Cambodia Adventure

Depart London

Day 2

Sousadei! Welcome to Cambodia.

Dependent on arrival time there will be the opportunity to explore the
capital or simply relax by the hotel pool. This evening there will be a
welcome briefing with your leader followed by an optional group dinner at a
local restaurant.

*Ohana Hotel or similar*

Day 3

Leaving Phnom Penh we travel into rural Cambodia to Kampot which sits on a
picturesque river. On the way we stop at Phnom Chisor mountain temple set on
a hill with a magnificent view. The temple was built in the 11th century by
King Suryavarman I. It is made of laterite, bricks and carved sandstone. Upon
arrival we check into our centrally located hotel, our base for the next two
nights, before boarding a local boat for sunset trip on the Kampot River. The
river runs through the centre of the town and can flow in both directions as
it is closely connected to the sea.

**The Columns Hotel or similar*
*

Day 4

Today we venture out into the countryside to discover the highlights of the
Kampot Province including local salt fields, rice fields, fruit and pepper
plantations, and the Phnom Chhnork caves. Kampot is also famed for being one
of the largest producers of the durian fruit; the durian, once opened, has a
smell so pungent it is illegal to take indoors in some South East Asian
countries!

After exploring the countryside we visit Kep “ghost town” - previously a
popular seaside resort Kep now houses old resort buildings which have bullet
holes from the Khmer Rouge period, a reminder of the not so distant past. Kep
is once again regaining popularity with local tourists and you might like to
join them in having lunch in the simple crab shacks that line the beach.
Serving up the freshest seafood around the crab in Kampot pepper sauce is not
to be missed!

**The Columns Hotel or similar*
*

Day 5

After breakfast we drive approx. 2.5-3 hours from Kampot to Sihanoukville,
before taking a speed boat ferry transfer (approx. 45 min to 1 hour) across
to beautiful Koh Rong Island, our home for the next 2 nights.

Upon arrival you will have free time to relax, refresh with a swim in the
beach, or sip cocktails as the sun sets. 

*Sok San Resort or similar*

Day 6

Our resort is located on one of the island's most mesmerising and secluded
white sandy beaches. Today you will have free time to relax on the beach and
enjoy the crystal-clear ocean waters, try your hand at various optional
activities on offer such as snorkelling, kayaking, and other water sports or
just soak up the exotic tropical surroundings. Your leader will be able to
advise during the trip of all options available to make the most of your free
day.

*Sok San Resort or similar*

Day 7

This morning we transfer back to the mainland by speed boat (45 min. to 1
hour) and drive on to Phnom Penh (approx. transfer time 5-6 hours) with a
stop for lunch.

Located on the banks of the Tonle Sap and the Mekong River, Phnom Penh is
home to 2.2 million of Cambodia’s residents. Despite being the capital, it
still retains a laid-back, typically Cambodian feel where the pace is slower
than some might expect.

We set out on a sunset cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) lap of the town giving us a
unique view of this bustling city and providing us with an easy orientation.
Stopping to see some of the local street food being served on the waterfront,
here we have the chance to try some local specialities. We continue on to
finish at a restaurant serving tasty Khmer cuisine. There are also many
waterfront bars worth a visit; the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC)
overlooking the Tonle Sap River is recommended.

*Ohana Hotel or similar*

Day 8

Phnom Penh still retains a frontier atmosphere and today we have a full day
of sightseeing in Cambodia's capital city.

The day of sightseeing will include the beautiful Royal Palace and Silver
Pagoda, so named for the solid silver tiles that make up the floor.
Thankfully the complex escaped the worst excess of the Khmer Rouge rule.
Similar in style and scale to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, the Royal Palace
has significantly fewer visitors and there is plenty of time to wander among
the traditional buildings. There is also time today to shop at either the
impressive Central Market or the sprawling Russian Market, a souvenir
hunter's paradise!

We visit Tuol Sleng museum or S21 (Museum of Genocide), which graphically
displays the horrors of the 4 years when Pol Pot systematically ordered the
murder of between 2 and 3 million Cambodians. Tuol Sleng was originally a
school but was used as a torture and interrogation centre between 1976 and
1979. It is a sobering and disturbing place to visit. Please be aware that
the images at the museum are very graphic. We complete our day with a moving
late afternoon visit to the 'killing fields' of Choeung Ek. A
football-field-sized area surrounded by farmland, the killing fields contain
mass graves for perhaps 20,000 Cambodians, many of whom were tortured before
being killed.

