Upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport you will be met by our local English speaking Tour Guide and transferred to your hotel to check in.

After taking the chance to refresh head for the riverside to board a comfortable cruise boat and sail off for a dinner cruise along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Enjoy a tasty set menu served from the on-board kitchen by internationally trained chefs.

Meal included:             Dinner

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Phnom Penh

In the morning visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek.

Take lunch at a non-profit restaurant which has worked to build the futures of former street children and marginalized young people in Phnom Penh since 1994. Your visit helps sustain the project and importantly keeps the staff and their trainers away from the street and in gainful employment.

After it is time to visit a bustling market and one of the most beautiful buildings in Cambodia, if not Asia. Central Market or Psar Thmei was originally constructed in 1937 following plans of the French architect, Louis Chauchon.

Later in the afternoon visit the Royal Palace.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Phnom Penh

Transfer from Phnom Penh to Kompong Cham (2 hrs) with your English speaking Tour Guide who will accompany you for the duration of your visit. Kompong Cham is a slow paced provincial capital set on the banks of the Mekong River.

Close to town is Wat Nokor, best described as a fusion temple. The modern day Theravada Buddhist pagoda is built in and around the ruins of a 12th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine. The sandstone and laterite walls blend with the colourful new pagoda and provide ample photo opportunities.

Stop for lunch at Smile Restaurant in Kompong Cham, which serves as a training centre for disadvantaged youths. The non-profit café is run by the Cambodian NGO, Buddhism for Social Development Action (BSDA).

Continue along the Mekong passing many old wooden houses and Cham villages on the way to Kratie (2hrs). Take a boat across the Mekong to the island of Koh Trong which will be your home for the next 2 nights.

With luck you will have the opportunity to catch a memorable sunset. The Mekong River sunsets are some of the best you can see in the region and a suitable venue is located only a few minutes from your lodge.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Kratie (Koh Trong)

Today is your chance to experience life on a Mekong River island. The island of Koh Trong is a friendly place and great for walking, jogging, cycling and just relaxing.

In the morning travel by horsecart with your guide along the island trails to the local pagoda. A local community project offers you the chance to plant a tree and leave a positive trace on the island for years to come. At the local pagoda make a blessing to the resident monks. Continue by horse cart to a local homestay where a traditional Khmer meal will be served.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Kratie (Koh Trong)

Leave the island of Koh Trong by boat this morning to cross back to Kratie. Drive to the starting point for a local boat cruise in search of the rare Irawaddy dolphins. These creatures spend most of their time in ‘dolphin pools’ or certain stretches of the Mekong River. Once your boatman spots the dolphins he will switch off the motor so you can watch them coming to the surface. The dolphin trips are part of a community initiative to provide employment for the boatmen and also to protect the animals.

Back in Kratie town we spend a little time to explore the main market.

After it is time for lunch at Le Tonle Restaurant. Founded in 2007, Le Tonle functions as a Tourism Training Center to increase the capacities of vulnerable youth from Northeast Cambodia. Enjoying a meal in their restaurant will directly support the young trainees.

We then drive along the Mekong passing many old wooden houses and Cham villages on the way to Kampong Thom (4 hrs).

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Kampong Thom

Leaving Kampong Thom today's adventure takes in a UNESCO World Heritage Site before you head to Siem Reap.

Head first about 30km to Sambor Prei Kuk. Stroll around the sandy paths and forest that cover the impressive pre-Angkorian temple ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk. This former Chenla-era capital once boasted hundreds of temples. A local community guide will follow to provide some expert knowledge.

Following the visit lunch will be a simple Khmer meal provided by the local community at the entrance of Sambor Prei Kuk. Following an initiative by a German development agency a series of villagers have provided meals to tourists as part of a sustainable tourism programme.

On the way to Siem Reap a short stop is made at the Spean Praptos Bridge which dates from the Khmer Empire.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Siem Reap

This morning begin your exploration of the Temples of Angkor by visiting Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world.

Return late morning to Siem Reap town. Depending on your interests your guide can take you to explore the local market, find a restaurant for lunch or visit a local artisan. Alternatively escape the midday heat and relax in your hotel swimming pool or enjoy some spa treatment.

In the afternoon visit Ta Prohm, a unique temple that has been left to nature with trees and vines growing amongst the structures. This is one of the most photogenic temples in the Angkor area and gained fame as the ‘Tomb Raider’ temple after featuring in the Angelina Jolie movie.

Meal included:             Breakfast

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Siem Reap

This morning take a remork (similar to the Thai tuk tuk) to visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Surrounded by walls with a height of 8m and length of 12km, the city was the last capital of the Khmer Empire.

You will also discover hidden passageways and finish the tour at a temple group that is often overlooked by tour groups.

The afternoon is free at leisure though the guide and remork are at your disposal to visit other temples if you wish.   

Meal included:             Breakfast

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Siem Reap

This morning travel into the Cambodian countryside and out to the temple of Banteay Srei, dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. Mid-journey stop to walk along a scenic village backroad which is often full of activity. Banteay Srei is different to the other temples as it is constructed of pink sandstone and the name means ‘Citadel of the Women’.

