🌿 Discover Prek Thnout Community-Based Ecotourism

🌿 Discover Prek Thnout Community-Based Ecotourism
An authentic eco-adventure near Bokor National Park, Kampot Province

Prek Thnout Overview

Nestled between lush evergreen forests and the mangrove-lined coast of southern Cambodia, Prek Thnout Community-Based Ecotourism Site is a peaceful haven for nature lovers, cultural travelers, and anyone seeking a responsible travel experience.

🌱 About the Community
Established in 2007 with support from the NGO Save Cambodia’s Wildlife (SCW), Prek Thnout is one of Cambodia’s most respected community-run ecotourism projects. Located at the foothills of the Bokor Mountain range, the site offers refreshing nature, rich biodiversity, and a chance to support local livelihoods.

🐾 Things to Do
🌳 Nature & Wildlife
Walk along wooden boardwalks through mangroves to scenic waterfalls.
Spot local wildlife including monkeys, fireflies, forest birds, dolphins, and even dugongs.
Take a night boat ride to witness glowing fireflies lighting up the trees.

🧗 Adventure & Relaxation
Go on a guided hike to a secluded Blue Water Pool and swim in its clear stream.
Explore forest trails dotted with orchids, bamboo, and passionfruit plants.
Chill in a hammock while enjoying peaceful village life.
Forest walk

🍽 Culture & Local Crafts
Join locals in cooking traditional Khmer meals like BBQ chicken and fresh seafood.
Visit the rattan weaving center, and shop for handmade products such as bamboo tools, herbal goods, and natural crafts.

💰 Pricing & Amenities
Entrance fee: $3 per person – this helps support the local community.
Boat rental: $30 per boat (can accommodate up to 15 people).
Local guide: 3pergroupofupto10people.Ifyourtriplastslonger, it’s $1 for each additional hour.
Traditional meal: $3 per person – enjoy local dishes like BBQ chicken and fresh seafood.
Facilities include basic toilets, electricity, and a simple guesthouse where you can stay overnight. There is no Wi-Fi, which makes it the perfect place to unplug and enjoy nature.

 

🚗 Getting There – From Sokchea Kampot Hotel
Map sign

Distance: About 28 km
Travel Time: Around 32 minutes by car or tuk-tuk
Directions:

Start from Sokchea Kampot Hotel in Kampot.
Drive west on National Road No. 3 toward Sihanoukville.
After passing the KM 174 marker (174 km from Phnom Penh), cross a small bridge.
Look for the Prek Thnout Ecotourism sign and turn right onto a dirt road.
Continue about 5 more minutes to reach the community center.
🛵 Tip: Private tuk-tuk or car is best. Motorbike is possible in dry season. No direct public transport is available.

📆 Best Time to Visit
Dry Season (November to May) is the best time to visit. Waterfalls are flowing, trails are dry, and wildlife activity is high.
Rainy Season brings lush greenery but some areas can be muddy or harder to reach.
🌟 Why Visit Prek Thnout?
It’s 100% community-operated.
Your visit directly supports conservation, education, and local livelihoods.
A genuine, responsible travel experience — far from the crowds and mass tourism.
🗓 Suggested Half-Day Itinerary
Lunch and waterfall

Arrive in the morning and meet your local host.
Enjoy a delicious BBQ chicken lunch prepared by the villagers.
Hike to the Blue Water Pool and take a refreshing swim.
Explore the mangrove boardwalk and look for birds and monkeys.
Visit the local weaving center and support handmade crafts.
Relax in a hammock before heading back to Kampot in the afternoon.

Related Blog

Kampot, known for its lush landscapes and agricultural richness, is indeed home to several durian farms. Durian, famously dubbed the “king of fruits,” thrives in the region’s tropical climate, making Kampot an ideal location for cultivating this unique and pungent fruit.

Visiting a durian farm in Kampot offers travelers the opportunity to experience firsthand the cultivation and harvesting process of this iconic fruit. Depending on the farm, visitors may be able to participate in guided tours where they can learn about durian cultivation techniques, explore the orchards, and even taste freshly harvested durians.

In addition to durians, many farms in Kampot also cultivate other fruits such as mangoes, rambutans, and pomelos, providing a diverse agricultural experience for visitors.

Kampot Durian, renowned for its unique flavor and aroma, typically ripens and becomes available for harvest during the durian season, which generally spans from May to September. However, the exact timing can vary depending on weather conditions and the specific variety of durian being cultivated.

