Summary
During this fantastic Cambodia Adventure Tour (12 days) from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap you will enjoy amazing days full of adventure. You will visit Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and Kampong Cham with its impressive Wat Nokor Temple. You will enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River, north of Kratie, to watch Irrawaddy dolphins, one of the top wonders of Cambodia and climb up to the top of Mount Phnom Santuk to see spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. You will discover the Archaeological Site of Sambor Prei Kuk comprising more than a hundred temples in Kampong Thom and Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap covering an area of about 400 square kilometres, which represents the full range of Khmer art from the 9th to the 15th century. The park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992 and includes a number of undisputable artistic masterpieces such as Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, Preach Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup, Bayon, Baphuon and Angkor Wat temples. Then, you will visit the Roluos Temples, a collection of four Angkor-era monuments located 12 km east of Siem Reap near a small town named Roluos, that don’t belong to the main Angkor Park. After visiting the Roluos Temples (Bakong, Preah Ko and Lolei) you will discover the floating village of Kampong Phluk. You will also visit Battambang city and discover the Wat Ek Phnom, a temple reminding of Cambodia’s powerful past. This is a private guided tour and can be customized upon request.
Individual travel request form Enjoy a private tour
Alfonso
Local travel expert in Vietnam
More than 10 years living and working in tourism in Southeast Asia. Based in Hanoi, but living for work periods in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. In love with Asian culture and the wonders that I do not stop discovering in these amazing countries. They certainly do not stop surprising me with something daily.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Cambodia, your driver will be waiting for you at Phnom Penh International Airport to transfer you to the hotel.
Later, you will visit the Royal Palace of Cambodia, which represents a group of buildings where the residence of the kings of Cambodia is located. Its construction began in 1866 after the decision of King Norodom to change the royal capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh. The palace was built on the former site of a citadel called Banteay Keo and is divided into three main precincts: Silver Pagoda to the north, Khemarin Palace (official residence of the King of Cambodia) to the southwest, and the Throne Hall in the centre.
You will also visit the National Museum of Cambodia, which is the largest museum of cultural history in the country and houses a collection of over 14,000 items such as ceramics, bronzes, sculptural and ethnographic objects from prehistory more through the post-Angkor period. It is home to one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art and is the country’s leading historical and archaeological museum.
You will finish the day with a beautiful sunset view on a boat trip on the Tonle River.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
On this day, you will travel by car to Kampong Cham and see on the way impressive rural landscapes.
Later, you will visit the centre of Kampong Cham and Wat Nokor Temple until you reach the small town of Kratie on the banks of the Mekong River.
Check in at hotel and free time.
Overnight in Kratie.
In the morning, you will head to the north and visit a local market.
Next, you will take a boat to observe the freshwater dolphins of Irrawaddy, that can be seen on the stretch of the Mekong River north of the city of Kratie near a small set of rapids. About fifteen to twenty Irrawaddy dolphins live here. They are the town’s main tourist attraction and people enjoy watching them making upward arches while breaking the surface of the water as they swim in the area.
The populations of Irrawaddy dolphins have been declining quickly and now they are classified as endangered species. As a result of incidental injuries, habitat degradation and destruction, and pollution, they are at risk of extinction. By visiting this area, tourists can help to its development, inspiring more fishermen not to use harming fishing practices. To protect the dolphins, make sure that your boatman follows the more dolphin watching guidelines. This approach should bring a win-win situation for all parties, from the dolphins and the environment to the local communities and travellers.
Overnight in Kratie.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will travel by car to Kampong Thom.
On the way, you will make a stop to climb up to the top of Mount Phnom Santuk and enjoy its panoramic views. You will have to walk up almost 1,000 steps to reach the top of the mountain near Kampong Thom, but your effort will be rewarded by the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the small pagoda at the top.
Later, you will continue your route to Kampong Thom.
On arrival in the city, you will check in at the hotel and enjoy a free afternoon.
Overnight in Kampong Thom.
In the morning, you will visit Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site that dates back to the Pre-Angkorian Chenla Kingdom (late 6th to 9th century) and comprises more than a hundred temples, ten of which are octagonal, unique specimens of this kind in South-East Asia. The site was identified as “Isanapura”, the capital established by king Isanavarman I as central royal sanctuary and capital of the Chenla Empire, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Siem Reap.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
On this day, you will discover several temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park covering an area of about 400 square kilometres, which represents the full range of Khmer art from the 9th to the 15th century, includes a number of undisputable artistic masterpieces, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.
In the morning, you will visit the Banteay Srei Temple, which is a stunningly beautiful little 10th century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is mostly built of red sandstone, and although it is a much smaller temple than the others, it is definitely a must-see within Angkor. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, especially when measured by Angkorian building standards, which has made the temple extremely popular among tourists and has led to it being praised as a “precious gem” or “jewel of Khmer art”. The modern name of the temple, more Banteay Srei (citadel of women or citadel of beauty), is probably related to the complexity of the bas-reliefs found on the walls and the small dimensions of the buildings themselves.
