Day 1: Arrival – Phnom Penh
Arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred to your hotel for check in. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap.
Many of the tourist areas and sights are in the old central city near the river where you may notice classic old French buildings in classic colonial yellow amongst the Southeast Asian shophouses and traditional Khmer pagodas and markets.
Afternoon, start your cyclo tour with Wat Phnom temple, the founding place of the city on a small hilltop, is tied to the beginnings of Phnom Penh.The large stupa contains the remains of King Ponhea Yat (1405-1467) who moved the Khmer capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh the early 15th century. Then continue to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in the same compound where you can see a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal etc. called Wat Preah Keo and a pagoda with over 5000 silver tiles cover its floors.
Your next stop is the National Museum, located just north of the Royal Palace, a housed in a graceful terracotta structure of traditional design (built from 1917 to 1920), with an inviting courtyard garden. The museum is home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture: a millennium’s worth and more of masterful Khmer design.
Late afternoon, enjoy an atmospheric sunset river cruise with soft drink and watch the great views of colonial building over the Mekong River.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Meals: no
Day 10: Steung Treng - Preah Vihea
Today, you will sightseeing to the Mekong Blue, Stung Treng Women's Development Centre, part of an NGO developed to increase life skills which assist in breaking the cycle of poverty for vulnerable women in the Stung Treng region as producing one of the finest silk products in Cambodia. They are 100% hand-woven and have even won two UNESCO awards. Most importantly they keep alive a 100 year old tradition of silk-weaving. Afterward, leaving Steung Treng to Preah Vihea Province, a bit out of town, you will stop by to visit nearby temple ruins in Thala Barivat, one set of which dates back to the pre-Angkorian Chenla period. Continue to Sra Em Village of Preah Vihea Province, which about 80 km from Preah Vihea town. Take about 2-3 Hrs drive, arrive and Check in hotel in Trapaeng Prasat. Relax and rest with pool side of boutique.
Overnight in Sa Em.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Preah Vihea - Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel, afterward, travel to visit Preah Vihear Temple. Reaching the foot of Preah Vihear, it is necessary to transfer into the back of a pickup truck (operated by the local community) for the climb up the spectacularly steep mountain road. Finally reaching the temple, the journey is rewarded with fabulous views over Cambodia’s and Thailand’s fertile plains. The sanctuary is perched on the edge of the cliffs with amazing views over the seemingly endless Cambodian jungle to the south. The temple is not yet restored but has spectacular carvings and lintels which are almost as splendid as those at Banteay Srei. The spectacular location paired with a unique temple design are the reason UNESCO enlisted Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site. Down the mountain return to hotel for check out, and then travel to Siem Reap after refreshment.
With 3-4 hrs drive, on the way, you can see the beautiful of landscape and paddy rice field, vegetable farm in rural countryside. You will visit Koh Keh Temple Group which you should not miss as on the way passby. Koh Keh is a whole temple town, the second largest of the ancient Khmer civilization. Due to its remote location, Koh Ker can still be called a "lost city in the jungle". It remains to be an off the beaten track destination, though it's indeed one of the most amazing excavation sites you can imagine.
The royal temple proper, called Prasat Thom, is located to the north-west of Koh Ker's large central reservoir Rahal Baray. The main temple of Koh Ker is arranged along a prestigious procession way on a east-west axis (not exactly), leading to the step pyramid called Prasat Prang. The whole complex consists of two rectangular enclosures, joined end to end, and surrounded by a laterite wall.
Arrive Siem Reap and check in at hotel. Rest of the day.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Siem Reap
After breakfast, experience your tour to ancient city of Angkor Thom complex, which is the last capital of Great Khmer Empire during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Photo opportunities in front of Ancient South Gate Angkor Thom, before entry the city which you will impressive with stone gate carved with four faces tower of Avalokiteshvara, with the gods or demons statues holding the naga snake along on both side of entrance. After that, continue to Bayon Temple in the center of the city temple. Its 54 Gothic towers are decorated with 216 gargantuan smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, and it is adorned with 1.2km of extraordinary bas-reliefs incorporating more than 11,000 figures located in the heart of Angkor Thom, is the 12th century. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper king as bas-reliefs are available to visit.
After that, continue to the temples of Ta Prohm, The famous temple as “Tree in Temple” photograph opportunity, built in the mid of 12th to early of 13th centuries. a unique temple which is overgrown by jungle trees and vines. Continue to Banteay Kdei, Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”.
Afternoon, visit to a famous temple of Angkor Wat, was built during the reign of king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed as earthly representation of Mt Meru, surrounded by a vast moat, Angkor Wat was dedicated to Hindu gods. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. After that, continue to enjoy the scenery from top view of Bakheng Mountain during sunset time. Return to your hotel.