Enjoy a restful lunch experience only minutes from Banteay Srei temple. The restaurant comprises of several kiosks with traditional thatch roofing set amidst a tropical garden. An ancient lake, Bang Khnar, is situated in front of the restaurant and provides an ever-changing vista with a breeze of fresh air.

On the way back to Siem Reap we stop to learn about the famous rodents at the Apopo Visitor Centre. Not weighing enough to trigger a landmine when walked across, the rats are smart enough to smell the explosive and give a warning note to their handler. The mines can then be isolated and removed. At the Apopo Visitor Centre take a short tour to learn about their work with a short demonstration by a mine detecting ‘hero rat’.

This evening enjoy some modern Khmer theatre at a performance of Phare, the Cambodian Circus by professional artists from Phare Ponleu Selpak. Enjoy an hour long show which is a great, positive example of modern Cambodia and mixes theatre, dance, music, juggling and contortion.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Siem Reap

Travel to the port this morning in Siem Reap to board a private wooden boat that will take you across part of the Tonle Sap River and then up a tributary to the town of Battambang. The journey is long but very scenic as you pass floating villages, see fishing boat go about their work, mangroves and village life on the banks of the Sangker River.

Arrive into Battambang and check in to your hotel. Battambang is a charming town with the early 20th century French colonial architecture still prevalent and little modern development taking place.

(note: in the event of low water then the transfer today will be by road).

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Battambang

Spend the morning on a bike taking in the traditional Cambodian local industries surrounding Battambang. The bike tour departs at 7:30am and takes a relaxed 22km route along shaded roads through the countryside, making it back to town in time for midday. The shared tour is guided by a social enterprise initiative set up to provide scenic and informative bike rides through the local countryside. Along the way you’ll meet local families and learn about their traditional livelihoods and businesses, often unchanged throughout generations.

In the afternoon travel a few kilometres to the start of one of the most fun ‘train rides’ you will ever experience. The train or ‘nori’ is consists of a wooden platform placed on 4 wheels and connected to a gasoline engine that powers the device. Used initially as a way of transporting goods between villages, today it is a popular way to transport tourists through the countryside with a little extra adrenalin added on a 6km trip.

Late afternoon head 12km out of town to Phnom Sampeau. The limestone outcrop is home to a variety of temples and excellent views of the countryside dotted with palm trees and rice paddy fields. There is also a more sinister side as Phnom Sampeau is home to the Killing Caves, where Khmer Rouge executed prisoners. Many of them were thrown to the deaths through a skylight in the cave roof.

Stay until dusk to catch the natural phenomenon of thousands of bats exiting a cave. They fly one by one out of the cave creating patterns in the sky. It is quite a spectacular to behold.

Meal included:             Breakfast

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Battambang

Depart from Battambang this morning for the drive to Phnom Penh (travel time around 6 hrs not including stops).

A short distance from the town of Kompong Chhnang, one reaches a scenic pottery village. It seems that every house is involved in the industry and all over Cambodia ox-carts can be seen selling wares from the village.

Take lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

Reach Phnom Penh in the late afternoon and check in to your hotel.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Phnom Penh

Transfer from Phnom Penh to Kampot (approximately 3 hrs). The charming town of Kampot is home to some of the best examples of French colonial architecture to be found in Cambodia today though many of the buildings are in need of repair. Kampot is famous for its pepper, fish sauce and the huge durian fruit.

In the afternoon take a relaxing walk around the town and the riverside and enjoy the laid back, friendly atmosphere with the backdrop of the river and the Bokor Mountain dominating in the distance.

Take a scenic river cruise on the Kampot River in the late afternoon. Enjoy the sun setting behind the Bokor Mountain before returning to Kampot town.

Meal included:             Breakfast

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Siem Reap

Leave Kampot as we head along the coast to the seaside town of Kep. We stop at to learn about the famous Kampot pepper at a farm.

Kep used to be a thriving seaside town in the 1960’s. Designed for the rich Khmer with huge colonial villas, mansions and royal residences, the town fell apart and suffered huge demand under the Khmer Rouge. A small local beach, delicious seafood and an easily accessible national park are just some of the highlights of Kep.

Check in to your hotel and take some time to relax. The rest of the day is at leisure though your guide is on hand if you wish to take a tour of the town. Sunsets are particularly stunning and the Sailing Club or restaurants next to the Crab Market are great venues for a sundowner whilst watching the sun setting.

Meal included:             Breakfast

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Siem Reap

After breakfast head to the famous Kep Crab Market.

Drive to the pier to catch a private local boat across to Koh Tonsai or Rabbit Island as it is also known. On arrival at Rabbit Island you can choose to walk around the perimeter (about 2 hrs walk) or just sit, relax and enjoy the beach and warm waters. Snorkeling gear is at your disposal if required.

A seafood BBQ will be prepared for your lunch and some further time to relax.

Mid-afternoon return by boat to the mainland and transfer the short distance back to your hotel.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:    Selected hotel, Siem Reap

Leave Kep this morning/midday for the transfer to Phnom Penh Airport (approximately 3 hours).

‘Chum reap lear’ and farewell to Cambodia.

Meal included:            Breakfast