Flight: PG907 Bangkok - Siem Reap 17.05 - 18.15

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 Shinta Mani Shack (Deluxe Room)

Guided tour of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & The Bayon: Probably the best time to visit Angkor Wat, the largest and most famous of the Angkor temples, is early in the morning, when the light is good and it is relatively quiet. Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 metres from ground level. At the apex of Khmer political and military dominance in the region, Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat in the form of a massive 'temple-mountain' dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat and an exterior wall and the walls of the temple are covered inside and out with bas-reliefs and carvings. Nearly 2000 distinctively rendered apsara carvings adorn the walls throughout the temple and represent some of the finest examples of apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.

Angkor Thom (Big Angkor) is a walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the badly damaged Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. He began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas and built a grand enclosed city around them, adding the outer wall and some of Angkor's greatest temples including his state-temple, Bayon, set at the centre of the city. There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate, as well as much of Jayavarman VII's architecture is crowned with four giant faces. The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. There are 37 standing towers, most sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shinta Mani Shack (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Dawn at Ta Prohm, then visit Kbal Spean & Banteay Srei: Rise early to travel to Ta Prohm in the dawn light. Ta Prohm 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 Mouhout 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. 

Later this morning journey north to the Kbal Spean. The original ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’, Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle. The river flows down to the Tonlé Sap lake, and in ancient times its holy waters breathed life into the rice fields of the empire via the most complex irrigation system the world had ever seen. The Khmers venerated its limestone bed with a riot of carvings, including the delicate deities Vishnu and Shiva with their consorts. Lingams are phallic representations sacred to Hindus as fertility symbols and hundreds, perhaps thousands, are carved into the bedrock here. The carvings were only rediscovered in 1969 when French researcher Jean Boulbet was shown the river by a local hermit. A trip to Kbal Spean is one of the easiest ways to experience a short jungle trek in the Angkor area, as it is a steady but scenic climb to reach the river carvings. The path winds its way through knotted vines and big boulder formations and occasionally offers big views over the surrounding jungle. And there is a small waterfall below the carved riverbed, perfect for cooling off after the hot climb.

Continue to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man. Originally believed to date from the latter part of the Angkor period, inscriptions at the site suggest it was built by a Brahman in 967. However, some architectural historians have suggested that the inscriptions may date from an earlier structure on this site and the temple is in fact later, marking a high-water mark in Khmer sculpture.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shinta Mani Shack (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day 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 stop will be made en route at Cheur Khmao, or “Black Wood Pagoda”. 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 La Roses Suites (Junior Suite 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 La Roses Suites (Junior Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Phnom Penh to Kratie: Leave Phnom Penh and travel northeast to the bustling provincial city of Kompong Cham. En route, there is the chance to pause at Skuon, affectionately known as 'Spiderville', where it is possible to sample the local delicacy of deep fried tarantula. Afterwards the road journey continues on the east bank, passing through the old river port of Chhlong, home to some of the best examples of French colonial architecture in the country. Continue to Kratie, a sleepy Mekong port and gateway to an encounter with the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin that inhabit the upper reaches of the Mekong.

Irrawaddy dolphin spotting trip: This afternoon, travel to nearby Kampi and set off in search of the rare Irrawaddy dolphin which inhabits this stretch of river. Travel by motorised boat to access the deep pools where the dolphins are found before switching to local paddle boat to avoid disturbing these gentle creatures. Viewing is commonplace, although it is easier to see the dolphins in the shallower waters of the dry season, than in the swollen river of the wet season. After spending some time alone with these rare creatures, return Kratie and take the local ferry to your hotel on Koh Trong Island and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rajabori Villas (Junior Suite Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Kratie to Mondulkiri: After breakfast this morning, we travel southeast towards the junction town of Snuol, our gateway to the wilds of Mondulkiri, where there will be a refreshment stop. The first half of the journey from Snuol is flat, passing through patches of lush forest and areas of cultivation and plantations. After Khau Si Ma district, the road snakes up through the mountains that give Mondulkiri its name of 'where the mountains meet'. There is lush jungle hugging the road and locals claim to see tigers on this stretch at night. Nearing Sen Monorom the scenery changes again, jungle giving way to clusters of pine trees and rolling grasslands.

