The Cardamom Mountains form a vast forested landscape across southwestern Cambodia. This is not one single attraction or easy viewpoint: it is a region of protected areas, rivers, villages and wildlife habitat where every journey depends on the chosen gateway, season and local arrangements.
Conditions now
Cardamom Mountains
24°C
Overcast · feels like 29°C
- Humidity 97%
- Wind 10 km/h
- Air: Good (AQI 36)
- TodayThunderstorms33° / 24°100% rain
- TueThunderstorms33° / 23°94% rain
- WedShowers33° / 23°98% rain
- ThuDrizzle31° / 23°100% rain
- FriThunderstorms32° / 23°98% rain
Updated hourly. Forecast and air quality by Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). Conditions can change quickly in the wet season.
Why visit the Cardamoms?
Come for rainforest, rivers, community-led journeys and the experience of spending several days away from Cambodia’s main city-and-temple route. Wildlife Alliance describes the southern Cardamoms as part of a major contiguous rainforest landscape, while UNDP identifies the wider Cardamom–Tonle Sap landscape as nationally important for forests, water and livelihoods.
Choose one gateway
Chi Phat
Chi Phat’s community-based ecotourism programme arranges locally guided hiking, cycling, kayaking and overnight forest trips. Contact the community before travelling; routes, boats, guides and accommodation should be organised rather than assumed.
Koh Kong and Tatai
Koh Kong city and the Tatai area offer another approach through rivers, mangroves and forest-edge stays. Confirm exactly where an accommodation pickup begins, because properties described as “Cardamom” can be widely separated.
Wildlife without promises
The landscape supports important biodiversity, but a short visit is not a wildlife performance. Choose guides who protect distance and habitat, never feed animals and do not sell a guaranteed sighting. Quiet forest time, tracks, calls and conservation context are part of the experience.
How many days?
Three nights is a practical minimum for one gateway. Four to six nights allow a guided overnight route without spending most of the visit arriving and leaving.
Getting to the Cardamom Mountains
How to get there
- Arrange your transport Ask your accommodation, a licensed guide or a local driver to arrange this.
- Choose one gateway Chi Phat (community-based ecotourism) or Koh Kong and Tatai. Contact the community before travelling; routes, boats, guides and accommodation should be organised rather than assumed.
- From Phnom Penh To Koh Kong by road, about 250 km and roughly five to seven hours; see the Koh Kong page.
- Pickup point Confirm exactly where an accommodation pickup begins, because properties described as “Cardamom” can be widely separated.
Ask your accommodation, a licensed guide or a local driver to arrange this. Cambodia Handbook is independent and not sponsored. Schedules change, so check the operator’s official website or office before you travel. Last checked 19 October 2026. See also transport booking and getting around Cambodia.
Season and preparation
Drier months usually simplify trails and road transfers. Wet months bring powerful rivers and deep green forest but can change access quickly. Carry rain protection, secure footwear, drinking-water capacity, personal medicine and offline details. Follow the guide’s packing instructions for overnight trips.
Travel responsibly
- Book through a community or conservation-minded operator.
- Never enter remote forest without an appropriate local guide.
- Keep expectations flexible around weather and wildlife.
- Take all non-biodegradable waste back out.
- Ask before photographing people, homes or working areas.
Check current Chi Phat community arrangements →
Cardamom Mountains FAQ
How big are the Cardamom Mountains?
The Cardamom Mountains rain forests ecoregion covers about 44,000 km² across south-western Cambodia and into Thailand.
What is the highest peak?
Phnom Aural, at 1,813 metres, which is also Cambodia’s highest mountain. It lies in the eastern part of the range, in Kampong Speu.
Where is Central Cardamom Mountains National Park?
It covers about 4,000 km² across Koh Kong, Pursat and Kampong Speu provinces.
How do you visit the Cardamoms?
Choose one gateway, such as Chi Phat or Koh Kong, go with a local guide and book community-led trips ahead.
Nearby provinces
Continue into a neighbouring province. See all 25 on our provinces of Cambodia page.
Featured image: Aerial view of the Cardamom Mountains by Andyb3947, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.