Kampot has a waterfall most people never find. Veal Pouch Waterfall, often called Butterfly Waterfall, is reached the slow way: a tuk-tuk ride plus an hour of jungle trekking for quiet swimming pools.
I especially like the way the hike pushes upstream and lets you discover multiple pools along the way. I also like the relaxed waterfall break: guided time, photo stops, picnic, and fruit snacks (plus real help from guides like Phalla when conditions get tricky).
The main catch is the trail can be slippery and a bit bumpy, so skipping water shoes is asking for sore feet.
In This Review
- Key things you’ll notice on this trek
- Veal Pouch, aka Butterfly Waterfall: why this place feels secret
- The 4-hour rhythm: tuk-tuk out, jungle trek in, swimming break, back again
- Trekking upstream: viewpoints, slippery stones, and where water shoes pay off
- The waterfall stop: picnic, photos, and swimming in cool pools
- English guide support: what Phalla-style guidance adds to the day
- Price and what $33 covers in real terms
- What to bring (and what not to wear) for a smoother hike
- Who should go—and who should skip this trek
- Practical tips to make the jungle section feel easier
- Should you book this Veal Pouch Waterfall trek?
- FAQ
- How long is the Veal Pouch (Butterfly) Waterfall tour?
- Where does the pickup happen?
- Is pickup included in the price?
- What’s the group size?
- Is the guide available in English?
- What does the $33 price include?
- What should I bring?
- Are jeans allowed?
- Who is the tour not suitable for?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key things you’ll notice on this trek
- Veal Pouch Waterfall (Butterfly Waterfall) is in Tvi Khang Cheung village, about 9 km from Durian Roundabout
- Almost 1 hour trekking through jungle to reach the pools, then about 1 more hour back
- Swimming isn’t just at the waterfall; you may find different pools during the hike upstream
- A full 1-hour stop for photos, picnic, sightseeing, free time, and a guided portion at the falls
- Small group of up to 8 with a live English-speaking guide
- Water shoes really matter on the small, bumpy, wet sections
Veal Pouch, aka Butterfly Waterfall: why this place feels secret
Veal Pouch Waterfall sits in Tvi Khang Cheung village in Kampot Province, around 9 km from Durian Roundabout. It’s popular with people who want nature without big crowds, and the access route is part of the reason it still feels quiet.
On this tour, you’re not just walking to one spot and leaving. The hike goes along the stream and the scenery shifts as you move, so the experience builds step by step rather than feeling like one long “wait until we get there” moment.
And yes, it’s known as a standout waterfall around Kampot. More importantly, it’s also described as peaceful—exactly what you want when your goal is swimming, relaxing, and a bit of “switch off” time.
The 4-hour rhythm: tuk-tuk out, jungle trek in, swimming break, back again
This runs about 4 hours total, with a simple flow that makes it easier to plan your day.
- Pickup in Kampot town (usually from the meeting point opposite Epic Art Cafe, or picked up from your hotel/restaurant)
- Tuk-tuk ride ~30 minutes
- On foot ~1 hour trekking to reach the waterfall area
- At the falls ~1 hour: break time, guided tour, photos, picnic, sightseeing, free time, and swimming
- On foot ~1 hour back
- Tuk-tuk ~30 minutes to return to Krong Kampot
That 1-hour swim-and-relax block is the real payoff. It gives you time to cool off properly, take photos without rushing, and settle into the calm instead of treating the waterfall like a quick photo booth.
Trekking upstream: viewpoints, slippery stones, and where water shoes pay off
The core of the tour is the hike upstream through the jungle. Plan for almost 1 hour going in, and about 1 hour coming back. The path is described as small and bumpy, and if it’s been wet, it can be slippery.
I like this style of hiking because it makes the walk feel like part of the attraction. You’re moving through changing pools and viewpoints rather than trudging through a single straight corridor to a single end-point.
What helps most is footwear with grip. Bring water shoes if you have them. If conditions are slick, guides like Phalla can offer hands-on support for safer stepping across rocks, and some people even go barefoot when needed, but I’d still treat water shoes as the smarter default.
The waterfall stop: picnic, photos, and swimming in cool pools
Once you reach Veal Pouch Waterfall, you get a full 1-hour break. This isn’t just time to stand around. It typically includes a guided portion, photo stop(s), and picnic time, plus free time to enjoy the setting.
Swimming is a major part of why you sign up. The cool water feels like a reward after the jungle trek, and the calmer pools along the upstream route can mean you might get more than one place to refresh yourself. People also describe swimming in the pools as a highlight because it turns the day from “hike” into “hike plus real time outside.”