Afternoon tour to Bou Sraa Falls and Minority Villages: After checking in to your hotel, head east towards the double drop waterfall of Bou Sraa, one of the most famous in Cambodia. Stop along the way at a Pnong minority village to learn a little about their way of life. You may be invited to drink some rice wine, as Pnong villagers are extremely hospitable and welcoming of outsiders. Continue to Bou Sraa to explore the falls. It is possible to access both drops and there are swimming opportunities for those who want to take the plunge.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mayura Hill Resort (Superior Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Shared visit to the Elephant Valley Project: Early this morning you will gather at a cafe in Sen Monorom and travel to the nearby Elephant Valley Project in a vehicle shared with other visitors. With the support of the Pnong villagers, the project rescues and treats domestic elephants who have suffered illness or injury. Hike out to the forest to meet the elephants and walk beside them in their natural forest habitat. You can watch them interact with each other in their newly bonded family groups, where they are relearning and showing real elephant behaviour again. Learn about the elephant's histories, the local people and the unique role they play in protecting these unique animals. Enjoy a deliciously prepared lunch and unwind with a cold drink from the welcoming lounge overlooking the forested valley. Later this afternoon return to Sen Monorom in a shared vehicle. Please be aware that this experience is only operated on a shared basis with other visitors to the Elephant Valley Project. Group sizes tend to be 10 people or less.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mayura Hill Resort (Superior Villa)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Jungle Trekking in search of Black-Shanked Doucs: After an early breakfast travel by road to Andong Kraloung, a traditional Bunong village on the edge of the Seima Protected Forest. Set off from a cashew and mango farm with your specialist wildlife guide, and trek through tall grass and open farmland until reaching the secondary rainforest. Your guide will lead you through mixed evergreen forest to distant waterfalls, all the time listening out for the sounds of wildlife along the way. There is a good chance of seeing some of Cambodia's rare wildlife, specifically the black‐shanked doucs in their natural habitat. Also present in this area are gibbons, wild buffalo, wild pigs, elephants, the spectacular giant hornbill and green peafowl. The scheme provides local villagers with an incentive to conserve the doucs and protect its habitat and a conservation contribution is included in the cost of the trip, which supports village development projects. There is a longer trek of around 4.5 hours to Phnom O Rneung, or a shorter hike to visit to the waterfall at Leng Koh. The walking trails are poorly defined, and non-existent in places, so it is essential to take long trousers, sturdy shoes, a hat and insect repellent. This trek is only suitable if you are fit, agile and comfortable in a jungle environment. As a more gentle alternative to this trek we would recommend an excurion to the sea of forests area, just outside Sen Monorom.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mayura Hill Resort (Superior Villa)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road journey from Mondulkiri to Ban Lung, Ratanakiri: Depart Sen Monorom after breakfast this morning and head north to the remote town of Koh Nhek. This road used to be one of the most notorious roads in the country and only passable by dirt bike in the dry season, but it is now an excellent new highway with a bridge over the Tonle Srepok River. Believed to be the river featured in Apocalypse Now, in which Martin Sheen’s Captain Willard journeys upriver into Cambodia in search of Marlon Brando’s Colonel Kurtz. After passing through the former district capital of Lumphat. This area was bombed off the map by B52s in 1973. Arrive at Ban Lung early this afternoon, the base for exploring Ratanakiri Province.

Afternoon visit the Volcanic Crater Lake of Yeak Loam: Later this afternoon, set off to the beautiful crater lake of Yeak Loam, set amid a pocket of lush jungle. Take a walk around the lakeshore with a minority guide from the Tompuon people, learning about plants and animals in the area, as well as traditional lifestyle. After an introduction to the community and environment of Yeak Loam, enjoy a swim in this idyllic spot. The crystal clear water is cool and refreshing after the short walk and there may be some local children cooling off. As the sun sets behind the forest return to your lodge in Banlung for a well-earned dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Terres Rouge Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Visit Voen Sai and the Tompuon cemetery of Kachon: After breakfast this morning travel by road to the small town of Voen Sai on the banks of the San River, passing through some pristine stretches of forest along the way. Take a local boat across the river to a Lao village on the other side, then follow the riverbank to a unique Chinese village that has been located here for more than one hundred years. Chinese is still the language of choice among residents and in places it looks like a slice of rural China. From here continue on foot to another Lao village with a wooden pagoda, then take a boat up the river to the Tompuon village of Kachon, passing some beautiful sections of river along the way. Kachon is home to a traditional Tompuon burial ground complete with carved effigies of the deceased. Family groups are buried side by side and elaborate ceremonies held after a period of mourning. Later this afternoon return to Banlung by road.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Terres Rouge Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Ratanakiri to Stung Treng: After a leisurely breakfast, set off by road in a westerly direction from Banlung to Stung Treng for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Golden River Hotel (River View Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Kayaking Adventure in the Ramsar Wetlands: Early this morning, drive to a place near Ou Svay from where you will start kayaking through the flooded forests to Vuen Sien village, located in the extremely remote Ramsar wetlands. The flooded forest supports a large variety of birds along the river. Enjoy the remoteness of the area, feeling completely at one with nature. We will stop on one of the many sandy beaches for a picnic lunch, before continuing to Koh Ky. On arrival at Koh Ky we will travel by boat to Stung Treng province.

Road journey from Stung Treng to Preah Vihear: This afternoon, depart Stung Treng and travel along the jungle road to the Sra Em commune of Preah Vihear Province for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Preah Vihear Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning visit Preah Vihear temple: After breakfast, drive a short distance north to the remote temple of Preah Vihear. The road snakes up the mountain, and is very steep in places, eventually emerging at the second enclosure of this 'King of the Mountain' temple. Set on the Dangrek Mountains, Preah Vihear towers hundreds of metres above lowland Cambodia offering breath-taking views. The foundation stones of the temple stretch to the edge of the cliff as it plunges precipitously away to the plains of Preah Vihear province below. You will have plenty of time to explore the temple complex on foot before the day trippers from Siem Reap arrive. 

Road journey from Preah Vihear to Siem Reap: After this morning's tour, travel south back to Siem Reap via the town of Anlong Veng, a former Khmer Rouge stronghold until the end of the civil war in 1998. Now a boomtown, there is also the option to visit the former house of military strongman Ta Mok. Arrive in Siem Reap late this afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shinta Mani Shack (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: This morning, you will be met and transferred to the airport in time to check in for the flight to Sihanoukville.

Flight: K6131 Siem Reap - Sihanoukville 11.35 - 12.40

Road journey to Koh Rong: Upon arrival in Sihanoukville, you will be transferred to the pier for the shared speedboat journey to Koh Rong.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at The Royal Sands Koh Rong (Oceanview Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

At leisure: Days at leisure to relax on Koh Rong Island.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the The Royal Sands Koh Rong (Oceanview Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Speedboat journey: After a leisurely morning, join a shared speedboat for the 1 hour journey to Sihanoukville.

Road journey from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: This afternoon, you will be met at the boat jetty for the drive to Phnom Penh, a journey of approximately 4 hours.

Flight: TG585 Phnom Penh - Bangkok 20.25 - 21.30

Meals: Breakfast