Cambodia's Grand Loop

Day without English-speaking guide

Day tour by tuk-tuk

In the morning, we take the road to Kampong Cham.

Along the way, let's be bold and take full advantage of a "gastronomic" stop in the town of Skun, famous for its spiders and grilled insects.

In Kampong Cham, we leave the city to head to the village of Steung Trong and explore the beautiful rice fields and other plantations (peanuts, jicama or yam beans) in this very fertile area by the river.

A little further on, a different landscape awaits in the district of Krouch Chhmar. We set out to meet the villagers on a short 30-minute walk through tobacco fields (only possible if your stay's timing allows). A discovery of authentic rural Cambodge.

We then continue our journey to Kratié, a city-province on the banks of the great Mekong with a peaceful reputation and magnificent rural landscapes.

Upon our arrival in Kratié, we take a small boat to reach the river island of Koh Trong on which our host is located who will have prepared the meal for us

Short ferry crossing to reach Kratié.

Let's continue with a short transfer to Kampi, a few nautical miles north of Kratié. We board the Mekong to search for Irrawaddy dolphins, one of the rare freshwater dolphin species, which is endangered.

Optional: if you're of a sporty nature, it's possible to observe the dolphins by kayak (contact us)

After returning to solid ground, we visit nearby Phnom Sambok hill which houses a picturesque pagoda and a religious community where monks live separately from nuns. We then return to Kratié.

Once back in Koh Trong, let's explore the island on the Mekong by bike. Discover the traditional Khmer village, the daily life of villagers and visit the beautiful pagoda and the floating village.

After breakfast and checking out of our room, we return by boat to Kratié.

We head towards Sen Monorom. Upon arrival, we first visit the Coffee Plantation Resort for an initial stop. We recommend having lunch there; their small restaurant on the water is set in a pleasant setting

In the afternoon, we head towards the Bousra waterfalls, the largest and most beautiful in Cambodge. Cascading over 3 levels, they offer a magnificent spectacle and a natural pool where you can swim.

Once back in the Sen Monorom area, we settle into the hotel; the rest of the day is free. If you still have energy, you can explore the town and its surroundings, or take a short walk from the ecolodge to admire the landscape.

Road transfer to Steung Treng, a quiet small town located near the Laotian border on a sandy bank overlooking the Mekong, at the confluence with the Sé Kong River. Check-in at your accommodation.

We settle at the Mekong Bird Resort, a charming small family establishment in the heart of nature and on the waterfront.

Discover Koh Ker, capital of Cambodge during a short period in the 10th century. You will visit notably the Prasat Thom, a temple-mountain 30 m high and Prasat Pram, known for its brick towers and elegant sculptures. You will also visit the Linga temple on the same site, a fascinating sanctuary dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, famous for its impressive sculptures and stone lingas which symbolize fertility.

Visit the Beng Mealea temple devoured by the roots of strangler fig trees. It served as a backdrop for the film "Two Brothers" shot in 2004 by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

Once you arrive at your destination, we will check you into your hotel; The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy as you wish.

Day visit by tuk-tuk of the wonderful temples of Angkor located around and inside the Angkor Thom enclosure. We discover in particular Angkor Wat, symbol of the pinnacle of the Khmer Empire during the Angkorian era.

Within the Angkor Thom enclosure, discover Bayon and its numerous towers with gigantic faces, Baphuon and its gigantic 40-meter reclining Buddha statue, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of Elephants and its great diversity of sculptures as well as the Terrace of the Leper King.

Let's conclude with Ta Prohm famous for its immense trees with tentacle-like aerial roots. We can end this day with a sunset either at Srah Srang, or from the heights of Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng if you are ready to brave the crowds (note: Phnom Bakheng is off-limits to children under 12 years old and authorities limit access to 300 people at sunset, creating a queue)

Due to an already busy schedule, we deliberately skip a few secondary temples of the small circuit such as Banteay Kdei, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda or Ta Keo. If you wish to visit these sites, do not hesitate to inform your guide at the beginning of the day so he can best arrange the schedule.

Possibility to visit the temples in reverse order to avoid crowds. Simply inform your guide at the beginning of the day.

The temples are sacred places, avoid short clothing, you must cover your shoulders and wear long pants or a long skirt.

In order to preserve these fragile monuments, it is forbidden to touch sculptures or to sit on temple elements.

