5 Best Sights in Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia

Located a few kilometers south of Ratanakiri's capital Banlung, Airavata is a “new generation” elephant camp following responsible and ethical alternatives to mass tourism. In an effort to help save some of Cambodia's dwindling population of 300-odd elephants, they work under patronage of Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni. Travelers meet the animals in optimal natural conditions, guided by highly selected indigenous mahouts who treat elephants in the best possible way, as they enjoy their work.

The provincial capital is a small, sleepy town that holds a certain romance as a far-flung capital, away from the influence of Phnom Penh, but otherwise offers little more than slow-paced local life and clouds of red dust in the dry season—or mud in the wet season. Arrive with everything you need, as Western goods are sometimes difficult to obtain. Most of the decent hotels are located around Kan Seng lake.

A visit to the gem mines of the Bokeo area, 30 km (20 miles) east of Ban Lung, can be arranged through your hotel, or any moto driver in Ban Lung can take you there. Some of the mines are increasingly deep, man-sized potholes, and mining is for semiprecious stones such as zircon. As you drive through the villages in the area, the villagers line up to sell you their finds. Bokeo literally means "gem mine."

This lush and scenic jungle, 35 km (22 miles) northeast of Ban Lung, is home to the two-tiered Bu Sra Waterfall and lots of wildlife. Tuk-tuks and motos will take you here from Ban Lung ($15), but all treks and eco-activities should be prearranged in Ban Lung at the park's visitor information center. The best way to discover the area and possibly spot rare species found here is through one of the local tour operators.

Lodged in a volcanic crater 5 km (3 miles) east of Ban Lung, this mystical lake, bordered by jungle, is sacred to the Khmer Loeu hill tribes. It's a half mile in diameter and 154 feet deep, and there are wooden jetties from which to launch yourself into the cool waters. Swing from a hammock in one of the huts lining the shore—these cost $3 to rent for the day, but if you order food it's free. The local specialty is prung, bamboo stuffed with vegetables, meat, and local herbs and spices which are cooked over an open fire. Stalls at the entrance sell jungle honey, as well as Cambodian krama scarves. Take a tuk-tuk ($3) or moto from Ban Lung.