Yak Lom creater lake

A short jaunt out of central Ban Lung brings you to the refreshing waters of Yak Lom crater lake.

Taken on: 18th August, 2009. Copyright: All Rights Reserved - See travelfishery's page of Flickr

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Rattanakiri is situated atop the northeast plateau, bordering Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Stung Treng to the west and Mondulkiri to the south. A scarcely populated province, Rattanakiri shows considerable promise as an eco-tourism destination with plentiful waterfalls, volcanic lakes, a large national park and a number of waterways, all of which can be explored from the provincial capital of Ban Lung.

As with Mondulkiri to the south, loggers (legal and illegal) have well and truly had their way with Rattanakiri and while some areas have been protected to some extent -- notably Yak Lom crater lake and Virachey National Park -- the scars of the over-exploitation of lumber can be seen across the province and while driving across the windy, red clay roads, fields of charred tree stumps are visible.

Most travellers who make the effort to reach here tend to stay at least three nights -- exploring the many waterfalls, minority villages and cemeteries ... Read our complete Ban Lung travel guide

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