Welcome to Parrot Tours

Ever wanted to trek through the jungle? Like the sound of sleeping in a hammock under the trees and stars? How about visiting isolated jungle villages and sharing a meal with traditional rice wine? Elephant rides, waterfalls, ancient tribal cemetaries: Ratanakiri has something for everyone.

My name is Sitha and I run Parrot Tours we are a local tour guide company in Ban Lung, Ratanakiri Province in the Kingdom of Cambodia. I was born in Ratanakiri and have been operating tours for many years now so I can arrange all kinds of interesting and exciting tours around the area. I have the friendship and respect of the chiefs in the minority villages so I can take you into the heart of village life as an honoured guest rather than an a stranger. I have partnerships with travel agencies and hotels in the area and work with the locals to deliver the best tour at the best price. I can arrange everything you need: accommodation, transportation, recreation and much more.

Ratanakiri: province of adventure

One of the most popular provinces in Cambodia, Ratanakiri is home to a burgeoning ecotourism movement. Virachay National Park, the biggest protected area in Cambodia, remains largely unexplored and is home to several ethnic minorities as well as a range of wild animals.


Ratanakiri means mountain of treasure and gem mining is an important industry for the locals. Beautiful sapphires, amethysts and zircon are produced here and it is possible to visit the mines, see the process and even try your own hand at it.

Ban Lung, my hometown, is the best base from which to explore the province. While offering quality accomodation the provincial capital still retains its rural, small town feel. Around Ban Lung there are many beautiful waterfalls which can be reached by motorbike or even by elephant. A lazy trip along Tonle San river stops off at Laos and Chinese minority villages and the haunting Tompuon tribal cemetary where jungle strewn wooden effigies mark abandoned graves. At Boeng Yeak Lom you can swim in a mysterious seven hundred thousand year old jungle-clad crater lake so perfectly circular that some say it was formed by a meteor.


Ratanakiri is a province of traditional villages, virgin jungle, and breathtaking scenery. No visit to Cambodia could be complete without a Ratanakiri jungle adventure.

Sample itinerary: six days

Day One: waterfalls.


Kachagn waterfall is about thirteen metres high, surrounded by rubber trees and has a good ledge for jumping down into the pool. Ka Tien is about fifteen metres high and has long hanging vines from which you can swing across the pool at the bottom.


Day two: Vern Sai.


Boat trip along Tonle San to the Chinese and Laos minority villages and the Chutchiet (tribal) cemetaries along the banks.


Day three: trekking

From one tribal minority village to another through forest and jungle. A solid trek: about five hours with stops for lunch and scenery.


Day four: Chum rom bey srok.

By pick-up to a local gem mine and then on to the seven tier waterfall for a swim.


Day five: trekking to Yeak Loam lake.


A two hour walk from the hotel through bush to the crater lake for a picnic lunch and a relaxing swim. Before or after swimming we walk around the lake. Return by pick-up truck.


Day six: Ban Lung Market

To market, to market! Check out the local market where everyone, including the tribal people, come to sell their wares. Buy everything from a coconut with a straw to a side of buffalo. This market is a great place to buy beautiful traditional cloth by the metre. After the market we head up to the impressive reclining Buddha from which there are stunning views of the area.

Sample Itinerary: one night, two day jungle trek.

Day one: Depart 0900 for Kalay village, north of Ban Lung. About half an hour later we leave the vehicle at the village and start trekking. As we trek through the jungle we can stop to look at many kinds of tree used by the hill tribes as medicines, dyes and food. A hill tribe villager will accompany us and try to show you some traditional hunting using a crossbow as well as bamboo fishing. At night we build a campfire and shelter and sleep in hammocks in the jungle.




Day two: Depart camp 0830 and trek back to the village via a different route. Along this route we'll see more forest scenery and can check out the shifting agriculture still practiced by the hill tribe minorities. After lunch in the village we head back to town and continue to the crater lake for a well deserved swim in idyllic surroundings.

All meals provided as well as hammocks with mosquito nets and blankets.

Totally tailored treks

There are many activities in and around Ban Lung which can be included in longer programmes or done on their own. Together we can plan the ideal itinerary to suit your interests, fitness, experience, time and budget. The samples provided here are just to spark your imagination!

Contact Me!

If you are interested in taking a tour with me or just want more information please email me at sitha_guide@yahoo.com or give me a call on 012 764 714. I can arrange local transport, including flights, from anywhere in Cambodia. Take a Ratanakiri jungle tour and have an experience you will never forget!