Flight: PG907 Bangkok - Siem Reap 17.40 - 18.40

Meet & Greet: On arrival in Siem Reap, you will be welcomed to Cambodia by your private guide and transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Montra Nivesha (Deluxe Room)

Mahendraparvarta Motorcycle Adventure on Phnom Kulen: Known as Mahendraparvata at the time of the Khmer Empire, Phnom Kulen hit the headlines in 2013 as a ‘lost city’ revealed through the use of aerial LIDAR data. This was 21st century archaeology at its very best and several new sites were discovered as well as a much bigger urban settlement than was previously realised. Explore some of these newly accessible adventures on the back of a motorcycle, the traditional form of transport in rural Cambodia. 

After breakfast this morning set off by road to Phnom Kulen, the sacred mountain that was the birthplace of the Khmer empire. It was here that Jayavarman II proclaimed independence from Java in 802AD, setting the stage for the glories of the Angkor-era that was to follow. This mountain plateau was known as Mahendraparvata and was an early capital of the Khmer empire.

At the busy settlement of Preah Ang Thom you will switch vehicles to a local motorcycle taxi to explore remote jungle sites on the sacred mountain. Start at ‘bat cave’, a complex of Hindu and Buddhist shrines hidden beneath the rockface, then ascend to an impressive viewpoint that offers panoramic views of lowland Siem Reap Province. Continue to the striking stone guardian animals of Sra Damrei, which include a life-size stone elephant. Next travel to the brick temple of Damrei Krab and the early pyramid temple of Rom Cheng, which is believed to be the temple where the devaraja (god-king) ceremony actually took place, where Jayavarman II proclaimed himself the earthly incarnation of Shiva. Continue to the incredible rock formations of Poeng Tbal, which include a number of holy carvings. These sites date from the 9th century and the reign of Jayavarman II, pre-dating the relocation of the capital to Angkor by almost a century.

Return to Preah Ang Thom village for a local lunch, then head to the impressive riverbed rock carvings which include innumerable lingas and representations of Shiva and Vishnu. There is a classic waterfall further downstream which is the perfect place to cool off after exploring and nearby is a small, jungle-clad temple called Prasat Krau Romeas. Wat Pre Ang Thom is a focus of pilgrimage for Khmers during religious festivals and the large reclining Buddha carved into a huge sandstone boulder here offers spectacular views across the lush jungle. You will then switch vehicles back to a car, and descend from the plateau and return to Siem Reap town.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Montra Nivesha (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Backroads cycling tour of Angkor: This morning explore some of the most impressive temples at Angkor on two wheels, taking advantage of back roads and jungle paths to get off the beaten path and experience Angkor without the crowds. Leave Siem Reap early using a forest path to avoid the traffic and wind our way past the walls of Banteay Kdei to the North Gate of Ta Prohm. The ‘jungle temple’ has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhot in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.

Continue cycling to Ta Nei, a small temple that has been forgotten in the jungle and sees few visitors. You will need to carry your bike across an old French dam to cross the Siem Reap River. You will then enter the immense walled city of Angkor Thom, the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII, through the Victory Gate and continue to East Gate. Ascend the walls of Angkor Thom and ride around the southeast quadrant to stop at atmospheric Prasat Chrung, a seldom-visited temple overlooking the vast moat of Angkor Thom. Cycle from South Gate to the Bayon and explore the main temples of Angkor Thom, including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Preah Palilay, Terrace of the Leper King and Preah Pithu.