*Ohana* Hotel or similar*
*

Day 9

Our destination today is Battambang (pronounced Battambong). Cambodia's
second-largest city, Battambang, is centred around an attractive riverside
hub with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved
colonial architecture. There are also some striking examples of Art Deco
architecture; Central market, the Victory swimming pool and the train station
to name a few. En route to Battambang we have the chance to stop at a pottery
village, a silversmith village and a marble handicraft workshop for an
insight into local handcrafts and industry. In the evening we’ll enjoy an
orientation walk along the Sangke River bank and observe daily life of the
local people.

*Classy Hotel or similar*

Day 10

Today we cycle through countryside to explore Cambodia’s rural way of life.
Stopping at villages to see local cottage industries, traditional scarf
weaving and traditional farming, there will be countless opportunities to
interact with the villagers who may be surprised to see us travelling as they
do, on a bicycle! We’ll reward our morning’s efforts with fruit and a
refreshing coconut. The cycle is easy riding on flat terrain with lots of
stops along the way. If you would like to opt out of the cycling and hop on a
tuk-tuk instead please let the leader know at the beginning of the trip so
alternative arrangements can be made.

*Classy Hotel or similar*

Day 11

After breakfast we head to the town of Siem Reap with stops at the local
market at Pouk. Cambodian markets tend to be fragrant affairs – on offer
here is Cambodian ‘cheese’; one of the strongest smelling cheeses around
- perhaps because it is made entirely of fish! The local market is
nonetheless a great insight into the daily life of the Cambodian people. We
will also make a brief stop at the Angkor Silk Farm for a introduction into
the life of a silkworm and the production process of this fine textile. This
afternoon we walk past the Royal Gardens and along the Siem Reap River front
to the Old Market helping us get our bearings in this charming small town.
You may like to finish with a visit to the Artisans DÁngkor workshop – a
not-for-profit organisation which provides vocational training for young
people in traditional Cambodian arts.

*Angkor Holiday Hotel or similar*

Day 12

Our first full day of temple touring is by private bus so we can visit some
of the outlying temples such as Banteay Srei. Known as the Women’s Citadel
this small temple complex with intricate carvings is devoted to Brahma.
Particularly impressive are Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, still covered in
jungle, similar to how it was when it first came to light. Discovered for the
world in the 1870s, (although always known by the local people), and famously
described as being 'grander than anything of Greece or Rome' by the French
explorer Henri Mouchot, this world heritage site stands alongside the
Pyramids and Machu Picchu as one of the world's most spectacular
archaeological sites.

Tonight is free to enjoy one of the many restaurants on the famous 'Bar
Street' boulevard in central Siem Reap. You may also wish to marvel at the
skills of the Phare Cambodian Circus troop for an entirely different option
or chose to watch some traditional Apsara dancing.

**Angkor Holiday Hotel or similar**

Day 13

This morning we get set up on mountain bikes for an easy but active ride
around the Angkorian ruins that are closer to town. On the bicycle we can
avoid some of the crowds and get a unique perspective on this amazing site.
If you want to rise early you can arrange with your leader to take in Angkor
at sunrise prior to the day’s cycling.

We will visit the incredible Angkor Wat, the many temples inside the Royal
City of Angkor Thom, including the magnificent Bayon, which is comprised of
54 intricately carved towers in one single temple. The Bayon certainly left
an impression on an early traveller in 1925 who stated 'we stand before it
stunned. It is like nothing else in the land.'

Angkor is a truly magical experience and a photographer's paradise, one of
the real highlights of our trip. The ride will be approx. 25km with plenty of
opportunities for refreshment stops and to take photos. If you would like to
opt out of cycling and instead cool down in the support vehicle, please let
your leader know who will be able to arrange the logistics of this and the
rest of the group.

**Angkor Holiday Hotel or similar**

Day 14

Depart Siem Reap

Day 15

Arrive London