Kratie is a Cambodian town in the province with the same name and is commonly famous for where the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin is. Many tourists come here to sit beside the calm waters of the rivers in Kratie, hoping to spot a Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin.

However, it is between Phnom Penh and the jungles in the Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri. Therefore, there is a lot more that you can do in Kratie than just checking out this sea life. Here is how you can make your journey to the Kratie, the less visited province in Cambodia, much better.

Visiting the Kratie Cambodia: Six Ways to Enjoy Kratie This Amazing Place

While less popular than others, Kratie Province offers a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience for travelers seeking authenticity and a deeper connection with Cambodian culture. Nevertheless, Kratie Lonely Planet has gained recognition from travel experts.

The surrounding areas of Kratie are rich in biodiversity, making it an ideal destination for bird watchers. Plus, there are many different things that you can try out when visiting the Kratie province in Cambodia.

Find the Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphin

There is no doubt that Kratie offers a wide range of tourist activities, but spotting the dolphins is a key highlight. The Mekong Irrawaddy Kratie dolphin breed is only found in a few coastal regions of Asia. Therefore, seeing this unique aquatic life is a fun and special activity that local people work very hard to protect.

Only a few Irrawaddy Dolphins less than 100 are in the Mekong's Kratie stretch. You can slowly go through this region on a wooden boat that you can take from Kampi village, which is located around 1km (0.6 mi) north of Kratie.

An important point to note is that these dolphins only appear on the surface for a few seconds to breathe. They mostly stay submerged in the water, so it can be challenging to spot them. If you cannot see one of these fantastic sea creatures, don't worry because there are various concrete animal sculptures you can find throughout the town.

Explore the Centre in Mekong for Turtle Conservation

Another excellent place for those interested in exploring the sea life in Kratie is the Turtle Conservation Centre. This center is in the heart of Kratie city located in the historical treasure, which is almost five centuries old and is dedicated to preserving the Cantor's giant soft-shell turtle, considered an endangered species.

A monk runs the facility and has over 40 indoor tanks that play a significant role in breeding and nurturing these turtles. These rarest and largest freshwater turtle species stay in the facility for around ten months, after which they are released into the Mekong.

Take a Ride to the Kampi Rapids

There is much more to the Kratie province tourism than checking out the sea life. For instance, you can see the Kampi Rapids picnic area, which is close to where you can see the dolphins. As the name suggests, this place has a series of fast-running currents.

The banks of the Kampi Rapids are a place for local hangouts in the dry season, where you can swim or relax under a bamboo hut. So, once you are done checking out the amazing sea creatures of Kratie, you can relax at the banks of the Kampi Rapids.

Take a Visit to the Kraties Central Market

If you are in Kratie, check out the city's Central Market. At Kraties Central Market, there is a wide range of items that you can find, such as colorful and vibrant vegetables and fruits or freshly caught seafood. These items are available at a fantastic price, and the best part is that they are entirely fresh.

Ideally, the best time to visit Kraties Central Market is early morning, when there are only a few you would come across. It is an excellent opportunity for those who are passionate about photography and want to capture the fantastic scenery of Kratie City.

Visit Phnom Sombok

Phnom Sombok is situated in the north of Kratie town perched high on a hillock and requires you to climb up 300 stairs to visit the main temple. Throughout your journey, you will witness a fantastic line of monk statues, giving a guard of honor as you pass them.

After all that effort, you will be rewarded with an impressive city view. Phnom Sombok is an ideal location for those who want to stop and stretch their legs when returning from the 100 Pillar Pagoda. With the opportunity to either climb to the top or just admire the forest statues from the stairs' base, there is a lot that you can get from a fantastic experience.

Have Some of the Amazing Food

Lastly, you must take advantage of the fantastic food that Kratie has to offer. Trying out some famous BBQ snails and bamboo sticky rice is vital. The people of Cambodia are pretty friendly and welcoming and love to introduce their local cuisine to the people visiting their country.

One of the most popular dishes is the grilled lake snails that will be in a hot soup or on skewers, after which a sweet treat of sticky rice with fresh mangos will come. The Kratie is home to the newest and tastiest mango, so look out for this mango sticky rice when exploring the different street vendors.

Final Words

As you can see, the Kratie city and the province offer fun activities you can try throughout your journey. Since this city isn't quite famous and is less visited by many tourists, you won't find it too crowded, allowing you to enjoy your trip. Pack your bags and step into the uncharted realms of Kratie, where each moment unfolds as a distinct discovery eagerly embraced by the intrepid explorer.