Bayon temple is famous for its enigmatic faces of Lokesvara, the Buddha of Compassion, said to bear an uncanny resemblance to the great King Jayavarman VII himself. Baphuon is nicknamed the world’s largest jigsaw puzzle as the French took it apart stone by stone in the 1960s for restoration, only for all records to be destroyed by the Khmer Rouge. Cycling along the back paths to the lesser known temples of Angkor Thom such as Preah Palilay and Preah Pithu is a rewarding experience. Return to your hotel later this afternoon for some time to rest and relax by the pool.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Montra Nivesha (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private boat trip across Lake Tonle Sap to Battambang: This morning, depart Siem Reap by road for the Tonle Sap Lake. On arrival at the lake, board your private wooden boat for the fascinating 6-7 hours cruise to Battambang, crossing the lake before travelling up river. Enjoy views of the Cambodian landscape and the daily life along the river. A packed lunch is included on board.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bambu Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Half day Soksabike cycling tour: After an early breakfast this morning you will be met by your guide and taken to the Kinyei Cafe in Battambang's colonial quarter for a coffee and briefing from your cycling guide. Set off on a half day bicycle tour of Battambang and the surrounding countryside that will offer an insight into the traditional livelihoods of rural Cambodians. The emphasis of the tour is to show the reality of life in rural Cambodia, and ensure that the visit makes a positive impact on the local communities – economically, socially and ecologically. The cycling guides are all Battambang locals, many of whom are students at the city's university, and they will encourage you to learn a few words of Khmer so that you can interact with the locals you meet. The trip stops at a rice paper making village, a wine making village, a village that makes Prahok (fermented fish paste) and a cake making village. The trail follows quiet, flat, partially shaded country roads and the total distance travelled is 25-30 km.

Afternoon tour of Battambang: This afternoon drive a short distance out of town to the Bamboo Train "station". The train comprises of a simple bamboo platform on 4 wheels with a small motor, and was created by local villagers to facilitate the transportation of goods. Travel 8km on the train to the next village through beautiful landscape and rice paddies. On arrival at the village visit a workshop specialising in wooden sculpture. Continue to the hilltop temple of Phnom Sampeau, a sacred mountain dotted with interesting pagodas and stupas. There is also a moving memorial to Khmer Rouge victims who were thrown into one of the many caves that pepper this holy mountain. Finish the tour with the dramatic spectacle of thousands of bats leaving one of the caves in streaming dark clouds as dusk descends.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bambu Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Battambang to Phnom Penh with sightseeing en route: Today travel by road from Battambang to Phnom Penh, a journey of 180 miles. Pass through typical Cambodian landscapes of endless rice fields dotted with sugar palms. Arrive at the small town of Krakor and turn off the main road to visit the incredible floating town of Kompong Luong. The largest floating community on the Tonle Sap Lake, there are almost 10,000 inhabitants living here. Everything floats on water, including the schools, the clinic, the shops and the petrol station. You will explore by boat and experience life in a real floating community untouched by mass tourism. Continue your journey to the busy riverside town of Kompong Chhnang where you stop to enjoy a local lunch. There may also be the opportunity to visit a local pottery village, as Kompong Chhnang is famous for producing undecorated items for the Cambodian home. Later continue to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Check into your hotel and leave the rest of the afternoon free to soak up the atmosphere of this quixotic riverside capital.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Penh House Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Half day tour of Phnom Penh: Start your tour of Cambodia’s capital at the stunning Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. Here you will see beautiful gardens landscaped with tropical plants and the Throne Hall where the royal receptions are held and the Cambodian king's coronation took place. Continue to the Silver Pagoda, named after the 5,000 silver tiles covering the floor, each weighing 1kg. Inside are some of the country's most cherished treasures, including a life-size gold Buddha studded with 9,584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats. Leave the Royal Palace and continue to the nearby National Museum, home to the world's finest collection of sculpture from the Angkor period. The exquisite building was completed between 1917 and 1920 and features a lush courtyard garden surrounded by collections from the pre-Angkor, Angkor and post-Angkor periods.

You will then have the option to learn of the Khmer Rouge’s horrific crimes at Tuol Sleng, a former high school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a centre for interrogation, torture and death. 17,000 people passed through the gates of this prison and only seven lived to tell the tale. The Khmer Rouge were meticulous in their record keeping, photographing all the prisoners and many of these haunting black and white images are on display in the cells. Tuol Sleng is a profoundly moving experience and not everyone will want to visit. However, it is key to understanding the hell into which Cambodia descended and how far it has come in the years since.

