Witness the grandeur of ancient Angkor Wat, see the enigmatic faces of the Bayon, confront the tragedy of the recent past and delight in the hopes for the future on this classic Cambodian adventure.
Route: Siem Riep – Bird sanctuary – Phnom Penh – Kratie – Banlung – Kompung Cham – Phnom Penh – Tonle Bati – Takeo – Phnom Da – Kampot – Kep – Sihanoukvill.
Day 1: Siem Reap arrival (D)
Day 2: Siem Reap (B/L/D)
Day 3: Siem Reap – Bird sanctuary – Phnom Penh (B/L)
Day 4: Phnom Penh (B/L)
Day 5: Phnom Penh- Kratie (B)
Day 6: Kratie – Banlung (Rattanakiri) (B)
Day 7: Banlung (Rattanakiri) (B)
Day 8: Banlung (Rattanakiri) (B)
Day 9 : Banlung – Kompung Cham (B)
Day 10: Kompung Cham – Phnom Penh (B)
Day 11: Phnom Penh – Tonle Bati – Takeo – Phnom Da – Kampot – Kep (B/L)
Day 12: Kep to Sihanoukvill (B/L)
Day 13: Sihanoukvill (B/L)
Day 14: Shinanoukvill (B)
Day 15: Shinoukvill – Phnom Penh (B)
Inclusions:
Exclusions:
Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel check in. Afternoon, visiting the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the i mpression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
The sightseeing tour of Angkor area we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with colums, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.
This morning, you will depart by boat to Battambang Province, the major rice grange in Cambodia. Since you wil l start this early morning trip at 6AM, you will enjoy sunrise and sounds of awakened animals. This is the tour by boat from Siem Reap with visit of floating fishermen’s villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia. Whole day you will dedicate to flora and fauna, an observation of birds in the Bird Sanctuary, the largest ornithological reserve of South East Asia. Picnic or lunch in local restaurant is provided. Return to Siem Reap. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Phnom Penh.
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, you will visit Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Toulsleng prison (also know as S21) and the killi ng field of Choueng Ek, where is about 15km away from the town. You will also visit Russian Market. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Travel by car from Phnom Penh to Kratie. Kratie, a little town at the edge of Mekong. To go from Phnom Penh, the best wa y is by boat and to leave for a journey from 5 to 6 hours among which a big part on the Mekong river, to arrive in this town at the edge of the river. Very beautiful landscapes crossed during the journey. Kratie is famous for its Dolphins Irrawaddy, whose about sixty specimens there is. The road which follows the river is lined with traditional Khmers houses rather old , and to walk is there very pleasant. Overnight a hotel in Kratie. Oudom Sambath Hotel (the best available hotel)
Leave this morning by car from Kratie and proceed to Banlung. Banlung City is the provincial capital o f Ratanakiri Province in Cambodia’s mountainous northeastern corner. Heavily jungled and home to 12 different ‘Khmer Loeu’ ethnic minority groups, Ratanakiri province has a real edge-of-the-world feel to it. Afternoon, we will explore the nearby Boueng Yeak Laom lake and Cha Ong Waterfalls.
Today, proceed to visit the local market at Bar Keo and continue on for sightseeing around Banlung taking a trip to Andoung Meas (Golden wells) district, continue by boat to Taing Se commune along Sre San river. Visit Charay hill tribe, gem mines and digging wells at Bar Kaev and on the way back, visit rubber and coffee plantations. Overnight at hotel in Banlung.
This morning, you will be taken for an excursion to Vuen Sai. Visit Ceal Rumplan (stone field) enroute and continue to Veun Sai district. Take a boat trip on Sre San river and stop at Kachoun village for a close look at the village life. Also visit Tumpoun village, Ou’lalay, Kavet, a minority Chinese village. At Banphang village, get the cotton yarn wish tied and get water spray from elders of the village, visit Norng Kabat forest, turn back to Banlung.
Breakfast at the hotel. The same morning, you will be transferred to Kompung Cham following the same route to Phnom Penh. Before approaching Kompung Cham provincial capital, you will stop over and visit Rubber plantation on the way, then continue to the town. Overnight in Kompung Cham. Leapvireaksa Hotel (the best available hotel)
Breakfast at hotel. The same morning you will visit Wat Norkor followed by Phnom Prous and Phnom Srei on the way to back to Phnom Penh. Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh.
Depart from Phnom Penh for Kampot. En route, stop at Tonle Bati and visit Ta Prohm temple (12-13 centuries) and Yeay Peau temple (12th century). Visit the Prasat Neang Khmao, the temple of the Black Virgin (10th century) and visit a silk weaving village before proceeding to Takeo. Lunch at local restaurant. Take a boat from Takeo to Phnom Da (please note that the speedboat does not have a cover or any shade – hat and sun tan cream essential).
Visit Phnom Da temple (the climb up is easy as this particular Phnom ‘hill’ is not very high. The path up to the temple is steep, over some big rocks), a pre-Angkorian laterite tower (6th century) and Asram Maharoseil (6th century), an Indian-style sandstone temple constructed in a style unlike any other temple in Cambodia. Return to Takeo by boat and continue to Kampot and check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Kep.
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, take the boat trip to Kor Tonsai (rabbit Island). The beach is typical tropical island settings. Long and lined with coconut palms. The sand isn’t as white as other beaches but the water is crystal clear and the jungle covered mountains provide a nice back drop to the coconut palms. Return to Kep by afternoon, then continue to drive to Sihanoukvill. Overnight at hotel in Sihanoukvill.
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we will spend our fully day by taking again the boat trip to the closest island is Koh Pos (Snake Island), 800m off Victory beach. The beaches on Koh Pos are pretty average. The nearest island with reasonably good beaches and snorkeling is Koh Kaong Kang (Koh Tas), located about 45 minutes to 1 hour away. Return to Sihanoukvill and overnight.
Free and relax at the beach. Overnight at hotel in Sihanoukvill.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Phnom Penh for the flight departure.