By vehicle from Koh Kong (Dong Tong) to Kampong Som
Journey across the east coastal provinces of Koh Kong to Kampong Som, passing through the villages of Phumi Takat, Sre Ambel, Phum Prey Kanchan and Phum Khun Roung. Overnight in Kampong Som.
Overnight in Kampong Som.
The limestone mountains around Kampot and Kep are riddled with CAVE FORMATIONS, many of which are revered as sacred shrines. Explore the various chimneys, passageways and rock formations, and visit the small pagodas and shrines erected over the years.
Note: visits to specific caves may be dependant on the water level inside the caves.
Overnight in Kampot.
By vehicle from Kampot to Phnom Penh with sightseeing at Angkor Borei and Tonle Bati
Drive northeast towards Phnom Penh, stopping on the way to visting
TONLE BATI: a lake south of Phnom Penh with a beach and the impressive laterite temple of Ta Prohm.
TA PROHM: a temple built by King Jayavarman VII (ruled 1181 to 1201) on the site of a 6th century Khmer shrine. A stele found here dates from 1574 and inside the north gate is a statue of the Hindu god Preah Noreay.
ANGKOR BOREI: a 6th century monument built in laterite by King Rudravarman of Funan. His patron deity was Vishnu and many Hindu statues survive from this site. It is one of the few remaining sites with traces of the Kingdom of Funan (a kingdom influenced by India and thought to have spread as far as southern Burma and Indonesia).
PHNOM DA: a hill south of Angkor Borei with four artificial caves, built as shrines, and on top of the hill is a square laterite tower.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Explore PHNOM PENH, a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras; today they teem with life and activity, as motorcycles weave in and out of traffic, vendor hawk their wares, and pedestrians go about their business. Start your tour at WAT PHNOM, the birthplace of the capital; according to legend the city began here when a woman named Penh found four Buddha statues and built the temple to house them. Afterwards, see the splendor of Cambodia's royal heritage by visiting the ROYAL PALACE, still the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoi, the adjacent SILVER PAGODA, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, and the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer art.
In the afternoon, learn about a chapter from Cambodia's more recent, tragic, past at the TUOL SLENG MUSEUM (Museum of Genocide). Formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975, this became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime - at that time known as Security Prison 21, or simply S-21. Kept largely unchanged, this prison now showcases photographs and exhibits about the thousands of victims that passed through these doors - only seven of whom came out alive.
Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh's two great markets, the CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, and the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry and more.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Sightseeing Kratie
The provincial capital of KRATIE is a pleasant, small riverside town on the banks of the Mekong River. Visit the DOLPHIN OBSERVATION PARK located just north of town and enjoy an hour-long boat trip past peaceful rural scenery as you watch out for a rare sighting of one of the 50 endangered Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins that inhabit this strech of the river. On the way back, stop at WAT PHNOM SAMBOK.
Overnight in Kratie.
Excursion to Yeak Loam Lake
Yeak Loam lake is a beautiful crater lake lying in the remains of a volcano that erupted over 4000 years ago. Nearby is a display of local handicrafts and information on local tribal life.
Overnight in Banlung.
From Banlung, travel by 4WD to Ta Veang and visit many of the different minority villages in the area. Groups include the Jarai, Tumpoun, Krueng, Kra Chok and Kavet.
Overnight in Banlung.
Travel by 4WD to Veun Sai, a Toumpoun village with a particularly impressive cemetary. After exploring the village, continue by local ferry boat across the river to a nearby Lao and Chinese village. Time permitting, visit a Kreung village as well before returning to Banlung.
Overnight in Banlung.
From Banlung, travel by 4WD to the village of Andoung Meas and embark on a boat to Phoum Dal or another Jarai village. The Jarai are an ethnic minority who dwell in traditional stilt houses. Their beliefs are polytheistic and they follow elabroate funerary customs, carving fascinating funerary totems out of wood. After exploring the village, enjoy a picnic lunch on the riverbanks and return to Banlung by boat and 4WD.
Overnight in Banlung.
Travel southwards via Chhlong, stopping to visit RUBBER and PEPPER PLANTATIONS enroute. Time permitting, visit PRASAT PREY NOKOR or PRASAT KNONG PRASAT KRAEAW (this visit depends on road conditions at the time of travel).
Overnight in Kampong Cham.
SAMBOR PREI KUK: also known as Isanapure, it is an ancient Chenla capital dating from the 6th century and the reign of King Isanavarman. It is believed to be the most impressive group of pre-9th century monuments in Cambodia.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Visit Angkor Wat
The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main building, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stonecarvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.
Visit Ta Prohm
TA PROHM: one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.
Visit Banteay Srei Temple
Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, BANTEAY SREI is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite with visitors.
Visit Banteay Samre
BANTEAY SAMRE is a mid-12th century temple dedicated to the god Vishnu.
Visit Pre Rup at sunset
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Visit Angkor Thom
The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public cermonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.
Excursion to the Tonle Sap Lake with boat trip
TONLE SAP (Great Lake). Located in the heart of Cambodia, this extraordinary lake swells up to seven times its original size during the monsoon season. Its ecosystem is one of the richest and most diverse in the region. This boat trip will explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms.Sightseeing in Siem Reap
Visit the Chantiers Ecoles (Artisans d'Angkor)
LES CHANTIERS ECOLES: vocational centre trains 650 apprentices a year including 160 in fine arts and crafts trades united in the "Artisan d'Angkor production network. Guided tours through the different workshops like stone sculpture, woodcarving, polychromie, and watch the artisan at work.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
