14-Day Adventure Cambodia

Day 1: Angkor Wat sunrise – Jungle temple & Small Group Temples (7h approximately)

Today we will meet and greet you in the hotel lobby at 4:45am and head straight to purchase the Angkor pass.

Angkor Wat at Sunrise, 7th Wonder of the World, the biggest religious monument in the world – Ta Prohm, Jungle temple in the filming of the Lara Croft Movie, Tomb Raider – Giant Pyramid of Takeo, one of the highest temples in the Angkor area – Take a short jungle trek to Ta Nei, a temple hidden in the forest, which has been left in its original state and is partly overgrown with trees – Then we continue to Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon, Victory Gate of Angkor Thom.

Overnight staying in Siem Reap

Day 2: The Great City of Angkor Thom – Grand Circuit Temples & Sunset (8h approximately)

Angkor Thom complex: South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Phimeanakas, Baphoun, Terrace of the Elephants and therefore the Terrace of the Leper King – Neak Pean, the entwined serpents or Island temple – Preah Khan, Royal Sword or holy city of victory – Krol Ko is a small Buddhist temple – Ta Som is Buddhist temple, a captivating and charming temple – East Mebon is a mountain temple which was built in the middle of the 10th century – Pre Rup translates into English as “turn the body” and it’s believed that funerals took place here – Sunset over Phnom Bakheng hilltop temple.

Overnight staying in Siem Reap

Day 3: Banteay Srei Temple – Roluos Group – Floating Village (7h approximately)

Banteay Srei temple, the citadel of the women with finest art gallery of Angkor – Discover one of the earliest capitals of Khmer “Roluos Group” with three temples as Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei – Explore Typical Khmer village Kampong Phluk, see an incredible such a different way of life lives in the biggest freshwater lake Tonle sap in Southeast Asia and it is the real example of the living life of Cambodian fish men who live in the middle of nowhere during the monsoon. On the trip gain a fascinating insight into local life as you explore the stilted houses, living style and cruise around the flooded mangrove forest, that’s amazing things about this village and it is definitely one of the aspects of Cambodia trip.

Overnight staying in Siem Reap

 Day 4: Siem Reap to Preah Vihear temple, Sra Aem Village (8h approximately)

You will be picked you up from your hotel after your breakfast and drive about 65 km northeast of Siem Reap town to Beng Melea to explore the lost temple of Beng Mealea, the titanic of temples, a sleeping giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia. It is the most accessible of Angkor’s lost temples, a mirror image of Angkor Wat, but completely consumed by nature’s voracious appetite. Built in1113-1150, the forest has gone wild here and it’s hard to get a sense of the monument’s shape amid the intimidating ruins.

The journey will also give you the soft view of the nature and farming agriculture lands, and along the way there are lots of chance to see different ways of living life between the city people and remote area people.

We then continue through the bush to the remote capital of Angkor, Koh Ker. This trip can be a great cultural experience as Koh Ker is the proud owner of some ancient temples in Cambodia, Prasat Pram is covered in strangler figs, and other temples in the group. Koh Ker built in the 10th century by Jayavarman IV, was the Capital of the Khmer Empire for a very brief period from the year 928 to 944. We visit Prasat Thom, a seven-storey step pyramid which offers stunning views of the surrounding forest. There are many more temples in the area, including Prasat Pram, the fantastic temple with trees growing on it, the five towers of Prasat Ling, each enclosing a giant linga or fertility symbol, the largest and best found in situ in Cambodia.

Overnight staying in Sra Aem Village near Preah Vihear temple

Day 5: Preah Vihear temple to Kratie (9h approximately)

We will meet after your breakfast and travel towards the magnificent mountain temple of Preah Vihear, straddling the border with Thailand to see Cambodia’s most spectacular mountain temple. It was built in the 11th century during the Khmer Empire. The winding road up the mountain is very steep in places and eventually we come to the second enclosure of this king of mountain temples. We take a local pickup truck and then explore the temple on foot and continue to the final level, clinging to a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, towering hundreds of meters above the Cambodian lowlands below. The views from these most mountainous temple mountains are breathtaking, with the foundation stones of the temple stretching to the edge of the cliff as it plunges precipitously into the plains of the province of Preah Vihear below.

After visit the temple, we travel pass through Preah Vihear, a big northern province of Cambodia. The province itself is named after the temple of Prasat Preah Vihear, what is definitely the hotspot of this province. Before arriving our destination, we go pass through another northeast province of Cambodia, Stung Treng. It is a Cambodia’s international border with Laos.

Overnight staying in Kratie

Day 6: Kratie Lifestyle – Dolphin Watching/Kayaking (7h approximately)

Today, we learn about local lifestyles of the Kratie as well as their local productions and witness the one of the most endangered wildlife that habitat upriver at Kampi. We walk through the central Market of Kratie where you will see the local trades and see some of the old colonial building which remains from the French colony. Visit Wat Rokakandal which has a very unique wooden carving about 300 years of age. Afterward, we learn about local productions including a mushroom farm.

Get back to town for lunch break and rest from the hit at your hotel for 1-2 hours. We travel north by road 27km along the river to Sandan village where we will our paddling tour downstream through sand islands and the flooded forest and enjoying the unique perspective of seeing the freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins from your kayak. After enjoying an hour or more of dolphin viewing, we travel back to Kratie.

