Resting in the foothills of the Elephant Mountains and situated along the Kampong Bay River, Kampot is a very laid-back and quiet sort of town. Its French colonial past has given it a legacy of period architecture and little riverside cafes along the river. It is a starting point for visiting the many interesting places in the area. These include: various nearby caves, countryside tours, Kampong Trach which borders Vietnam, and Bokor Hill Station.
Caves near Kampot:
There are many limestone mountains in the Kampot and Kep area, and many of these mountains contain limestone caves. Some have striking rock formations, and most all have Buddhist shines. You will need to bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes for climbing around on the rocks.
Phnom Chhnork - First Cave: There is a small Pre-Angkorian ruin in the cave among the
stalagmites and stalactites. The ruin is a 4
th or 5th century brick structure probably from the ancient Funan state. Some carving is still visible. However, the stalagmites and stalactites are slowly reclaiming the ruin. You can see some limestone formations near the cave entrance that look like elephants.
Second Cave: The entrance is about 300 meters from the first cave, and is in the same outcropping. There are very few formations, but it goes back quite a ways, and you have to climb over rock piles and through some small openings. There is also a small shrine.
Phnom Sla Ta'aun - This cave is rather nondescript compared to the other caves. However, it is still worth the climb. There is a large rock in a hole in the ceiling. Also a small shrine there.
Phnom Sasear - also called the White Elephant Cave, it is located near a temple. There are stairs going up the side of the outcropping, and you can get a good view of the countryside from there. The view in the rainy season with vibrant greens is especially nice. There is a shrine in the cave near a limestone formation that looks somewhat like a white elephant.
Countryside Tours - Kampot and Kep have beautiful countryside outside the towns. There is
nice scenery with rice paddies, water buffalo, country temples and small villages with houses on stilts. Many tour operators provide half-day and full-day tours. These tours can also be combined with visits to the caves, pepper plantation, Rabbit Island, Kampong Trach, or a Kampong Bay River sunset cruise.
Kampong Trach is an area on the border with Vietnam. The road from Kampot to the town goes though some nice countryside areas. The mountains of Kampong Trach were one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge, and Phnom Voar is where the victims of the 1994 Khmer Rouge kidnappings were held. The town of Kampong Trach is small and not very interesting, and the real attractions of the area are the limestone caves and tubes . In one large cave, the roof has caved-in, and inside the cave is a small jungle. There are some colorful temples and shrines around the
caves. Don't forget to bring a flashlight, and wear sturdy footwear.
To get there from Kampot, take the road going to Kep, turn left at the White Horse Monument and follow on to Kampong Trach. At last report, the road is in very poor condition. There is also a side road to the town Kampong Trach goes around To get to this road, turn left onto a dirt road about 7 km past the White Horse Monument. This not a popular or well marked route, and going with a guide is advisable. You will need at least a day for the round-trip.
River Boat Trips on the Kampong Bay River are offered by tour companies and many guesthouses. There are different kinds of trips available, such as sunset trips upriver to the Tekchhou Rapids, and upriver cultural - wildlife & eco tours. These boat trips can be combined with trekking in the National Park. There are also down-river trips to the ocean that take you to the beach and sand spits at the mouth of the river. Most tour operators offer customized trips to suit your needs.
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