Aural Mountain Trek: Cambodia Tallest Peak Challenge

We climbed the Aural Mountain with Mon as our tour guide. He was nice and very lively. The cook was amazing. Best food we've had so far. The climb was hard, because the trail was not well maintained but definitely worth it. Views from the campsite was great. Lots of birds so recommended for birdwatchers. Had a good time with the locals while up there too.

Mon made the 3 day trip to Phnom Aoral so great. I would’ve missed so many unique birds and other animals if he had not pointed them out. While the hike was challenging, seeing all the wildlife and landscape made it so worth it. I went during the week, so there were no crowds and it was especially peaceful. The weather was pleasant, and the food prepared by our chef Ka was also great.

We did the 3 day, 2 night Mt Aural Challenge with Thong and would highly recommend it. We slept both nights at Camp 2 which is quite comfortable with toilets and tanks of water available for washing up. The hike itself was challenging at times and I truly felt like we were hiking through the jungle (the path was not wide open but we needed to use our hands to push through). For anyone with hiking experience it is very doable and I would recommend the 2 night 3 day option to avoid the treacherous and long downhill climb that the one night option would require. Thong provided the tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and all food and water - even some very good red wine. No joke that the food on this hike was some of my favorite during our 10 days in Cambodia. Thong organized the transfers from Phnom Penh and everything was planned like clockwork. We were very impressed. He is also a birding expert for the mountain and an accomplished birding photographer so if you are at all interested in birds he is also your guy.

This is not for the unfit, the faint hearted, those 'keen on comfort' . We ( 2couples,all in mid/late60s) have just returned from the 3 day trek, plus 1 night at home stay and we were blown away by the care showed by Thon, Mon and the team. You really are in the middle of nowhere , immersed in the jungle. The climb up the mountain was tough going, and we walk regularly. It's harder when carrying clothes and sleeping bag! The camping is basic, but there's plenty of cold water, and the toilets clean at camp. Food good, and we even had red wine with dinner Hearing the sound of gibbons all around with magical even though we sadly did not see any Lots of birds to watch as well If you are up for a true challenge, this is something to do! Highly recommended?

My fiance and myself had a great time hiking through the rainforest on this 3-day adventure through the rainforest to the top of Mount Aural. This trip will give you the opportunity to see a different side of Cambodia. Thong proved himself to be an excellent guide, with a wealth of knowledge. He was also very friendly and approachable - nothing was too much trouble. His efforts helped to make our experience so wonderful.

Pick up & drop off from our accommodation in Phnom Penh was easy and Tina immediately made us feel welcome, and we stopped for a proper breakfast on the way due to the early start. Once off the highway the road gets very rural very quickly, but anyone that's travelled in Cambodia for any length of time will be used to it. The hand tractor we took to the start of the trail is a different animal though - extremely bumpy, but an entertaining experience nonetheless. Our guides carted up all the tenting, bedding, cooking equipment, and food, which was a welcome surprise! They set up the camping area at the camp for us and did all the cooking, water boiling etc for the entire trip. We just had to climb, eat, stay hydrated, and enjoy our time up the mountain. Breakfast, lunch, & dinner was cooked & provided or given to us in containers to be transported for each day's hiking, and on return to the hand tractor change point on day 3 we got a sit down lunch at the restaurant there. The food whilst up the mountain covers off everything you'll need nutritionally to keep you going for the entire trip. Western tourists note that the company provides one tent per two people. For the shorter in stature that will be cosy but fine, for us - both standing above 6ft, this was interesting! If you are on the taller side I would recommend trying to secure a tent to yourself, and if doing this, offer to carry that tent up yourself (your guides have enough to carry already before adding an extra tent in there). We did choose to do this trek in the peak of the wet season. We got very lucky with the weather in that we had a dry day 1, some heavy showers on day 2, and then a wet descent on day 3. If doing it in the wet season, be prepared for rain - a lot of it - and to be doing some or a lot of trekking in the wet. Throughout our entire trip Tina & "pack man" were exceedingly jovial & helpful, and I would recommend both them & this trek to absolutely everyone that enjoys seeing nature in an active way. Tina openly conversed with us about his & Cambodian life in general, and we were genuinely impressed with his conversational English. The hike itself was amazing challenging, you get to visit some truly diverse & wild parts of nature, and you will feel a great sense of accomplishment afterwards. When I eventually make it back to SEA I will definitely be doing this again, hopefully with the same team, of guides as well. It is important to note here is that *this is genuinely challenging*. It is NOT like the hikes that us New Zealander's are used to back home, where a "challenging" track with a 3hr estimate can be done in jandals and in half that time. I am 30, my father an extremely fit man in his early 60s, and we both had many moments where we were gasping for breath on the side of the track. If you are genuinely active & fit then you will be fine & love this trip, but should you have any health conditions or limitations then those need to be given appropriate consideration.

Not for the feint hearted as it was tough going, but what an experience from start to finish. Challenging trek up to base camp 1 and 2 in hot and humid conditions. Lots of critters to contend with, and you sleep in tents. Our driver looked after us on the way from Phnom Penh to the mountian. Pete and the local guide took great care of us for the 3 days. We met a monk at both base camps and some lovely dogs. The views were amazing and not many people get to stand up there. The driver looked after our excess bags so we could just take our smaller rucksacks, and then he drove us all the way to Siem Reap afterwards. I will never forget this trek in Cambodia

This was one of the best trips I've ever been on. It's hard work, lots of challenging trekking, but worth the effort. The whole experience was great, the local Khmer guides both looked after me and made sure I was always OK for food and drink. We also met "the man on the mountain" who lives at camp 1 and was a generous and kind host, feeding us his locally grown fruit. The peak has a great view and the airplane crash site was interesting. Be prepared mentally for this trip, it is not one to do on a whim for the casual tourist. You will need good physical fitness and strength, and know that this is jungle terrain so there are leeches and some rough stretches to get through. If you are OK with that, you will have a great time and speaking from my experience, memories for life.

Trekking and Cycling around Cambodia. Just came back from a 3-days trek to the highest mountain in Cambodia. Had an amazing time. recommended!

Thong, our big smile guide with local helpers, gave us an unforgettable experience hiking through the Cardamom jungle to its higest peak Mt Aural. In every situation Thong was there for all the help, and made this climb even more interesting. Thanks to my Cambodian friend, and I recommend Thong and Vana Adventure Travel Agency to everyone.