Day 1: Siem Reap Arrival & welcome dinner with a local family (D)
Sua s'dei, welcome to the Kingdom of Wonder! You are given a warm welcome at Siem Reap airport by our guide and driver who will help you with the luggage and bring you to your hotel. During the rest of the first day you are free to relax in the hotel or go for a stroll in the city centre, enough time to enjoy a hot coffee or cold beer outside whilst watching the life on the street pass you by.
In the evening we are invited into the house of a local family. We sit down at the dinner table, listen to their stories and learn more about their everyday routine, beliefs and traditions. They teach us some basic Khmer phrases.
After dinner we can visit the local night market, a colourful and vibrant dining and shopping experience in a modern Khmer environment.
Overnight at our hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 2: Tuk-tuk Angkor tour & sunset ride (B, L)
We wake up early, have breakfast at the hotel and head out with our cameras for a day filled with
amazing sights and experiences. Outside our hotel our local transport awaits.
We jump on our tuk-tuk and experience Angkor like the locals do. We explore the amazing temple complex and spend most of the day in what is the world's largest temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We start at the South Gate of Angkor Thom City and make our way to the Bayon. The Bayon is made up of 54 towers decorated with more than 200 enigmatic smiling faces. We also visit the Ta Prohm Temple before lunch. We organize a picnic lunch with local delicacies and fresh fruit in the middle of the temple complex, an unforgettable experience.
In the afternoon we further explore Angkor Wat, easily the most famous and best-preserved of all temples within the Angkor complex. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus- like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. It is the centrepiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor and offers many iconic sights for amazing pictures.
Late afternoon we tuk-tuk up to Pre Rup Temple for a sundowner cocktail and a spectacular sunset over the Angkor Archaeological Park and its surroundings.
Overnight at our hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 3: Life on the Tonle Sap Lake (B,L,D)
Breakfast at our hotel. We enjoy the cool morning and make our way to the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve on the Tonle Sap Lake. We experience the mystical "flooded forest" and learn about the ecology and birdlife on the lake. The sanctuary is host to the highest number of breeding water birds in South East Asia and has created a novel approach to environmental protection. We have lunch in the floating village on the lake.
In the afternoon we visit the community living on the lake with its floating school and market. Afterwards we are in for a unique experience. We enjoy the generous hospitality of a local family taking us into their home in a small farming village. We have a typical dinner together and spend the night at the home stay.
Day 4: Wake up in the village & Battambang transfer (B)
In the morning we wake up with the locals and join them for breakfast. We get to relax and experience rural Cambodian life. We can visit a fruit orchard, a vegetable farm or can even take an ox-cart ride to see how palm sugar is made the traditional way. We then say goodbye to our friendly hosts and make our way to Battambang, along the way we stop for lunch and a quick visit to a sacred pagoda.
Upon arrival in Battambang we check in to the hotel and enjoy a refreshing shower. There is time to relax here and you are free to go to dinner in town or at the hotel's restaurant.
Day 5: Cooking class & Battambang Countryside (B, L)
Breakfast at the hotel before our transfer to Battambang market. Battambang is the largest rice producing province in Cambodia and its local market is full of fresh fish, meat, vegetables and fruit. A local chef joins us to buy fresh produce and ingredients for our cooking class with Smoking Pot restaurant. Along the way, we also pick up some more Cambodian history from our chef. Amongst other things, we learn to make amok (a traditional Khmer fish curry cooked in coconut milk) and gain some valuable knowledge on curry pastes and authentic Khmer food. dishes we have just prepared. For lunch we try the
After lunch we take our bicycles or take a ride on the ox-cart to visit a local village. The village is known for its wooden houses, some of which were constructed in the early 1900's. We discover the beautiful simplicity of past and present Khmer architecture, and take a look inside to discover the Cambodian way of living. The owners and families will happily take us around, explaining the history of their homes and sharing their life stories. We also experience firsthand the energy and time that goes into farming rice as they take us on a tour of their rice fields.