In Cambodian culture, it is offensive to be rowdy inside a sacred place, calmness and respect are key.

It is not recommended to buy items or sweets from child vendors, this only encourages begging and truancy, prefer to donate to an organization if it is close to your heart.

If you wish to photograph the monks (called Bonzes), you must obtain their permission beforehand. Furthermore, you must absolutely not touch them, they have the right to touch you but not the other way around.

We then begin the short hike needed to reach the Kbal Spean site nicknamed "the underwater temple", 49 km north of Angkor. Temple ruins dating from the 9th century line a river whose bed is scattered with sculpted lingas. A nourishing source for Angkor, the waters of Kbal Spean once irrigated the rice fields of the ancient city. In its bed, the Khmers sculpted Shivas and squares of stone used to bless the waters before they reached the Royal City. The site was discovered in 1968 by Ariège ethnologist Jean Boulbet, and following in his footsteps you can wander along the lush banks. A small waterfall near the sacred protected site will allow us to cool off or even take a swim (bring a small towel).

A very accessible hike of approximately 1.5 km (or 3 km round trip) with a small positive elevation gain over the last 700 meters.

Bring hiking shoes or sneakers as the trail is quite rocky.

After lunch, let's continue with a visit to Banteay Srey, a temple on a human scale compared to the gigantic Angkor Wat or Bayon. This pink sandstone temple nicknamed "The Citadel of Women" is known for the refinement of the bas-reliefs and sculptures that adorn its walls and columns.

If we have any energy left, we can end the day with a visit to Banteay Samre temple or head directly back to the hotel.

Today we visit the floating village of Mechrey by private boat. Located 25 km from Siem Reap, it is one of the least touristy floating villages. Ideal for getting a glimpse of the local way of life on the water, you will be able to see all floating structures: Homes, schools, restaurants and even... a pagoda!

Duration of 1.5 to 2 hours

We resume our journey and on the outskirts of Battambang, we discover Wat Slaket pagoda and Ek Phnom, an 11th-century sandstone Brahmanical temple now in ruins. It was ransacked by the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot, and looted by the Vietnamese at liberation. A place steeped in history. Let's take advantage of our passage to linger on the immense statue of the seated Buddha that stands near these ruins.

Once we arrive at our destination, we settle into the hotel before heading out for the final visits of the day.

After breakfast, we head with our driver towards Kampong Chhnang and more specifically to the Smiling Gecko NGO which is located in the surrounding area.

Halfway there, we make a stop in the provincial capital of Pursat to stretch our legs and perhaps have lunch there. Stone cutters, marble workers and cabinet makers are plentiful in this region if you wish to stop for a moment to observe them.

In Kampong Chhnang, we board a small boat to visit the floating village of Phum Kandal where we can observe the life of the inhabitants and admire the wooden houses painted in bright colors, with their small terraces equipped with hammocks and bamboo electrical poles.

Phum Kandal is a village composed mainly of Vietnamese.

Boat tour of approximately 1 hour

Once we arrive at our destination, we settle into the resort; the rest of the day is free.

We also say goodbye to our guide who has accompanied us since Siem Reap

Road transfer to Kep, a charming seaside town renowned for its crab market and national park perfect for a beautiful walk. Check-in at the hotel and free time to rest.

Morning visit by tuk-tuk.

This morning, near Kep, exploring the caves of Phnom Kampong Trach holds some lovely surprises for us. Considered as natural temples by local Buddhists, they hide numerous statues and altars. As the highlight of this "speleological" excursion, a beautiful representation of a reclining Buddha awaits us in an open-air clearing created by the collapse of the rock.

After lunch (included at the plantation), we return to the hotel.

Free afternoon.

Road transfer to the Sihanoukville pier, a coastal town in the south with beautiful fine sandy beaches and gateway to the paradise islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem.

Boat transfer to Koh Rong from Sihanoukville pier. Our team on the ground will meet you at the pier to hand over your boat tickets.

Once you arrive at your destination, we check into the hotel; the rest of the day is free.

Day without English-speaking guide

After breakfast and checking out of our room, we return by boat to Sihanoukville.

Upon our arrival in Sihanoukville, a driver will be waiting for us at the pier for a final transfer to Phnom Penh via the country's only highway.

Free time before our transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport.

We will need to vacate our room before noon. If our flight is in the evening, we can leave our luggage at the hotel reception for a final stroll around the city.