Start your morning at the salt fields. During the dry season, you’ll watch local workers harvest “White Gold” by hand, using traditional techniques to gather sea salt from the flats.
Next, we drive to the world-famous Sothy’s plantation. Walk among the pepper vines and learn why this region produces some of the best pepper in the world. Your visit concludes with a professional tasting, where you’ll compare the distinct flavors of green, black, red, and white peppercorns.
Midday: Phnom Voar (Vines Mountain)
We leave the main roads behind and head toward Phnom Voar (Vines Mountain), a lush agricultural paradise. From your tuk-tuk, you’ll see endless orchards of durian, mango, and rambutan, along with hidden pepper farms scattered throughout the countryside.
We stop at the peaceful Phnom Voar Reservoir. While the view is beautiful, the site holds a heavy history. Your guide will share the story of the 1994 hostage crisis involving three backpackers and the Khmer Rouge, explaining how this area transformed from a former stronghold into a peaceful farming community.
Afternoon: The Wonders of Kompong Trach
We continue through rural villages to Kompong Trach Mountain. Here, we explore dramatic limestone caves and hidden “craters” open to the sky. It’s a spiritual yet adventurous place, filled with small pagodas and unique rock formations.
After exploring the hidden cave, continue with a tuk-tuk ride through the peaceful countryside, passing buffalo fields and Aunlung Pring Mountain. Hike up to the lookout point for sweeping panoramic views and enjoy the scenic landscapes between Kampong Trach and the Ha Tien Vietnam border.