From the classic visit to the majestic temples of Angkor, without forgetting Preah Vihear and Sambor Prei Kuk also listed as UNESCO World Heritage, to a moment of relaxation on the splendid beaches of the island of Koh Rong, you will also enjoy the vibrant capital Phnom Penh and the authentic countryside in Kratié and Kampong Thom.
Welcome by your driver upon your arrival at the airport. Transfer and installation at your hotel. Rest of the day free.
Rooms available from 2 p.m. If you arrive a little early and your room isn't ready yet, you can drop off your bags at reception before going for a walk in town or relaxing by the pool.
No guide is included on this day
Day visit in Tuk Tuk
Discover the famous Wat Phnom which gave its name to the capital. The "hill pagoda" is the highest point of Phnom Penh.
In the morning, visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, real gems of Khmer architecture built in the middle of the 19th century.
Continue to the National Museum and discover one of the most important collections of Khmer art: 14,000 sculptures and ethnographic objects, mostly from the temples of Angkor
Visit of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), the largest detention and torture center under the Pol Pot regime and the Khmer Rouge which will reveal a very painful chapter to you of the history of Cambodia.
English-speaking guide included on this day
In the morning, transfer to Kampong Cham.
The hills of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei are located in Kampong Cham. Each separated by a kilometer, the two highest points offer a magnificent view of the countryside and the Mekong. You can visit modern temples on these hills and enjoy the place for pleasant relaxation. Two places steeped in history not to be missed.
Take the road to Kratie, a city-province on the banks of the great Mekong with a peaceful reputation and magnificent rural landscapes. Once we arrive at our destination, we can stretch our legs on the promenade along the great Mekong.
We then hit the road for a short trip to Kampi where we board a small boat to go in search of Irrawaddy dolphins, one of the rare species of freshwater dolphins , in danger of extinction.
Then return to Kratié where we take a small boat to reach the river island of Koh Trong where our accommodation is located.
English-speaking guide included on this day
This morning, before hitting the road again, we discovered the island of Koh Trong by bike. The river island is a compendium of magnificent landscapes and a guarantee of a change of scenery. Let's discover the Khmer village and the inhabitants of a timeless island.
After lunch with locals and the short return crossing, we meet our driver for a transfer by road to the province of Kampong Thom.
Then, we leave by car to visit the mountain of Phnom Santuk, the sacred mountain gathers pagodas and large reclining Buddhas; the oldest have been carved into the rock over time and other newer ones are simply made of cement. You have to climb more than 800 steps in the middle of the forest to reach the top of this popular place of pilgrimage in the region. You will probably be accompanied by groups of monkeys. From up there, one can enjoy the view of the vast plains and the surrounding countryside.
Once arrived at destination, we check in at the hotel; The rest of the day is free.
English-speaking guide included on this day
This morning, we head north towards the province of Preah Vihear, more precisely to the town of Sra' Em located a few kilometers from the famous temple.
If our rooms are not yet ready, we can leave them at the hotel reception and go freely into town for lunch.
In the afternoon, our driver drops us off at the entrance to the archaeological site of Preah Vihear because we have to change vehicles to go up to the temple (a 4x4 is necessary). Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, this remarkable masterpiece of Khmer architecture located on the Thai border is an integral part of the Royal Route made famous by André Malraux.
We then return to the hotel; The rest of the day is free.
English-speaking guide included on this day
In the morning, we take the road towards Siem Reap.
We take the opportunity to discover along the way Koh Ker, capital of Cambodia for a short period in the 10th century. We notably visit Prasat Thom, a 30 m high mountain temple.
Visit Beng Mealea Temple invaded by ficus roots. It was used as a set for the 2004 movie « Two Brothers » by Jean-Jacques Annaud.
Beng Mealea is part of the Angkor Archaeological Park; We collect our Angkor Pass valid for 3 days at the entrance to the site and thus validate our first day at the temples.
Once arrived at destination, we check in at the hotel; The rest of the day is free.
English-speaking guide included on this day
Day visit in a tuktuk of the marvelous temples of Angkor located around and inside the Angkor Thom .
You will notably discover Angkor Wat, symbol of the apogee of the Khmer Empire under the Angkorian era. Inside Angkor Thom, discover Bayon and its many towers with gigantic faces, Baphuon and its gigantic 40m reclining Buddha statue, Phimeanakas, the Terrasse des Elephants and its wide variety of sculptures, but also the Terrasse du Roi Leper.
Continue by Ta Prohm famous for its huge trees with sprawling aerial roots and conclude with a sunset from the heights of Phnom Bakheng.
Possibility of making the visits in the opposite direction to avoid the crowds. Just let your guide know at the start of the day.
Temples are sacred places, avoid short clothes, cover your shoulders and wear pants or a long skirt.
In order to preserve these fragile monuments, it is forbidden to touch the sculptures or to sit on elements of the temple.
In Cambodian culture, it is offensive to heckle inside a sacred place, calm and respect are key words.
It is not recommended to buy items or sweets from child sellers, this only encourages begging and the practice of skipping school, prefer a donation to an association if it is important to you.
If you wish to photograph the monks (called Bonzes), you must obtain their permission beforehand. In addition, you must not touch them, they have the right to touch you but not the opposite.
English-speaking guide included on this day
After about 45 minutes of driving, we start the day with a visit to the Angkor Center for the Protection of Biodiversity. We will be able to see the efforts made by local and international teams to protect endangered local species: turtles and other reptiles, rare birds and mammals. Children and animal lovers will be enchanted by this discovery and awareness visit.
We then begin the short hike necessary to reach the site of Kbal Spean nicknamed "the underwater temple". Ruins of temples dating from the 9th century border a river whose bed is strewn with carved lingas. A small waterfall near the protected sacred site will allow us to cool off or even swim there (bring a small towel).
Very accessible hike of around 1.5 km (or 3 km round trip) with a small elevation gain over the last 700 meters. Bring walking shoes/sneakers as the path 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 which adorn its walls and columns. If we have any strength left, we can conclude the day with a visit to the Banteay Samre temple or return directly to the hotel.
English-speaking guide included on this day
In the morning, return by road to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.
On the way after hitting the road again, be daring to take full advantage of a brief “gastronomic” stop in the town of Skun, famous for its spiders and grilled insects.
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, our driver drops us off at the hotel for our check-in. The rest of the day is free.
English-speaking guide included on this day
In the morning, transfer by the only current highway in Cambodia to the pier of @Sihanoukville, a seaside town in the south with beautiful sandy beaches and gateway to the paradise islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem.
Boat transfer to Koh Rong from Sihanoukville pier. Our on-site team will wait for you at the pier to give you your boat tickets.
The boat staff will take half of your ticket from you. Keep the other half safe for the return!
Check-in at the hotel, rest and free time.
No guide is included on this day
Leisure day at your convenience
After breakfast and checking out of our room, we return by boat to Sihanoukville.
The boat departure is scheduled for XXX.
Upon arrival in Sihanoukville, a driver will meet you at the pier for a final transfer by road to Phnom Penh.
No guide is included on this day
Free program before your evening transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport (included; we will organize the transfer according to your flight schedule).
Note: you must leave your room before noon. If your flight is in the evening, you can leave your suitcases at the hotel reception for a last walk around town.