting. Most animals from the region have also been scared or poached away by the construction and workers. Although its an extremely interesting expedition to see how landscapes can be transformed, and to hear the arguments for and against the developments from a good tour guide, if you are looking for a national park with animals or untouched waterfalls this will be far from what you expected.
Thhe tours include seeing the ruined buildings (includes a Catholic church that the Khmer Rouge squatted at for years during the armed struggle) and the waterfall (which only has water falling during the rainy season), lunch at the French Casino, and the same 1.5 hour drive back. While Bokor national park is also an important wildlife reserve the average visitor is unlikely to see much of interest. Tiger are present but very rare, although Gibbon can often be heard. The area is of note for bird watchers as the only accessible site for the Chestnut-headed Partridge as well as species such as the Blue Pitta and Orange-headed Thrush. Several tracks enter the forest, one from behind the old tea plantation, the second from near the waterfalls. It is possible to stay at the range station which is basic but comfortable and contrary to reports some food (as well as French wine) are available. After the construction work begins for the new hotel and road, wild animals sighting has become almost impossible.
As of July 2010 access to Bokor was intermittent due to the construction of a new road. Check with locals before planning on a trip here. It was possible to get up the mountain on a motorbike (250cc dirtbike or 125cc motorbike, both of which can be hired locally).
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Kampot Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.