A motorbike rider on a forest road
Expedition 03 - 9 days - 1,300 km

The Highlands Expedition

Cambodia's northeast feels like another country: cool rolling hills, pine-dotted grasslands, waterfalls and volcanic crater lakes, home to the Bunong and other indigenous highland communities. This loop climbs from the Mekong plains into Mondulkiri, follows the old road north to Ratanakiri and returns along the river through Kratie.

9Days 1,300km 2Highland provinces CRF250L
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In short

What this trip is

The Highlands Expedition is a 9 day, 8 night guided dirt bike loop on the Honda CRF250L starting and ending in Phnom Penh, covering about 1,300 km. It rides rubber-plantation tracks to Snuol, climbs through the Keo Seima forest to Sen Monorom for a Mondulkiri loop with Bou Sra waterfall and an ethical elephant sanctuary, follows the old road north to Banlung for Yeak Loam crater lake and the Ratanakiri waterfalls, then returns via Stung Treng and Kratie. It is graded intermediate to advanced.

  • 1

    A different Cambodia

    Pine grassland, cool nights and crater lakes - nothing like the rice plains, and home to the Bunong and other indigenous communities.

  • 2

    The old Death Highway

    The route north from Sen Monorom through Koh Nhek and Lumphat, with off-road variants chosen for the group.

  • 3

    A loop, not a one-way

    Start and finish in Phnom Penh, so flights are simple and the last day has a truck transfer option if you would rather rest.

Highlights

What you will actually do

01 - Mondulkiri A waterfall in the jungle, Cambodia

Bou Sra & the elephant sanctuary

A loop to the powerful Bou Sra waterfall and Bunong villages, with a visit to an ethical sanctuary where rescued elephants roam the forest.

120 kmWaterfallEthical sanctuary
02 - The old road A rider on a dirt road through the trees

Sen Monorom to Banlung

The route of the old "Death Highway" north through Koh Nhek and Lumphat, with off-road variants for the group. Fuel travels in the support vehicle.

230 kmOff-road variantsLong leg
03 - Ratanakiri Calm water on a lake

Yeak Loam & the waterfalls

Swim in the clear volcanic crater lake of Yeak Loam, visit the Cha Ong and Ka Chanh waterfalls, the river villages of Voen Sai and small-scale gem mines.

Crater lakeTwo waterfallsGem mines
Day by day

9 days / 8 nights, hour by hour

Every timing below is a starting point, not a rule. Tell us your flights and we rebuild the shape of the trip around them.

Day 1

Arrival in Phnom Penh

Bike fitting and briefing, no riding.

Boats on the Mekong at sunset, Cambodia
No riding

Arrival in Phnom Penh

Airport transfer, bike fitting, gear check and route briefing, followed by a welcome dinner.

Overnight

Phnom Penh

Meals: dinner.

Day 2

Phnom Penh to Snuol

About 220 km in the saddle.

A dirt bike rider heading down a trail, Cambodia
~ 220 km

Phnom Penh to Snuol

East through rubber plantation tracks around Memot and rural back roads to the crossroads town of Snuol.

Overnight

Snuol

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 3

Snuol to Sen Monorom

About 130 km in the saddle.

A rider on a dirt road through the trees, Cambodia
~ 130 km

Snuol to Sen Monorom

The climb into the highlands begins: through the Keo Seima forest and up onto the grassy hills of Mondulkiri to its capital, Sen Monorom.

Overnight

Sen Monorom

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 4

Mondulkiri highlands loop

About 120 km in the saddle.

Green hills and a high plateau, Cambodia
~ 120 km

Mondulkiri highlands loop

A loop to the powerful Bou Sra waterfall and Bunong villages, and a visit to an ethical elephant sanctuary where rescued elephants roam the forest.

Overnight

Sen Monorom

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 5

Sen Monorom to Banlung

About 230 km in the saddle.

