I. Half Day Tour in The Town of Stung Treng

Start in the early morning when it is the coolest. Organize your bicycle then starting from the western side of Stung Treng town at Wat Thorm Raing Sey (this Wat is also an ideal location for a glorious sunset) to begin a Wat to Wat journey. Continue east along the Mekong River bank until you arrive at Wat Por Thik Nean then carry on to the town’s pier. Stop for a while here to observe a queue of people to and from Stung Treng town and the bustling market. Within walking distance from the town pier, you can see the Stung Treng market - a lively place that sells goods from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. One of the most famous cuisines found at the market is Nhem (pickled fish in banana leaf). You will also see a diversity of fish on sale that come straight from the Mekong River, with Si Yi being the most famous fish of north-east Cambodia.

These fish only live in the Mekong River between Stung Treng and the Cambodia-Laos border. Resume your journey east again and you will come to the ornately painted Wat Khat Takyaram (or Wat Kandal). Your last Wat on this trail is Wat Sras Keo Mony Sovann. Keep continuing east along the riverbank under the newly constructed Sekong Bridge. Try to organise your trip, so you can have lunch at Mekong Blue (it is best to call before you go there, if it is possible). It is a 1.7 km ride east of the town on the left-hand side. Take a guided tour through the Mekong Blue mulberry farm and weaving centre, where Stung Treng’s more vulnerable women are trained in the art of the silk process. *Full day tour wll combine with Thal Barivat Tour. Return to town O/N at hotel.

II. Half Day Tour to Thala Barivat in Stung Treng

Hire a bicycle from a hotel or guesthouse and take a short ride to the Stung Treng Port. From here, you and your bike can take one of the many local boats to the other side of the Mekong River to Thala Barivat. It’s a short 10 minute boat ride across the confluence of two majestic rivers.

Up on arrival at the Thala Barivat ferry landing; follow the main street west to Prasat Preah Srey. This temple is a short 100m ride from the food and drink stalls at the ferry landing. Prasat Preah Srey is sometimes called Prasat Preah Ko because of the Ox statue in front of it. The temple was built in the early 7th century when the area between Kratie and southern Laos was ruled by the Khmer King Jayavarman I. He is wellknown for re-building the warring states of Chenla, which ultimately disintegrated after his death. The ox in front of the Prasat is called Non Tin, which was the king’s favorite form of transportation. You will find the smiling ox near the temple facing east towards the gods. Next, explore the river road to the southwest to Pram Bei Lueng Temple. On the way, see how many temple remnants you can identify – they will be the small, neatly piled stones or rubble. Return back to the ferry landing at Thala Barivat. Enjoy a cold drink at the food and drink stall at the ferry landing, while waiting for your boat to collect you and return you and your bike back to Stung Treng.

III. Full Day Tour North to Koh Khan Din & Sticky Rice

Departure from hotel and than drive to the ferry pier near the town square. A boat will take you upstream along the Mekong. It takes about one hour to Koh Khan Din. Shortly after departing you will arrive at the intersection of the Mekong & Sekong Rivers. At Koh Khan Din, numerous of small islands appear in the river. The boatman will take you around the islands and observe how the roots of the trees have grown under the influence of the strong wet season currents of the Mekong. The boat will land at Koh Khan Din, this will be easily spotted. It has a well-maintained stairs and is situated on a beautiful white sand beach. Climb the stairs and start hiking the narrow village path south back towards Stung Treng. The path passes through numerous small villages and friendly local people who are busy with their daily routines. Thmei is a small fishing village with plenty of new repair work on the way.

Continue your trek southwards and after 13.7 Km you will arrive at a large gate to a small Nature Resort called Baksei, with a wooden platform extending out over the river. The trees growing through the platform make you feel like you’re relaxing in the middle of the jungle. You will pass over many small bridges constructed by local communities to cross the small streams that flow into the Mekong. Some of these bridges are a real adventure, especially when you travel by motorbike and give ideal photo opportunities. It is best to walk your bicycle across these bridges. Then forwarding to southern /The Wat Peak Smei Sameakki is situated 7.8 Km south of the Baksei Nature Resort. This Pagoda indicates that you have reached the end of the river trekking Trail. You may want to walk the 2.5km further on to admire the views over the intersection of the Mekong & Sekong. There are many small shops in front of the pagoda which also has a small lookout over the river where you can enjoy your drink or fresh fruit. At the pagoda, turn left (east) along the gravel road for 2km before arriving at a T junction with a school on your left. Turn right (south) and walk the last 700m to the ferry at Kantoy Ko where you can return to the main pier in Stung Treng town.

If you travel by bicycle or motorbike: travelers coming from Stung Treng across the Sekong Bridge, turn left at the school and follow the directions above in reverse. On the return leg, down along the National highway7, turn off left towards the small sticky rice producing village of Hang Koh Ban. This village is located some 3km along this track on the banks of the Sekong River. A small local boat may be able to take you back to Stung Treng pier and otherwise you can return via the bridge. The sticky rice or ‘Krolan’ is usually prepared after lunch for the markets in Stung Treng the following day. A spectacular sunset over the town of Stung Treng from the top of the Sekong Bridge would be a perfect way to end the day.