A JOURNEY THROUGH LAND OF KHMER

This 13 days tour covers all the popular highlights in the major cities of Cambodia. Departure from Phnom Penh through Battambang to Siem Reap and then, explore the natural ecotourism Ratanakiri and combine with Kratie, you will see dolphins, rivers, jungles experience and camping, rivers and streams, hill tribes.

Private, Luxury & SIC tours of Indochina with TransViet Travel

HIGHLIGHT

• Tread lightly upon the 5000 silver floor tiles at the Silver pagoda, in the Royal palace.
• Step back in time at the National museum, home to the world’s finest collection of Angkorian sculpture.
• Discover a darker side at Toul Sleng museum, a brutal reminder of the pain of Cambodia’s past.
• Speed back in time on a fast boat along Angkorian canals to the ancient hill temple of Phnom Da, set among lush paddy fields.
• Laid-back town boasting character colonial architecture in Battambang.
• Click and clack on the bamboo train, is one of the world’s all-time classic rail journeys.
• Stare in awe at the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat.
• Succumb to the enigmatic smiles of the 216 giant faces of the Bayon, Angkor’s strangest temple.
• Marvel at the exquisite carvings adorning the tiny temple of Banteay Srei, the finest seen at Angkor.
• Discovery of Sambor Prei Kuk's temples, certainly the most beautiful examples of the art Pre-Angkorian of the 7th century.
• Visit Kratie, famous for its Dolphins Irrawaddy.
• Boat trip to Taing Se commune along Sre San river.
• Spend your time at Ka Chaign waterfall and Ka Teang waterfall for relaxing, swimming.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Phnom Penh – Arrival (Nil)

Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant and bustling capital city. Despite its recent turbulent history, Phnom Penh’s wide tree-lined boulevards and faded colonial mansions hold an undeniable charm. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in (after 14:00pm).

In the afternoon you have your free time to explore the markets and pagoda’s around your hotel by your own and get a better look what Cambodian life is all about. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Phnom Penh – City Tour (Breakfast)

We will start our morning tour at the Toul Sleng prison museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek-both grim reminders of Cambodia's bloody past under Pol Pot. It is almost inconceivable to confront the nature of true evil here in this gentle land, but the Buddhist memorial at Choeung Ek, commemorates the 1.7 million victims of the 1975-79 Pol Pot regime. This excursion may prove distressing for some. It is, however, an important piece of this country’s historical and cultural puzzle. Continuously, visit Royal Palace is a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. It is like a small town of royal dynasties. Continue to Silver pagoda, serves less as a functioning temple than a repository for cultural treasures such as 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds. Explore Wat Phnom temple is one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh, built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh. Finally, visit Russian market (Toul Tumpong market), the market has gained reputation for cheap clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and woodcarvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic music instrument. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Battambang (Breakfast)

Pick up at hotel in the morning and depart for Battambang by overland transfer (290 km / 4-5 hours drive). On the way, stop at Phnom Udong, the ancient Cambodian capital during the latter stages of the Khmer Empire and crowning site of many past kings. Consisting of a series of stupas atop a large hill, there are outstanding views across the surrounding plains below. Phnom Udong was bombed and desecrated by the Americans and then the Khmer Rouge, but still possesses a beauty that no war has been able to steal from it. Stop at the Silversmith village, see the pottery manufactories in Kompong Chhnang and visit also a fish market.

Arrive in Battambang, and check-in at the hotel. You will have your free time to walk through the town to discover its beautiful colonial architecture. Overnight in Battambang.

Day 4: Battambang (Breakfast)

Drive along the picturesque Sangker river to Wat Slaket pagoda, the former residence of the provincial Buddhist patriarch Continue to visit Wat Ek Phnom. Visit a market where Prahoc, the Cambodian fish paste, is made. Lunch at local restaurant. Then, visit the Provincial museum (closed on Saturdays / Sundays) and the local market. Continue to drive to Phnom Banon, with its five sandstone towers on top of a hill and enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding plains. Continue to visit bamboo train village with a great experiences of sliding on this funny train (include ox-cart ride). Overnight in Battambang.

Day 5: Battambang – Siem Reap by public boat (Breakfast)

Early morning , transfer to the boat harbor to catch the speedboat from Battambang to Siem Reap up the Tonle Sap river and across the Tonle Sap lake (5 hours boat). Landscape and scenic views of the Cambodian rural life along the riverbank. After arrival and transfer to hotel, you will start to visit Siem reap market and at 16h40, we wil go to see Angkor Wat temple from outside at the best light of the day on the temple and watch the picturesque sunset on Angkor Wat from Phnom Bakheng temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Note: Boat could not operate during April - July, so we will arrange public bus instead.

Day 6: Siem Reap – Angkor tour (Breakfast)

In this morning, we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins of Angkor area 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 colums, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple and the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm, a truly 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.