Day 13: Siem Reap
Today, Option for early Sunrise over Angkor Wat temple. Watch the sun rise over the Angkor Temple to reveal the natural beauty of this area. Back to hotel for your breakfast.
Then travel to the pretty temple of Banteay Srei, “Citadel of the Women” remains the best preserved as constructed of pink sandstone temple in Cambodia. You will see some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs.
On the way back, you will have the chance to stop at local communities along the way, see and taste the local products such as palm sugar and to learn about the way to do it.
Afternoon, you will explore grand circuit of temple complex such as Temple of Ta som, Temple of Neak Pean etc. Start your tour with Ta Som temple, Fantastic little monastic-complex, like a miniature Ta Prohm. Very photogenic our-face towers with trees, built since 12th century. A huge tree grows from the top of the eastern gopura. It is destroying the gate but it is a photo classic. Continue with Temple of Neak Pean, a small island temple located in the middle of the last baray to be constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area. The central temple sits at the axis of a cross or lotus pattern of eight pools. Neak Pean took its modern appellation, which means ‘coiled serpents,’ from the encoiled nagas that encircled the temple. Neak Pean is most photogenic in the wet season when the pools are full. Back to hotel for rest of the day.
This evening, free at own leisure with hotel facilities or discover a small city of Siem Reap to see the local lifestyle and colorful of markets by evening time. Perhaps hit the markets for some delicious street food or walking a long night market.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Siem Reap - Departure
After breakfast, excursion to Kampong Phluck floating villages for boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake, where you will have the opportunity to learn about daily life of local people on the lake. You will see houses on the high stills that built within the floodplain about 16 km southeast of Siem Reap. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to a variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques. On the way, you will passed by the floating houses. Experience with ox-cart riding throughout the local villages, rice field, vegetable field, may sometime you can interact with children out from school back to their home. Sunset may can visit over the rice field.
(Note: Due to the boat trip is only possible from June to March. However an alternative floating village at Chong Kneas or Mechrey can be arranged instead).
Afternoon, free time at own leisure or if time permit, then you can visitto visit Artisans d’Angkor, the Arts and craft school which established in 1992 in order to support Cambodian young poor people, and to help young people find work in their local villages by continuing the practice of traditional arts. You can find wood and stone carvings, and silk paintings are available here.
Transfer to airport for departure flight.
Day 2: Phnom Penh
After breakfast, This morning, you will start tour to visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, former school that was taken and convert to be prison by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture center named ‘S-21’. After that, you also are going to visit The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, the extermination camp of all peoples that were transported from “S-21”.
Afternoon, spend your time to explore the colorful markets of Phnom Penh, The Central Market is one of landmark where you can find clothes, souvenirs, jewellery. Also visit the Russian Market, the best place in the city for wood and stone carvings, jewellery, clothes and Cambodian silk souvenirs.
Late evening, Enjoy with watching to traditional dance performance by Cambodian Living Arts, one of Cambodia's most famous arts. Featuring more than Apsara dances, offering the chance to discover the diversity of Cambodian culture.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham
Today, you will be transferred to Kampong Cham by overland in private transport and escort tour guide. A stop break in the town of Skuon to see their most famous speciality being sold such deep-fried of insects, snake, especially spiders as favourite snack of many Cambodians. The spiders are caught in the soft ground of the surrounding countryside. Skuon well know as spiders market called by traveler who visited Cambodia now. Continue trip to Kampong Cham, "Port of the Chams" is located on the central lowlands of the Mekong River. Kampong Cham was an important trading post during the French period, the legacy of which is evident as you wander through the streets of crumbling yet classic buildings. Before reach to the City of Kampong Cham, then on the way, you should not miss on visiting to Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei hill temple. Two hills face one another in a near stand-off, each topped with their own pagodas: The rather lovely, grand and ornate pagodas on top of Phnom Pros (Men’s Hill), and a rather shabbier cluster on top of Phnom Srei (Women’s Hill). But Phnom Srei is higher, which may have prompted the pagoda version of compensatory overachievement on the other side of the gulf between them.
then we stop by to visit Wat Nokhor Temple with a relatively modern pagoda Nokor Bachay Pagoda buried within the walls of an Angkorian temple dating back to the era of Jayavarman VII. Transfer to hotel and check in.
Rest of the day at your own leisure or relax with riverfront view over Mekong River during sunset where you can see the standing of The French watchtower Just on the far side of Kizuna Bridge, and north a little, a proud remnant of the French period looks over the Mekong. Was built in the 1900s, presumably to guard the rubber plantations against bandits sneaking up from the river, and renovated in 2005.
