Koh Pdao Community Development Tour

Overview

Koh Pdao is well known for its still existing fresh water dolphins living in the Mekong River. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Mekong River scenery while watching Irrawaddy dolphins swimming next to their boat. In the evenings beautiful sunsets will turn the river into a golden banner. On top of that visitors can help communities through participating in community activities such as digging fish and frog ponds, building chicken and duck pens, farming, etc.

Location

Koh Pdao is an island located in Kratie province in the Northeast of Cambodia.

Accessibility

You can reach Kratie Town by bus, minibus or taxi from Phnom Penh along National Road Number 6 and 7. Koh Pdao is approximately 40km away from Kratie Town. It is a 45 minutes drive from Kratie Town by taxi or motor taxi and another 20 to 30 minutes by a slow boat down the Mekong River.

Establishment

Koh Pdao site was established in 2007 by CRDT (Cambodian Rural Development Team).

Attractions and Activities

The main attraction of Kratie province and Koh Pdao ecotourism site are the fresh water Irrawaddy dolphins living in the Mekong. Besides this Kratie offers beautiful sunsets, a fascinating landscape on the Mekong River and a nice river beach during dry season. Visitors can learn about traditional Khmer livelihood and enjoy Khmer traditional dances or prepare local Khmer dishes. Moreover they can do trekking in the village or into the jungle, bicycling along the island or doing boat trips around the island. In addition to that there is an opportunity of participating in project activities such as digging fish ponds and frog ponds, building chicken and duck pens, doing farming activities, playing sports (either football or volleyball) with children or teaching English to children.

CBT Products and services

include homestays, food – organized by a local food group service or by the homestay family, an English speaking guide at the CRDT field staff and Khmer speaking guide for locals who will be trained to speak English soon.

Prices

$50 for 2.5 days as followed:
CRDT core funding (for preparartion, arrangements and guide). Contribution supports CRDT livelihood activities: 15$
Food: 2.5$/meal for 5 meals
Homestay: 3$/night for 2 nights
Taxi from Kratie to Sambo: 5$
Boat from Sambo to Koh Pdao: 2$
Boat for dolphins viewing: 2$
Local guide: 3$

Additional services

Oxcart riding: 2$
Bicycle rental: 1.5$
Boat for dolphin watching + Koh Doun Reach Island: 5$
Boat tour along the Mekong: 12$
Boat to dolphin pool Ksach Makak + Koh Preang: 25$
Traditional performances: 30$-50$
Local loud speaker dancing at the village during the night: 20$

Facilities around the site

Kratie Town is a charming capital city of the equally named province. The “old” face of the town still remains with its many old French colonial buildings. With its market, guesthouses, hotels and restaurants, it offers all that travelers need.
Chhlong is a small town around an hours drive away from Kratie town. The dusty road takes visitors through rice fields and small villages. Chhlong contains a lot of French colonized buildings as well, some of them more some less well-preserved.

Contact address

Website: www.crdt.org.kh 
Inside the “Stay another days” Cambodian booklet.
Mr. Sun Mao (Tourism Coordinator)
Tel: 099 834 353, 012 635 865

Email: [email protected]
CRDT has a head office at Kratie town, Kratie province.
Directly contact to community leader by mobile phone. Tel: (+855) 011 709 329; (+855) 099 546 253 (Khmer speaking)