Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival in Siem Reap a travel-to-nature Asia guide/representative will be at the airport to greet and take us to our hotel. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.
We will be spending our next three nights here. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire.

Accommodation: Suorkear Boutique & Spa

After our leisurely breakfast, our local guide will pick us to visit the famous Angkor Temples by local ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai tuk tuk). Start at the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces.
From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.
Now we are ready for one of the highlights of South East Asia: Visit the magnificent Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, it is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia’s national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Accommodation: Suorkear Boutique & Spa
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, head out to the beautiful Cambodian countryside, as we will drive to the quiet Beng Mealea, around 65 km from Siem Reap. Feel like an explorer when we discover the completely overgrown temple. Undiscovered for centuries, Beng Mealea has only recently been made accessible and remains unrestored. It is one of the very few temples that actually give the opportunity to climb through it.
After our adventurous exploration, enjoy a delicious packed lunch at a local house close to the temple site.
In the afternoon, embark on an interesting boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake, where we will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Tonlé Sap is South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake with its size varying greatly depending on the season, as it is swelling to about four times its size during the wet season. Board a local boat and visit Kampong Phluck, a village where we will see houses on stilts that are submerged when Tonlé Sap Lake extends.
On the way, you will pass floating houses and impressive flooded forests, portraying life on the water
NOTE: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from June to March. However an alternative floating village at Chong Kneas can be arranged instead. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Accommodation: Suorkear Boutique & Spa
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast we head to the town of Battambang (pronounced Battambong). Cambodia’s second-largest city, Battambang, is centred around an attractive riverside hub with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved colonial architecture. There are also some striking examples of Art Deco architecture; Central market, the Victory swimming pool and the train station to name a few.
En-route we stop at the local market at Pouk. Cambodian markets tend to be fragrant affairs – on offer here is Cambodian ‘cheese’; one of the strongest smelling cheeses around – perhaps because it is made entirely of fish! The local market is nonetheless a great insight into the daily life of the Cambodian people. We will also make a brief stop at the Angkor Silk Farm for a introduction into the life of a silkworm and the production process of this fine textile.

Accommodation: Classy Hotel & Spa
Meal: Breakfast

Today we cycle through countryside to explore Cambodia’s rural way of life. Stopping at villages to see local cottage industries, traditional scarf weaving and traditional farming, there will be countless opportunities to interact with the villagers who may be surprised to see us travelling as they do, on a bicycle! We’ll reward our morning’s efforts with fruit and a refreshing coconut. The cycle is easy riding on flat terrain with lots of stops along the way. If you would like to opt out of the cycling and hop on a tuk-tuk instead please let the leader know at the beginning of the trip so alternative arrangements can be made.

Accommodation: Classy Hotel & Spa
Meal: Breakfast

Our destination today is Phnom Penh. En route to we have the chance to stop at a pottery village, a silversmith village and a marble handicraft workshop for an insight into local handcrafts and industry.

Phnom Penh was once considered as one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains a colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap. Wide tree-lined boulevards and many colonial-era buildings reflect the glorious days and add to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way.

This afternoon we will be greeted by a driver who will take us on a tour to the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh in a Cyclo, an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a fun way to explore this lively city. First, visit Wat Phnom, which is situated near the northern boundary of the city. The site contains some good examples of Khmer architecture and statues.

Continue along the lively riverfront to the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple you will view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.

Then visit the National Museum, which was built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world’s foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artefacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom’s cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony! Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Accommodation: The Plantation Urban Resort
Meal: Breakfast

This morning, gain insight into Cambodia’s recent dark history on a visit to the remarkable Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in the former school that was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture center named ‘S-21’. Further visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. A grim, but important visit that will allow us to dig below the surface and understand Cambodia better.

After learning about some of Cambodia’s tragic past it is time to put a smile back on your face and experience modern Khmer life. Return to central Phnom Penh for lunch at Le Lotus Blanc, a training restaurant for the humanitarian organization Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (for the smile of a child) that provides education and job training to street children that used to be scavenging the municipal dump, and give them skills and hope for a brighter future. Your visit helps support the training of these kids by being their guest. (Note: Lotus Blanc closes on Sundays and public holidays)

Enjoy an atmospheric sunset river cruise and watch how Phnom Penh’s popular riverfront comes to life in the early evening. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Accommodation: The Plantation Urban Resort
Meal: Breakfast

Leaving Phnom Penh we travel into rural Cambodia to Kampot which sits on a picturesque river. On the way we stop at Phnom Chisor mountain temple set on a hill with a magnificent view. The temple was built in the 11th century by King Suryavarman I. It is made of laterite, bricks and carved sandstone. Upon arrival we check into our centrally located hotel, our base for the next two nights, before boarding a local boat for sunset trip on the Kampot River. The river runs through the centre of the town and can flow in both directions as it is closely connected to the sea.

Accommodation: The Columns Hotel
Meal: Breakfast

Today we venture out into the countryside to discover the highlights of the Kampot Province including local salt fields, rice fields, fruit and pepper plantations, and the Phnom Chhnork caves. Kampot is also famed for being one of the largest producers of the durian fruit; the durian, once opened, has a smell so pungent it is illegal to take indoors in some South East Asian countries!

After exploring the countryside we visit Kep “ghost town” – previously a popular seaside resort Kep now houses old resort buildings which have bullet holes from the Khmer Rouge period, a reminder of the not so distant past. Kep is once again regaining popularity with local tourists and you might like to join them in having lunch in the simple crab shacks that line the beach. Serving up the freshest seafood around the crab in Kampot pepper sauce is not to be missed!

Accommodation: The Columns Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we drive approx. 2.5-3 hours from Kampot to Sihanoukville, before taking a speed boat ferry transfer (approx. 45 min to 1 hour) across to beautiful Koh Rong Island, our home for the next 2 nights.

Upon arrival you will have free time to relax, refresh with a swim in the beach, or sip cocktails as the sun sets.

Accommodation: Sok San Resort
Meal: breakfast

Our resort is located on one of the island’s most mesmerising and secluded white sandy beaches. Today you will have free time to relax on the beach and enjoy the crystal-clear ocean waters, try your hand at various optional activities on offer such as snorkelling, kayaking, and other water sports or just soak up the exotic tropical surroundings. Your leader will be able to advise during the trip of all options available to make the most of your free day.

Accommodation: Sok San Resort or similar
Meal: breakfast

This morning we transfer back to the mainland by speed boat (45 min. to 1 hour) and drive on to Phnom Penh (approx. transfer time 5-6 hours) with a stop for lunch.

Located on the banks of the Tonle Sap and the Mekong River, Phnom Penh is home to 2.2 million of Cambodia’s residents. Despite being the capital, it still retains a laid-back, typically Cambodian feel where the pace is slower than some might expect.

We set out on a sunset cyclo again(bicycle rickshaw) lap of the town giving us a unique view of this bustling city and providing us with an easy orientation. Stopping to see some of the local street food being served on the waterfront, here we have the chance to try some local specialities. We continue on to finish at a restaurant serving tasty Khmer cuisine. There are also many waterfront bars worth a visit; the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) overlooking the Tonle Sap River is recommended.

Accommodation: The Plantation Urban Resort
Meal: breakfast

The tour ends this morning in Siem Reap after breakfast. We transfer you to the airport for oyur onward journey back home or elsewhere.

Meals included: breakfast