Overnight in Kampong Cham.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Kampong Cham – MondulKiri
Have breakfast at hotel. This morning, drive up to the north of Kampong Cham just over 22 kilometres, at the side of a picturesque road that skirts the Mekong River, you’ll find Prasat Han Chey on top of a hill on the far side of an iron bridge. It is, perhaps, one of the more kitsch pagoda grounds we’ve come across. Once at the top, you find a rather large monastery intertwined with several pagodas, an extensive statue garden and 1,500-year-old Angkorian ruins.
After that, back to visit another top highlight of Kampong Cham, The bamboo bridge, It is the longest bamboo bridge in the world, and is rebuilt every year once the rainy season passes and the Mekong subsides to reveal the sandy banks below. Almost a kilometre long and made entirely of blonde bamboo poles, the bridge remains until it is submerged and washed away again every year.
Afternoon, Departure to Sen Monorom, City of Mondul Kiri Province, with scenery and a climate quite unlike anywhere else in the country.On the way, where you will see the biggest rubber plantation along the road with scenery of rubber paddy. Mondulkiri is a largest province in Cambodia, a vast expanse famed for thick forests, thunderous waterfalls, hills that wave up and down towards misty, faraway horizons and a real chance to immerse you in nature. Arrive and check in at hotel.
Overnight in Sen Monorom.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri)
Have breakfast at local restaurant. Early morning, visit the local market where many of the Phnong people from the nearby villages are coming to trade with their distinctive baskets they carry on their back. Take full day visit to the nearby hill tribe’s villages and the pretty waterfalls just a few kilometers away from the sleepy capital. There are hundreds of minority villages around Sen Monorom. One of the largest and easiest to access being Phlung village inhabited by Phnong chunchiets, the curious huts have woven wooden walls and thatched roofs almost to the floor.
Overnight in Sen Monorom.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri)
Have breakfast at local restaurant. Drive with pick up to Bou Sra waterfall about 40 km northeast from Sen Monorom. The dramatic three-stage falls create a natural and relatively safe swimming pool, which is popular with both locals and visitors alike during the warmer months. Beautiful nature photography is a possibility here, as is just hanging out and enjoying lunch in a relatively pristine and quiet piece of natural Cambodia. This double drop waterfall is one of the largest and most impressive in Cambodia (During Summer Season the falls were reduced to not much more than a trickle).
In afternoon, Back to Sen Monorom town, you’ll spot coffee and pepper plantations along the way. Stop at hill topped by the Samot Choeur pagoda, from where you'll see the so-called "sea forest", more hills as far as the eye can see carpeted with green. Good for the soul.
Overnight in Sen Monorom.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Sen Monorom - Rattanakiri
After breakfast, then departure to Banlung, capital of Rattanakiri, nicknamed “The Red City”, offer traveler a great photo opportunities for nature, park, waterfall, minority villages. Arrive and transfer to check in. In the afternoon, drive to discover the surrounding waterfalls and the volcanic lake of Yeak Laom, a picturesque place surrounded by pristine rainforest. Enjoy swimming at refreshing water and sunset view or walking around the lake and visit the small show room of hand made by minorities’ peoples.
Overnight in Banlung.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Banlung
Have breakfast at the lodge. In the morning depart to northwest of town and cross bamboo forests before reaching the village of Voeune Sai located on the left bank of the Se San river. Enjoy the stunning view of the Chinese village on the other side of the river. This place could be regarded as Chinese enclave in Cambodian territory as most of the villagers who are there since the thirties don't even speak Khmer. Upstream of the Se San are a certain number of Tampoun villages that practice funeral statuary. If weather conditions permit, take a scenic boat trip to the village of Ka Choan and visit its superb totems.
Overnight in Banlung.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Ratanakiri - Steung Treng
After breakfast, explore Ban Lung fresh market before travel to Steung Treng, a land of gateway to mighty Mekong falls, Ramsa Wetlands, flooded forests, situated on the banks of the river. Arrive and check in at hotel. Afterward, you travel to the village of Ou Svay and then catch a local boat close to the famous thundering Sopheak Mitt Waterfall in the Mekong River on the Cambodia-Laos border, which crashes over limestone crags and boulders in a wonderful example of nature’s raw force. Enjoy with a beautiful countryside, small jungle village along the Mekong River. Return to Steung Trang for the night, you might see view of beautiful sunset over the river on Chinese-Cambodian Friendship Sekong Bridge.
Overnight in Steung Treng.
Meals: Breakfast