Cambodia in Depth
Embark on an immersive journey through Cambodia’s rich cultural and natural tapestry with our meticulously crafted tour. From the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap to the picturesque landscapes of Battambang and the coastal charms of Kep and Kampot, this itinerary offers a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation. Dive deep into local life, savoring authentic cuisine and engaging with communities, while also delving into the wilderness of Botum Sakor National Park at the Cardamom Tented Camp, making memories to last a lifetime.
Specification: Cambodia in Depth
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Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Siem Reap
Upon arrival in Siem Reap, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon visit Kampong Pluk Floating village, an isolated community of three villages built on stilts. These scenic villages are flooded for around half the year (Aug/Sept – Feb), enabling row boat journeys that provide income for the local community. You will take the small boat through the flooded mangrove forests; this unique ecosystem survives on wet soil for half the year, fostering a variety of wildlife. Return by boat and vehicle to Siem Reap and the balance of the day is at leisure.
Day 2: Siem Reap
In the morning you start your Angkor tour to the royal pool of Srah Srang and afterwards continue to the famous jungle temple Ta Prohm (11km). Take your time to walk through the temple from the West entrance to the East entrance to meet again with your driver (walk ca. 1.5 km). From the Northwest of Ta Prohm you walk (ca. 15 minutes) through the forest to the barely visited temple of Ta Nei. There is a reasonable chance of having this beautiful Angkor temple to yourself to explore. Afterwards you visit the Ta Keo temple, known as the “mountain with bronze peaks”, to admire its five-tiered pyramid structure. Continue to the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom. You have the choice of either walking along the path along the 8m high laterite city wall (500m) to the Death Gate or continuing by road. En route to the Terrace of the Leper King, you can stop briefly to see an imposing statue found in the Bayon which is now displayed at Vihear Prampeilveng. Begin at the atmospheric Preah Palilay and walk (ca. 500 m) through the shaded parkland behind the terraces, pass Phimeanakas with its beautiful lakes, and the impressing Baphuon to finally reach Jayavarman’s state temple of Bayon at the centre of the city. Explore this important temple with its many captivating giant stone faces. Your guide will point out the most interesting of the detailed bas reliefs illustrating everyday life in the Angkorian era. Enjoy sunset drinks with a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and view hidden elements of the ancient Khmer water systems, while relaxing with a cool drink accompanied by the sound of birds.
Day 3: Siem Reap
Don’t forget to set your alarm, as today you start at pre-dawn to witness the breath-taking view of the sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat temple. Continue to explore the central complex and bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat (AD 1113), and the rest of the temple in the early morning. Continue to visit the Preah Khan temple and the Neak Pean temple on the Grand Circuit. Dine with the local in the afternon Ms. Vannarith and her family live in a small Khmer house, surrounded by trees in Siem Reap. It is part of the Angkor forest and on the way to the famous temples (no Angkor ticket needed). The family also has a small chicken farm in the back yard as well as a beautiful garden. While the husband is working as a tuk tuk driver (who also can pick you up at your hotel), Vannarith takes care of the house, her two daughters and the food. She is an excellent cook with passion and lots of knowledge about local herbs and spices. Here you can enjoy to eat with locals and chat about her life. And she makes the best fish balls in town.
Day 4: Siem Reap
After breakfast enjoy an excursion to Kulen Mountain. Kulen Mountain is known for its carvings representing fertility and its waters, which hold special significance to Hindus. Just 5 cm under the water’s surface there are over 1000 small carvings etched into the sandstone riverbed. After lunch travel to the picturesque Banteay Srei temple, a small pink sandstone temple with the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings (ca. 37km outside Siem Reap). On your way back to town, at stop the temple of Banteay Samre, built in a similar style to Angkor Wat. Take a walk along the old causeway and be welcomed by the stone lions and Naga balustrades, as the temple looms above.
Day 5: Siem Reap to Battambang
In the morning overland transfer to Battambang.“Bamboo Train”, a simple construction with bamboo sticks as a base – a unique experience! In past years, it was possible to drive across Cambodia with the bamboo train. For several years now, this experience is only possible on an 8km stretch in Battambang, where the government can close this last little piece at any time. At the end of the day, visit the Phnom Sampeou, a natural rock formation consisting of a series of caves, a former stronghold of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the caves were used as “killing caves”. Victims’ skeletons are still kept here in a memorial stupa. You can stay until sunset and see the unique formation of hundreds of thousands of bats coming out from the cave at the side of the hill.
Day 6: Battambang to Phnom Penh
The Battambang province is known for its rice fields, orchards and the rural landscape. You visit different villages and see how local rice paper, Prahoc (a traditional fish paste), Grolan (sticky rice in bamboo) and other Khmer specialties are produced. On today’s tour you will get to know (and taste) some of these specialties. In Battambang the French left probably their most beautiful colonial architecture in Cambodia. You discover this picturesque city, the second largest city in the country, with its small temples and market places and enjoy a city tour the quiet provincial town atmosphere with Cambodian flair. Then visit Wat Ek Phnom, a modern pagoda, which sits next to an 11th century Angkorian ruin built as Hindu temples under Suryavarm I. The river road leading to Ek Phnom from Battambang passes through the beautiful countryside. Visit Wat Somrong Knong, a memorial site for victims during Khmer Rouge regime. In the afternoon transfer to Phnom Penh without guide.