Late afternoon we make our way back to the hotel.
Day 6: From Battambang to Phnom Penh (B,L)
After breakfast at the hotel, we take a scenic drive to Phnom Penh.
We have lunch en route with a local family and discuss with them our experiences so far. Late afternoon we check in to our hotel in Phnom Penh. We take you on a short walk and introduce you to a different kind of wellness treatment. We show you Dr. Fish Massage where you receive a very unique pedicure for only a couple of dollars. We also take you to the Seeing Hands Massage Project, certainly one of the most enjoyable ways of supporting local charities in Phnom Penh. In a country with no social security, the training and support provided by the centres allows blind Cambodians to support themselves with dignity. You are free to enjoy a massage and enjoy the rest of your evening free in Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phnom Penh hotel
Day 7: Cyclo in Phnom Penh & dinner cruise on the Mekong River (B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel and cyclo pick-up. Our cyclo tour gives us a different perspective on the streets and sights of the city. We start at Wat Phnom, iconic symbol of Phnom Penh, before heading past the National Library and Hotel Le Royal. We pass the train station before winding our way down to Psar Thmei, the Independence Monument, and the elegant riverfront. We pass the glittering Royal Palace compound and the stunning National Museum before winding up at the lively riverfront. We also visit the bustling Central and Russian markets for some shopping and interesting snacks. Afterwards, we take a river cruise up the Mekong to a silk village where we will stop to explore a silk weaving village and visit a local temple.
On our cruise back down the river we enjoy a sundowner and sit down to have dinner on board.
Overnight in Phnom Penh hotel.
Day 8: Phnom Penh - Kampot - Kep (B, L)
After breakfast at the hotel we make time to learn more about a dark page in Cambodia's history. We visit the Killing Fields memorial site, listen to the stories of survivors and pay our respect to the countless victims of the Khmer Rouge. After this visit we drive down South to Kampot province. After lunch we drive onwards to Kampot, a riverside village in southern Cambodia renowned for producing one of the world's finest peppers. Before the war, no self-respecting French restaurant would do without Kampot pepper on the table. A local organization run by a passionate Frenchman is assisting this recovery by marketing the highest grade of pepper from Kampot. Profits are devoted to forming a small farmer's cooperative to restore the peppercorn industry and invest in improving pepper production and cultivation. We visit the plantation and taste this fantastic product, and get a chance to buy the Kampot pepper straight from the source. We continue on and drive to Kep, our home for the rest of our tour. Kep was once the top beach destination in Cambodia. This now quiet beach town has the reputation for having the best seafood in the country. And while the tourist industry is picking up as of late, there is still a very laid back vibe to be found in Kep.
Overnight at our hotel in Kep. You are free for the rest of the evening. There's lots to explore and
plenty to eat in town. The paltry price of the fresh and exotic seafood leaves many travellers with
mouths agape and only adds to the delightful gastronomic experience.
Day 9: On the beach in Rabbit Island (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel we go by boat from Kep beach to Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy the warm water, do some fishing or just sunbathe on the beautiful beaches. We organize a picnic on the beach with fresh crab curry made by local vendors. In the afternoon we go back to Kep and have some free time for a stroll through town, some last minute shopping or some relaxing at the hotel. For dinner we enjoy Kep's number one asset, the seafood. The road behind the beach is clogged with seafood vendors selling everything you can (and can't) imagine. Especially the fresh crab is plentiful, and is the number one local specialty. We enjoy an amazing farewell dinner and try the fantastic stir-fried crab with Kampot pepper.
Overnight at the hotel in Kep.
Day 10: Back to Phnom Penh for return flight (B)
We have our last breakfast together in Kep, take a stroll along the beach and head back to Phnom Penh airport for our return flight.
Tour include:
- Shared Accommodation in double/ twin room with daily breakfast (check in and check out around noontime)
- All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles.