During the durian season, you’ll find an abundance of this prized fruit at local markets, roadside stalls, and durian farms throughout Kampot and the surrounding regions. Many farmers also offer durian tasting experiences, allowing visitors to sample different varieties and learn more about this beloved fruit.

Looking for the accommodation in kampot, look no further than Sokchea Kampot Hotel.

 

The Water Festival this year falls on November 7-9. But with Cambodia set to host the ASEAN summit and related meetings in the same week this month, the festival are not being celebrated in Phnom Penh, though some provinces have been holding celebrations since October.

Known locally as Bon Om Touk, the festival takes place in late October or early November to mark the end of the monsoon season as well as the change in flow of the Tonle Sap River.

The second day of the festival aligns with the date of the full moon on the Khmer lunar calendar month of Katdoek (or Kartika in Sanskrit), which is said to be when the long-cycle rice crop is ready for harvest.

The festival usually features dragon longboat races on its first day. Royal boat races have been held in Cambodia since at least the time of King Jayavarman VII to celebrate the victory of the Khmer navy over Cham invaders from the Champa kingdom in a large boat battle on the Tonle Sap Lake.

During the Longvek period of the 16th and 17th centuries, King Ang Chan I appointed Ponhea Yat as the “earth-guardian” in Kampuchea Krom’s Bassac district and he organised the navy into three groups to defend the region from invasion by the Da Viet kingdom under ruler Mac Dang Dung.

La Plantation was founded in 2013 by a French-Cambodian couple, Nathalie and Guy Porré, who were deeply inspired by Cambodia’s cultural richness and agricultural potential. After discovering the deep heritage of Kampot Pepper once prized by chefs around the world — they made it their mission to revive and protect this iconic spice through ethical and sustainable farming.

What began as a small project turned into a flourishing agro-tourism destination, one of the most respected pepper farms in Cambodia and across Southeast Asia.

🌿 Discover La Plantation: The Heart of Kampot Pepper Culture

When visiting Kampot, one experience that truly captures the soul of the region is a visit to La Plantation — a world-renowned pepper farm and agro-tourism destination. Nestled among the lush green hills just outside Kampot city, La Plantation isn’t just a pepper farm — it’s a living story of tradition, sustainability, and the unforgettable taste of Kampot Pepper, Cambodia’s culinary treasure.

🫚 What Makes La Plantation Special?

La Plantation is one of the leading producers of certified organic Kampot pepper — a product recognized globally with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), much like Champagne in France or Parma ham in Italy. But beyond growing premium pepper, La Plantation offers visitors an immersive experience into Cambodia’s spice culture.

🌱 Guided Tours: From Farm to Flavor

Whether you’re a foodie, a nature lover, or simply curious, La Plantation welcomes you with free guided tours in English, Khmer, or French. During the tour, you’ll learn:

  • How Kampot pepper is planted, harvested, and sun-dried by hand
  • The differences between black, red, white, and green pepper
  • Sustainable farming practices that protect the local ecosystem

You’ll walk through the vibrant pepper gardens, see local workers in action, and gain a deep appreciation for the hard work behind each tiny peppercorn.

🧂 Taste the Difference: Kampot Pepper Tasting

One of the highlights of any visit is the pepper tasting session. Here, you’ll get to:

  • Sample the various types of Kampot pepper each with its unique aroma and flavor
  • Try their famous fresh salted green pepper crunchy, mildly spicy, and incredibly addictive
  • Discover other exotic spices grown on-site like turmeric, long pepper, and galangal

Many visitors are surprised to learn how nuanced pepper can be it’s not just “hot”; it’s floral, fruity, herbal, and earthy all at once.

🍽️ Khmer Cuisine Meets French Flair

La Plantation also features a charming on-site restaurant and spice bar, where you can taste local Cambodian dishes with a gourmet twist all enhanced with their freshly harvested spices. Popular menu items include:

  • Beef Lok Lak with Kampot black pepper sauce
  • Pepper ice cream (yes, it’s delicious!)
  • Fresh tropical fruit juices and cocktails infused with local herbs

Cooking classes are also available for those who want to take a deeper dive into Khmer cuisine.