An ox cart on a rural road, Cambodia
~ 230 km

Sen Monorom to Banlung

The route of the old "Death Highway" north through Koh Nhek and Lumphat, with off-road variants for the group, to Banlung in Ratanakiri. Fuel is carried by the support vehicle on this long leg.

Overnight

Banlung

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 6

Ratanakiri loop

About 100 km in the saddle.

A waterfall in the jungle, Cambodia
~ 100 km

Ratanakiri loop

Swim in the volcanic crater lake of Yeak Loam, visit the Cha Ong and Ka Chanh waterfalls, and see the river villages of Voen Sai and the area's small-scale gem mines.

Overnight

Banlung

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 7

Banlung to Kratie

About 280 km in the saddle.

A kayak on calm water, Cambodia
~ 280 km

Banlung to Kratie

A long transit day, mostly on paved roads, via Stung Treng and down the Mekong to Kratie. Sunset over the river.

Overnight

Kratie

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 8

Kratie to Phnom Penh

About 250 km in the saddle.

A wooden boat on the Mekong, Cambodia
~ 250 km

Kratie to Phnom Penh

Riverside tracks for the first part of the day, then the highway into the capital. A truck transfer is available for riders who prefer to rest. Farewell dinner in the evening.

Overnight

Phnom Penh

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 9

Departure

No riding today.

A path through green rice fields, Cambodia
No riding

Departure

Transfer to Techo International Airport.

Onward

Departure

Meals: breakfast.

No surprises

What is included, and what is not

Included

  • Honda CRF250L fuel-injected motorcycle for the full expedition
  • All fuel on riding days
  • English-speaking lead guide riding with the group
  • Sweep rider and mechanic, with spare parts and tools
  • Support vehicle for luggage, water, fuel and non-riding days
  • Hotels, guesthouses and homestays as listed
  • Meals as shown in the itinerary
  • Temple and site entrance fees, boat trips and listed activities
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers
  • First-aid kit and trained first-aid responders

Not included

  • International flights and Cambodian visa
  • Travel insurance - mandatory, and it must cover off-road motorcycling and medical evacuation
  • Meals not listed and all drinks
  • Riding gear - available to rent
  • Tips for guides and crew
  • Single room supplement
  • Personal expenses and optional activities
  • Damage to the motorcycle caused by rider negligence
Answers

Highlands Expedition questions, answered

Can we ride into Virachey National Park?
For advanced groups, an additional day in the border areas of Virachey National Park can be arranged, subject to permits and a local guide.
What licence do I need?
A valid full motorcycle licence from your home country together with an International Driving Permit. We check both before the first riding day, and every rider signs a participation waiver.
What is the Honda CRF250L like?
A light, forgiving, fuel-injected dual-sport bike that is equally at home on jungle single-track, sandy river trails and paved highway. Bikes are serviced before every departure and checked daily by our mechanic. Range is roughly 200-250 km on mixed terrain, so fuel stops are planned and the support vehicle carries extra fuel on remote stages.
What if a section is beyond me?
Groups ride at the pace of the least experienced rider and the sweep rider makes sure nobody is left behind. Where a section is beyond your comfort level, the support vehicle carries both you and the bike.
How much does it cost?
Prices are on request and depend on group size, dates and accommodation level. A deposit secures your place, with the balance due before departure. Private departures on your own dates can be arranged for any group size.
Go deeper

Experiences inside this trip

All experiences
Adventure experiences in Cambodia Trek, zip & climb

Adventure

Jungle treks, ziplining at Angkor, rock climbing and more. Wildlife experiences in Cambodia Sanctuaries

Wildlife

Elephant sanctuaries, Irrawaddy dolphins and jungle birding. Village experiences in Cambodia Homestays

Village

Homestays, rice-field cycling and the Bamboo Train.
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Ready when you are

Send your dates and group size. We come back with a costed version of this trip, reshaped around you.

Plan Highlands Expedition
Highlands Expedition 9 days / 8 nights · Private Enquire