At 3,325 square kilometers Virachey is the largest national park in Cambodia and together with adjacent protected areas in Laos and Vietnam collectively forms one of the largest areas of protected forest in Asia.

Virachey’s vast forests, grasslands, mountains and valleys remain largely unexplored and undisturbed by human settlement and may still harbor new and undiscovered wildlife species. They provide important habitats for tiger, elephant, wild cattle and a number of spectacular, globally threatened primate and bird species.

In Virachey National Park’s aquatic environment the fresh water crocodile, otters, freshwater tortoise and some fish species are of conservation significance.

The northeast of Cambodia has been the home of indigenous, hill tribe peoples for centuries and remains a center for cultural diversity in the region. Indigenous Brau and Kavet people continue to depend on the natural resources of Virachey for their survival and several communities are now participating in the park’s ecotourism program.

Virachey too has a rich, albeit tragic, historical heritage through its association with the American - Vietnam war, the legacy of which can still be readily observed along the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail that traverses the park.

Virachey National Park was designated an Asean Heritage Park in 2003 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to regional and international biodiversity conservation.

The human population adjacent to Virachey National Park is characterised by a high percentage of ethnic minority groups. The majority are Kreung, Kavet, Brao, Lao and Lun people. Smaller numbers of Tampuen, Kachok, ethnic Chinese, ethnic Khmer and ethnic Vietnamese people are also found in the area.

Most of these live in 60 villages, some of which were located inside what is now Virachey National Park. The reliance on natural resource use inside the protected area is critical to the survival of the local communities. The main products harvested are rattan, bamboo and malva nuts.

Hunting for food and trade occurs in the forests of Virachey National Park and although a consistent decline in wildlife populations has been observed, reports still indicate that tiger, Himalayan black bear, Malayan sun bear, guar, Sambar deer, muntjak and civet are being hunted. Turtles, monitor lizards and pangolin are the most commonly traded animals. Rabbits, forest rats and other smaller animals are usually hunted for subsistence closer to the villages.

There are currently three tours into the National Park. They are a short tour featuring an overnight stay in the forest, a medium tour featuring a river journey into the park and an extended wilderness trek deep inside the park to the spectacular Phnom Veal Thom.

Group sizes are kept at a maximum of 8 people to reduce impacts on the villages you visit and to maintain the quality and enjoyment of your ecotourism experience. You are also more likely to see or hear wildlife in smaller groups.

Virachey National Park

Tel: +855 (0)75 974 176

Short Tour

Duration: 2 days / 1 Night

This tour is suitable for people who are new to trekking or who have limited time. It includes travel through traditional Kavet villages, agricultural land and secondary forest, overnight stay in the forest and a leisurely walk along a half-day loop trail in the park.

Medium Tour

Duration: 4 days / 3 Nights

For the more adventurous, this tour includes a four hour river journey up a tributary of the Se San river to a small Brau village on the border of the national park, trekking in the forest and a return journey by inflatable kayak. Stay overnight in the village before commencing a two day overnight trek through a river valley inside the national park. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste the locally made rice wine before waking bright and early to kayak down the gentle O’Tabok river to its confluence with the Se San.

Extended Wilderness Trek

Duration: 6/7 days to 5/6 nights

For the serious trekker, this tour features a visit to Phnom Veal Thom, a spectacular, montane grassland deep inside the park rarely visited by tourists. It operates out of Taveng District and takes 7-8 days return. Visitors will need to be fit as trekking through deep forest for several days is demanding. Your efforts will be rewarded with spectacular scenery and the best chance of all our tours to see elusive wildlife and primary forest.