Preparing for your Trek

The following is a guide that will help you to prepare for your trekking adventure. Included in this section:

• What to bring
• Suggested food Items
• Health and safety
• Mosquitoes and other things that bite

Be sure to also visit essential information where you will find information on park entry regulations, emergency medical assistance and codes of conduct - protecting the environment and appropriate behavior in the village.

What to bring

Included in the tours are cooking equipment, eating utensils, water bottles and first aid kits.. The ranger guides also carry a pair of binoculars, a GPS unit and guide books to the fauna of the park. Hammocks (with built in mosquito net, rain fly and including a blanket) and leech socks (for the wet season) can be hired for a small fee from the park when you book your tour. You will need to bring all other equipment with you. The list below is a guide only.

• Sturdy shoes / boots and socks
• Flip flops / sandals / light shoes for stream wading and in the village (optional)
• Long trousers
• Shorts
• Bathing wear (sarong for women)
• Long sleeved shirt (for night)
• Light jacket (recommended for cool months in Dec / Jan)
• T-shirt
• Tent / hammock for the forest and village (bring your own or hire)
• Blanket / light sleeping bag (bring your own or hire)
• Sarong / small towel
• Toiletries (basic)
• Personal first aid (basic)
• Puritabs (optional for water purification though boiled water will be provided)
• Flashlight
• Drinking bottle
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Camera / Binocular

Suggested Food Items

Our ranger guide will prepare all meals for you while trekking and will assist you to buy the food and any other necessary provisions. You should budget to include the cost of your own food and also food for your two guides. Basic produce such as rice, seasonal vegetables and fruit are readily available from district towns however the availability of pre-packed and specialty foods will be limited and should be purchased in Banlung or Stung Treng town.

• Rice ( approx. 500gm per person/day = 3 meals)
• Instant noodles
• Vegetables (e.g. beans, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, carrot)
• Tinned fish / dried meat
• Fresh fruit (oranges, pears, apples, bananas etc)
• Peanuts
• Raisins
• Sweets
• Dried fruit
• Tea / 3 in 1 coffee
• Chili
• Garlic
• Salt / pepper

Health and Safety

Trekking in Virachey National Park is a lot safer than crossing the road in Phnom Penh! However, any tour into a wilderness area involves some element of risk and there are practical ways you can manage the risk and enjoy your trip.

The following is a guide only. Your ranger guides and community guides will also assist you when in the forest and can provide further tips, based on local knowledge, on forest safety.

Moto Transportation
When taking a local motorbike (small 100cc road bikes), it is advised to wear a helmet. Ask your driver to provide one for you. Also wear a face scarf and sun glasses to keep out the dust and shoes on your feet. Tell your Moto Dop (motorbike driver) to ride slowly.

Staying Hydrated
While trekking drink plenty of water. You will sweat a lot and there is a chance of dehydration. Watch your companions for the tell tale signs of headache and disorientation. . If you have Puritabs or a similar product take them for purifying river water if boiled water is unavailable.

Walking in the forest
Keep together on the trail and make sure that your group is led and trailed by your guides. Take extra care when traversing or ascending streams – the rocks can be slippery and dangerous. Ask your guide to cut you a bamboo staff for support. Also never touch or try to move any unexploded ordinance (UXO).

Watch out for any crossed sticks and pointers laid beside the path – they usually indicate the presence and direction of a nearby trap or snare or a hazardous natural obstacle such as a wasp nest. Ask the community guide to interpret it for you.

Sleeping in the forest
Give yourself two hours of day light to make camp. When slinging your hammock or setting your tent in the evening make sure that you are well clear of dead or dying trees and branches which may fall in a strong wind.

Mosquitoes and other Things that Bite

The following is general advice only intended to provide you with information you can discuss with your doctor. Always consult a medical professional for the latest advice on tropical infectious diseases and preventative medicines.

Malaria and dengue are the most common mosquito borne diseases in Ratanakiri. However they are both relatively scarce during the dry season - even in the forest. It is also worth noting that Japanese Encephalitis also occurs in the north east of Cambodia although is relatively rare. Vaccinations are available against this disease.

The golden rule is that if you experience any form or combination of fever, headache, aches and pains within (typically) 5-10 days of leaving a Malarial area assume it is Malaria and seek professional medical help immediately.

Before you visit any Malaria area, you should consult your doctor as there are a number of preventive medicines available and your doctor will be able to advise if this is appropriate for you and if so, on the options available.

If you choose to take preventative medicine please be aware that it is very unlikely to be 100% effective and it may still be possible to contract Malaria. Furthermore, medication may also suppress the symptoms of Malaria to the point where it feels like a mild cold. Do not assume that this is the case and visit a medical professional immediately.

If you purchase Malaria medication manufactured in Southeast Asia, be sure to purchase it from a reputable source or seek professional advice beforehand as unscrupulous vendors have been known to sell ineffective copies, especially so in rural areas. Check the internet for the latest information.

The best way to prevent Malaria (and other mosquito borne diseases including dengue fever and Japanese Encephalitis) is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in the first place! Wear light coloured, loose fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs, use repellents and always sleep with a mosquito net.

Leeches are common in the forest during the wet season but are more of an annoyance than a health concern. If you are planning to visit the park in the wet season we will provide you with advice on how to deal with them and can provide leech socks for a small fee. Leach socks should not be needed in the dry season (June-October).

Please also refer to essential information before you embark on your trip.