Angkor is indeed a wonder of the ancient world, yet the true essence of Cambodia extends far beyond these magnificent ruins.
On this trip, you will delve deeper into the real rural parts of Cambodia, meet extremely welcoming locals, and explore picturesque villages. Visit Kratie, known as 'the home of the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin,' discover the pristine beauty of Koh Trong as you embark on a bicycle ride around its lush landscapes, and enjoy the low-key vibe of Kampong Cham, where glimpses of the shimmering Mekong can be seen down every side street.
Wrap up your experience with a few days at Cardamom Tented Camp, located inside Botum Sakor National Park. Here, you can enjoy the tranquil beauty of Cambodia’s remote wilderness, whether swimming or kayaking, taking a naturalist-led walk, watching fireflies at night under starlit skies, ziplining, or simply relaxing on a hammock with views of the river and trees. All of this while supporting a good cause, promoting sustainable ecotourism practices within both the national park and Cambodia as a whole. What a brilliant way to end the holiday!"
As luxury travel experts for Vietnam and Cambodia we can hand pick the finest accommodation for your holiday.
Our experienced guides who know these destinations like the back of their hands will ensure you don't miss a single highlight and they'll share with you fascinating insights along the way.
All of your tours are private, tailored to your preferences and interests. You'll have access to the best attractions, avoiding the crowds and immersing yourself fully in the experience.
Our dedicated local team is available 24/7 to provide ground support, ensuring your journey is seamless and worry-free.
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Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
Feel your excitement build as you drive through towering old trees on your way to the awe-inspiring Angkor Complex. The tour will begin at Bayon, a richly decorated temple. Its most distinctive feature is the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers. Impressive bas-reliefs tell stories of daily life and of the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais. Continue to Ta Prohm, one of Cambodia’s most beloved temples. Unusually, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found. The combination of large trees growing out of the ruins and the surrounding jungle give the temple a truly magical feel. In the afternoon explore the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and best-preserved temple in the complex. This visually spectacular massive three-tired pyramid has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its flag. Admire the grandeur of its architecture and its extensive decoration of bas-relief friezes. End your day taking in the views of the sunset over the jungle from the top of Pre Rup Temple before returning to Siem Reap.
In the morning, drive to Banteay Samré, a temple in eastern Angkor. Built in the early 12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style. Continue on to Bantreay Srei temple, known as the ‘citadel of women,’ perhaps for its smaller size. Built largely of red sandstone, the temple boasts intricate carvings on almost every surface. The remarkable preservation of these ornamental decorations and its unusual scale has earned the temple recognition as the “jewel of Khmer art,” which should not be missed. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant nearby before exploring again. Next visit Kbal Spean, an archeological site from the Angkorian era. Described as a “spectacularly carved riverbed,” the site boasts a series of stone rock relief carvings in the sandstone riverbeds. Walk for approximately half an hour uphill along a two-kilometer jungle path to the point where the carvings begin. At this point, the path splits with one direction heading to a waterfall and the other towards the river carvings. Work your way along the riverbeds before returning to the waterfall and making your way back down the path.
Embark on an unforgettable journey from Siem Reap to the remote temple complex of Koh Ker, nestled deep within the Angkor region. Marvel at the majestic seven-tiered pyramid of Prasat Thom, offering panoramic views of the surrounding jungle. Explore the area's 42 major temples, each a stunning testament to ancient architecture and craftsmanship.After a fulfilling morning of exploration, indulge in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your adventure to Sopheakmit Waterfall. Located on the Cambodian-Lao border, this picturesque waterfall captivates with its turquoise-blue waters cascading over limestone rocks, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.As the day draws to a close, journey onwards to Steung Treng province, where you'll spend the night at a resort nestled along the serene banks of the Upper Mekong River. Relax and unwind in the tranquil surroundings, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of this enchanting region.
Begin your day with a simple breakfast at the resort before checking out from your room and heading towards Kratie.En route, pause at the Mekong Dolphin Pleasance for a memorable boat trip along the Mekong River. Here, you'll have the chance to witness rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins in their natural habitat.Continue your journey to explore Wat Roka Kandal, one of the region's oldest temples, dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Marvel at its traditional architecture, featuring wooden pillars and tile roofs reminiscent of pagodas in Luang Prabang, Laos.Finally, proceed to your hotel in Kratie, where you'll spend the night, reflecting on the day's cultural and natural wonders.
