Chi Phat

What to See at Chi Phat

The CBET Model

Chi Phat’s Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) office coordinates everything — guides, homestays, bike and kayak rental, meals — with proceeds shared across the village. The former hunters and loggers who now work as guides bring genuine forest knowledge that pre-dates the tourism project itself, built from years spent in these hills for entirely different reasons.

Multi-Day Jungle Treks

The signature experience is a 2–5 day trek into the surrounding Cardamom forest, camping or hammocking overnight, with guides who track wildlife signs, identify plants, and explain the area’s history as a former hunting ground turned conservation success story.

Kayaking and Mountain Biking

Shorter, single-day options include kayaking the Preak Piphot River through mangrove and forest, and mountain biking trails around the village — good choices for travelers without the time for a multi-day trek.

How to Get to Chi Phat

Chi Phat sits on the Preak Piphot River in Koh Kong province.

• By boat: From Andoung Teuk on the coastal highway (Phnom Penh–Koh Kong–Sihanoukville road), a regular boat service runs upriver to the village
• From Koh Kong town: Coordinate transport to Andoung Teuk first, then the river boat onward
• Book ahead: Contact the Chi Phat CBET office in advance to arrange guides and homestay accommodation, especially for multi-day treks

Best Time to Visit

Dry season (November–April) for firmer trails and easier river crossings. Treks are still possible in the wet season but expect mud, leeches, and higher river levels.

Practical Information

• No formal entrance fee — costs are per activity, paid through the CBET office, which channels proceeds back into the community and conservation work
• Homestay accommodation is basic but comfortable; bring a sleeping bag liner and insect repellent
• Guides speak limited English in some cases — a CBET-arranged English-speaking guide can be requested
• This is a genuinely rural village with limited amenities — bring cash, as card payment isn’t available

Nearby Attractions

Tatai Waterfall and Botum Sakor National Park are both within Koh Kong province, making Chi Phat a natural base for a longer Cardamom Mountains itinerary.