This 2 week tour of Cambodia will push back the tourist boundaries with visits to an array of fantastic and rarely visited sites such as the sacred mountain of Phnom Kulen, the stunning Beng Melea Temple, the pre-Angkor ruined cities of Sambor Prei Kok and Koh Ker, the French colonial architecture of Battambang Town, atmospheric Bokor National Park with it’s ghost-town French hill station and the scenic coastal towns of Kep and Kampot.
Primarily aimed at previous visitors to the kingdom, this trip is also easily adapted to accommodate first time travellers to Cambodia looking for something ‘a bit different’.
Itinerary;
Day 1 Departure from London.
Day 2 Morning arrival in Phnom Penh, via Bangkok and check-in to a small, comfortable, downtown hotel close to the historic riverbank quarter. Time to relax and a leisurely afternoon walk taking in the Central Market, Wat Phnom and the old French district.
Day 3 You’ve probably eaten Amok at the previous night’s welcome dinner - now learn how to cook it! A hands on Khmer cookery class, including a guided tour of the market to buy your ingredients before ending the day with a sunset boat cruise.
Day 4 Departure overland, via the famous ‘spider village’ of Skuon (tasting not compulsory), and the 7th century ruins of Sambor Prei Kok, former capital of the Chenla civilization.– a little known, but attractive site in a forest setting. Lunch by the Tonle Sap Lake before continuing on to Siem Reap.
Day 5 Day at Angkor: for first time visitors a tour of some of the main sites such as Angkor Wat and Bayon can be arranged, otherwise we propose a day’s hiking along the ancient city ramparts and amongst the jungle of Angkor Tom.
Day 6 Trek along Phnom Kulen Plateau. Lying some 30 miles north of the main Angkor temples, Kulen was the site of the first Angkorian capital and is considered sacred to the Khmer people. We’ll begin our hike at the foot of the mountain with an ascent by the ancient ‘Pilgrim’s Way’ path. Continuing through tall forest via the Kulen waterfalls and famous River of a Thousand Lingas, we’ll make our way to Preah Kral Monastery, the plateau’s highest point and our overnight camping site.
Day 7 Continue by scenic road along the foot of Kulen Mountain and through extensive forests to the remote 10th century ruins of Koh Ker. Over 100 temples are rumoured to exist in the area, many now lost in the jungle, and we’ll explore some of the main sites such as the Temple of the 5 Towers and the spectacular pyramid of Prasart Tom. Returning south we’ll visit the superb Angkor Wat period Beng Melea – until recently off limits due to appalling roads and uncleared mines – but for the few who have visited, certainly one of the most memorable temple sites.
Day 8 At leisure in Siem Reap – relax by the pool; check-out the markets or a visit to the unusual landmines museum?
Day 9 Departure across the Tonle Sap Lake by boat. Our scenic route will take us past the floating village of Prek Toal and surrounding bird sanctuary before continuing down the picturesque Sangker River past traditional fishing villages to the town of Battambang. Afternoon stroll around the old French centre of town and sundowners in one of the riverbank cafes.
Day 10 Morning departure for the fascinating river port town of Kompong Chnang. Tour of the bustling town and markets on foot and by boat – since half the town is actually floating on the Tonle Sap River! In the afternoon we’ll continue via the hilltop pagodas of Udong – former capital of Cambodia - before continuing south to Phnom Penh.
Day 11 Morning departure for the scenic coastal town of Kep sur Mer. Afternoon boat trip to visit the nearby Ko Tonsay - or ‘Rabbit Island’ – swim or relax on the unspoilt beach.
Day 12 Day tour to nearby Bokor National Park. Spectacular views over the Gulf of Thailand from this mountain top setting - site of a former French Hill station built in the 1920s and now an eerie ghost town complete with abandoned casino and set amidst lush vegetation. Return to Kep by way of the bustling fishing port of Kampot.
Day 13 Morning at leisure in Kep – relax by the pool or hone your photographic skills on the fishing boats or abandoned French villas, and an afternoon return drive to Phnom Penh.
Day 14 Morning departure for London, via Bangkok, with an evening arrival in London.
Note: extensions in Bangkok before, or after your tour, or a variety of beach and island stays are available.
Highlights:
Trekking on Phnom Kulen, overnight stay in a temple, ruined city of Koh Ker, Beng Melea, Battambang, Kompong Chnang, Cambodian river trip, Kampot, Kep, Bokor National Park, Khmer cookery class
Fitness: easy to moderate – hikes can be adjusted to any level.
Accomm: hotel, camping in temple
Transport: minibus, flight, boat, 4WD.
Meals: full board except for lunch on days 8 & 14 and dinner on day 8.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Full board except for lunch on days 8 & 14 and dinner on day 8.
This tour is offered with or without a return from London. Persons not taking up the flight option should join the tour in Phnom Penh on day 2 of the itinerary and finish in Phnom penh on day 14.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Cambodia
Cultural Journey
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