14 DAY CAMBODIA ADVENTURE TOURS

Arrival to Cambodia’s captivating capital, Phnom Penh. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 2: EXPLORE PHNOM PENH – A somewhat European city of airy boulevards and colonial villas, scarred still by the events of 1975, Phnom Penh has been engulfed by energy and optimism making it a pleasurable place to be. Today’s visits include the magni cent Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, before re ecting on the past at the harrowing Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields. Sunset at hilltop Wat Phnom rounds off the day.

Depart for the beach town of Kep, stopping en route at Tonle Bati, a peaceful site of Angkor- era temples. Travel on to a pepper farm to learn about the renowned Kampot pepper. Take a boat ride out to Koh Thonsay where you can spend a few hours relaxing on the beach before returning to Kep.

Visit the impressive cave temple of Phnom Chhnork before travelling to Kampot for a walking tour. A charming riverside town, Kampot has a wealth of colonial architecture to discover. Travel to Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s premier beach resort. Head up to the summit of Victory Hill for late afternoon views down over the city and Gulf of Thailand.

DAY 5 – Spend the day at leisure – explore this lively town or just hit the beach for total relaxation.

Return to Phnom Penh with a stop en route at the Kirrom National Park. Here footpaths wend their way amongst lush greenery and gushing waterfalls – keep an eye out for a variety of bird species.

Journey north to Battambang stopping at the former capital city Udong, a potters’ village and Touch Hill. Set in some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, Battambang is also home to Cambodia’s grandest colonial architecture.

Head out of town to the 12th- century Prasat Banan Temple and admire the breathtaking hilltop views. Return to Battambang and take a stroll through the village of Wat Kor, then explore a local house for a glimpse of traditional Khmer life. Visit a local NGO, La Maison de Coco, where traditional skills such as weaving are taught to locals before a visit to Phnom Sampov to see the bat cave.

Begin the journey towards Siem Reap, stopping in Puok District to visit the National Silk Centre. Learn about the cultivation of silk, from the planting of mulberry trees used to raise the silkworms to the harvesting of silk threads. Observe the artisans using the dyed and treated silk threads to create beautiful products in the workshops. On arrival in Siem Reap the rest of the day is at leisure.

The Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses over a thousand temples, all the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Rising early, journey to the old city of Angkor Thom and pass through the magni cent South Gate anked by 54 gods and demons.

At Angkor Thom’s centre is the enigmatic Bayon, a breathtaking temple of innumerable sculptural decorations. Also admire the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm – one of the most atmospheric temples which has been left in the grips of the jungle. The rest of the day is dedicated to Angkor Wat, the most magni cent, and best preserved of all of Angkor’s treasures. While away an afternoon in its shady precincts, and examine its wealth of fascinating and highly intricate embellishments.

Journey to Kbal Spean to see the intricate stone carvings of Hindu gods and sacred linga carved into the river bed and banks. Continue on to the captivating Banteay Srei – a richly embellished Hindu temple constructed in rose sandstone. The work is so intricate it is said that it could only have been carved by the hand of a woman. Explore the early 12th-century temple of Banteay Samre before climbing to the summit of the 10th-century Pre Rup Temple for views over the lush paddy fields at sunset.

High Water Season (Aug to Feb): Enjoy a morning cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting the oating village of Kampong Kleng and observing the way of life of these lake communities. Back on dry land visit Beng Mealea, a mysterious temple overrun by the jungle. Return to Siem Reap via Artisan D’Angkor, an organisation working to revive traditional Khmer arts and crafts. This evening sit down to dinner and the Apsara dance show.

Low Water Season (Mar to Jul): Head to Beng Mealea to explore this mysterious temple overrun by the jungle. Drop by Artisan D’Angkor before visiting the oating village of Chong Kneas. This evening sit down to dinner and the Apsara dance show.

A free day at your own leisure or exploration. Grab your last minute souvenirs before ending the trip.

Transfer to airport well in a head of time, departure and end of the Cambodia adventure tour