RickyBobby wrote: ↑Thu Dec 27, 2018 12:13 pm Has anyone much experience with visiting Rattanakiri? I would like to do a 3-4 day trip. Please advise and thank you in advance.

3-4 days is enough to see the highlights in Ratanakiri, in 4 days even a combi with Mondolkiri is possible. Most people going to Ratanakiri visit Yeak Loam (some even more than once), the waterfalls (Kachanh, Katieng, Cha Ong, and the 7 step), some indigenous villages and will sample some bush meat. Ban Lung market worth a visit in the early morning (not the inside, check the stalls outside on the far lefr and right) fore some gruesome offers.

The attractions are quite spread out. For instance Yeak Loam is 5 km out of town, from town to the waterfalls is about 5-7 km (but in the other direction) and the 7 step waterfall is 25 km beyond Yeak Loam going into the total middle of nowhere. The road going there is quite difficult in rainy season, but OK now if you don't mind a dusty bumpy ride. It's worth a visit though. In this season the water is really nice to take a dive.

Easiest way to get around is to rent a motorcycle. Traffic is light in Ratanakiri and relatively safe. I've never heard of scams with motorbike rentals here.

Travel up and down will take quite some time. Minivans do the run in 6-8 hours these days, but the drivers do two runs a day, 6 days a week. The night bus from Vireak Buntham is probably the most convenient option. You can do a Ratanak-Mondul combi. The road between Ban Lung and Sem Monorom is fully done now and the 120 km stretch will take about three hours. Any other combi is insane in 3-4 days. For instance the trip to Siem Reap will take 6-8 hours, basically a day.

Travel to and from both Ratanak and Mondul can de done at night to save time. During the day it's minivans only. All large bus company have ceased their operations because a large bus will simply take too long during the day. As far as I know two companies offer night buses now, Vireak and Rattanak Sambath. The latter offer reclining seats, no beds. Price about 11$ per person one way for both. Minivans typically charge 50.000r per person.

While being in Ratanakiri stick to bottled water only from the major brands. Tap water is pumped out of a stream supposed to contain clean water but no processing whatsoever. 30L jars typically are filled with unprocessed water from wells. Locally bottled water (0,5L bottles only) contain the same water. Maybe it's no problem if you've been around for a while, but not recommended when on a 3-4 day break.

RickyBobby wrote: ↑Thu Dec 27, 2018 12:39 pm Thank you.

When I planned my first trip in 2013, I was going to explore the whole country and adjacent countries also. Then I got hooked up with my lady. I spent a miserable week alone before realizing that I would just rather be with her. She of course had to work.

What kind of itinerary would you recommend? Departing PP, check. The problem is my lady had a window of about 1 week max.

Anyone done it on a bike?

Yes.... Dangerous, long stretch. 540 km of insane driving. Not recommended, esp with a passenger.