Cambodia in depth

11 days 10 nights

Phnom Penh – Kratie – Kampong Thom – Siem Reap

Day 1: Arrival in Phnom Penh

Day 2: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham – Kratie – Koh Trong (B/L)

Day 3: Koh Trong (B)

Day 4: Kratie – Kampong Thom (B)

Day 5: Kampong Thom – Siem Reap (B/L)

Day 6: Siem Reap (B/L)

Day 7: Siem Reap – Battambang (B/L)

Day 8: Battambang (B/L)

Day 9: Battambang (B/L)

Day 10: Battambang – Phnom Penh (B)

Day 11: Phnom Penh – Departure (B)

Day 1. Arrival in Phnom Penh

On arrival at Phnom Penh airport, you will be welcomed and escorted to your hotel by our tour guide. Check in and relax after the long journey.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2. Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham – Kratie – Koh Trong (Breakfast/Lunch)

Today you will leave for a 6 hour drive from Phnom Penh to Kratie. On the way, stop in Kampong Cham, a small town on the banks of Mekong river with some good samples of French colonial architecture. After visiting its  local market, cross the Bamboo Bridge over Mekong River to get to Soten Island where you can explore and witness the local culture and daily lives. Have lunch at a local house then continue the ride to Kratie through the countryside, fruit plantations and green scenery. On arrival in Kratie, embark on boat to Koh Trong where you spend the night.

Overnight in Koh Trong.

Day 3. Koh Trong (Breakfast)

Today stroll around Koh Trong to observe the local life on this island. Visit the primary school to learn about the education system in Cambodia and some local pagodas. Around 3pm proceed to Prek Kampi by boat to catch the sight of the rare Irrawaddy dolphins until sunset.

Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Koh Trong.

Day 4. Kratie – Kampong Thom (Breakfast)

After breakfast, return by boat to Kratie where you walk around to visit its charming town before heading out to Kampong Thom. On arrival in Kampong Thom, check into the hotel and explore the town on your own.

Overnight in Kampong Thom.

Day 5. Kampong Thom – Siem Reap (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, drive out of the town to visit the archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk, the most important complex of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia. Continue driving towards Siem Reap and embark on a boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in SouthEast Asia. Board a local boat and visit Kampong Khleang floating village where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 6. Siem Reap (Breakfast/Lunch)

Start your day with a tour to the temples of the Small Circuit. The tour includes the impressive 12th century temple of Ta Prohm which is overgrown by gigantic jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.

Your visit will also include Preah Khan temple, Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”.

Later today, visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, then continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is well-known for its 52 towers with enigmatic faces looking out towards the provinces of the vast and great Khmer Empire. The nearby Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate relief carvings.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7. Siem Reap (Breakfast/Lunch)

Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a pre-dawn drive to Angkor Archaeological Park. Select a good viewpoint at Angkor Wat, sit back and watch the sunrise over the back of the temple. Seeing the temple emerge from darkness to being bathed in early morning light is an unforgettable experience.

Once the sun is up, go inside to explore Angkor Wat temple, a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.

In the afternoon, visit the unique temple of Banteay Srei. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” was constructed in rose-colored sandstone and displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. The unique charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of its decorative carving.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8. Siem Reap – Battambang (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, drive to the northwest to Banteay Meanchey province home to the ancient temple of Banteay Chhmar, which is rarely visited by tourists due to its remoteness. Begin with the main temple itself which is on the list of possible, future UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Banteay Chhmar was constructed by Jayavarman VII and is probably the most stunning temple site outside of the Siem Reap area.

Continue to Battambang. On arrival, discover this charming town, with its gardens, and numerous colonial buildings on a walking tour. Pay a visit to the provincial museum that hosts some interesting pieces such as some carved lintels originating from the surrounding temples, and some stone or wooden Buddha statues.

Overnight in Battambang.

Day 9. Battambang (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, transfer to Phnom Sampeau, meaning “Ship Hill” in Khmer, due to its distinctive shape. From the small temple on the top, soak in fantastic views over the typical landscape of paddy fields and sugar palm trees. Phnom Sampeau is also home to the notorious killing caves, which are cruel reminders of Cambodia’s troubled past. Continue to visit Ksach Puoy village, on the banks of Sangker river, which is home to many well preserved traditional wooden stilt houses.

Afterwards, take a fun ride on the Bamboo Train which has been set up by the villagers in order to facilitate the transportation of goods and persons as there are no regular trains running any more. Sitting on a bamboo platform on 4-wheels, you will travel the 8 km to the next station through beautiful landscape and rice paddies.

Spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Battambang.

Day 10. Battambang – Phnom Penh (Breakfast)

Leave for Phnom Penh. Along the way, stop by a pottery village of Kompong Chnnag and the floating village of Kompong Luong renowned for silversmithing. Also take a stopover at Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia, where you can see a number of old stupas on the mountain Phnom Oudong. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, check in to the hotel and spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 11. Phnom Penh – Departure (Breakfast)

This morning, you will visit the Royal Palace that dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Next stop is the National Museum, built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world’s foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries.

Continue to the famous Wat Phnom, founded by Lady Penh, whom the capital city is named after. Last stop at Russian market before heading back to your hotel. Enjoy some free time until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

End off all services.

Inclusions services: 

• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
• Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
• Experienced and skilled English-Speaking Guide
• All admission fee at attractions as mentioned in the itinerary.
• All meals as mentioned in the itinerary.

Exclusions services: 

• Visa handling fee,visa stamping fee.
• Internal airfares in the tour (please refer to the airfare supplement)
• International airfare from/to Vietnam
• Any other meals not mentioned above.
• Any kind of drinks in meals
• All other services which are not mentioned in INCLUSIONS
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Travel insurance in all kinds
• Personal expenses such as Bar, telephone, Laundry bills …
• Tipping/ Gratuities Guideline
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (Typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.
• Surcharge for peak season/public holidays if any.