Day 3: The Tampoun totems
Direction northwest today, we cross bamboo forests before reaching the village of Voeune Saï located on the left bank of the Sé San river ; the view on the Chinese village on the other side of the river is quite pretty. Besides, this place is nearly a Chinese enclave in Cambodian territory, most villagers, who are there the thirties, don't even speak Khmer. Upstream of the Se San are a certain number of Tampoun villages that practice funeral statuary ; if it is possible, we will rent a boat to go to the village of Ka Choan that has superb totems, if not we will reach it by jeep. Overnightnight at the Lodge.

Day 4: The Kroeung territory
We’re going full North today, heading towards Laos and the village of Taveng. We first cross Veyrum Plang, a round lava field in the forest; a few steps away there is a small waterfall (in the rainy season only) surrounded by tigers caves. Later on, we stop at some nice Kroeung villages located in the forest on both sides of the road.

The more North we go, the more beautiful the forest. In some Kroeung villages, depending on the season, we might discover some quite impressive bachelor houses built on very high stilts.  Let’s notice that, when they have achieved their goal and when the young man has become head of a family, these houses are destroyed before being raised again by younger men the following season. Depending on the time and the state of the dirt road, we will choose a location for a picnic before exploring the nearby villages. Overnight at Terres Rouges.

Day 5: The Zircon mines of the Three-Districts
Woken up early by the songs of the rooster, pig and buffalo… we cross the river to get back to our car and drive back to Banlung where we try (fruitlessly?) to look human again before leaving for the Three-Districts area. You thought you’d seen it all regarding bumpy roads… Big Mistake ! The dirt track leading to the Three-District mining area is one of the worst of the country: 35 km of 30 to 70cm-deep ruts concealing stumps and other branches destroying bodies under the car, lower backs and fuel tanks. The vehicles that dare to take this “back-to-Hell” road are, most of the time, old Russian jeeps close to their own end, their tires are often covered with chains and their overall appearance is often far from the initial design of their creator… At least they usually make it in one day, that’s the main thing! Through huge rubber trees forests planted by the French in 1961 and then the Tampoun jungle, you reach the Three-Districts mining area, kind of tropical slum or favella populated by 3000 people lost in the middle of the Cambodian forest. This “Zircon Rush” has transformed this place into a massive Swiss cheese drilled with hundreds of 60cm-wide 12m-deep wells. The miners go down without any safety equipment in these wells (whose sides have not even been propped up!) using candles for lighting. Accidents occur sometimes. Two kilometers away, there is the seven-tiered waterfall, called that way because the river is interrupted by seven rocky floors, creating waterfalls where you shower and swim with pleasure. Overnight at Terres Rouges.

Day 6: Departure Ratanakiri, Over and out…
Early departure for a small elephant rides (by your own account) in the forest, then a quick shopping tour in Banlung market before taking the plane back to Phnom-Penh for connect flight back home. End of Service.