Day 7: Phnom Penh
Full day city tour in Phnom Penh. After breakfast your city explorations begin with a visit to the National Museum and see some of the wonderful antiquities from the Khmer civilization. This will be followed by trips to the remarkable Silver Pagoda, as well as a tour of the Royal Palace. In the afternoon enjoy Khmer Architecture Tours (3 hours) Discover Phnom Penh’s rich architectural heritage by exploring landmarks designed by Vann Molyvann, Cambodia’s most prominent architect. After independence in 1953, a far-reaching cultural and social vision for Cambodia was reflected in the new architecture of the time; uniquely this focused on integrating an international modern style with local tradition, materials and climate. Discover the iconic works of ‘New Khmer Architecture’ heralded throughout Southeast Asia in the 1960s. The tour visits Molyvann’s 100 Houses (social housing program), the University Campus of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, and the National Sports Complex (Olympic Stadium). The tour is by tuk tuk with small waking distances in-between. The specialist guides are all Cambodian architects or students of architecture; all tours are conducted in English.
Day 8: Phnom Penh to Kep
In the morning transfer to Kep, along the way visit Takeo Province. Visit the Tonlé Bati Lake lined with bamboo shacks built over the water and a popular spot amongst the locals. Close to the lake are the Ta Prohm temple ruins. Surrounded by jungle, this Angkorian style temple is left in the same condition in which it was found, with trees growing out of the ruins. Next is a visit to Phnom Chiso temple. Perched high on a mountain, this beautiful temple offers panoramic views of Takeo’s rice terraces stretching for miles. Also see the ruins of the Neang Khmao Temple made of sandstone and brick in the style of Koh Ker thought to have been built in the 10th century for the worship of Brahmanism. Arrive in Kep, a sleepy little town on the coast of Cambodia. Visit a unique Crab market which is perched directly on the ocean (on the edge of the Gulf of Thailand) teaming with fresh live crab, which you can buy, and some vendors will cook straight away for you! Check in your hotel.
Day 9: Kep to Kampot
Before heading to Kampot, we will take a short hike up on Kep National Park. This 8km circuit, winds through thick forest passing by wats and viewpoints eventually leading into the park’s interior. The ‘Stairway to Heaven’ trail is particularly worthwhile, leading up the hill to a pagoda, a nunnery and the Sunset Rock viewpoint. Continue overland to Kampot, along the way stopping by to visit the Kampong Trach Cave where you will find pagodas and caves. Do not forget to bring a flashlight and always a pair of good walking shoes. On your way you will see various small mountain wells at the foot of the mountain which are worshipped by not only the local Cambodians but also the Chinese and the Vietnamese One of the wells is about 30 meters in diameter and contains different colored soil. Afterwards visit a pepper plantation and if time permits visit a Salt farm.
Day 10: Kampot to Cardamom Tented Camp
Adventure to a remote area Botum Sakor National Park, to the Cardamom Tented Camp in Koh Kong. You will stay 03 days / 02 Nights in a comfortable Safari Tent at the Cardamom Tented Camp. The camp’s team offers various programs: you will learn about the Wildlife Alliance’s operations and join a patrol with Wildlife Alliance Rangers trekking through dense jungle along abandoned poaching and logging trails. Visit the Rangers Station where the confiscated equipment of poachers – including traps and improvised hunting rifles – is on display. You’ll be stunned by the diversity of flora and fauna in the park. Keep your eyes peeled for macaque, gibbon, hornbill and other rare wildlife. Guests can also kayak down the Preak Tachan River, or take one of the self-guided hikes along our carefully selected trails. The itinerary is as follows: Disembark from Trapeang Rung Resort Pier at 14.00 on a 1-hour boat ride down the Preak Tachan River to Cardamom Tented Camp; On arrival you will get a brief introduction on the conservation and protection work of Wildlife Alliance; Settle into your comfortable safari-style tent; Go on an exploratory hike in the jungle around the camp; Relax at the riverside restaurant as the sun sets over Botum Sakor; Dinner and overnight stay at Cardamom Tented Camp.
Day 11: Cardamom Tented Camp
After an early breakfast, meet the Wildlife Alliance Rangers together with an English speaking guide and embark on a patrol over a network of abandoned poaching and logging trails through the dense forest. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, like macaques, gibbons or hornbills. Stop by the ranger station, where confiscated snares, traps and improvised hunting rifles are on display. After enjoying lunch at the station, kayak or hike back to the camp. Dinner and overnight at Cardamom Tented Camp.
Day 12: Cardamom Tented Camp to Phnom Penh and then Departure
Breakfast at the campsite, and enjoy a swim in the river or Kayaking. At around 10.00, board the boat back to Trapeang Rung. Afterward overland transfer to Phnom Penh without guide.
What´s included
- All described sightseeing as in program above
- Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodation in hotels with daily breakfast
- English-speaking local guides
- Admission fees to indicated sights
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Domestic government tax and service charge
Excluded
- International air tickets
- Flights & visa fees
- Travel Insurance in all kinds
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Compulsory Meals
- Drinks during Meals
- Tips, drinks, any personal expenses
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Peak Season Surcharge (Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year etc)
Additional Information
All prices exclude airfares (unless specified), visa fees, travel insurance and any additional personal expenses.
Prices are per person sharing a double room. Single and triple rooms rates are available upon request.
Dates, itineraries and prices are indicative and subject to change based on the season.
Hotels mentioned in the itinerary may change due to availability, but will always be of equivalent or higher category.
Some countries charge additional destination taxes per person or per night that can only be paid directly at the location.
All displayed tour maps are originated from Google Maps and are only indicative. They are not representative of the exact travel routes of the itinerary.
For more details please visit our booking conditions page.
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