What Awaits You
This isn't a resort experience. It's real conservation — real forests, real communities, real challenges.
Guided Forest Treks
Multi-day hiking expeditions through primary and secondary forest. Traverse ridgelines, cross rivers, and discover biodiversity hotspots with experienced local guides.
Cultural Exchange
Your guides are former illegal loggers who now protect the forest. Walking alongside them plants seeds of understanding — about conservation, value, and perspective.
Real Conservation
Hike through active deforestation zones. See chainsaws and timber along the trail. The problems aren't abstract — they're visceral, right there in one of Southeast Asia's most critical ecosystems.
Camping & Immersion
Sleep in the forest. Eat with the community. Experience the rhythms of rural Cambodia — and understand why these forests matter to the people who live beside them.
Guides Who Know the Forest Best
GSO actively employs local guides from communities surrounding the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary — as hiking guides, porters, and support staff. Many of these men formerly made their living from forest extraction — which means they know the forest better than anyone.
That knowledge — of plants, seeds, terrain, water sources — makes them extraordinary guides. And the interaction between them and the visitors they lead through the forest plants seeds of a different kind.
What the Hikers See
Villagers remark that hikers won't even leave a gum wrapper behind. They carry small pieces of trash back in their bags and pockets. The reverence visitors show for the ecosystem leaves lasting impressions on the people who live beside it.
Hikers get to see first-hand active deforestation — real life, as it happens — driving the point home even more aptly. Hiking through the forest and stumbling upon a chainsaw and planks along the trail is a stark reminder that the problems are still very real.
There is no abstraction. The destruction is right there, in the middle of a beautiful hike through one of Southeast Asia's most important wildlife sanctuaries. It makes the argument for conservation visceral — not theoretical.
Leave No Trace
Every trek follows sustainable ecotourism practices — Leave No Trace principles that protect the forest while deepening understanding. Awareness is the first step toward resolution.
Expanding the Model
In 2026, GSO plans to expand eco-tourism offerings to local tour operators in Phnom Penh and Battambang — bringing the story of Phnom Samkos to a wider audience and increasing foot traffic to the sanctuary. More visitors means more eyes on the forest. More eyes means less crime.
The Eco-Tourism Loop
Hire Local Guides
Former loggers become paid guides
Cultural Exchange
Visitors show reverence for the forest
Perspective Shift
Guides see the forest through new eyes
Forest Protection
Livelihoods as alternative to extraction
Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary
The Forest
Primary and secondary forest, ridgelines, rivers, and biodiversity — one of Southeast Asia's most critical ecosystems.
Plan Your Visit
Everything you need to know before you go.
Location
Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, Pursat Province, Cambodia. Approximately 4-5 hours from Phnom Penh by road.
Best Season
November to April (dry season). Trails are more accessible and conditions are ideal for multi-day treks. Rainy season treks available for experienced hikers.
Group Sizes
Small groups of 2-8 people. Custom itineraries available for larger groups, research teams, and educational programs.
What to Bring
Sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, headlamp, water bottle, sun protection. All camping equipment and food provided by GSO.
Book a Trek
Ready to experience Phnom Samkos? Contact us for pricing, availability, and custom itineraries.
Contact Information
info@gsocambodia.org
Telegram
+855 967758311
Location
Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, Veal Veng, Pursat Province, Cambodia
Send a Message
Every Trek Supports Conservation
Your participation funds local guides, supports forest protection, and creates alternatives to logging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary?
Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Cardamom Mountains of Pursat Province, Cambodia. GSO and its partner communities monitor approximately 3,600 hectares of tropical rainforest within the sanctuary, which is home to endangered species including Asian elephants, sun bears, and pangolins.
How do I book a trek?
Contact GSO via email at info@gsocambodia.org or via Telegram at +855 967758311. Treks can be arranged year-round, though the dry season (November to April) offers the best conditions.
What should I bring?
Sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, insect repellent, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and a headlamp. GSO provides all camping equipment, meals, and local guides.
Are the guides local?
Yes. All guides are from the communities surrounding the sanctuary. Many were formerly involved in forest extraction activities and have been trained as forest guardians through GSO's alternative livelihood program.
Is it safe?
GSO has operated eco-tourism treks safely since 2009. Our guides are trained in first aid and wilderness navigation. The sanctuary area is secure.