❤️ A Commitment to Community & Sustainability

La Plantation is more than a tourist destination. it’s a community-driven project. Founded by a French Cambodian couple, the farm:

  • Provides stable employment to over 100 local workers
  • Supports a local primary school and offers scholarships
  • Rescues and restores traditional Khmer wooden houses for use on-site
  • Is certified organic and actively promotes sustainable farming

By visiting, you’re directly supporting local farmers and helping preserve Kampot’s cultural and agricultural heritage.

🧭 How to Get There from Sokchea Kampot Hotel

La Plantation is about 25–30 minutes from Kampot town. Here are your options:

  • Tuk-tuk: A scenic countryside ride
  • Shuttle or private car: We can help arrange transport for you — just ask at our front desk!
  • Motorbike: For the adventurous traveler

Make sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and a camera the views over the rice fields and mountains are stunning.

🌟 Don’t Miss This Unique Kampot Experience

A visit to La Plantation is more than a farm tour . it’s a journey into Cambodia’s rich agricultural tradition, local flavors, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re staying a few days or a week in Kampot, this is one of the must-do experiences we highly recommend.

The installation of the new seahorse statue in Kampot province is indeed a wonderful addition to the beauty and charm of Kampot City. Not only does it enhance the aesthetic appeal of the area, but it also serves as a symbol of the region’s rich marine biodiversity and cultural heritage.

For tourists, the seahorse statue offers a unique photo opportunity and a memorable landmark to visit during their exploration of Kampot. Its presence highlights the importance of marine conservation and serves as a reminder of the need to protect and preserve the natural environment, including the fascinating sea creatures that inhabit it.

Moreover, the seahorse statue can play a role in raising awareness about the conservation of seahorses and other marine species among locals and visitors alike. By drawing attention to these captivating animals, it encourages people to learn more about them and to contribute to efforts aimed at their protection.

Overall, the new seahorse statue adds to the allure of Kampot City while promoting environmental stewardship and appreciation for the wonders of marine life. It serves as a beacon of conservation and a testament to the beauty and importance of our oceans and seas.

The Kampot Salt Fields are located in Kampot Province, Cambodia, near the coastal town of Kampot and the neighboring province of Kep. These salt fields are renowned for their traditional salt production methods, which have been passed down through generations.

The salt fields are typically made up of vast expanses of shallow, rectangular basins filled with seawater. The process of salt production begins during the dry season when the seawater is directed into the basins through a series of canals and channels. As the water evaporates under the hot sun, it leaves behind a layer of salt crystals on the basin’s surface.

Workers then carefully rake the salt crystals from the basins and pile them up to dry further in the sun. Once dried, the salt is collected, sorted, and packed for distribution to local markets or for export.

Visitors to the Kampot Salt Fields can observe this traditional salt-making process and learn about the significance of salt production in the region’s economy and culture. The salt fields also offer picturesque views, especially during sunrise and sunset, making them a popular destination for tourists exploring the Kampot Province. Additionally, many tours in the area include visits to the salt fields as part of their itinerary, providing visitors with insight into Cambodia’s rural life and traditional industries.

Nestled in the scenic countryside of Kampot Province, Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple offers an enchanting blend of natural wonder and ancient spirituality. This mystical limestone cave, set within a peaceful rural landscape about 12 kilometers northeast of Kampot town, is not only a geological marvel but also home to a pre-Angkorian brick temple dating back to the 7th century. As you approach the site, you’ll pass through quiet villages and rice fields before reaching the stairs that lead up the hill to the cave entrance. Inside, the cave opens into a large, shadowy chamber with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over millions of years, some of which resemble animals and mythical creatures. The air is cool and still, and shafts of sunlight occasionally pierce through the rock, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. At the heart of the cave stands the small but remarkable brick temple dedicated to Shiva, remarkably well-preserved and considered one of the oldest Hindu sanctuaries in Cambodia. Local guides, often young villagers, are available to share legends and assist with navigating deeper sections of the cave. Some routes even lead out through narrow limestone tunnels for the adventurous. Phnom Chhngok is more than a destination—it’s an experience that combines history, mystery, and the raw beauty of nature. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a spiritual seeker, or simply someone in search of a unique day trip in Kampot, this hidden gem offers a peaceful and unforgettable escape from the ordinary. Don’t forget to wear good walking shoes and bring a flashlight for exploring the deeper corners of the cave. A visit to Phnom Chhngok is a journey back in time—one that echoes with the stories of Cambodia’s ancient past.