|
DAY 1: ARRIVAL - PHNOM PENH (-/-/-) Morning
arrival at Phnom Penh
Airport. Transfer to your
hotel (room may not be ready until begining afternoon). With your professional
guide and prived car we start to visit Phnom
Penh . Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers,
the Cambodia's
capital city look like a big village- town where French colonial influences can
still be seen in old buildings restored. We will first go to see Wat Phnom
Temple.Then we will visit the Royal
Palace and the Silver
Pagoda . The Palace is a magnificent example of Khmer architecture, it was
built in 1866. You will see the Throne Hall and the Napoleon III Pavilion.
Silver Pagoda is one of the richest shrines in the world . The floor is made of
5.000 silver tiles. O/N
in Phnom Penh.
DAY 2: PHNOM PENH (B/-/-) The
sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh
continues with the Royal University of Fine Arts, where the young Cambodians
learn the ancient arts of their ancestors. A view of numerous children
practicing the graceful movements of the beautiful national dances is
impressive. The next stop of our trip is the National Museum,
exclusively dedicated to Khmer art and
sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor
period from 9th to 15th centuries, but some date from as early as the 4th
century. Heading out of town we visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum
and the notorious 'Killing Fields' of Choeung Ek, which will give us a deep
insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. We have time this
afternoon, exploring Psar Toul Tom Pong, also called the "Russian
Market", where anything and everything is for sales. O/N
in Phnom Penh.
DAY 3: PHNOM PENH – RATTANAKIRI (B/L/-) Today
we board a short flight to Banlung, the capital city of Rattanakiri Province. After checking into
hotel we drive to Wat Phnom Soui to catch our first view over the plateau and Banlung Town. We follow this with a trip to Cha Oug
Waterfalls and Yeak Laom Park, a
protected area, which is looked after and managed by the regional authority
.The main attraction of this area is Yeak
Laom Lake,
a volcanic crater lake believed to have been created about 700,000 years ago.
Surrounded by forest up to the crater rim, the spectacular lake is a beautiful
oasis and a great place for a refreshing swim! We will walk along the lake-side
and visit the simple visitor center, which exhibits different tools from the
various tribes. O/N
in Banlung.
DAY 4: BANLUNG - TAMPOUM TOTEMS - BANLUNG (B/L/-) Heading
out of the town , we make our way to Voeune Say which is one of the main
villages by the Se San River. The road conditions are rough in this region and
the travel is somewhat arduous. We arrives at Voeune Say and are sure to
attract attention since this part of the country receive very few tourists.
After a short walk through this village, we will embark on a traditional wooden
long boat navigating on the scenic Se San River which gives us a taste of
adventure and an enjoyable visit to the Tampoun, Kroeng and Brou minority
people. They are very poor but have rich and interesting culture. O/N
in Banlung.
DAY 5: BANLUNG - KROEUNG TERRITORI –
BANLUNG (B/L/-) The
journey northwards begins as we depart the town and pass various scenic
landscape changing from the volcanic lava field of Veyrum Plang to the village of Kroeung. The Kroeung people have the
curious custom of erecting bachelor houses standing on long bamboo poles. These
houses will remain so till the young man finds a wife. After a short walk
around this seldom visited village we continue driving to the Bai Srog , an
impressive waterfall with seven levels in the middle of the forest. A swim in
the clean and refreshing mountain water is highly recommended. O/N
in Banlung.
DAY 6 : BANLUNG - STUNGTRENG (B/-/-) The
morning market of Balung also attracts a wide array of hill tribe people who
converge from the surrounding the mountainsides to trade their goods. After an
enjoyable walk around this congregation we set off on a rough but scenic drive
to Stungtreng. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Cambodia. We
see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested
in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. On arrival in Stungtreng we
have time to stroll around this outpost town. There is not many thing to see
Stungtreng apart from the countryside and few temples. O/N
in Stungtreng.
DAY 7: STUNGTRENG - KRATIE (B/-/-) Upon
leaving Stungtreng, we board a local boat navigating down stream on the Mekong River
to Kratie, a lovely riverside town. The pace is very relaxed, a perfect way to
observe the rural life close up. After checking into hotel in Kratie we
transfer out to explore a complex of temple, containing Phnom Sambok and Kampi,
which boast the major sights in this region. A view over the surrounding area
from the temple is impressive. The next stop of our trip is Phnom Srey and
Phnom Pros. A part of the pleasure of travelling in Kratie is the simple joy of
catching a glimpse of the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin and seeing the dramatic
sunset over the river. O/N
in Kratie.
DAY 8 : KRATIE - KOMPONG CHAM (B/-/-) The
river dolphins and the many old architectural structures are a highlight of Kratie
although conditions are very basic. We explore this charming town when we walk
along the roads spotted with many charming Khmer houses and make fun with
waving kids. Afterwards we embark again on a local boat for a tranquil paced
trip to Kompong Cham. This town has plenty of interesting sights, some of which
are old colonial buildings and Wat Nokhor, containing the ancient temple and
modern style pagoda. We then spend the rest of today on our own. There are few
little bars by the riverside, all ideal places for visitors to sample local
foods and explore the local life. O/N
in Kompong Cham.
DAY 9: KOMPONG CHAM - KOMPONG THOM
(B/-/-) The
following destination of our trip is Kompong Thom. We drive past Cambodia
's biggest growing rubber area. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red
surface of basaltic soil is incredible. Along the way we make stop over at
Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, two hills whose names were translated as the 'man
hill' and the 'woman hill'. On arrival in Kompong Thom, we visit some nearby
villages and climb 980 steps to the top of Phnom Santuk for an impressive
sunset view over the surrounding areas. O/N
in Kompong Thom.
DAY 10: KOMPONG THOM - SIEM REAP
(B/-/-) An
early morning departure to the archeological sight of Sambor Prei Kuk , which
is dotted with hundred pre-angkor styled temples. The road conditions are very
poor, but the spectacular scenery of this ancient ruins, with a mixture of
temples and forest makes the hardship all worthwhile. We then continue our
journey to Siem Reap. This town is our base for visiting the world famous
temples of the ancient city Angkor, home for
the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire , which is dated from 802 AD to 1350
AD. This stunning and extensive site sprawls through the dense jungle, over an
area of 60 square miles. O/N
in Siem Reap.
DAY 11: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
(B/-/-) Today
we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of
Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in
stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the
Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the
most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was
constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We
stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns,
libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the
towering temple. O/N
in Siem Reap.
DAY 12: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR
TEMPLES (B/-/-) The
jungle covered temple
of Ta Prohm is an
incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which
embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the
impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.
We explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples
including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. The
grand circuit with Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon
and Pre Rup Temples, is also visited this afternoon before we walk up to Phnom
Bakheng Hill for a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone
monuments. O/N
in Siem Reap.
DAY 13: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (B/-/-) There
is free time for you own exploration of the town and strolling around the
shopping areas. The trip ends after your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure.
* Price includes: -
transportation in private vehicle with driver -
accommodation in hotels (twin shared room) -
domestic flight Phnom Penh
- Banlung -
boat trip Stungtreng - Kompong Cham -
English or French speaking guide -
entrance fee to indicated sights -
Meals as indicated: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch & D = Dinner -
Pure bottled water & wipes
* Not included: -
other meals and drinks -
tips -
airport taxes -
personal expenses -
insurance
|