Kampong Trach, about 40km from downtown Kampot, was once one of the most famous areas in Kampot Province. Its natural beauty led to the development of a bustling trade center during French colonization.

In the late 1960s the Khmer Rouge came. Then the American bombings followed. The area was devastated. Our peaceful countryside became a war zone. The dramatic limestone cliffs and caves—once popular tourist attractions—became hiding places for villagers, like my family. I was born here in the 1980s during the civil war. We lived under the Khmer Rouge until they finally surrendered in 1995.

Today, development has been slow, but the area is healing. Kampong Trach survived. The caves and shrines are now memorials. The rice fields are full of buffalo, and the mountains reflect in the lakes built during the Khmer Rouge period.
I’d love to show you Kampong Trach—an authentic side of rural Cambodia and, in my view, one of the most beautiful areas in the province. A place now being re-discovered by tourism.

Begin your day with a guided excursion to the stunning limestone formations of the Kampong Trach Caves. Explore a series of hidden caves and a serene Buddhist shrine nestled within dramatic jungle cliffs. Enjoy a gentle walk of approximately 300 meters through natural passages, discovering both large and small cave chambers, as well as a peaceful pagoda along the way.

Continue your journey to the enchanting Moon and Sun Cave, where a light hike leads you through fascinating cave formations, including the nearby Bat Cave. From the summit viewpoints, take in sweeping panoramic views of rice paddies and the surrounding mountains. After the hike, relax and refresh with a unique swimming experience in a natural cave pool located beneath the Moon and Sun Cave area.

Next, travel through traditional rural villages before arriving at Phnom Damrei (Elephant Mountain). This peaceful site offers striking landscapes, a historic reservoir linked to the Khmer Rouge era, and impressive views of the iconic Elephant Mountain.