Kratie

There’s just one major reason to visit Kratie (pronounced kra-chey) and that’s to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. Conservationists estimate that there only 75 Irrawaddy dolphins remaining in the world and they are working hard to preserve their natural habitat. Luckily for those looking to see the dolphins, they’re usually easy to spot, especially during the dry season.
The best spot to watch the dolphins is from Kampi village, which is just 15 kilometers north of Kratie. You’re most likely to see the dolphins as they jump and arc over the Mekong River. Unlike some marine animals, these dolphins rarely show interest in the tourist boats and are unlikely to approach. The dolphin’s activity level varies little throughout the day so there’s no bad time to take a tour to see them. If you’re interested in seeing the Irrawaddy dolphins, be sure to book a tour with us and place this city on your itinerary as a stopover between Cambodia and Laos.

This sleepy little town is located just south of Kratie, which is best known as one of the last places in the world to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. The town of Chhlong backs up to the banks of the river and is best known for its old governor’s residence and beautiful examples of French colonial architecture in hues of yellow and white. If you’re traveling with an architecture buff, be sure to stop by and see the House of a Hundred Pillars which was built in 1884. The house was pillaged by the Khmer Rouge and now only has 56 pillars, but is still an exquisite example of architecture. If you’re ready for some adventure, you can rent bikes in Chhlong and take the old river road to Kratie. On that journey you’ll pass through some traditional, minority Cham villages. Be sure to not miss the interesting market that takes place in Chhlong, where you might find some unique souvenirs to take home with you. Pictures can only capture so much of the interesting, varied states of decrepitude of the French colonial homes which line the river in Chhlong. Be sure to see the Relais de Chhlong, a French-era mansion which has recently been converted into a hotel.