PHNOM AURAL

🏔️ Phnom Aural — Cambodia’s Roof of the World
Standing tall at 1,813 meters, Phnom Aural is the highest mountain in Cambodia, a towering green sentinel overlooking the Aoral Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s more than just a mountain — it’s a rite of passage for adventurers, nature lovers, and anyone ready to feel wonderfully small.

🥾 A Wild Ascent Through Sacred Forests
The journey to Phnom Aural begins on remote trails, winding rivers, and plenty of mud (especially in the rainy season). But that’s part of the charm. This is real jungle trekking: crossing bamboo bridges, camping under the stars, and hiking for hours through dense, humid forests alive with birdsong and insect calls.

The deeper you go, the more untouched and sacred it feels. Locals consider the mountain spiritually powerful — its name “Aoral” means “crying mountain” in Khmer, believed to echo with natural energy.

🌿 A Biodiversity Sanctuary
Phnom Aural is part of the Cardamom Mountains, home to rare species like pileated gibbons, hornbills, and the elusive clouded leopard. The Aoral Wildlife Sanctuary protects over 2,500 square kilometers of pristine rainforest — one of Southeast Asia’s last great ecological frontiers.

Every step rewards you with towering dipterocarp trees, wild orchids, and colorful butterflies. If you’re lucky, you might hear the melodic whoops of gibbons swinging overhead as the forest opens into misty mountain air.

⛺ Practical Info for the Brave

📍 Access: Best reached from Aoral District, Kampong Speu Province. A local guide is highly recommended.

🚙 Transport: 4x4 or motorbike needed to reach the trailhead (especially in the wet season).

🥾 Trek Duration: 2–3 days round trip, with one night camping in the forest.

🎒 What to Pack: Tent, insect repellent, waterproof shoes, plenty of water, and a sense of wonder.

🌄 Why You’ll Never Forget It