Adventure Cambodia Tours 13 Days

Fly into Phnom Penh, the city that retains its traditional Khmer and colonial charm. French villas along tree-lined boulevards remind the visitor that the city was once considered the ‘pearl’ of Southeast Asia. Recent political changes have triggered an economic boom, with new hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs springing up across the city.

Enjoy a sunset cruise at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers.

Welcome diner at the Romdeng Restaurant, a non-profit restaurant staffed by street kids in training. All proceeds go to the organization Mith Samlanh. And the food is delicious!

Stay overnight in Phnom Penh.

Visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony, continuing visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was build since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others.

We drive to PSE NGO fund helps the children in Cambodia. This NGO support local children by offering free schooling, - you can guarantee a warm welcome from the children who study here, many of them will be happy to be your guide around the centre and speak French and English. Then it’s time for lunch at the PSE restaurant “Le Lotus Blanc”.

This afternoon, we will learn about the dark side of Cambodia – Its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. Initially you visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture centre. Once you have gained an initial insight of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime you will be driven 15km from Phnom Penh to visit the 'Killing Fields'. This is where Toul Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting.

We enjoy our cyclo ride along the riverside. This laidback tour gives us a different perspective of the streets and sights of the city. Starting at Wat Phnom, eponymous symbol of Phnom Penh we head past the National Library and Hotel Le Royal and pass the French designed train station before winding our way down to Psar Thmei, and the elegant riverfront.

Stay overnight in Phnom Penh.

This morning you leave Phnom Penh and head south initially visiting Tonle Bati where you can explore the small yet picturesque Angkorian temple of Ta Prohm. On the banks of the nearby river are a line of bamboo shacks with hammocks, a great place for a relaxing drink. We get on our car to the quiet town of Takeo before taking a short cruise to Angkor Borei town, located just a few kilometer navigation from the Vietnam border. There is a small museum which displays several reproductions of sculptures from the nearby ruins and few artifacts dating as far back as the 4th century. After seeing this pleasant place, we continue our boat trip to visit a pre-Angkorian style temple of Phnom Da and a nearby temple of Asram Maharosei. The steep path over some big rocks makes Asram Maharosei different from other temples in Cambodia. You then continue south following the picturesque drive to KEP. The southern coast of Cambodia, edging the border with Vietnam, once served as a glamorous seaside resort for the French in the early 1900s. Evocative of the French Riviera towns along the Mediterranean coast; the towns of Kep, Sihanoukville and Kampot have tree-lined, wide roads fringing the ocean, large statues, luxury villas, casinos and even a palace overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

Stay overnight in KOMPOT.

This morning you travel through delightful scenery of rice paddies, sugar palm trees, traditional wooden houses, and karst limestone outcrops on the way to the cave of Phnom Chhnork. Inside the cave you will discover the remains of a 7th century brick temple. After this you will visit the caves of Phnom Sla’ang, if you are feeling adventurous you can scramble through this cave until you magically appear into the sunlight on the top of the hill, being rewarded with perhaps some of the most beautiful views in Cambodia, with the traditional countryside stretching off into the Gulf of Thailand and its many islands. For the less adventurous you can follow a track up the outside of the hill be see the same views. During the 1960’s Kampot was world famous for its aromatic pepper you will visit a local pepper plantation.

We will catch a boat for the short journey to the lovely and secluded Koh Tonsay or (Rabbit Island). The main beach is lined with coconut palms and this is where you will find your bamboo beach hut. This is a back-to-basics experience as there is no electricity and no running water. However, the solitude, beautiful sunset, incredibly starry night, and falling asleep to the sound of waves breaking on the beach more than make up for this.

Stay overnight in KOMPOT.

We then travel by roads along the southern coast towards Sihanouk Ville, which has long been a place of relaxation for Cambodians. Enjoy a pleasant day away from the crowds in Ream National Park, just 30 minutes away from Sihanouk Ville. Here, take a boat trip through the stunning mangrove forest and on to a beautiful stretch of tropical sand beach in the National Park area. Relax for a bit over here and take in the natural beauty of this place, before continuing to Sihanouk Ville.

Stay overnight in Sihanouk Ville.

Today is at leisure to enjoy this beautiful seaside town.

The lovely beaches of Sihanouk Ville are some of the most unspoiled in all of South east Asia although the fast growing of tourism. There are some 10 km of beach stretching the whole length of the town and dozens of small islands just a short boat ride away, which make for a perfect tropical getaway, with facilities for swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving, This free day will provide you some great opportunities to soak up the sun and sea as much as you want by spending your time swimming or lazing on a beach.