In the afternoon: Take a tuk-tuk ride in the surroundings of Angkor. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Siem Reap – Angkor Tour (Continue) (Breakfast)

Heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei, constructed at the late 10th century by a Brahmin counselor under a powerking Rajendarvarman. It was loosely translated to citadel of the woman, but it is a modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. Along the way we make stopover at the Preah Dark village and we follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre temple adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. Afternoon, we will drive to the floating village of Choueng Kneas village, where you will take the boat to visit the way of life Cambodian poor people along with schools, restaurants, hospitals and much more floating on the great lake of Tonle Sap. You many even see enterprising children floating in buckets selling soft drinks and floating pig pen.

On the way back to the city, visit a work shop “Les Artisans d’Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles” of Siem Reap and local market “Psachas” where one might get something for souvenirs to take back home. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Siem Reap – Kompong Thom (Breakfast)

Free at own leisure in Siem Reap or shopping at the local market in the morning. Afternoon, we will drive to Kompung Thom province. Discovery of Sambor Prei Kuk's temples, certainly the most beautiful examples of the art Pre-Angkorian of the 7th century.

Afterwards, continue to the modern-day shrines of Wat Andri, a thriving monastery, and climb 980 steps of the holy mountain Phnom Santuk, enjoying the colorful, somewhat ecletic shrine at the peak as well as lovely views over the surrounding countryside. Overnight in Kompong Thom.

Day 9: Kompong Thom - Kratie (Breakfast)

After breakfast, driver to Kratie, a little town at the edge of Mekong. Arrive in Kampong Cham we visit Wat Nokor, which also called Nokor Bachey pagoda is an 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine, made of sandstone and laterite with a large reclining Buddha and numerous alcoves containing Buddha images. We continue to Phnom Pros ("Man Hill") and Phnom Srei ("Woman Hill"). According to local tradition, two teams of men and women competed to build a stupa on the summit of each hill before dawn. After being tricked into thinking that daybreak had already come, the men lost the competition and as a result, forever after had to be the ones to approach the women for their hands in marriage.

Arrive in this town at the edge of the river in the late afternoon. Enjoy beautiful landscapes crossed during the journey. Kratie is famous for its Dolphins Irrawaddy, whose about sixty specimens there is. The road which follows the river is lined with traditional Khmers houses rather old. Overnight in Kratie.

Day 10: Kratie – Ratanakiri (Breakfast)

Leave Kratie in the morning by car and proceed to Banlung. Banlung city is the provincial capital of Ratanakiri Province in Cambodia’s mountainous northeastern corner. Heavily jungled and home to 12 different ‘Khmer Loeu” ethnic minority groups. Ratanakiri province has a real edge-of-the-world feel to it.

Afternoon, visit the local market at Bar Keo and continue on for sightseeing around Banlung. Taking a trip to Andoung Meas district, continue by boat to Taing Se commune along Sre San river. Visit Charay hill tribe, gem mines and digging wells at Bar Kaev and on the way back, visit rubber and coffee plantations. Overnight in Ratanakiri.

Day 11: Tour in Ratanakiri (Breakfast)

We start our adventure journey on a bumpy road for the discovery of the surrounding waterfalls. Teuk Cha Ong is the most impressive of them. Next to the waterfall of Okatchagn is a hill tribe village with elephants which may be observed in the forest. We continue to visit Ka Chaign waterfall as well as Ka Teang waterfall. We will spend our rest of time relaxing, swimming around at the volcanic lake of giant Loam, superb place surrounded by pristine rainforest - Boeng Yeak Laom. Overnight in Ratanakiri.

Day 12: Ratanakiri – Phnom Penh (Breakfast)

After breakfast, return to Phnom Penh. It takes about 8 hours. Arrival Phnom Penh and check in at hotel. Free at your leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 13: Phnom Penh – Departure (Breakfast)

Free at own leisure until transferring to the airport for safe flight to home. End of services.

INCLUSION

Meals

12 breakfasts

Transport

Private transportation, public boat from Battambang to Siem Reap

Accommodation

Hotel (12 nights)

Activities

Phnom Penh – city tour
Phnom Penh – Battambang city tour
Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
Siem Reap – Tonle Sap lake
Siem Reap – Kompong Thom – Kratie – Ratanakiri

Guide

English speaking guide

Price

* Any group size greater than 8 pax, please contact us at inbound.sgn@transviet.com for better quotation
* Date and time correspond to Vietnam time zone (GMT+7)
* All prices are quoted in US$

Departure month

Hotel

Group

Valid From

Valid To

Hotel Star

Group Size

US$/Adult

01 Jan 2023

01 Jan 2030

✰✰✰

7 - 8 pax

945

OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHT

ITINERARY

INCLUSION

Price

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