Five Day Private Tour Exploring the Mekong River

Day 1) Siem Reap - Preah Rumkel

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Siem Reap, then you're on the road to the Laos border. A couple hours travel brings us to the ancient city of Koh Ker, once the capital of the Khmer Empire. The ruins here are extensive, covering more than 80 square kilometres, and feature a Step Pyramid numerous temples and reservoirs. Along the way we will stop for lunch in Preah Vihear. Onwards to Sopheakmit Waterfall where we will board a small boat to explore the cascades in Dry Season (c. November-May), or walk in the Wet Season. Then a short drive to Preah Rumkel where we will be spending the night at a Homestay on the River. Your hosts will make dinner for you as you watch the sunset.

Day 2) Preah Rumkel - Stung Treng

After a delicious breakfast prepared by your hosts you will take a boat downriver to O'Svay and the Flooded Forest. Here we pickup our Kayaks to explore this fascinating region. This area is only accessible by boat. The unique habitat is a vitally important place for endangered plants and animals, as well as providing a nursery for many species of fish. A tranquil spot where often the only sounds are the calls of birds and the rustle of tree branches. After a few hours here we travel back to O'Svay then drive about an hour to the provincial capital of Stung Treng where your guide will check you into a hotel.

Day 3) Stung Treng - Kratie

Breakfast this morning will be at a traditional restaurant serving Laos cuisine. We leave Stung Treng and follow down the Mekong on our way to Kratie, with a stop at the 100 Pillars Pagoda. This 16th century temple is noted for its unusual wooden supporting columns. Constructed by King Chann Reachea as a memorial to his daughter who was killed by a Crocodile. After that we continue to Kratie Town where you will be checked into your hotel. In the early afternoon we board a ferry for the short trip to the island of Koh Trong, here we have a relaxing bicycle tour. With its rich soil the island is famous for its Grapefruit and other Citrus, and has lovely gardens throughout. At sunset we board the ferry to return to Kratie and your hotel.

Day 4) Kratie

Breakfast at your hotel then a visit to the central market where your guide will be happy to show you the local foods and handicrafts. Fresh fruit is always a good buy here. Around the market there are many colonial buildings remaining for the time of the French Protectorate. From there we move to Wat Rokakandal to see their wood carvings. We next stop to see traditional noodle making on our way to the rapids at Kampi where we will have lunch at the rivers edge. Our adventure continues when we board a small boat to some of the deeper pools in the river where we have the pleasure of seeing endangered Irrawaddy River Dolphins. These gentle creatures exist in only a few locations and are coming into increased environmental pressure. You will then be returned to your hotel.

Day 5) Kratie - Phnom Penh

Breakfast again at your hotel then we head in the direction of the Capital. In Kampong Cham we will see the Bamboo Bridge (Dry Season only) rebuilt every year to connect to the island of Koh Pen. Moving on the the town of Skuon we visit the market where we can try the local snack of deep fried Tarantula, you will see the towns nickname of "Spiderville" is quite apt. If you haven't filled up on Tarantulas then the next stop will be lunch. We will arrive in Phnom Penh in the mid to late afternoon, depending on road conditions and you will bid adieu to your guide as he drops you at your hotel.

Included

• English Speaking Guide
• Alll Transportation
• Entrance fees
• Bottled Water
• Local Taxes
• Homestay in Preah Rumkel
• Hotels in Stung Treng and Kratie

Not Included

• Food and Drinks
• Travel Insurance
• Hotel in Phnom Penh

What to Bring

• Hat
• Comfortable Shoes
• Light Jacket