A sports circuit far from the beaten track starting from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and the unmissable temples of Angkor through The provinces of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri An adventurous and immersive itinerary where you will discover a unique culture and an endearing population.
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, on the way, be bold to take full advantage of a "gastronomic" stop in the town of Skun, famous for its spiders and his grilled insects.
Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei hills are located in Kampong Cham. Each separated by a kilometer away, the two highest points offer a magnificent view of the countryside and the Mekong. You can visit modern temples on these hills and take advantage of the place to relax pleasantly. Two places steeped in history not to be missed.
Once arrived at destination, we check in at the hotel; The rest of the day is free.
Small ferry crossing to reach @[Kratie]{kratie}. Then we take the road to Kampi.
Embark on the Mekong in search of the Irrawaddy dolphins, one of the rare species of freshwater dolphins, in danger of extinction.
Return to Kratie and rest of the day at leisure
Morning, departure by road with your driver for Mondulkiri province, one of the most natural and remote provinces of Cambodia where many minorities live . Upon arrival at Sen Monorom, the provincial capital, check into your hotel and rest. The rest of the day is free.
In the afternoon, we take the direction of the Bousra waterfalls, the largest and most beautiful in Cambodia. Pouring over 3 floors, they offer a magnificent spectacle and a natural swimming pool where you can swim.
No guide is included on this day
After breakfast, we go to the starting point of this day with the Mondulkiri Project. The day begins with a short information session on the work carried out by the association and the elephants that we will meet. Our hike then begins in the protected forest; the terrain is steep as we head towards the top of the hill where the jungle lodge is located, a kiosk set up in the middle of nature and offering an exceptional view of the valley. We then set off to meet the elephants with our hands full of bananas to gain their sympathy.
After our lunch and a little rest in the hammocks provided for this purpose, we go back down to the valley in the company of the pachyderms towards a pretty waterfall where we can swim and cool off. Those who wish can participate in cleaning the pachyderms.
Then we say goodbye to our friends and return to "town".
(Bottles of water provided)
Elephant work is now banned in Cambodia. The animals live freely in the sanctuary and there is obviously no question of considering an elephant ride.
Long pants
Closed shoes
Cap or other hat
Solar cream
Sunglasses
Small first aid kit
Mosquito repellent
Towel
Flashligh
Return to the resort to rest and departure with your driver in the evening to go to dinner in town (included).
No guide is included on this day
Transfer with guide to Banlung, provincial capital of Ratanakiri. Check-in at the hotel.
Stop at the volcanic lake of Yeak Loam, in the middle of the thick jungle. This magnificent lake with bluish waters would come from the fall of a meteorite. It is a sacred place for the local ethnic groups. The transparency of the water offers perfect visibility (possibility of swimming)
Continue ladies with a visit to the blue zircon mines, widespread in the region and often associated with rubber plantations. This semi-precious stone has properties of brilliance and scintillation very similar to diamonds.
And finally, a last break to admire superb waterfalls over seven floors before returning to the hotel. Swimming possible if you wish.
No guide is included on this day
In the morning, transfer to the Sesan river. You embark on a boat to reach the small village of a local minority where your hike in the Virachey National Park begins, with a French speaking guide. After walking for about 2 hours through the forest, you will take a lunch break on the riverside, river that you will cross by swimming (about 30 minutes). Resuming of the trek (for another 3.5 hours) to a small waterfall where you can bathe. You will camp there for the night. The dinner will be a chance to the local minority<s traditional food (bamboo cooking). For those with energy (and courage!) left, possibility to go on a short night hike.
Day with an English-speaking local guide
No guide is included on this day
In the morning, continue the hike through the primal forest with huge trees (some are more than 300 years old), to the Olalai river. After lunch, you will build a bamboo raft on top of which you will go down the river to a small isolated village where you will spend the night among an indigenous family who will make you discover the local culture (and rice wine!).
No guide is included on this day
After breakfast, return hike of approximately 4-5 hours towards an indigenous village where you will also have lunch. From there, you take a small boat to return to the starting point. Expected arrival at Banlung around 4-5 p.m.
No guide is included on this day
Morning, transfer with guide to Steung Treng.
We settle in at the Mekong Bird Resort, a small family establishment full of charm surrounded by nature and at the water's edge.
From the resort pier, we leave for a boat trip of around 1 hour to discover the Mekong and its trees with gigantic aerial roots. Maybe bring earplugs if you can because the motor is quite noisy. You may be lucky enough to see its many waterbirds such as the lapwing, the river tern, the greater oedecne or even the Mekong wagtail, a species discovered in 2001.
Possibility of returning by kayak; notify the resort and they will attach kayaks to the boat with ropes
No guide is included on this day
After breakfast, transfer by road to Preah Vihear.
A small detour allows you to admire the powerful Sopheakmit falls forming a natural border with Laos, as well as a beautiful pagoda at the exit of the site. There is an imposing statue of Buddha several tens of meters high and surrounded by 12 small statues representing the Chinese astrological signs.
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.
No guide is included on this day
Transfert par la route vers Siem Reap.
Discover Koh Ker, capital of Cambodia for a short time in the 10th century. You visit in particular the Prasat Thom, temple-mountain 30 m high.
Visit Beng Mealea Temple invaded by ficus roots. It was used as a set for the 2004 movie « Two Brothers » by Jean-Jacques Annaud.
No guide is 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
Near Kbal Spean, continue with a visit to the Angkor Center for the Protection of Biodiversity. You will be able to see the efforts made by local and international teams to protect local endangered species: snakes, turtles and other reptiles, birds and exotic mammals. Children and animal lovers will be delighted by this visit of discovery and awareness.
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.
Continue with the visit of Banteay Srey temple, smaller than the gigantic Angkor Wat or Bayon. This pink sandstone temple nicknamed "The Citadel of Women" is known for the refinement of bas-reliefs and sculptures that adorn its walls and columns.
Then, discover the Banteay Samre temple.
English-speaking guide included on this day
In the morning, transfer by road to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.
We first head towards Kampong Thom halfway between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
On the way, we make a detour towards the village of Kampong Kleang located on the lake Tonlé Sap about 1h30 by car from Siem Reap. We board a private boat to discover and visit the floating village. We discover the daily life of this community living mainly from fishing and to the rhythm of the lake.
At the edge of Kampong Thom, we take a short detour to discover the formidable pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. This archaeological site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2017.
Tour with a local English-speaking guide residing on site
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.
No guide is included on this day
In the morning, transfer by road to Phnom Penh.
Free program before our evening transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport.