Cambodia - the charming mysteries of Angkor's heritage

Siem Reap, arrival – Rest (D)

Welcome at the airport by our guide and driver. Transfer and check-in at the hotel to refresh and rest.

Afternoon free time for personal exploration. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Siem Reap – Visit (B, L, D)

After breakfast, stroll through the countryside and along the ancient Royal Way to discover the lost temple of Chao Srei Vibol and its pagoda.

Continue through villages to discover authentic Cambodian houses, then visit Bakong temple.

In the afternoon, depart for Kampong Phluk village, on the shores of Tonle Sap, Cambodia's great lake. You'll observe life in the lakeside villages, fishing techniques, fish farms, and private crocodile farms. Each year, the lake's water level varies by 4 to 8 meters, flooding all the lands and forests in this region (from August to February). Depending on the season, discover these flooded forests by canoe. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Siem Reap – Visit (B, L, D)

After breakfast, depart from the hotel by tuk-tuk to explore Angkor Thom (Great City), starting with the Leper King Terrace, a platform featuring several admirable sculpted figures of apsaras.

Continue the visit along the Elephant Terrace, which hosted the pomp of royal audiences and public ceremonies.

Proceed to the south gate with the famous Bayon, the enigmatic and enchanting temple composed of 54 gigantic towers decorated with 216 faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), then discover the forgotten temple of Ta Prohm engulfed by the jungle.

In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its slender towers and unique bas-reliefs, it's one of the most extraordinary monuments ever conceived by the human mind. It was built in the 12th century in honor of Vishnu.

Leaving Angkor Wat temple, enjoy a glass of champagne and fruits served on board to watch the sunset over Angkor Wat. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Siem Reap – Visit (B, L, D)

After breakfast, depart for the mythical Banteay Srei, the citadel of women. This pink sandstone jewel contains remarkable sculpted lintels in an incredible state of preservation.

On the way back, visit a palm sugar factory and authentic Cambodian houses, then visit the romantic Banteay Samre temple.

In the afternoon, visit the Grand Circuit: the ancient city of Preah Khan (city of royal victorious fortune), Neak Pean, and Pre Rup, an amazing site built in the 12th century. 

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Siem Reap – Kampong Thom (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

A day in search of lost treasures and authentic Cambodian villages: visit Prasat Beng Mealea, dominated by the jungle: trees have grown on the towers, roots and vines entwine the columns. The lintels and other sandstone blocks of the construction litter the ground in gigantic piles and require visitors to climb them to approach the central tower, which is also completely collapsed.

Continue through the bush towards the ancient and distant Angkorian capital of Koh Ker. Cambodia's history is made of dynastic conflicts and political intrigues, one of the most memorable being the establishment of a rival capital at Koh Ker by Jayavarman IV, following a serious dispute with his family. Although Koh Ker was capital for only about fifteen years, Jayavarman IV was determined to impose his authority through an important, very prolific construction program, which will leave a legacy of about thirty major temples and several gigantic sculptures now preserved in the National Museum of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh.

You'll climb to the top of Prasat Thom, a seven-level pyramid, more "Mayan" than Khmer, offering a superb panorama of the surrounding forests. Not far from Prasat Thom is Prasat Krahom, or Red Temple, named for the color given by the red "Banteay Srei" style stones used for its construction.

Far from the crowds of Angkor, Koh Ker has an appealing side for anyone wishing to experience deserted temples where silence is only disturbed by birdsong. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Kampong Thom.

Kampong Thom – Kampong Cham – Kratie (B, L, D)

After breakfast, discover the temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. The three groups of this pre-Angkorian temple complex are dedicated to Shiva. They were built in the 7th century, abandoned, then rediscovered and restored in 1980. Hinduism greatly influenced pre-Angkorian and Angkorian civilizations.

The guide will present an introduction to Hinduism and its influences on pre-Angkorian and Angkorian temples. Continue on the road to Kampong Cham, Cambodia's most populous city thanks to its rich basaltic soil. Lunch in a local restaurant, visit a rubber plantation and its factory.

Arrive in Kratie late afternoon. Dinner show with village children. Overnight homestay on Koh Trong.

Kratie – Visit (B, L, D)

After breakfast, embark on a Mekong cruise and observe Irrawaddy dolphins, then visit Vat Sor 100 and Phnom Sambok, visible from the Mekong.

In the afternoon, return to Koh Trong. Crossing the village, your guide will advise you on available activities you can participate in (depending on the season: corn planting or rice harvesting, vegetable planting, basket weaving, accompanying animals in the fields, fishing). Lunch and dinner with the host family. Overnight homestay.

Kratie – Mondulkiri (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to Mondulkiri via Snoul.

Like Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri is one of Cambodia's most remote regions. It's located in the southern highlands, a vast area extending between South Laos, Central Vietnam, and Eastern Cambodia.

After settling in a local inn, depart by bus to visit Bou Sra waterfall, if time permits, or admire the sunset on Dos Kromom hill via a chaotic dirt track lined with Mnong hamlets.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Mondulkiri.

Mondulkiri – Visit (B, L, D)

After breakfast, depart for Pu Lung village where Mnong ethnic villagers still use elephants as work force.

This village will be the starting point of your elephant trek (about 2 hours). After meeting the Mnong people, you'll follow the course of a pretty little river that sometimes takes on the appearance of rapids and whose banks are literally buried in the thick tropical forest. Resume the vehicle to Kbal Preah waterfall, an eden lost in the jungle.

Picnic lunch. You'll have several opportunities to swim.

Return to Mondulkiri late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the local inn in Mondulkiri.

Mondulkiri – Kampong Cham (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you'll visit the local market in Sen Monorom, then leave Mondulkiri for Kampong Cham.

Lunch en route. Arrive in Kampong Cham late in the afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

After breakfast, embark on a cruise from Kampong Cham to Phnom Penh (about 7 hours) on a traditional boat. You'll discover the life of fishermen and their techniques, fields and villages along the Mekong.

Lunch on board. Arrive in Phnom Penh in the afternoon and direct transfer to the hotel.

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Phnom Penh – Visit (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Discover the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh by cyclo (45 minutes), home of the royal family and symbol of the kingdom.

You'll then visit the magnificent palace gardens, adorned with many tropical plant species, then reach the Throne Hall, where official receptions are held and where the king's coronation took place.

You'll then cross Napoleon III Pavilion, made of steel, a gift from the French emperor to the Cambodian royal family in the 19th century.

You'll also reach the Silver Pagoda, named for the some 5,000 silver tiles that cover its floor. It houses Cambodia's most extraordinary treasures, including a golden Buddha dressed in 9,584 diamonds, the largest being 25 carats. You'll also see a delicate Emerald Buddha, which gives the temple its Khmer name of Wat Preah Keo ("Temple of the Emerald Buddha").

In the afternoon, you'll discover the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. This former high school turned prison was the scene of extreme violence against opponents of the regime. The gallery of prisoner photos, torture chambers, and cramped cells reveal the horror of the Khmer genocide.

You'll also discover the National Museum of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, which houses the most fabulous collection of sculptures dating from the Angkorian period. This splendid building was built between 1917 and 1920 and has a magnificent inner courtyard, a true lush garden surrounded by the museum's unique pieces.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh – Visit / Departure (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, you'll visit the central market and the Russian market. Then, free time before transfer to the airport for your departure flight.