|
Day 1: Phnom Penh (B/L/D)
Upon arrival at Phnom Penh
International Airport, you will
be welcomed by your local
English speaking guide who will
accompany you to your hotel for
check in.
Phnom Penh was once
considered as one of the most
beautiful cities in the Orient,
and despite its recent turbulent
history, it still retains a
colonial charm. Cambodia's
capital is a bustling city,
majestically located at the
confluence of the mighty rivers
of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap.
Wide tree-lined boulevards and
many colonial-era buildings
reflect the glorious days and
add to the allure of the city,
where Asian and Western
traditions meet in a fascinating
way.
First of all, you will be
treated to a relaxing lunch at
Khmer Surin Restaurant, where
you will have the chance to
sample traditional Khmer cuisine
for the first time. After this
break, you will be greeted by a
driver who will take you on a
tour to the most remarkable
sights of Phnom Penh in a Cyclo,
an original Phnom Penh means of
transportation and a fun way to
explore this lively city.
First, head to the Royal
Palace. This palace dates back
to 1866 and houses the Silver
Pagoda, named for the over 5000
heavy silver tiles that cover
its floors. Its original name is
Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of
the Emerald Buddha. In this
temple you will view a
collection of Buddhas in gold,
silver, crystal, and bronze.
Your next stop is the
National Museum, built in
traditional Khmer style. It
houses the world's foremost
collection of ancient Khmer
artistic, archaeological, and
religious artifacts from the 4th
to the 13th centuries. Over
5,000 pieces are on display,
constituting the repository of
the Kingdom's cultural wealth.
In addition, the roof space is
home to a large bat colony!
Return to your hotel, where
you will have some time at
leisure. Tonight, you will be
treated to a delicious Khmer
welcome dinner at Romdeng, a
lovely charity restaurant where
former street children are
taught the principles of
hospitality. The restaurant is
located in a restored colonial
building with an atmospheric
garden right in the city centre.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 2: Phnom Penh - Kep
(B/L/D)
Awake to a delicious French
breakfast at your hotel. Today,
you will leave Phnom Penh in a
Southern direction for Takeo
Province. From there, you will
start your day of cycling with a
ride to the charming seaside
town of Kep.
The riding is on tarmac roads
through local villages humming
with the buzz of day to day life
in Cambodia towards the
turquoise blue of the Gulf of
Thailand. Near the sleepy
village of Tani, you will be
treated to sweeping vistas of
dramatic lime stone hills. Enjoy
a local picnic lunch in the
shade of a palm tree before
moving on.
Arrive in Kep in the
afternoon. Cambodia's
prestigious beach resort of the
1960s is now awakening to its
former glory. A fascinating mix
of a small calm beaches and
reminders of the past glories in
the form of derelict villas
shade themselves in the
undergrowth.
The last bit you push on up
the hill to Veranda Natural
Resort with a very distinct
Robinson Crusoe feel. Veranda
Natural Resort has an unmatched
view of the ocean and
surrounding islands as you
stroll around its multiple
platforms you cannot help but be
enchanted by the appeal of this
tree house like structure.
In the evening, enjoy a
dinner of local and
international fare with sweeping
sea views at your hotel and
relax in the rustic charm of
your surroundings.
95km bike
Overnight in Kep.
Day 3: Kep - Ream National
Park (B/L/D)
After a great breakfast at
the hotel, transfer by mini van
to the charming riverside town
of Kampot (duration 45 mins.)
made famous by Parisian chefs
for its exquisite pepper. From
here, start today's cycling to
Ream National Park.
The park was established in
1993 on a 210 km² area on the
Gulf of Thailand that includes
thick pristine jungle, mangrove
forests and off-shore coral
reefs. It's a nature lovers
paradise with nearly 200 bird
species, many kinds of monkeys
and it is also the habitat of
the pangolin. Lunch will be
served at a local restaurant
that offers stunning views of
the gulf.
You will be transferred to
one of Ream's most scenic
isolated beaches, called Koh
Sampouch. Upon arrival, you will
be welcomed to your comfortable
tent right on the beach. And you
don't even have to cut back on
amenities as our large tents are
made to feel you at home away
from home.
