Virachay National Park is a nearly 1,300 square mile park of dense forests, gushing waterfalls, and remote “hiking trails” in the northeastern Cambodian province of Ratanakiri.
Virachay National Park has a diverse landscape that consists of lowlands, montane forests, bamboo groves, upland savannah, deep valleys, and towering mountains that reach heights of 5,000 feet.
Elephants, tigers, clouded leopards and many endangered monkey species all inhabit the park, along with a number of ethnic tribes, including the Kreung, Brao, Kavet, Lun, Lao, and even ethnic Chinese and Khmers.
On the bird and reptile front, Virachay National Park has the elusive Germain’s peacock pheasant, along with the great hornbill, the red-collared woodpecker, and the Siamese fireback. Freshwater crocodile, tortoise, and otters are also believed to still reside here. It is difficult to know the exact type and number of extant species as the countryside that the park encompasses is vast and mostly impenetrable. It is unlikely that any rhinoceros remain, their horns having been prized by traders since the earliest Cambodian kingdoms.
To arrange a trek in Virachey National Park, your best bet is to visit the park office in Ban Lung, who will arrange various multi-day treks into the wilderness, where you can visit tribal villages and spot wildlife. You should not venture into the park without guides arranged by the National Park; in addition to supporting the organization that is responsible for overseeing the protection of the park, you will avoid unnecessary danger, as sections of the Ho Chi Minh Trail passed through these parts and there are large quantities of unexploded ordinance from US bombing raids in the 1970s.
Also note there are no camping facilities per se in the park; no bathrooms and no cabins. Visitors may have the opportunity to sleep in a tribal village on a ‘home-stay’, but will also likely spend nights in hammocks, covered by mosquito nets; bring your own mosquito and tiger repellant. ;)
Getting There
The entrance to Virachay National Park is 25 miles northeast of Ban Lung. To arrange a trek in Virachey National Park, your best bet is to visit the park office in Ban Lung, who will arrange various multi-day treks into the wilderness; you should not venture into the park without guides arranged by the National Park.
Need to Know
- What is It? One of the most remote and unspoiled regions of Cambodia, if not Southeast Asia.
- When to Go: In the dry season months between November and March.
- Nearest town: Ban Lung is about 25 miles southwest of Virachay National Park. Ban Lung itself is about 3 hours east by road from Stung Treng. The bus ride from Phnom Penh to Ban Lung goes via Stung Treng and takes around 12 hours.
- Don’t miss: a guided trek in Virachay National Park.
- Trivia: The Ho Chi Minh Trail once passed through the northeast portion of Virachay National Park and underwent heavy bombardment by American B52s.