You also get local snacks (fruit) during the stop. It’s a small thing, but it matters. After 2 hours of walking total (in and out later), having fruit ready instead of relying on buying snacks elsewhere is good value and less hassle.
English guide support: what Phalla-style guidance adds to the day
This is a guided tour with live English interpretation. A small group of up to 8 participants means you’re less likely to get separated or feel like you’re chasing a crowd.
From the experience stories, guides like Phalla tend to be hands-on in the moments that matter most: helping you get safely over rough or wet sections and making the hike feel smoother. There are also practical touches, like showing up on time and offering help when you want photos during the trek.
One nice detail I’d plan around: a guide may message you the day before to confirm timing. That’s not just “friendly”—it reduces uncertainty, especially when you’re heading out early-ish and the roads to reach the trail can be a bit tricky.
Price and what $33 covers in real terms
At $33 per person for about 4 hours, this can be strong value in Kampot when you count what’s included.
Included items:
- Entrance fee
- Water
- Drink
- Snacks (fruits)
- Tour guide
Also built in:
- Pickup is typically included if you’re in the Kampot town area (and there may be extra charge if pickup is farther than 3 km from the options point)
What you’re paying for isn’t just access to a waterfall. You’re paying for the practical service that makes the place reachable: tuk-tuk transport, a guide to navigate the path, and that long waterfall block with time to swim and relax.
If you tried to do this on your own, you’d likely spend money anyway on transport, and you’d still need confidence on the trail conditions. Here, you get that guidance baked into the price.
What to bring (and what not to wear) for a smoother hike
The tour is built around swimming and a jungle walk, so pack with that in mind.
Bring:
- Swimwear
- Camera
- Water shoes
Not allowed:
- Jeans
- Bikes
- Baby carriages
- Firework
- Making fire
I’m glad jeans are out of the equation. They get heavy when wet and can slow you down on uneven footing. If you’re planning to swim, wearing the right clothes from the start also keeps the day from turning into a “dry off and scramble” situation.
Who should go—and who should skip this trek
This hike is not for everyone. The tour is not suitable for:
- Children under 10
- Pregnant women
- Wheelchair users
- People over 220 lbs (100 kg)
- People over 80 years
- People with high blood pressure
That list is important because the trail includes bumpy sections and can be slippery. Even with a guide’s help, you’ll still be walking on uneven ground for about 2 hours total.
If you’re in the right physical range and you like nature walks with a swimming payoff, this can be a great day out. If any of the listed conditions apply, you’ll likely have a better time choosing something flatter or less physically demanding in Kampot.
Practical tips to make the jungle section feel easier
If you want the hike to feel fun instead of stressful, keep these practical points in mind.
First, wear water shoes and keep your pace steady. The tour path can be slippery, and speed tends to make slipping worse.
Second, accept that the walk is part of the experience. You’re moving through jungle terrain toward pools and viewpoints, so take short pauses for photos or to regroup.
Third, plan your expectations for swimming time. You get a set 1-hour break at the waterfall area, so once you reach the pools, you can cool off without rushing, then settle into the picnic and sightseeing portion.
And if you’re someone who likes having lots of photos, a guide like Phalla may help with taking pictures while you’re hiking. It’s one less thing to worry about while you’re busy enjoying the scenery.
Should you book this Veal Pouch Waterfall trek?
I’d book it if you want a quieter Kampot nature experience with an actual reason to get wet: swimming pools after a real jungle trek. The combination of upstream walking, a guided waterfall stop, and included water plus fruit snacks makes it feel like a complete outing rather than a quick stop.
I’d skip it if you’re not comfortable with uneven footing or you fall into the tour’s “not suitable” categories. Also skip it if you refuse to wear proper footwear; the trail can be slippery, and the tour’s comfort depends heavily on safe footing.
If you’re aiming for a small-group day that blends trekking, swimming, and calm time outdoors, this one fits the bill nicely.
FAQ
How long is the Veal Pouch (Butterfly) Waterfall tour?
The tour lasts about 4 hours in total.
Where does the pickup happen?
Pickup is normally from the meeting point opposite Epic Art Cafe. You can also request pickup and drop-off directly from your hotel or restaurant locations in Kampot town.
Is pickup included in the price?
Pickup is included in the Kampot town area, but there may be an extra charge if pickup is farther than 3 km from the options point.
What’s the group size?
The group is limited to a small size of up to 8 participants.
Is the guide available in English?
Yes. The live tour guide provides English.
What does the $33 price include?
It includes the entrance fee, water, a drink, fruit snacks, and the tour guide.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear, a camera, and water shoes.
Are jeans allowed?
No, jeans are not allowed.
Who is the tour not suitable for?
It’s not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people over 220 lbs (100 kg), people over 80 years old, and people with high blood pressure.
What’s the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
