21 Day Cambodia Adventure

Day 1: Arrival

Your guide will pick you up at the airport and bring you to your hotel, along the way they will be happy to answer any questions you might have and will point out things of interest. After checkin your guide will depart and you will have the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 2: Silk Island and Kampong Cham

After breakfast at your hotel it is a short trip to the ferry for Koh Dach (Silk Island). Known for the high quality of the silk that is produced here, this is a little oasis close to the city. Watch weavers here spin the thread then turn it into cloth as they have for thousands of years. Then take a trip around this pretty little island to see the rice paddies and mango farms. We will stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants here, then board the ferry to return to the mainland for the subsequent drive to the city of Kampong Cham. It is a laid back place along the banks of the Mekong, known for its lovely promenade, and architecture from the time of the French Protectorate. Your guide will check you into your hotel and take you out for dinner. Then you are free to relax or take a stroll for the rest of the evening.

Day 3: Kampong Cham and Kratie

Breakfast again at your hotel, then off to visit the Bamboo Bridge. Originally built every year during the dry season, then washed away by monsoon floods. The island has a ferry service but the water level is too low to use it during the dry season. There is now a permanent bridge that connects the island to the mainland further downriver. The bamboo bridge is still rebuilt every year and is a great way to get to the beaches at the end of the island. 

Departing Kampong Cham we make our way to Kratie This is a pretty drive that follows the Mekong is some spots, and winds through forest, farmland, and paddy. Along the way we will stop for lunch. Once we reach Kratie we have a very short ferry ride to the island of Koh Trong, accommodation here will be at the beautiful Soriyabori Resort. Each room is actually a traditional Khmer house appointed with antiques and all modern conveniences. Here you can lounge around the pool, walk or bicycle the island, or go for a swim in the river.

Day 4: Kratie and Banlung

After breakfast we go a short distance to the village of Kampi where we will take a small boat out onto the river to see endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins. Then we will have lunch and make our way to Banlung. After arrival in the late afternoon/ early evening you will be free for the night.

Day 5: Banlung 

After breakfast we go to the Tonle Sesan for a boat trip to visit the Minority Indigenous groups living along the river. The Kachok, Kreung, Tampuan, and Lao peoples each have their own lifestyle here, with differing traditions and religious beliefs. We will go to the Kreung village, notable for their distinctive architechture and communal living style. Then to Voen Sai to see the traditional market on the riverbank. The vendors bring products from the forest, like Wild Honey and Upland Rice. Next is spending about 1.5 hours on the boat to get to the Kachok village. Situated on the riverside, the only way to get here is by boat, there is no road access. The people here still live a very traditional existence. They are noted for their cemetaries with intricate wooden carvings and life sized Totems of Humans and Animals. Then we are headed back downriver to visit a Tampuan village, followed by lunch in Voen Sai. After lunch we will visit two more villages, one ethnic Lao, and one ethnic Chinese. The Lao are farmers and fishermen, and the Chinese are mostly traders. Both these groups have been in Cambodia for hundreds of years.

Day 6: Banlung

Breakfast again at your hotel, then to a village near Katieng where you will spend a couple hours visiting with Elephants, learn about them, feed them, then go for a short trek in the jungle walking alongside them. From there it's off to Katieng Waterfall for a refreshing swim. Then we are off to the famous Yeak Laom Crater Lake for a delicious lunch and a walk around, we can stop by visit the cultural center and enjoy a swim in this beautiful Cambodian landmark. Next up is a visit to see traditional gem mining. Narrow shafts are dug by hand and often worked by a family. A simple pulley system allows the dirt to be brought to the surface, where it is then screened. With luck they may find Rubies, Sapphires, Peridot, Blue Zircon, or Amethyst. 

Day 7: Banlung to Siem Reap

After breakfast we will be on the road for most of the day on our drive to Siem Reap. When we get to Steung Treng we will take a brief tour around the city and have lunch, then make a little detour towards the Laos border to see the Sopheakmit Waterfall. Back on the road again, then a short visit to the Temple complex of Koh Ker. These 10th century ruins are quite extensive, and notable for having been developed in their own artistic style. A few more hours then your guide will check you into your hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel then we will travel to Angkor Archaeological Park. First stop is Angkor Thom, the major attraction at Angkor Thom is the Bayon Temple, where you can marvel at the wise smiling faces. Afterwards, it is on to the Terrace of the Elephants. Used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and serving as the base for the King’s grand audience hall. The Terrace of the Leper King is another of Angkor’s mysteries, the walls of which are deeply carved with seated deities. Next is Ta Prohm, a jungle temple offering a strange beauty as the stoneworks are both held together and are being torn apart by trees. For many, this temple will be well known as it was featured in the film Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie.

We will take a break for lunch then go to the main temple of Angkor Wat. Take your time to truly immerse yourself in this historical monument. Angkor Wat was built in the first half of 12th century by King Suryavarman II. The temple's balance, composition and beauty make it one of the finest monuments in the world. The sheer size of the monument makes it overwhelming, as it towers over the surrounding landscape. Then we will watch the sunset at Pre Rup, a Hindu temple built as the state temple of Khmer king Rajendravarman. 