Overnight staying in Kratie

Day 7: Kratie to Phnom Penh Capital (9h approximately)

We hit the road to the bustling provincial city of Kampong Cham on the eastern side along the Mekong passing through rural villages, farms, fishing spots, pagodas, and beautiful sceneries. There is a lot of chance to photograph. We arrive in Kampong Cham and spend some time to visit French colonial buildings in the city. During the dry season (January-May), we can visit the bamboo bridge built across the mighty Mekong River connecting the mainland to Koh Pen Island, it is the last crossing of the World’s Longest Bamboo Bridge. After a small lunch break, we continue our trip to Phnom Penh.

On the way, it is 75 km before Phnom Penh, there is the option to take a break at Skuon, affectionately known as Spiderville Cambodia, the popular place for Cambodian and foreign travellers where it is possible to taste the local delicacy of tarantula fried and other fried insects. We make a short stop to explore this market in Spider Town, you can also try various seasonal local fruits from the region and islands in the Mekong River. However, if you don’t want to taste spider, cricket, scorpion, grasshopper or other insects, this is also a good place to take pictures.

Overnight staying in Phnom Penh

Day 8: Phnom Penh – Rayal Palace & Silver Pagoda – Market – Toul Sleng (8h approximately)

We start our tour and visit some of Phnom Penh’s important sights, landmarks and attractions.

– Wat Phnom, it is the unique hillock in the city, is crowned by an active Buddhist Wat and marks the legendary founding place of Phnom Penh.

– Visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, it is the official residence of the King of Cambodia and it’s where you can see some very beautiful wall paintings.

– Central Market, built during the French Colonial rule.

– Russian Market, a noteworthy street market in Phnom Penh. This is the interesting market in town, stalls selling wooden handicrafts, antiquities, miniature Buddhas, fruits and veggies, jewellery, etc.

– Tuol Sleng genocidal museum, called S-21 prison of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Overnight staying in Phnom Penh

Day 9: Phnom Penh to Kampot/Kep – Killing Fields (8h approximately)

We leave Phnom Penh and travel south -to visit Choeung Ek Memorial, the biggest killing fields in Cambodia during the time of Khmer Rouge 1975-1979. Then continue on National Highway 2 towards the south of Cambodia. We stop at Tonle Bati to visit the magnificent 12th century temple of Ta Prohm. This temple built by King Jayavarman VII, it is surrounded by blooming flowers and is a peaceful sanctuary. We then travel to the hilltop temple of Phnom Chisor, an ancient Khmer temple located south of the capital of Cambodia. Phnom Chisor is a 133 m high mountain, was built in the 11th century in laterite and brick with sandstone lintels carved by the king of the Khmer Empire Suryavarman I.

We travel to Kampot, a charming riverside town in the shadow of Bokor Mountain or to the former French-era resort town of Kep.

Overnight staying in Kampot or Kep

Day 10: Kampot Kep Full-Day Tour (8h approximately)

After breakfast at your hotel, our day starts with a tour of the countryside, tasting locally-grown, seasonal produce depending on the season, durian or rambutan, plus lychee, pineapples, mangos. Visit the Kampot Pepper plantation which is grown in Cambodia for centuries. Kampot’s pepper is considered among the world’s finest by chiefs. We then visit a 7th-century brick temple in the cave of Phnom Chhnork, the only cave temple in Cambodia, is a real must-see. Built in the Funan style, this complex hidden in a cave has a history of more than 1,300 years.

We continue to the lively Kep Crab markets, where crabs are kept fresh in pots that float in the Gulf of Thailand’s warm waters. You can walk along the Kep beach and explore the old oceanfront buildings. Kep was once Cambodia’s most popular and prestigious beach town, but the Khmer Rouge destroyed many of Kep’s mansions and villas. The ghostly remains now stand as a silent reminder. On the way back, visit stop at Kampot salt field (December-April), the only salt field in Cambodia.

Overnight staying in Kampot or Kep

Day 11: Travel to Sihanoukville Koh Rong Island – Bokor National Park (8h approximately)

This morning, after breakfast we will head towards Bokor Hill station. This site is located on a plateau more than 1,000 meters above sea level, filled with steaming jungle, some wildlife and abandoned buildings such as church, casino. The site’s specific climate, often shrouded in fog and clouds, completes the mysterious atmosphere.

We then travel to Sihanoukville passing some very picturesque fishing villages which make for good photo opportunities. I will drop you off at the speedboat ferry to Koh Rong island. Enjoy your day at leisure on the island.

Overnight staying in Koh Rong Island

Day 12: Koh Rong Island Relaxed

Enjoy the white paradise beach of Koh Rong island, voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Koh Rong is a fantastic destination to visit and relax with clean, warm sea and white sand on all beaches. There is plenty to do such as swimming, snorkelling, walking, trips with the fishermen. Enjoy your free day on the island.

Overnight staying in Koh Rong Island

Day 13: Koh Rong Island Relaxed

Enjoy the white paradise beach of Koh Rong island, voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Koh Rong is a fantastic destination to visit and relax with clean, warm sea and white sand on all beaches. There is plenty to do such as swimming, snorkelling, walking, trips with the fishermen. Enjoy your free day on the island.

Overnight staying in Koh Rong Island

Day 14: Koh Rong Island – Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh International Airport (4h approximately)

Today, you travel from Koh Rong island by speedboat and I will pick you up from the ferry port and travel to Phnom Penh International Airport for your departure flight. The journey from Sihanoukville by Express Highway to Phnom Penh takes 3h30. End of the trip, we leave you and say goodbye to you from the airport.