In summer 2018, our hearts and souls were longing for some quality time in nature, so my family and I leapt at the chance to travel to the remote northeast of Cambodia with the Vireak Buntham minivan. One of the highlights of our stay in Ratanakiri province was our visit to Yeak Laom Lake, an oasis set amidst the beautiful landscape of ancient mountainous forests, and a home to the local indigenous people.
Yeak Laom Lake is a crater formed after a volcanic eruption over 4,000 years ago. It has a diameter of about 800 meters. The Tampuan ethnic minority has a strong connection with this alluring lake as it is the source of their community’s strength, spirituality, culture and livelihood. We learned that the Tampuan community has been in charge of maintaining and managing the lake since 1998, including forest patrols, waste management, tourist services, etc.
We hired a 4×4 off-road vehicle from the hotel. The lake is only 5 km away from the capital town of Banlung, but getting there from our hotel took longer due to difficult road conditions in the rainy season, which runs from June to October. The ride out there was enjoyable despite the muddy, bumpy roads; we waved to happy kids as we passed by far-flung villages and farmlands.
As soon as we got out of the 4×4, we were drawn towards the entrance by the magnificent 100-meter-tall tree that stood strong and proud, as well as the brave Tampuan statue that guards the gate and serves as a symbol of the local community and Tampuan culture. After we purchased our $2 USD entry ticket, we looked around us and saw that we were surrounded by a verdant jungle, colorful birds were soaring overhead, and gorgeous butterflies were fluttering by. Then we headed to the lake, descended a set of stairs, and stood on a platform, where a fresh, cool breeze cheered us on.
After a short while, we opted to walk further, and when we got to the fourth platform, nobody was there. We had the charming lake all to ourselves. We stayed and sat there and took in the breathtaking scenery while unwinding in this genuinely beautiful place.
When the sun shone on the lake, it resembled a massive ring of gems! It shimmered brilliantly and had an emerald-azure color. Furthermore, the tranquil atmosphere and still waters created an exhilarating and euphoric ambiance.
The lake’s deep clean water is ideal for a refreshing swim. Even though we did not swim, we saw some people who couldn’t resist taking a dive to experience the warmth of the water. Rather, we strolled around the lake on a well-defined hiking trail. It took us a little over an hour, with several stops along the way to admire the lake, snap some photos, observe spiders, and enjoy watching countless beautiful butterflies and birds.
Moreover, we had the opportunity to visit a handicraft site, buy some items as souvenirs from the ethnic group, and interact with the community, learning about their way of life.
The Yeak Laom Lake is a true gem of Ratanakiri — stunning nature and a wonderful cultural immersion! We were definitely enchanted by the Yeak Laom Lake spell! What a blissful nature escape it had been!
Little Lilly Meets the World 