Stay overnight in Sihanouk Ville.

To day we have a half-day free for relaxation. Off the beach you can rent a boat to explore the nearby coastal islands or the Ream national park which is well known for the mangrove forest and the eco-system. These optional activities are not included, however our guide will be on hand to advise you with valuable information.

Late afternoon we depart Sihanouk Ville for Phnom Penh.

Stay overnight in Phnom Penh.

Morning departure in a north-west direction, first stop at Kompong Loung to visit the village of goldsmiths along the Tonle Sap, manufacturing souvenir center stopping, and stop at Phnom Oudong, the ancient Cambodian capital during the latter stages of the Khmer Empire and crowning site of many past kings. Consisting of a series of stupas atop a large hill, there are outstanding views across the surrounding plains below. Phnom Oudong was bombed and desecrated by the Americans and then the Khmer Rouge, but still possesses a beauty that no war has been able to steal from it. Having had time to explore, continue to Kompong Chhnang, taking the time to stop at a pottery village before continuing further north to Pursat Province, famous for its marble stone carvings.

After stopping for lunch, continue towards Battambang, your base for the next few days. Until recently Battambang was very much off the map for visitors as it was a Khmer Rouge stronghold. A riverside town and home to some of the best-preserved Colonial architecture in all Cambodia, Battambang is now making something of a comeback, with improved tourist facilities and roads allowing visitors to explore in comfort.

Stay overnight in Battambang.

Discover the city of Battambang, a charming big city where you can watch the elegant houses in the French colonial style along the river. You pass through traditional villages along the route where you can attend the manufacture of family rice cakes and contacting people about their daily lives. We visit a local family graph farm, Cambodia’s first vineyard – Prasat Phnom Banan Vineyard, you can pop in if you like, learn about producing wine in the tropics and of course enjoy a spot of wine tasting! A few kilometers further south you arrive at the well preserved 11th century mountaintop Angkorian temple of Phnom Banan. After climbing the 350+ steps you are treated to a wonderfully peaceful setting with superb views across the surrounding countryside, with small villages dotting the endless rice paddies, punctuated with the characteristic sugar palm trees a wonderful sunset location..

We drive to the Bamboo Railway Station. The Bamboo Train has been set up by the villagers to facilitate the transportation of goods and people. The train in itself is very basic – one platform on 4 wheels activated by a small motor. Sitting on the platform we travel the 8km to the next station through beautiful landscape and rice paddies. On arrival, we visit a village and discover the daily life of the Cambodian countryside. We visit a workshop which is specialized in wooden sculpture. On the way back we will stop at the NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak where many different activities are offered with children from poor and disabled families.

Stay overnight in Battambang.

After breakfast this morning we head to the local wharf to board our join speedboat to Siem Reap. We cruise down the Stung Sangkèr River before entering Tonle Sap, the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia.

This cruise gives us a view of the wonderful landscape and insight into the daily life found along the river. We will have a packed lunch on board as the cruise takes about 6-7 hours. After cruising through floating villages we disembark from our boat and drive the last portion into Siem Reap where we check into our hotel.

Rise early to beat the crowds at the photogenic of Ta Prohm "Tomb Raider" fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy. We visit Ta Prohm early to avoid the masses of crowds and provide a unique visit in this incredible temple.

We head further out through rural countryside to the small but beautiful temple of Banteay Srei. This temple is largely built of pink sandstone, a harder rock that can be more elaborately carved and better survives the rigors of time. This is an opportunity to capture some good photographs of the clear and detailed carvings. Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

For the later afternoon we head back into main Angkor Park and journey to Tasom. Tasom offers some beautiful photo spots, especially the rear entrance where tree roots adorn the gateway. We finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside.

We start on our bike and cycle to world heritage areas on the roads less travelled. Ride among the jungle passing local village and local shop. It’s a very special and acting day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass tourist.

- The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century)

- See the South Gate, Bayon Temple – unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara

- Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru

- We step to see our old palace as Phimeankas temple in huge complex that was used for our king in the past time.

- Then Elephant terrace is platform for king and officer viewed show and people meeting.

- Preah Palilay was is older than Angkor Thom was nearby, deeply in forest and on path back You see monk sprinkle water to people.

We will visit KILT "KILT is the only project in Siem Reap that seeks to afford disabled Khmers who are in most instances landmine victims opportunities to become independent by their own efforts by making jewellery, growing organic vegetables, hand milling rice, playing music, and other activities"

We continue to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.

Enjoy foot massage 1 hour & walking at busy pub street where you can find many bars for cool drink or shopping at Angkor Night Market.

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure back home. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.