Hello, my name is Hugo. I recently traveled to Cambodia and would like to share with you a fascinating destination from my journey—Kratie. I spent 2 days in Kratie exploring its iconic sites and enjoying exciting outdoor activities. If you are a nature and wildlife enthusiast, Kratie is a must-visit destination during your Cambodia trip. I hope my personal experiences in this Kratie 2-day itinerary will give you some ideas for your own trip.
Kratie is a province in eastern Cambodia, located along the banks of the Mekong River. It is a peaceful destination, known for its unspoiled natural scenery and small towns rich in Khmer culture. Throughout my 2-day Kratie itinerary, I thoroughly enjoyed the tranquility of the Mekong River, the fresh air, and the slow-paced lifestyle. Kratie is also home to the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, making it an ideal destination for nature and wildlife lovers like me.
I traveled from Phnom Penh to Kratie and booked a hotel in the city center. After some rest, I started my 2-day trip to Kratie by visiting the 100-Pillar Pagoda (Wat Sarsar Mouyrouy). A trip to Kratie wouldn’t be complete without experiencing an Irrawaddy dolphin-watching tour on the Mekong River—an activity I did right after my temple visit.
I spent my second day in Kratie exploring Koh Trong Island. I engaged in many exciting outdoor activities and had authentic cultural experiences with the locals. I also tried various local delicacies during my Kratie trip. Although my 2-day trip to Kratie was short, it left me with unforgettable memories.
After a short rest at the hotel, I began my 2-day Kratie trip with a 45-60 minute drive to Sambor District to explore the 100-Pillar Pagoda. This is one of top places to visit in Kratie, especially for those who appreciate spiritual architecture. Rich in history and spirituality, the 100-Pillar Pagoda is an ideal site to discover Kratie’s unique cultural heritage. When I visited, there were very few tourists, allowing me to interact with some local children who live nearby—they were incredibly sweet.
After that, I headed south to Kampi to take a boat ride and see the Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, this experience should definitely be at the top of your list of the best things to do in Kratie. As I learned, these dolphins are a rare species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. Seeing them gently emerge from the surface, their graceful silhouettes illuminated by the sun, was an unforgettable experience for me during my 2 days in Kratie.
In the late afternoon, I returned to Kratie’s town center just in time to watch the sunset over the Mekong River. If you're wondering what to do in Kratie, I highly recommend this experience—it gave me an incredible sense of peace. In the evening, I wandered around the town and explored Kratie’s street food scene. I tried some Khmer specialties such as grilled fish, prahok (fermented fish paste), and sticky rice with coconut at a riverside restaurant while enjoying a beer with the locals - one of the most interesting things to do in Kratie. Although communication was a bit challenging, they were incredibly helpful and friendly.
What to do in Kratie on the second day of my 2-day trip to Kratie? I woke up early to take a walk along the Mekong River and enjoy a morning coffee. Around 8:00 AM, I took a short ferry ride to Koh Trong Island, a small peaceful oasis in the middle of the Mekong. The moment I set foot on the island, I felt a calm and relaxed atmosphere, completely different from the bustling town center. I rented a bicycle and began exploring small dirt roads, surrounded by lush green rice fields and fruit orchards.
The locals were incredibly friendly, inviting me to taste sweet pomelos and ripe mangoes straight from their gardens, one of the most interesting experiences among the best things to do in Kratie. This Kratie itinerary 2 days gave me a deeper understanding of Khmer culture and lifestyle. I was even invited to a local’s house for lunch and later visited an ancient pagoda and a sacred Bodhi tree, which is tied to a fascinating local legend. As the sunset painted the sky, I sat by the river, watching the Mekong flow gently, soaking in an unforgettable moment of tranquility.
Later, I returned to Kratie’s center and went on a short scooter ride around town. I made the most of my last few hours of my Kratie 2-day trip by exploring Kratie’s markets, buying souvenirs, and trying a few more local street food dishes before heading back to the hotel to pack up and prepare for my departure.
Another traveller, Frank, fitted the essentials into 24 hours by swapping the 100-Pillar Pagoda for a temple closer to town:
His tips: check the weather before you go, since heavy rain makes dolphin watching and outdoor activities harder, and skip swimming at Kampi in the cooler months. Carry cash, as small shops and markets may not take cards, and at temples cover shoulders and knees, keep your voice down and remove your shoes where signs ask you to.
In Kratie, don't miss trying prahok ktis, a fermented fish paste cooked with coconut milk, and samlor korko, a traditional soup with vegetables and fish. The grilled Mekong shrimp is also a local delicacy. For something sweet, try kralan, a dessert made of sticky rice, coconut milk, and red beans, cooked inside a bamboo tube.
During your 2-day trip to Kratie, you can get around by tuk-tuk, moto-taxi, or rent a bicycle to explore the town and its surroundings. For longer distances, you can rent a motorbike or take a boat to visit islands like Koh Trong.
If you take a Kratie 2-day trip, it is recommended to wear lightweight, breathable cotton clothing due to the hot climate. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection, as well as modest clothing if you plan to visit temples.
These are my personal experiences during my 2-day trip to Kratie. After exploring Cambodia’s famous destinations like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, you can spend 2 days in Kratie to relax and unwind, as it is a very peaceful place. If you have trouble planning a Cambodia trip, consider reaching out to a reputable travel agency in Cambodia like Autour Asia to help make your journey more convenient.
You may also like:
>>> Things to do in Phnom Penh
>>> Kratie travel guide
>>> Angkor Temples tour itinerary 3 day
>>> Cambodia travel packages
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