Aural Mountain Trek 3 Days: Cambodia's Tallest Peak

You sleep under the stars at the second camp before descending Aural Mountain.

A 3-day fully-serviced trek from Phnom Penh to Aural Mountain (1,813 m), Cambodia's tallest peak, in the eastern Cardamom range. You camp in a bamboo forest near a natural waterfall, visit local villages, and see the wreckage of a 1974 military aircraft shot down during the civil war. The trek includes tent or hammock accommodation, all meals, drinking water, professional guides in English, and hotel pickup and drop-off from Phnom Penh. Groups stay between two and twelve travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Begin trek and camp near waterfall

• Depart Phnom Penh
• Start trek into Cardamom Mountains
• Camp in bamboo forest near waterfall

Day 2: Reach Aural Mountain peak

• Trek to Aural Mountain peak
• Visit plane crash site in forest
• Camp under trees and stars

Day 3: Return to Phnom Penh

• Break camp
• Return trek from mountain
• Travel back to Phnom Penh

The experience

The trek starts with pickup from your Phnom Penh hotel and a private transfer to the trailhead in the Cardamom Mountains. From there, you walk into evergreen forest and mountain terrain, moving through jungle and past local villages. The route takes you across nine hills and through the richest natural setting of the range, with views opening up as you climb. Your local support team handles the logistics: they set up your tent or hammock each night, cook meals from local ingredients, and carry the gear so you walk light.

The first night you camp in a bamboo forest close to a natural waterfall. The second day pushes toward the peak of Aural Mountain itself, and on the way you pass the crashed aircraft: a Lon Nol air force plane shot down in 1974 during Cambodia's civil war, now half-buried in the forest. The wreckage is a stark reminder of the landscape's history. After reaching the summit, you spend your second night sleeping under the trees at the second camp, then descend on day three back to the trailhead and the drive to Phnom Penh.

Meals follow the itinerary (breakfast, lunch and dinner each day), and the team provides drinking water throughout. The trek is physically demanding: you need a high level of fitness, and it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. The small-group format, never more than twelve people, means you move at a steady pace with guides who know the terrain and the villages along the way.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Phnom Penh.
• round-trip private transfer to the trailhead.
• 2 nights accommodation in a tent or hammock.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• drinking water.
• professional trek guide and local guides speaking English.
• local transport if required.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 to 55 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Demanding physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Angkor Focus Travel

Is this one for you?This is a small-group trek with a professional support team handling camp setup and meals, so you focus on walking and the landscape rather than logistics. Choose it if you want the challenge of reaching Cambodia's highest peak without carrying gear or cooking in the mountains yourself.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the crashed aircraft I'll see on the trek?

The wreckage is a Lon Nol air force plane shot down in 1974 during Cambodia's civil war, now sitting half-buried in the forest on the route up Aural Mountain. It is one of the trek's historical landmarks.

Do I need to bring my own tent or sleeping bag?

No. The trek includes tent or hammock accommodation set up by your support team each night, so you only need to bring personal items and clothing.

How many people trek together on this trip?

Groups are guaranteed small, with between two and twelve travelers, so you never trek in a large crowd.

What meals are provided each day?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day, cooked by your local support team using local ingredients. Drinking water is also provided throughout the trek.

Does the price include transport from Phnom Penh?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Phnom Penh and round-trip private transfer to and from the trailhead are both included.

What is the fitness level required for this trek?

A high level of physical fitness is needed. The trek is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.