Enjoy the remainder of the
day free at leisure for swimming
and relaxing. Koh Sampouch is
still one of the rare beaches in
Southeast Asia that have not yet
seen any development, and you
will be all by yourself with
only once in a while a boat
stopping by. End your day with
enjoy a beautiful sunset from
your private veranda. Dinner at
the camp's beach restaurant.
85km bike
Overnight in a tented camp on
Koh Sampouch Beach/Ream National
Park.
Day 4: Ream National Park
- Trek & Boat (B/L/D)
Awake to a fresh sea breeze
and a hearty breakfast with
fresh fruits and coffee.
Take a very short transfer by
mini van to the start point for
your next adventure through the
jungle and mangroves of Ream
National Park. Weave your way
through the sandy trails that
meander through the jungle as
your local guide leads you to
the mangrove swamps on the
Northern side of the reserve.
Take a break under the shade
of the lush canopy as you savor
the sights and sounds of this
steaming humid jungle. Onwards
through large sandy clearings,
fallen logs and curious locals
until we find a boat keeper's
house situated on the northern
most extremity of the National
Park.
Embark on a traditional
sampan to explore the mangroves.
Watch Twany Kites soar over head
in the mid afternoon heat as we
cruise 11km towards a remote
fishing village established in
1985 by Khmer Rouge separatists.
Disembark and refresh your
senses with some sweet coconut
juice served from a local shack,
then set off once agin into the
jungle for the final 3km leg of
the day, back to your tented
paradise.
On arrival at the camp, try
to resist the urge to jump into
the crystal clear sea water
before a Khmer beach BBQ and
have a game of volleyball with
the locals if you still have the
energy. Kick back and enjoy the
culinary delights beneath the
star lit sky and savor your last
night in this magical place.
14km trek
Overnight in a tented camp on
Koh Sampouch Beach/Ream National
Park.
Day 5: Ream National Park
- Andoung Tek - Chi Phat (B/L/D)
Early morning transfer by
mini van to the sleepy roadside
town of Andoung Tek (duration
1h). Here we begin the next
chapter in our adventure, where
a boat man will be waiting to
take you 30 km up river through
the meandering mangroves to the
remote village of Chi Phat
(duration 1h). Chi Phat has got
one of the last remaining tracts
of natural rain forest that
remains to date in Indochina.
The area is prized for its
bio-diversity and abundance of
wildlife. This unique place is
not often visited by tourists
but the income provided by
tourism directly funds the
community development project in
the area. After checking into
your local home stay and being
introduced to your host family,
sit back and enjoy a local lunch
in the Community
Based-Ecotourism (CBET) Office.
The remainder of the day is
packed full of adventure as we
set off on our bikes to explore
the wilds of Chi Phat. We will
explore where nomadic indigenous
tribes once roamed the jungle
and stumble upon one of their
sacred burial sites wedged in
the cliff face.
Through rivers and over
fallen logs up and down
challenging terrain from soft
and sandy to wet and muddy -
this place is a perfect
playground for any biking
enthusiast of any level. Take in
the sweeping vista of the jungle
canopy below as you watch the
sunset over one of Cambodia's
last great wilderness sites.
Retire to the rural comfort
of your homestay to freshen up
before a sumptous dinner
provided by the local community
at the CBET office.
22km bike
Overnight at homestay in Chi
Phat.
Day 6: Chi Phat - 4 Rivers
Floating Lodge (B/L/D)
After waking to the sound of
the Khmer village and a
satisfying breakfast it is your
turn to give back to the
community with a tree planting
ceremony.
After a lunch at a local
restaurant, the boat man waits
for you to re-embark for the
journey back down river to
Andoung Tek. A short transfer
will take you to the starting
point of another leisurely boat
ride along the mangrove lined
river to 4 Rivers Floating Lodge
where you will stay overnight in
a luxurious tent floating on the
tranquil river. A culinary
delight is already waiting for
you for dinner.
Overnight at 4 Rivers
Floating Lodge.
Day 7: Boat trip to Tatai
Waterfall (B/L/D)
After a late breakfast, today
is a day to truly enjoy all that
the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge has
to offer. This is a chance for
you to sit back and take in the
lush and exotic surroundings, or
be active and explore the area
by kayak. Lunch at the lodge.
After a leisurely morning,
you can take a boat to the
nearby Tatai Waterfall. Enjoy a
picnic lunch served on the edge
of the falls while bathing in
its many bubbling pools. Spend
the afternoon in the warm
Cambodian sun while absorbing
all the rustic charm of this
unique and seldom visited
location.
Tonight, enjoy a champagne
sunset boat cruise before dinner
and relax in the tranquil
surroundings.
Overnight in 4 Rivers
Floating Lodge
Day 8: 4 Rivers Floating
Lodge - Phnom Penh (B/L/D)
Enjoy the morning at your
leisure before taking a transfer
back to Phnom Penh after lunch
(duration 5h). Check into your
hotel and spend the day at
leisure. A delicious Khmer
dinner will be served at
Baithong Restaurant.
Option: Massage
Get pampered at the stylish
and modern Bodia Spa and enjoy a
relaxing massage. The perfect
treatment after an adventure
trip to the South Coast.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 9: Phnom Penh - Kratie
(B/L/D)
Awake to a savoury breakfast
and an early morning transfer
(duration 5h) through the
rolling countryside and villages
to the riverside town of Kratie.
After lunch at a local
restaurant with sweeping views
of the mighty river, continue
along the banks of the Mekong.
Near the village of Kampi is the
best spot to view the rare
Irrawaddy Dolphins along the
Mekong. Get on board a local
boat that will take you to the
preferred places of these
interesting creatures. As soon
as you will have spotted the
first dolphin, your boat driver
will turn the engine off and you
will follow the dolphins
silently in order to not disturb
them.
After this memorable
experience, continue to cycle
along the banks of the Mekong
until you reach Wat Sorsor Mouy
Roy in the village of Sambour.
The Vihea of the so-called'100
Pillars Pagoda' is an important
historical and cultural building
and quite famous for its legend
involving a princess and a
crocodile. The local youngsters
are trained here in playing
traditional musical instruments,
an art that was on the verge of
being forgotten after the Khmer
Rouge regime. The kids will be
happy to show their talent and
perform for you.
Spend the rest of the day in
the scenic village on the banks
of the Mekong, where your guide
will help you facilitate
encounters with the local
population. Enjoy an atmospheric
dinner at Wat Sorsor Mouy Roy,
and spend the night in a
comfortable camp in the pagoda's
community hall. Matresses with
mosquito nets will be spread out
in the open wooden building, and
the tranquillity and serenity of
the place will provide for a
special experience on your trip.
30km bike
Overnight in Wat Sorsor Muoy
Roy in Sambour.
Day 10: Kratie - Koh Trong
Island (B/L/D)
Wake up early to the sounds
of the monks' morning prayer.
You are welcome to witness this
traditional start to the day.
After breakfast at the wat,
transfer back to Kratie
(duration 1h).
Now you are ready for a visit
to Koh Trong, only a short 10
minutes boat ride away from
Kratie. This Mekong island
displays typical Cambodian
village life, where people's
livelihood largely depends on
rice farming and fruits
cultivation (Koh Trong is famous
for its pomelo!). Upon arrival,
you can decide whether you would
like to take a local horse cart
or pedal yourself around the
island on a bicycle.
Your first destination is the
island's Wat, where a special
activity awaits you: A tree
planting project initiated by a
local farmer, in order to
recultivate the once densely
forested island. Contribute to
the project by planting your own
tree here and it will carry your
name tag and leave a positive
trace on the island. After
toughening up, relax with a
beautiful Khmer lunch under
pomelo trees at a typical wooden
house right by the river.
Continue by horsecart or
cycling around the island, where
you will be able to taste local
fruit and visit a Vietnamese
floating village on the southern
tip of the island. Return to
Kratie by boat this afternoon,
where you will have some time to
relax.
This evening, get ready for
one of the highlights of your
trip: Visit the historic Wat
Rokakandal on the banks of the
Mekong to see the unique wall
paintings, while the sun is
setting over the river.
The local people receive
training in the art of playing
traditional musical instruments
and how to perform a puppet show
at Wat Rokakandal, and they will
perform a private show for you
after dinner. As Shadow puppet
shows are very popular in
Cambodia, nobody wants to miss
it when the show is performed
and you will be able to watch
together with the entire village
- an entertaining experience!
(NOTE: The Shadow puppet show
is not performed every day. A
private show can be arranged on
request.)
Overnight in Kratie.
Day 11: Kratie - Kampong
Cham (B/L/D)
An early start with a
breakfast of fresh fruit and hot
coffee complimented by a
riverside view. Our adventure
starts with a transfer and a
ferry tip across the Mekong.
Disembark to the bustle of the
busy ferry port of Chhlong
before escaping down the dusty
meandering back roads. Down
meandering trails with flashes
of effervescent green and rich
red earth abound from the
fields; the fragrant smell of
lotus blossom from Buddhist
shrines excites your senses. We
stop for a well earned rest in
the shade of palm trees. The
many French colonial houses in
this town are amongst the most
beautiful in Cambodia.
From Chhlong west and onwards
to the village of Stung Trong.
50km of lush rural scenery
abounds. Through the bustling
villages Mosques appear with
miniature minarets breaking the
tops of the leafy canopy that
covers the road side. Enjoy the
diversity of these small Muslim
communities in contrast to the
colourfully adorned Buddhist
pagodas.
The second ferry crossing of
the day will take you 12km to
the quite village of Phnom Han
Chay. This small hilltop pagoda
houses an 8th century pre-Angkorian
temple that sits on top of one
of the best vantage points over
looking the vast expanse of the
Mekong and surrounding low
lands. Take in this awe
inspiring vista as you enjoy a
delicious picnic lunch of fresh
fruit and local produce.
On the final leg of the day
enjoy the luxury of a tarmac
road leading through the rubber
plantations and roadside
villages as you ride into the
setting sun. Enjoy a dip in the
pool at your hotel before
sampling the local culinary
delights.
95km bike
Overnight in Kampong Cham.
Day 12: Kampong Cham -
Kampong Thom (B/L/D)
Your romance with the Mekong
ends today with a ride to
Kampong Thom. Transfer along the
Mekong and eventually head for a
quiet secondary highway towards
Kampong Thom.
Pass through the industrious
road side town of Bos Khnor en
route, busy with the hum of
motor bikes as the locals come
to trade spare parts and service
their machines in the many
roadside mechanic shops. See how
overloaded trucks rumble by
along with the weird and
wonderful vehicles of every
description.
Stop to enjoy a refreshing
picnic lunch in one of the many
beautifully adorned pagodas
hidden amongst the shade of
sugar palm trees.
Onwards to Kampong Thom. This
quiet town is situated between
Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and
hosts the magnificent temple
site Sambor Prei Kuk, built in
the 6th and 7th century. Take
some time to relax before
enjoying dinner at a local
restaurant.
90km bike
Overnight in Kampong Thom.
Day 13: Kampong Thom -
Siem Reap (B/L/D)
Today, you head towards the
rarely visited Sambor Prei Kuk
(transfer 45 mins), one of the
most important pre-Angkorian
sites in the country that is
enlisted to potentially become
Cambodia's next UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Sambor Prey Kuk
was built in the Chenla period
between the 6th and 7th century
and there are over 100 well
preserved temples scattered in
the forest. The three main sites
are linked by small and shady
tracks. Enjoy a beautiful walk
through the jungle with
breathtaking views. Your visit
supports a community-based
tourism project.
The seven villages around the
temple complex still practice
the ancient art of craft making,
using materials such as bamboo
and rattan. You will have the
chance to visit and contribute
to the sustainability of the
people's livelihood as the local
community will prepare a simple
but very tasty lunch for you
near the temples.
After lunch follows a
transfer towards Siem Reap
(duration 3h) and have you
dropped off at Roluos Pagoda.