Then, you will discover the Ta Prohm Temple of the Angkor complex, built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university and originally called Rajavihara (“royal monastery”). Unlike most temples in Angkor, Ta Prohm is in more or less the same conditions in which it was founded: the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing in the ruins and the surrounding jungle have made it one of the most popular temples in Angkor among visitors. The temple is known to be part of the scenes from the movie Tomb Raider.
You will continue discovering various temples of Angkor Archaeological Park included in the Grand Circuit, which comprises the temples that are on the outskirts of the complex, such as Preach Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Koh Ker Temple Complex located in Srayong commune of Preah Vihear province, about 120 km from Siem Reap. This is a jungle-filled protected area of 81 square kilometres where more than 180 sanctuaries were found. The temples in the Koh Ker area were built between 921 and 944 AD, when Jayavarman IV moved from Angkor to Koh Ker and set up his own capital here. Koh Ker became the capital of the whole Khmer Empire between 928 and 944 AD. Koh Ker temple, known as Prasat Thom, most probably served the state temple of Jayavarman IV. It is a 35-metre-high pyramid, which comprises seven floors and includes a stairway to the top. According to UNESCO, the complex constitutes “one of the marvels of Cambodian monumental heritage”.
Next, you will visit the great temple of Beng Mealea, which is a temple from the Angkor period. Tucked away in the middle of more the jungle, the temple is a must-see for anyone coming to Cambodia. Surrounded by mysteries since its construction, abandoned and devoured by the jungle for hundreds of years, and devastated by the recent wars in Cambodia, the temple represents an icon of the power of the Khmer Empire.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
In the morning, you will visit the Bayon and Baphuon Temples, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
In the afternoon, you will visit the majestic Angkor Wat Temple, considered the largest religious monument in the world by land area, and one of the most important archaeological treasures in the world. It is also the largest and best preserved Hindu temple of those that make up the Angkor settlement. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura (present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and was dedicated to the god Vishnu. Angkor Wat has become a symbol of Cambodia and is featured on the country’s flag.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
After breakfast, you will visit the Roluos Temples, a collection of four Angkor-era monuments, which are located 12 km east of Siem Reap near a small town named Roluos (not within the main Angkor Park): Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei, and Prei Monti (you will visit the first 3 temples). They are the last remains of Hariharalaya, which was the second capital of the Angkor-era Khmer Empire and were built by King Jayavarman II, who moved the capital from Mahendraparvata to Roluos.
After lunch, you will visit the floating village of Kampong Phluk, perched on the floodplain of Tonle Sap Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. This is one of the most remote and less touristy areas in Cambodia. You will see the daily life of fishermen who live in houses on stilts, elevated 10 or 12 metres above the lake.
In the evening, you will be transferred to Battambang.
Overnight more in Battambang.
In the morning, you will depart to Phnom Sampoeu to visit the Monument in memory of the victims of the Khmer Rouge.
Next, you will see the Phnom Banan Temple, a mid-11th century Angkorian-era mountaintop temple consisting of five prasats (towers) that was built by the Khmer ruler Udayadityavarman II. You will also visit the Kamping Pouy Bassin, located in Ta Nget village between two mountains.
Overnight in Battambang.
After breakfast, you will visit the Wat Ek Phnom, an 11th century temple, located outside of Battambang city on a small hill covered with water lilies and moats. The ancient temple, partly in ruin, is an interesting reminder of Cambodia’s powerful past. It has very nice lintels still in place, which are parts of the tympanum and its bas-relief pediment. In front of the ancient site, on the eastern side, you can see a contemporary pagoda located next to a large lake and a giant Buddha statue that is 28 metres high and stands out impressively against the blue sky.
Later, you will be transferred to Siem Reap.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
On your departure day, you will be transferred to the Siem Reap Airport to take your departure flight.
Prices
Travel dates
Upon request for individual travellers
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
4 Pers.
6 Pers.
Standard category hotels (Apr. 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
1753€
1289€
1116€
Standard category hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Mar. 31, 2024)
1793€
1330€
1157€
Superior category hotels (Apr. 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
1899€
1436€
1263€
Superior category hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Mar. 31, 2024)
1973€
1509€
1336€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. | ||
|
Upon request for individual travellers |
Standard category hotels (Apr. 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 1753€ | 1289€ | 1116€ |
| Standard category hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Mar. 31, 2024) | 1793€ | 1330€ | 1157€ | |
| Superior category hotels (Apr. 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 1899€ | 1436€ | 1263€ | |
| Superior category hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Mar. 31, 2024) | 1973€ | 1509€ | 1336€ | |
What's Included
- 11 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at Standard or Superior category hotels;
- Breakfast at the hotels;
- Excursions with English speaking guide according to the itinerary;
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
- Transportation according to the itinerary;
- Local SIM card with data package included.