Cambodia Explorer is an in-depth and thorough adventure holiday through Cambodia for 12 days, 11 nights.
On the tour, we travel from the celebrated temples of Angkor, the less visited temples of Koh Ker and Beng Mealea to the seldom visited northern provinces of Preah Vihear and others including Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, Kratie, Kompong Cham. Accommodations for the tour are are adventure standard hotels due to local conditions. The tour pace is moderate adventure.
On the tour, you will not only witness the life and culture of the Khmer, but also engage yourselves into the culture from the ancient times to the authentic daily life. Cambodia Explorer is an adventure of a life time through Cambodia.
Day-to-day itinerary
Day1 Arrive at Siem Reap (no meal included)
Day2 Siem Reap Angkor Temples (B)
Day3 Siem Reap Angkor Temples (B)
Day4 Siem Reap – Beng Mealea Temple – Kohker Temple – Preah Vihear Temple (B)
Day5 Preah Vihear – Tbeng Mean Chey – Stung Treng (B)
Day6 Stung Treng – Ban Lung (B)
Day7 Ban Lung (B)
Day8 Ban Lung – Kratie/Mekong River Boat Trip (B)
Day9 Kratie – Kampong Cham (B)
Day10 Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh (B)
Day11 Phnom Penh Morning City Tour/Free afternoon (B)
Day12 Depart Phnom Penh (B)
What’s included?
English-speaking guide
Transportation as on the tour itinerary;
Boat trip on the Tonle Sap and the Mekong River as per itinerary;
Accommodations on twin-shared basis as indicated in the program;
Meals as indicated in the program: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner;
All admission fees during guided times in the program;
What’s not included?
Insurance of any types;
International airfares;
International and domestic airport taxes;
Compulsory dinners on Dec 24th and Dec 31st;
Drinks or personal expenses;
Others not specified in the included services as above;
Day1 Arrive at Siem Reap (no meal included)
Arriving at Siem Reap, welcomed and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day2 Siem Reap Angkor Temples (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we spend a full day exploring the spectacular ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King.
In the afternoon, we enter the unrivalled grandeur of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and it covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice adoring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering structures.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Apsara dancers on a bas-relief at Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom, Siem Reap
Day3 Siem Reap Angkor Temples (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
The forest-encroached Temple of Ta Prohm is the first on our itinerary today. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure showing man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado.
The grand circuit with Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup Temples are covered this afternoon. In late afternoon, we hike up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Neak Pean, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Day4 Siem Reap – Beng Mealea Temple – Kohker Temple – Preah Vihear Temple (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
The trip takes you through Khmer traditional villages until you arrive at Beng Mealea Village where visit the “forgotten” temples of Beng Mealea. These are very well-preserved and you'll find yourself in a different world. You have time for yourselves getting lost in the ruins for a while.
Then, continue onto Koh Ker Temple, once the capital of the Khmer Empire. The trip takes us through some of the most untouched jungle areas in Cambodia. Koh Ker Temples include 54 small temples in different groups, located in the remote areas of Cambodia. We visit the main entrance of the old capital of Cambodia during the 9th century and the Koh Ker Temples. After that, follow the dirt road northward to to Sra Em District, Preah Vihear Province.
Overnight at Sra Em.
A corner of Beng Mealea Temple encroached by jungle
Day5 Preah Vihear – Tbeng Mean Chey – Stung Treng (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning visit the the UNESCO World Heritage Temple of Preah Vihear overlooking the Thai border. Then, continue our adventure past Tbeng Meanchey to Stung Treng.
Late afternoon boat trip on the Mekong River at Stung Treng.
Overnight at Stung Treng.
Day6 Stung Treng – Ban Lung (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Road trip to Ban Lung, Ratanakiri Province.
After checking into hotel, we drive to Wat Phnom Soui where we get a panoramic view of the plateau and Ban Lung Town. Then, our journey continues onto to Cha Oug Waterfalls and Yeak Laom Park where we have time to relax amid the fresh nature. Yeak Laom Park has a lake believed to have been a volcanic crater created about 700,000 years ago. We have time relaxing by the lake before getting back to our hotel.
Overnight in Ban Lung.
Day7 Ban Lung (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We start our exploration today with a trip to Voeune Say a village by the Se San River. The road conditions are rough and arduous. We arrive at Voeune Say and enjoy a short walk through this village, then embark on a traditional wooden long boat drifting on the scenic Se San River. We then visit the Tampoun, Kroeng and Brou minorities.
Overnight in Ban Lung.
Day8 Ban Lung – Kratie/Mekong River Boat Trip (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Road trip through peaceful countryside to Kratie.
Afternoon cruise on the Mekong to get a sight of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
Overnight at Kratie.
Day9 Kratie – Kampong Cham (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our journey goes further on the quiet roads from Kratie to Kampong Cham.
Arriving in this backwater town, visit Wat Nokor with its ancient’s temple and modern style pagoda. In the afternoon, there are some bars on the riverside where you'll enjoy yourselves watching things go by easily.
Overnight in Kompong Cham.
Day10 Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Short road trip to the capital city.
In the afternoon, visit includes the hidden treasures of the Silver Pagoda, located in the Royal Palace compound where you might see the King walking around in his palace, smiling and waiving to you from distance. Then, we move onto the nearby National Museum with the best collection of Khmer Arts from the ancient times to the contemporary ones. Wat Phnom temple is reserved for the end of the day. It was this place that the city of Phnom Penh was founded by a legendary lady named Penh. War Phnom is also the place to adore the Cambodian Culture and Arts. You have free time for a stroll on the river-front in the evening.
Free time for dinner.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day11 Phnom Penh City Tour/Free afternoon (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Have the morning to visit the chilling Tuol Sleng Museum and the horrific Killing Fields of Choeung Ek with bones and skulls of victims by the Khmer Rouge still found in the ground.
Free time in the afternoon.
Free time for lunch and dinner.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day12 Depart Phnom Penh (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Have leisure time until our team comes back to transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. End of service.