Finish your tour at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. An old Chinese cemetery, Choeung Ek was turned into an extermination camp for political prisoners. The remains of 8985 people were exhumed from mass graves and are kept in a memorial stupa here. Despite the horrors of the past, it is a peaceful place to go and a tranquil spot to reflect on the tragic events that engulfed Cambodia and its people.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Penh House Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Phnom Penh to Kampot: This morning, depart the capital for the journey to the riverside town of Kampot with optional sightseeing en route. The first stop can be made at Tonle Bati, to visit a series of temples including Prasat Neag Khmao, dating from the 10th Century. Continue to Phnom Chisor for spectacular view over the surrounding plains from the 11th century brahmanic temple. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Takeo and take a speedboat to Phnom Da Hill to explore caves with shrines carved into the walls, a pre-Angkorian tower and an Indian-style sandstone temple like no other in Cambodia. A direct journey will take around 3-4 hours, or longer depending on your sightseeing preferences.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Champa Lodge (Khmer Style Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today is free to relax in the delightful surroundings of the Champa Lodge, take a kayaking trip in the nearby mangrove channels and explore the charming town of Kampot.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Champa Lodge (Khmer Style Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road and boat journey from Kampot to Tatai: After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel by your guide before setting off along the south coast to Tatai. The start of the journey is on the wide and smooth Highway 3 which takes you past Sihanoukville, and then on to National Highway 48 passing through the small port of Sre Ambel. This section of the road is more bumpy but you soon pass through some beautiful stretches of Cambodian jungle, offering some expansive views over the Cardamom Mountains. There will be a refreshment stop along the way before continuing to Ta Tai Bridge. Embark on a boat from the Canvas & Orchids arrival lounge in the village of Tatai for the 15 minute journey downstream to the lodge.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Canvas & Orchids (Tented Water Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Boat and kayaking trip to the Tatai Waterfalls: An experience not to be missed in this region is the day trip to the Tatai Waterfall. Away from the tranquility of 4 Rivers Floating Lodge, the thunder of the majestic Tatai Falls reveals the river’s true power as it drops 6 meters to the rocks below. Your day starts at around 10am for the 45-minute boat ride past Tatai village to the falls. Turning on to a tributary you head into the heart of the Cardamom jungle, where you can hear the far-off sounds of exotic birds and its secretive wildlife. After a short journey you arrive, and gaze down into the turbulent waters of the falls. After some time for swimming in the clear water enjoy a refreshing drink as you find some shade for a picnic and open your senses to the sights and sounds of the jungle. After lunch for your added fun and adventure. After leaving the falls, we stop at the mouth of a small river where you can paddle your kayak to a traditional Cambodian farm; you will see rice fields and some fruit trees depending of the season. Return to the lodge in the afternoon. Please note that this excursion is shared with other guests at the lodge.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Canvas & Orchids (Tented Water Villa)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Boat and road journey from Canvas & Orchids to Trat’s Laem Sok Pier: After breakfast, you will depart the lodge by boat to Ta Tai bridge. Upon arrival meet your guide and driver for the transfer to Cham Yeam border, a journey of around 1 hour. Having completed the border formalities at around 10am you will be met by your Thai guide and driver and transferred to Trat's Laem Sok Pier, a journey of around 1 hour 40 minutes.

Speedboat from Trat to Koh Kood: Join the resort's speedboat for the 1 hour ride from the mainland to Koh Kood. Please note that this is a shared service with other guests.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tinkerbell Privacy Resort (Beach Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure on Koh Kood: Free days to relax at your beachfront hotel, or explore more of the local area independently. There are a number of activities available on Koh Kood including a waterfall trek, kayaking and snorkelling.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Tinkerbell Privacy Resort (Beach Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Speedboat from Koh Kood to Trat: Join the resort's speedboat for the 1 hour ride from Koh Kood to the mainland. Please note that this is a shared service with other guests.

Private transfer to the airport: Upon arrival at the mainland, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to the airport, a journey of 60km which takes approximately 1 hour.

Flight: PG306 Trat - Bangkok 13.10 - 14.10

Private transfer: On arrival in Bangkok, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the AriyasomVilla for a two-night stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riva Surya Bangkok (Riva Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today is free to relax at your hotel and explore Bangkok independently.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riva Surya Bangkok (Riva Room)

Meals: Breakfast