- 01 full day temple tour by Tuk Tuk
- Boat trip to floating village on Tonle Sap Lake
- Local English speaking guide
- All entrance fees as program
- elephant ride up to Bakheng Hill.
- 01 full day Tuk Tuk temple tour
- Boat ticket from Siem Reap to Battambang.
- 01 cooking class course at Smoking Pot Restaurant
- Ox-Cart to country side
- 01 hour massage
- 03 hours cyclo tour in Phnom Penh
- Boat trip to silk farm village on Mekong Island
- Boat trip to Rabbit island at Kep
- Meals: (B/L/D) as indicated in the program
- 02 bottles & 02 cold towels per person per day
- Every full paid of 15 paxs up 01 FOC will apply in twin sharing. (Excluding other surcharge)
Tour exclude:
- International airfare and airport tax in & out Vietnam
- Beverages and other meals do not indicate in the program
- Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
- Visa to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, if any
- Travel insurance in all kinds
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone shopping...)
- Optional tours
- Tipping/ Gratuities
- Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accident, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.
Siemreap:Casa Angkor Hotel (Standard)***
Krobey Real Village Local house
Battambang:Khemara Battambang Hotel (Standard) ***
Phnompenh:Castle Hotel (Deluxe)****
Kep:The Beach House Hotel (Standard)
Each applicant must fully complete as follow:
- One visa application form
- One passport sized photograph (2 X2).
- Passport (valid for at least six months)
- Verbal Note
Air travellers enter Cambodia through Phnom Penh’s Pochentong Airport or SiemReapAngkorInternationalAirport. Both airports are quite modern. The two-storey one in Phnom Penh even offers a First/Business Class Lounge on the first floor at the International Terminal, near to the main boarding gates. Inside is an assortment of services and modern conveniences including wireless internet. Economy passengers can use the lounge for a nominal fee.
There are plenty of ways to move around Cambodia and the best choice for long distances is by air. There are good and frequent connections between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap on President Air and Siem Reap Airways.
Local buses can also provide an exciting means of travel and are good for those on a budget. The popular Mekong Express provides a luxury bus ride for just US$6 between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap every day. There are other companies offering the same route as well. You can also get between the capital and Siem Reap via boat in just 5 hours for about $US25.
The best way to see the country at your leisure is to hire a car and driver. You could drive yourself but it probably wouldn’t be as pleasant as having someone else drive you, especially through heavy traffic. Hiring a motorbike is great for short distances and to see rural areas, but be sure you know what you’re doing!
Getting around in cities is best done by motorbike or by hiring a cyclo or a taxi. Walking can be fun if it’s not too hot and you know the distances and where you are going. However, many of the sights and attractions in Siem Reap are too far apart for walking.
Climate
The climate can generally be described as tropical. As the country is affected by monsoon, it is hot and humid with an overage temperature around 27.C (80.F). There are two distinct seasons: the Rainy Season and the Dry Season. However, the Dry Season is divided into two sub-seasons, cool and hot. These seasons are:
The Rainy season:
From June till October 27-35.C (80-95.F)
The Dry season (cool):
From November till February 17-27.C (62-80.F)
The Dry season (Hot) :
From March till May 29-38.C (84-100.F)
Sightseeing
Cambodia is located in the heart mainland of Southeast Asia, which conjures images of a glorious and mysterious past and rich of the cultural heritages, particularly the world's renowned ancient temple city whose magical image draws ever-increasingly tourists from all over the world.
The divergent facets of the Kingdom provoke both the serious and casual traveler, generally charmed and sometimes bewildered by its mysteries. Not only Angkor Wat, Bayon, Taprohm, Sandstone of ancient holy places, the giant roots of ancient trees, the graceful shapes of Apsaras and some temples buried in the jungle, hill tribes settled in the remote areas, colorful pagodas, strings of pristine islands and the century beach, as part of cultural tour that Cambodia is proud of her presentation, but also the splendor of the Khmer civilization and its people who have shown their friendliness everywhere you move in the country.