Day 9: Siem Reap

After breakfast at the hotel you are off to Kulen Waterfall where you can have a refreshing swim, or just enjoy the beautiful setting. Then to the unique River of 1000 Lingams where the paths and the riverbed itself have been carved with various Hindu motifs, including Gods, Animals, Yoni, and the aforementioned Lingams. Eating lunch at one of the small stalls on the mountain in the midst of the jungle will be a nice break. Then the walk to the top of the mountain to visit Wat Preah Ang Thom Pagoda with its 8 metre long Recling Buddha. You can stop at the Waterfall again on your way back down if you wish.

Day 10: Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel then a short trip to catch a boat to take you through the estuaries and seasonally flooded forest as you make your way to the great Tonle Sap lake. Along the way you will see many people going about their day in the Floating Village, children off to school, fisherman setting nets, repairing boats and much else. We will have lunch at a floating restaurant and Crocodile Farm. You can feed the Crocodiles if you wish. The restaurant is built on a few levels so you can get high enough to have a great view. 

After making our way back through the estuary we proceed to Artisans Angkor to see traditional Stone and Wood Carving, Lacquerware, and Silk Weaving. Their work is highly esteemed and the have helped to restore the Elephant Terrace at Angkor.

Day 11: Siem Reap-Phnom Penh

Again it is breakfast at the hotel, then off to Phnom Penh via Kampong Thom where we will stop for lunch. if you have an adventurous stomach you may try the local Crickets or Spiders. Arriving in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon, you then have the evening off.

Day 12: Phnom Penh

Breakfast at the hotel then exploring the capital city's major sights. We will be visiting the National Museum, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, and the Killing Fields. 

Day 13: Phnom Penh-Kep

We are moving on to Kep today, lunch will be at a Pepper Plantation where you can see it being grown, then you will be brought to your hotel. After getting checked in you can wash and change clothes if you wish, then we will visit the Salt Fields. Here seawater is flooded into shallow ponds, then left to evaporate in the sun. You can buy some to go along with Pepper from the Plantation. Dinner tonight will be at the Crab Market in Kep, you can feast on their Pepper Crab with locally grown pepper.

Day 14: Kep-Kampot

We will stay in Kep again tonight and day trip to Kampot and Bokor Mountain. Kampot is a nice little rivertown and was an important port. It still retains some colonial era buildings. From there we make our way to Bokor Mountain. The area was developed during the 1920's as a hill station to get away during hot season. Today many of the buildings are in ruin, but there is much to see here. On clear days the views over the ocean are spectacular. There are numerous waterfalls and a lot of animal and plant life including an endemic carnivorous Pitcher Plant. The lovely Wat Sampov Pram (Five Boats, named after a rock formation) is perched right on the cliff edge. 

Day 15: Kep-Chi Phat

Today we are driving to Phoum Andoung Tuek, where we will board a small boat for the community of Chi Phat. When we arrive in the afternoon we will check into our homestay and have a look around the village by foot. Dinner in the village.

Day 16: Chi Phat

It's an early start today as we head out on the river for some birdwatching. After going two hours upriver we transfer to a traditional rowboat so we can move quietly along the water. Then we do a short trek to our lunch spot. After lunch we trek further to the Little Haven shelter where we will spend the night in a hammock. After dinner we go for a short walk to a waterhole to try to spot some nocturnal wildlife.

Day 17: Chi Phat-Sihanoukville

Wake up in the forest to the sounds of birds and the smell of breakfast cooking. We will be on the lookout for wildlife as we pack up and head back to Chi Phat commune where we will stop for lunch. Then by boat back to our starting point and transfer to a car for the trip to Sihanoukville where we will spend the night.

Day 18: Sihanoukville-Koh Rong Island

After breakfast we will visit Wat Krom, the city's main Pagoda, then off to Psar Leu Market. There you can find most anything you might need, from snacks and fruit to a haircut and manicure. Lunch will be at the excellent Sandan restaurant run by a group that provides training to youth. Then transfer to the ferry for Koh Rong and get checked in on the island.

Day 19: Koh Rong

Wake up whenever you want, you're on island time now. Today and tomorrow are yours to do whatever you want.

Day 20: Koh Rong

Another day to do as you wish

Day 21: Koh Rong-Sihanoukville-Phnom Penh

After breakfast and maybe a last swim you will be on the ferry back to the mainland, then transfer to a private car for the trip to Phnom Penh. If you have an evening flight we will bring you directly to the airport, if your flight is in the morning we can arrange a hotel in Phnom Pehn (at extra cost) and your guide will drop you there. Then you may transfer to the airport in the morning on your own.

Please note that this trip can be further personalised, more time here, less time there etc. Trekking can be included or omitted for example. You may take the tour as it is or it can be used as a template.

Included:

• Experienced English speaking guide through out
• Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in double/twin sharing rooms with daily breakfast
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water for sightseeing
• All sightseeing entrance fee where required in the itinerary

Not Included:

• International/domestic airfares & tax
• Cambodian Visa fees (US$30). 
• Travel Insurance. (We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance from home country)
• Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
• Tips
• Beverage and alcoholic drinks
• Any other services not clearly mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion.

The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested.