Day 1: Veun Kham – Stung Treng – Kratié (L, D)
After your breakfast, you will go on route to Veun Kham, at the border with Cambodia. You will reach the border and go through immigration procedures, before finally boarding a boat to Stung Treng.
Upon your arrival, you will have lunch, before continuing on your trip up until reaching Kratié.
Overnight at a hotel in Kratié.
Day 2: Kratié – Sambok – Kratié (B, L, D)
After having a good breakfast, you will go to Sambok province and visit the Wat Phnom, a waterfall at Kampee, and Sorsor Mouy Roy Pagoda, also known as the “100-pillar Wat” due to the 116 pillars surrounding the pagoda.
Back to Kratié for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Kratié – Siem Reap (B, L, D)
You will leave Kratié and head to Siem Reap.
Check-in at the hotel upon arrival. Later, you will go to admire the sunset at the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill, from where you will enjoy a panoramic view of Angkor.
Dinner and overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 4: Siem Reap – Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat (B, L, D)
After breakfast, visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom – a vast architectural complex accessible by five monumental gates and housing the Bayon temple, famous for its towers with faces of Avalokitesvaras. You will stroll through the grounds of the Royal Palace where the Phimeanakas is located, and discover the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will go to Angkor Wat. Considered the largest religious edification ever built, this gigantic temple is a model of symbolism and symmetry, and the pride of an entire population. Erected in the 12th century under King Suryavarman II’s reign, it is widely recognized by experts as the eighth wonder of the world, and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
Later, you will have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in Siem Reap.
Day 5: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Banteay Samré (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will go to Banteay Srei, a jewel of Khmer art. This small pink sandstone temple is the expression of refinement of the sculptural Angkorian art. The delicacy of its sculptures makes it one of the most remarkable site in all Angkor. Its name, which means “Citadel of Women”, derives from its delicate engravings, considered too subtle to have been made by men.
Originally believed to be dating from the latest period of the Angkorian era, the inscriptions found on this site suggest that this temple was built by a Brahman in 967. However, architects and historians agree that these inscriptions may actually date from a former structure that already existed on this same location during the construction of Banteay Srei.
While on the return to Siem Reap, you will stop at Banteay Samré, a temple edified in the 12th century. Built by King Suryavarman II, to whom we also owe the phenomenal Angkor Wat, this temple was later renovated almost entirely. Pediments above the interior doors contain engravings considered to be among the most beautiful of all the similar sculptures dating from the Angkorian period.
Other visits are scheduled, including Kbal Spean archeologic area. After having lunch at a local restaurant, you will discover the twin temples of Ta Keo, Banteay Kdei, and Ta Prohm, a fascinating fusion between a monastery and the massive forest that appears to swallow the remains of this edification.
Back to Siem Reap for dinner.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Siem Reap – Roluos – Preah Khan – Neak Pean (B, L, D)
Discover the Roluos site, home to a major archeological site: it includes the antique Hariharalaya, the first capital of the region, founded in the 9th century, before visiting Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lolei sanctuaries, in the middle of a baray, one of the many humongous water tanks that previously ensured the prosperity of the Angkorian Empire. You will also visit the Prasat Prei Monti.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon: visit of Preah Khan (“Sacred Sword”), Neak Pean – a basin designed for purification rituals – and Ta Som. These three temples were built by King Jayavarman VII and are a perfect illustration of the preeminence of Mahayana Buddhism under his reign.
Later, you will go to Les Artisans d’Angkor – a charitable organization working towards reviving the ancient Khmer art. This organization, launched in 1992, enables disadvantaged youngsters to acquire skills in silk weaving, wood and stone carving, thus gaining valuable experience in order to find working opportunities later on.
Dinner and overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 7: Siem Reap – Kampong Thom (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you will be taken to Kampong Thom. On your way, you will go visit traditional villages and stop at Kampong Kdey’s Naga Bridge, an ancient Angkorian bride still in service up to this day.
Upon arriving in Kampong Thom, you will check-in at your hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will explore the Sambor Prei Kuk archeological site. Dating from the 7th century, it is the most important site of the pre-Angkorian era. The remains of this ancient capital of Chenla, scattered in the forest, are composed of more than a hundred of brick-made temples.
You will spend the night in Kampong Thom.
Day 8: Kampong Thom – Kampong Cham (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you will head to Kampong Cham. You will stop at Wat Nokor Kohar, built in the 11th century under Suryavarman I’s reign, and also go to the neighboring village to see an interesting monastery. Next, is a stop at Phum Prasa, a Hindu temple that was also a Royal Palace for a long time and where royal items were kept.
Upon reaching Kampong Cham, check-in at the hotel and rest before having lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will cross the Mekong to Chup and visit large rubber tree plantations. This location is highly recognizable, thanks to its famous red soil (in reality, old volcanos craters) that are suitable for crops such as rubber trees. Indeed, at the beginning of the 20th century, Michelin chose these lands for rubber tree plantations.
Overnight in Kampong Cham.
Day 9: Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh (B, L)
After breakfast, you will leave Kampong Cham for your next destination: Phnom Penh. You will mark several stops in order to visit Phnom Pros (“Man Hill”) and Phnom Srei (“Woman Hill”).
Check-in at the hotel in Phnom Penh upon your arrival.
Lunch at a local restaurant, before spending the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Overnight in the capital.
Day 10: Phnom Penh – City Tour (B, L, D)
This day will be dedicated to exciting visits: Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Museum of Fine Arts, and Wat Phnom – the oldest monument in the city.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Later, you will discover the Russian Market, one of the best places to shop in the capital. Known as Tuol Tom Pong Psar, it is also called "Russian Market" since the 1980s, when the Russians were the only tourists in Cambodia. This place is a giant bazaar where everybody bargains and where you can find almost everything you can imagine: local crafts, sculptures, silk and other textiles, clothing, footwear, computer software, music CDs, and DVDs.
After strolling a good time in the narrow alleys of this market, you will head to the impressive Central Market, one of the most famous monuments in Phnom Penh. Built and opened by the French in 1937, this imposing Art-Deco-styled structure is known by the inhabitants as Psar Thmei (or "New Market"). The huge central dome allows the market to be naturally ventilated. There, you will also find an incredible diversity of items. However, don’t shy away from bargaining and try to negotiate good prices, because the merchants in this market have a reputation of giving higher prices to tourists.
Overnight at the hotel in Phnom Penh.
Day 11: Phnom Penh – Kampot (B, L, D)
Have breakfast at your hotel before traveling to Kampot in the morning. While on the way, you will visit Tonlé Bati and the limestone caves of Kampong Trach, before resuming your drive to Kampot.
Later, you will hop on a boat for a cruise along the Kampot River, while admiring the sunset on the horizon.
Overnight at the hotel in Kampot.
Jour 12: Kampot – Sihanoukville (B, L, D)
In the morning, you will depart for Sihanoukville. During the drive, you will stop to visit pepper gardens and durian plantations, before going to Ream National Park.
Finally, you will go to Otres Beach – a new and modern beach in Sihanoukville. Later, you will travel by boat to visit Bamboo Island and Chaluh Island, where you will have a chance for snorkeling or diving.
You will return to Sihanoukville later in the afternoon.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Sihanoukville (B)
Today, you will be free to enjoy a relaxing time at the beach.
Overnight in Sihanoukville.
Day 14: Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh (B, D)
This morning, you will leave Sihanoukville to return to Phnom Penh.
Check-in at the hotel before having lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a pedicab tour around the city and visit the Independence Monument and Wat Ounalom.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in the capital.
Day 15: Phnom Penh – Departure (B)
After breakfast, you will have free time until being picked up and driven to the airport for your departure flight.