This morning, journey to Kratie town, where you'll board a shared ferry boat bound for Koh Trung. Discover the pristine beauty of this island gem as you embark on a bicycle ride around its lush landscapes. Explore a Buddhist temple, immerse yourself in the tranquility of local farms, and soak in the island's serene atmosphere.After your exploration, return to Kratie town via ferry and continue your journey to your hotel in Kampong Cham. Upon arrival, check in to your room and settle in for the night, ready to unwind and rejuvenate after a day of adventure.
After breakfast, take a journey a long mekong river down to Angkor Ban where you will walk around this village, explore its historical rural wooden houses built on stilts, which survived the Khmer Rouge and observe the local life in this village. You will also visit Angkor Ban Indigo Community which has been formed to preserve the traditional skills of producing indigo. They take pride in being able to produce beautiful indigo dye and utilize it into many woven products. Afterward, continue your journey to Phnom Penh.
This fascinating half-day tour provides deeper insight into Cambodia’s history and highlights two of the Khmer Rouge regime’s most chilling legacies. Start the day at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former secondary school that was converted by Khmer Rouge into one of the regime’s largest detention and torture centers, Security Prison 21. An important educational site, the museum chronicles the Cambodian genocide and documents the atrocities that occurred within its walls. Please note that images on display are graphic and can be unsettling. Next visit Choeung Ek, one of the mass grave sites of the Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge executed over a million men, women, and children between the years 1975 and 1979. Today, Choeung Ek is a memorial with a Buddhist stupa filled with skulls and bones to honor the victims.
Today, transfer to Cardamom Tented Camp. Upon arrival, you'll receive a brief introduction to the camp and learn about the conservation and protection efforts led by Wildlife Alliance. Then, settle into your comfortable safari-style tent.Spend the afternoon at your leisure, with options to swim, kayak, zipline, or simply relax on the floating pier or at the riverside restaurant while watching the sun set over Botum Sakor.Indulge in a delightful three-course dinner in the evening before retiring for the night.
After an early breakfast, embark on a guided kayak excursion with an English-speaking guide along the pristine Prech Tachan river. After your kayak adventure, return to the camp on foot using trails through the forest, arriving just in time for lunch.Following lunch, enjoy leisure time at the camp, with options to relax by swimming, tubing, ziplining, and more. In the evening, savor a delicious dinner before retiring for the night at Cardamom Tented Camp.
For early risers, there's the option of embarking on a self-guided hike along the trails surrounding the camp, or enjoying an early morning kayak or swim in the pristine surroundings. Around 10:00, board the boat back to Trapeang Rung. From there, you'll be picked up and transferred to Phnom Penh airport for your departure flight
November - March is the best time to do this itinerary when weather is the most pleasant.
For more information on weather please visit our Cambodia weather page.
For this itinerary you need to fly into Siem Reap airport (REP) in Siem Reap and out of Phnom Penh (PHN)
Yes absolutely. The above itinerary is just a suggestion of what you could do. We can take things out or suggest other experiences that are more to your liking.
Visitors to Cambodia can obtain a visa on arrival for tourism (US$30) or business purposes(US$35), for a maximum stay of 30 days. Extensions are possible. Passport should be valid at least 06 months before expiry date and 1 passport photo is required.
You can also apply for Cambodia e-visa online.
As of Dec 2022 you no longer need to take a COVID-19 test before travelling to Cambodia.
Debit/ credit cards are accepted in most upscale hotels, shops and restaurants, some mid-range place and a growing number of other businesses. Credit cards are general not accepted at any businesses outside of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and the casinos in Poipet. Visa, MasterCard (MC) and JCB cards are the most widely accepted credit cards in Cambodia.
AMEX is coming into wider use, as well as the new ANZ Bluespot card. Diners Club (DC) is accepted at very few place. Most businesses charge a 2%-4% fee to accept credit cards.
There are now ATMs with international access in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Battambang.
US dollars are as commonly used as the Cambodian Riel and even Thai Baht is acceptable in many places. Most hotels and many restaurants and shops set their prices in dollars. Small transactions are usually done in Riel. Always carry some small Riel for motorcycle taxis, snacks, beggars and other small purchases
If you don't want to take cash you can get a prepaid 'travel money card' which is usually safer and cheaper than using your debit/credit card to withdraw money at ATMs.
Please fill in our enquiry form and we will send you a quotation within 24h - 48h based on your requirements. Once you're happy with the itinerary and deposit is made we will start booking your holiday and send you a booking confirmation and a detailed invoice.
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