For most, Cambodia first conjures up the legendary Angkor (the magnificent Empire erected by Kings between the 9th and 13th centuries) that continues to admiration from Khmers and foreigners alike. The humanity and disaster of the nature have failed to compromise the awe of Angkor. The temples remain with an enigmatic grandeur, as a testimony to the Empire that symbolized the country at the present day.
They are the silent witnesses to the perennial cycles of life, which occur with each rainy season. The Kingdom emerges from its lethargy and springs back to life. Clouds, swollen with moisture, burst their monsoon rains to fill in the Tonle Sap (Great Lake ) that bring over thousands tones of fresh water fishes.
Every year, the country is transformed in a nature cycle, which is unique to Cambodia. The flow of the mighty Mekong River swells until it forces the Tonle Sap to reverse its course, pushing up stream from the ancient capital. Every year, the reversal of the river is celebrated with the country's most spectacular Water Festival in November.
Tiime zone
GMT + 7
Language
Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and is used in most social contexts including government administration, education at all levels, and in the mass media. It is spoken by some 7 million people living there, roughly 90% of the population.
Regional differences are slight and normally mutually intelligible. Based on the dialect of the capital city of Phnom Penh, Modern Khmer is used throughout the nation and widely understood by its inhabitants. Much Khmer vocabulary used in literature, the military, and administration is borrowed from Sanskrit, or Pali. Due to years of French colonial rule, numerous French words have been incorporated into the language as well.
Currency
The currency of Cambodia is ... the USDollar. Of course, this is not officially so. But in fact it is at least in Phnom Penh and in Angkor almost all goods and services are calculated and paid for in the US currency. But there is a national currency, even though you may not use it at all during stays in Phnom Penh and Angkor. The national currency is the Riel and there are bank notes of 100, 200 and 500 Riel.
Essentials
Most Cambodians dress up casually except when they are attending formal events. It is common to see men and women using Krama, a Long, Narrow checked cotton cloth round their neck. The krama is just like a piece of clothe. Lightweight, loose-fitting, cotton clothing is recommended and long-sleeved items should be included for protection from mosquitoes and the sun. During the rainy season an umbrella is more convenient than a rain coast. A jacket may be needed in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning.
Internet
If you want to get online, do it in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap - here you're never far from an Internet shop or café and rates are under $1 per hour. In the provinces it's a different matter: even in Battambang and Sihanoukville access is limited, and expensive at around $3 per hour. One of the best ways to keep in touch while traveling is to sign up for a free email address that can be accessed from anywhere, for example Yahoo Mail, Hotmail or Skype. Once you've set up and send mail from any Internet Café, or from a hotel with Internet access.
There are Internet Service Providers in Cambodia such as Online, Telesurf, AngkorNet, Mekong Net, WirelessIp with reasonable price. Prepaid Internet Card is available at any shops and super markets and price is starting from $5 to $100.
Recently, there are many restaurants and café shop like the M Café, the Corner restaurant, Café Sentiment and more offers free internet access with WI-FI - there you just bring your own laptop only.
Health & Advice
Drink lots of water. Never drink tap water purified, bottled water is available everywhere.
Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes. It is the only way to be sure of protection against mosquito borne diseases. Since Cambodia has a hot and humid tropical climate, casual and light-weight clothing is best. Clothing made from natural fibers is the best option. A jacket might be needed on cool winter evenings or in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable as protection against the hot sun when sightseeing.
When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of Angkor Wat, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. Shoes are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers or long skirts.
Standard film, (such as Kodak, FUJI or Konica 100, ), slide and digital camera memory are widely available. Photos are inexpensive to process in the country. Any specialized photo equipment should be brought with you. Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installations is forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, particularly monks. The cheapest & best quality photo service in Phnom Penh is SPK Photo Studio FUJI Shop at Monivong Blvd.
Health Requirements
Although no vaccinations are officially required for entry to Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. Any essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee they will be available in Cambodia.