This morning you will be met by our local English speaking Tour Guide from your Siem Reap hotel/airport to begin your trip into places less explored in Cambodia.

Depart Siem Reap for the drive to Kompong Thom (2½hrs) with a short stop at the Spean Praptos Bridge which dates from the Khmer Empire.

In the mid-afternoon depart for Phnom Santuk Mountain. On the way stop at Kakaoh to see the stonemasons at work. The village is famous for the stone carvings that can vary from small souvenir size to huge Buddha statues destined for pagodas.

The next visit is to a small and rustical silk farm. Founded by a Vietnam War veteran, a short guided tour of the silk farm will provide insight into all stages of production, from the silkworm to the end product which you can see villagers weaving. The silk farm helps support local villagers with gainful employment.

The journey continues to Phnom Santuk, a sacred mountain and popular site of pilgrimage for Cambodians. Be ready to climb the more than 800 steps for a superb view over the surround countryside. Enjoy sunset over the rice fields from Phnom Santuk before returning to the hotel.

Meal included:             Dinner

Accommodation at:    Sambor Village Hotel, Kompong Thom 

Leave Kompong Thom this morning as your journey continues across rural Cambodia and towards the mighty Mekong River (approximately 6hrs).

The road trip follows plantations before reaching the Mekong, passing many old wooden houses and Cham villages. At a point near Stoeng Trong the Mekong River is crossed by local car ferry from where it onwards towards the town of Kratie.

Arrive into Kratie in the afternoon, a town located on the Mekong with a distinctly French feel to it with some colonial buildings still remaining. Take a boat across the Mekong to the island of Koh Trong which will be your home for the next 2 nights. Arrive at your hotel and check in.

With luck you will have the opportunity to catch a memorable sunset.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Packed lunch/Dinner

Accommodation at:    Rajabori Villas, 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 mid-morning you will be collected by horse cart for a ride 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. After continue by horse cart to a local homestay where a traditional Khmer meal will be served.

Bicycles are available for house guests so you can explore the island on your own accord. Or you may prefer to relax at the swimming pool.

Depart Koh Trong this morning and return by boat to the mainland for your sightseeing. An exciting morning awaits with some absorbing sightseeing followed by the drive to Ratanakiri province.

Drive the short distance outside of Kratie to the starting point for a local boat cruise in search of the rare Irawaddy dolphins. Spottings are frequent. Once your boatman spots the dolphins he will switch off the motor so you can watch them coming to the surface. The dolphin trips usually last around 1½ hrs and are part of a community initiative to provide employment for the boatmen and also to protect the animals.

After continue on the drive to Ratanakiri province.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Packed Lunch/Dinner    

Accommodation at:    Terres Rouges Lodge, Ratanakiri

A full day is spent to learn about the minority peoples of Ratanakiri province and also to take in some delightful countryside.

In the morning head northwards, almost to Laos and the village of Taveng. Cross the volcanic lava field of Veyrum Plang. Travelling north the landscape changes bit by bit from primary forest to cleared forest, bamboo and bush. Later on, stop at some Kroeung villages located in the forest on both sides of the road. Learn about the minority tribe who have a centuries old tradition of erecting bachelor houses standing on long poles.

Stopping in one of the villages we start a little hike through slash and burn fields and bamboo forests. Wade upstream across a little river and after a while arrive at a Kroeung village from where it is back to Banlung by road and your lodge for the night.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch(picnic)/Dinner

Accommodation at:    Terres Rouges Lodge, Ratanakiri

Spend the full day exploring the beauty of Ratanakiri.

Leaving Banlung in a northwesterly direction today cross bamboo forests before reaching the village of Voen Sai located on a bank of the Tonle San river. Visit a Chinese enclave where Khmer is hardly spoken.

Upstream of the Tonle San is Kaoh Peak, a village of the Kachok minority that practices funeral statuary or totems. Head then in the direction of Banlung passing though rubber plantations towards the waterfall of Teuk Cha Ong.

The last stop of the day is at Boeng Yeak Lom, a beautiful blue, perfectly round, crater lake surrounded by forest. The clear waters are inviting and it is time for a relaxing late afternoon swim.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch(picnic)/Dinner

Accommodation at:    Terres Rouges Lodge, Ratanakiri

Depart Banlung after an early breakfast to drive towards Sen Monorom in Mondulkiri province. The road has been newly built and for the most part is a smooth, paved road

Stop midway at Dei Ey, a mixed ethnic Phnong tribal and Khmer village. The Phnong have a long history of living in the forest, only leaving during the Khmer Rouge period. They have their own spoken language but no written form. At the community lodge an introduction will be given to the customs and culture of the Phnong tribe before starting on a trek across plantations of peanuts and cassava. A shady spot is the location for a simple lunch prepared by the community. After which it is possible to swim in the cool waters of a nearby stream.

During the walk you may see some monkeys and various birdlife including hornbills and peacocks. A visit is also made to a community forest where the Phnong guide will explain the significance of the sacred trees. 

Arrive back to the road where your car is waiting for the drive on to Sen Monorom.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Picnic Lunch/Dinner    

Accommodation at:    Mayura Hill Hotel & Resort, Sen Monorom

Mondulkiri feels very different to the rest of Cambodia and is home to beautiful hilly scenery, cascading waterfalls, wild elephants and a variety birdlife. The Phnong tribe are indigenous to the area and their villages can be visited as a part of a stay in the province.

Begin your day at Pulung Village, an indigenous Phnong tribal community. A local Phnong guide will explain about the people, their culture and answer any questions you may have.

From Pulung walk with your guide across the valley, up and down gentle hills and towards a beautiful waterfall. Bou Sraa Waterfall is the largest in Cambodia and its two tiers cascade 10m and 25m respectively.

Enjoy sunset from a location known as the ‘Sea Forest’. It needs to be seen to be clearly understood but as you stand at the top of the hill you can see kilometres of forest canopy that appears like rolling waves in an ocean. 

Meal included:             Breakfast/Picnic Lunch

Accommodation at:    Mayura Hill Hotel & Resort, Sen Monorom

Following breakfast drive 30 mins out of town to ELIE or Elephant Valley Project. This unique project in Cambodia takes care of elephants that have been rescued or at times cannot be supported by their mahouts. A visit is not about riding elephants as this is strictly forbidden.

A full visit to the sanctuary offers the perfect opportunity for visitors who want to spend as much time as possible with the elephants. Departure is at 7.30am by shared 4WD transport from Mondulkiri out to the sanctuary. The visit is split into morning and afternoon and shadowing two elephant families amongst their natural environment. The time is spent watching their natural behavior from close proximity.

Lunch is taken back at the ‘base camp’ with a healthy Khmer buffet lunch before returning to the forest in the afternoon.

Meal included:                    Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:           Mayura Hill Resort, Sen Monorom

Take an early breakfast before departing for Phnom Penh (approximately 7-8 hrs). A little outside of Sen Monorom stop to visit a further Phnong village called Putang to get a deeper understanding of the tribal life. Many of the house have huge jars outside them which are used to make local rice wine. A sample can often be tasted if you wish. A local Phnong guide will be on hand to help you interact with the tribal people.

After drive towards Phnom Penh passing through Seima Protected Forest where wild elephants still roam. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant on the way.

Arrive into Phnom Penh in the mid-afternoon where the tour concludes. Drop off will be at your hotel or the airport for an evening departure flight.

Meal included:             Breakfast/Lunch