From this beautiful pagoda you
set out to explore the scenic
back roads that lead you through
the Roluos Temple group.
Roluos is the site of an
ancient center of Khmer
civilization known as
Hariharalaya. It was the first
town built by the Angkorian
kings in the 8th and 9th century
and consists of three main
temples: Bakong, Lolei and Preah
Ko. The surrounding countryside
with its paddy fields and sugar
palm trees is very typical for
Cambodia.
Late afternoon, arrive in
Siem Reap and check into your
hotel. A typical Khmer dinner
will be served at Sugar Palm
Restaurant.
96km bike
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Siem Reap - Angkor
Thom, Ta Prohm (B/L/D)
After a relaxing morning at
your leisure and lunch at Café
Indochine, saddle up again,
visit the ancient city of Angkor
Thom, the last capital of the
Great Khmer Empire under the
reign of Jayavarman VII. This
city is surrounded by an 8 m
high wall, drawing a perfect
square. Enter the city through
the ancient South Gate, an
impressive stone gate carved
with Elephants and four giant
faces. On each side of the
entrance path a row of 54 gods
or demons is holding the sacred
Naga snake.
From here, continue to Bayon
Temple in the exact center of
the city. This 12th century
masterpiece is a study in
grandeur and is well-known for
its 54 towers with enigmatic
faces representing the 54
provinces of the Great Khmer
Empire. The Terrace of the
Elephants and the Terrace of the
Leper King are also must-visits
as they are both known for their
intricate bas-reliefs.
In the late afternoon,
explore the overgrown ruins of
Ta Prohm, the''Tomb Raider
Temple'' made famous by the
Hollywood movie of the same
name.
After a refreshing break at
your hotel enjoy dinner at The
Nest Angkor this evening,
serving contemporary Khmer
dishes in a comfortable modern
setting.
15km bike
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 15: Siem Reap -
Banteay Chhmar (B/L/D)
After a hearty breakfast set
out for the distant ruins of the
long forgotten Banteay Chhmar
where you will spend the night
in your very own private tented
camp and experience the local
culinary delights.
Banteay Chhmar is a remote
temple complex located in close
proximity to the border with
Thailand. The massive temple
with eight satellite structures
and a dried up water reservoir
is one of the most important and
most mysterious of all Angkor
temples and its unique features
had it enlisted to become a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in
the near future.
Spend the rest of the day
exploring the scenic countryside
of Banteay Chhmar and the
outlying temples before retiring
your tented camp nearby a local
village, where you will also
enjoy a traditional Khmer
dinner.
Overnight in tented camp at
Banteay Chhmar.
Day 16: Banteay Chhmar -
Battambang (B/L/D)
Awake to the rural charms of
Cambodia before setting out on a
day of exploration cycling
through these seldom visited
sites down winding back roads
and through dense undergrowth to
rediscover the lost ruins. Enjoy
another lunch at a local house
set in the remote countryside
before your transfer to
Battambang (duration 5h) via
Svaysisophon.
Battambang is Cambodia's
second largest city and, not so
long ago, was within target
range of a stronghold of the
erstwhile Khmer Rouge and was
therefore off-limits to most
travellers.
However, like the remainder
of this beautiful gentle
country, Battambang has recently
re-opened to the outside world.
One fortuitous result of its
isolation and lack of
development is that Battambang
has some of the most well
preserved colonial French
buildings in the country. You
will find local people here to
be extremely friendly. They have
not been exposed to many foreign
visitors and they will be as
interested in you as you are in
them! Battambang was formerly
the rice bowl of Cambodia
although these days the
production of rice is augmented
by large orange and jute
plantations.
Arrive in Battambang in the
late evening and check into your
charming boutique hotel in a
French colonial villa. Enjoy
dinner tonight in the
atmospheric restaurant of your
hotel.
25km bike
Overnight in Battambang.
Day 17: Battambang (B/L/D)
Battambang's countryside is
what makes this pleasant river
town a real treat. The town is
situated along the Sangker
River, a quiet and small body of
water that finds its way through
Battambang Province. It connects
the Cardamom Mountains with
Tonle Sap Lake and feeds the
paddy fields on the way, which
results in Cambodia's best rice
and plentiful fruit orchards
that can be found here.
First of all, head to the
Bamboo Train station. The Bamboo
Train has been set up by the
villagers in order to facilitate
the transportation of goods and
persons as there are no regular
trains running any more. The
''train'' itself is very basic:
one bamboo platform on 4-wheels
is activated by a small motor.
Sitting on the platform (we will
provide some cushions for your
comfort), you will travel the 8
km to the next station through
beautiful landscape and rice
paddies (depending on season of
visit). A true rollercoaster
ride without loops! Return to
your hotel for lunch and a
relaxing break.
This afternoon, you will be
taken to some of the many
cultural villages around
Battambang, where you will learn
how the locals produce rice
paper, prahoc (typical Cambodian
fish paste), grolan (sticky rice
stuffed in bamboo), and other
Cambodian treats. You will also
visit a weaving and handicraft
centre in another village.
Tonight, a special visit
awaits you at Phare Ponleu
Selpak. School of Music, Visual
& Performing Arts - Phare Ponleu
Selpak combines the Arts to
provide education, support and
entertainment to the poor
communities. This project is a
success story of how
humanitarian aid work can turn
into a display of zest for life,
genuine warmth and creativity,
against all odds. A visit to one
of their circus shows will leave
you with a lasting memory of the
wonderful Cambodian people and
should not be missed when in
Battambang! After the show, a
dinner will be waiting for you
at the center.
(NOTE: The circus performance
is not performed every day.
Private performances are
available on request.)
Overnight in Battambang.
Day 18: Battambang- Siem
Reap (B/L/D)
Today, you will embark on one
of the most stunning boat trips
in Cambodia, as you will be
taken from Battambang to Siem
Reap by boat.
(NOTE: This boat trip is only
possible in the raining season
as water levels would be too low
during the dry season and
transfer times extremely long.
Alternative transport by road.)
The largest freshwater lake
in Asia, Tonlé Sap Lake, is an
exceptional water system as it
is swelling to almost five times
its size during the raining
season. The water of its main
drainage, Tonlé Sap River, is
being pushed back from the
Mekong, carrying an incredible
amount of water from the rains,
causing the river to reverse its
direction and thus causing the
lake to overflow, flooding
nearby fields and forests and
supporting an extraordinarily
rich and diverse eco-system. The
Lake is also an important
breeding ground for fish,
providing more than half of the
amount of fish consumed in
Cambodia. The particular water
system requires the people
living of the lake to adapt to
the living conditions. You will
see many villages on the way
where people live on stilted or
entirely floating houses.
Arrive in Siem Reap
mid-afternoon, the gateway to
the majestic temples of Angkor
and a charming little city.
After checking into your hotel,
set out for a delicious lunch at
Sala Bai, a school training
young Cambodians from poor
family backgrounds in the
principles of hospitality in
order to give them a future. You
will have plenty of
opportunities to talk to the
students as they will go on a
tour of the school after the
meal.
This afternoon, a local tuk
tuk will take you to one of the
definite highlights of your trip
to Cambodia: The legendary
Angkor Wat. Built during the
reign of King Suryavarman II in
the early 12th century, Angkor
Wat is constructed following the
model of the temple mountain
symbolizing Mount Meru, the home
of the gods. Inside the temple,
the walls are covered with stone
carvings and bas-reliefs
depicting Hindu mythology and
the wars Suryavarman II fought
during his reign. Angkor Wat is
well known for the more than
2,000 Apsara dancers decorating
the temple. Construction is
thought to have taken around
thirty years of intensive labor.
Today, Angkor Wat is figured on
Cambodia's national flag as the
temple symbolizes the soul of
the Khmer people.
Enjoy some time at leisure in
the evening until your Khmer
farewell dinner at Viroth's
Restaurant.
15km bike
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 19: Siem Reap -
Departure (B)
Enjoy the day at leisure
until the transfer to the
airport for your individual
departure flight. |
