The ruins of Angkor
Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Mondulkiri - Kratie - Siem Reap
Duration: 10 days
Réf : CCR10J-PHKCKTMKRP
DAY 1
Phnom Penh - Welcome
You will be met at the airport by our private driver. Transfer and free time at your chosen hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 2
Phnom Penh (Lunch on the banks of the Mekong)
Meet our English-speaking guide. This morning, you'll visit the Royal Palace. It was originally located in Oudong and was soon moved to present-day Phnom Penh in 1863. Then, you'll visit the Silver Pagoda, which houses more than 5,000 silver tiles paved on the floor, and the Emerald Buddha statue encrusted with approximately 2,000 diamonds, one of which weighs 25 carats. It represents the future Buddha, nicknamed Maitreya, in 90 kg of gold. Continue strolling through the Central Market, renovated thanks to a donation from France. A magnificent art deco building built by the French in the 1950s. Lunch is served at a restaurant on the banks of the Mekong River; it's time to freshen up before resuming your sightseeing activities. Continue your visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts, formerly known as the Albert Sarraut Museum, whose Khmer artifacts, statues, and art pieces come from all over Cambodia. Next door, you'll continue with a visit to the Ounalom Pagoda, built in 1443 and the largest pagoda in Phnom Penh. Pass through the Colonial Quarter: the Grand Hotel, the Post Office, the Bank of Indochina, the Police Station, the Superior Residence, the Treasury Bridge, the Chamber of Commerce, the Library, and the Railway Station. Next, visit Wat Phnom, a false pagoda built on the hill, approximately 27 meters high. This pagoda was renovated in 1926. At the foot of the hill is a bas-relief honoring the Franco-Siamese treaty, sculpted by Théodore Rivière. Around 5:00 p.m., enjoy a short cruise on a private boat along the quays, passing by the confluence of the Mekong River. Depending on the season, weather, and time of day, you may enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Royal Palace and the capital. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 3
Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham via Skun
Meet the driver at the hotel. This morning, depart by private car for 130 km on the road to Kampong Cham. On the way, you'll make a typical stop in Skun, known for its spiders and tarantulas. In Cambodia, eating tarantulas is very popular. Don't hesitate to try them! These animals are also used in traditional medicine. Then, you'll continue your visit by visiting Wat Nokor Bachey, an ancient Buddhist temple built by the Great Khmer King in the 12th century. Optionally, you can visit Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei hills, which offer panoramic views of Kampong Cham. Lunch at your leisure. Before arriving in downtown Kampong Cham, our driver will take you to a village called Amica, where an NGO offers Khmer and English lessons to the village children. Young people live in the city or in Thailand to work, while the elderly stay home to care for their grandchildren. You can stroll through the village to observe the typical Khmer houses built on stilts, as well as the weaving of Khmer scarves called "krama." Overnight in Kampong Cham.
DAY 4
Kampong Cham - Sen Monorum/Mondulkiri
Heading towards Sen Monorum, 203 km, approximately a 3.5-hour drive. Meet our guide at your hotel reception. Halfway there, a photo stop in Snoul, where there is a huge monument commemorating the founding of the National Front of Kampuchea. With the help of Vietnamese forces, this united front was created to liberate the country from the Khmer Rouge. Along the road, you will pass through primeval forests and lush rubber and cashew nut plantations. Arrival in Sen Monorum in mid-noon, continue the drive for 35 km to visit the largest and most beautiful waterfall in Bousra province. A very popular meeting place among Cambodians. Lunch at leisure. On the way back, visit the coffee plantation; Mondulkiri coffee is very famous in Cambodia. Then, enjoy the sunset atop Doh Kramom Hill. You'll have a beautiful view of the town of Sen Monorum. Overnight in Sen Monorum.
DAY 5
Sen Monorum - Elephant Trekking (Picnic Included)
A fantastic day awaits you: a trek with elephants in the protected forest. This morning, meet our partner from the Phnong ethnic community at your lodge. A short drive will take you to the trekking starting point. It's important to note that this adventure will take place in groups of 2 to 15 people. An English-speaking guide and his team will be on hand. See the detailed activities for this day below! Optional: If trekking with elephants doesn't interest you, you can opt for a simple trek in the protected ethnic forest at no extra cost. You will cover approximately 10 km, alone or as a couple, accompanied by a local English-speaking guide. A local picnic lunch is provided. During this trek, you will visit a Phnong ethnic village, cross mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, and perhaps be lucky enough to spot monkeys. Elephant Trekking: • Trekking level: Moderate, suitable for families and children over 8 years old. • Spend a day at an elephant rescue sanctuary and explore the local forest and natural habitats. • Contribute to elephant rehabilitation and the community conservation project in Mondulkiri. • Hand-feed the elephants and observe them in their natural habitat. You won't see any elephant training or riding here. • Lunch break at the sanctuary's base camp near the O'tey River, with a swim in a waterfall. • Visit an indigenous village to learn about its unique culture and traditions. • Return to town and spend the night at your lodge. Overnight in Sen Monorum
DAY 6
Sen Monrum - Kratie
Departure by road for a 203 km journey, lasting approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. You will pass through a protected reserve as well as cultivated fields, notably rubber trees, cashew nuts, and cassava. A photo stop is planned in front of the Kampuchea National Front Memorial, located in Snoul. In the afternoon, a short cruise on the Mekong River will take you by car to meet the Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins. The Irrawaddy dolphin, or bottlenose dolphin, was first described by Owen in 1866. Long considered a single species, recent studies have distinguished two species: the Irrawaddy dolphin and the Australian snub-nosed dolphin. Similar in appearance to the beluga whale, it is genetically close to the killer whale. Its species name, "brevirostre," comes from the Latin "brevis," meaning short. Free time for lunch. Then, you'll continue your journey to visit the magnificent Wat Sorsor 100 (Pagoda with 100 Wooden Columns). Nearby, you can discover Wat Vihear Kaok, a centuries-old temple whose columns are made of solid wooden trunks. On the way back, if your fitness permits, you can climb Phnom Sambok to enjoy breathtaking views of the Mekong. Around 5:00 p.m., depending on the season, you can watch a magnificent sunset over the river. Book your hotel. Overnight in Kratie.
DAY 7
Kratie - Siem Reap via Koh Ker and Boeng Mealea
In the morning, meet at the hotel reception and depart for Siem Reap. En route, visit Prasat Koh Ker, an isolated site abandoned in the Cambodian jungle during the years of civil war. It is located 120 km from Siem Reap. This Prasat was built in the 10th century and is the former capital of King Jayavaraman IV. This immense site now houses around a hundred temples built of sandstone and brick. Prasat Koh Ker now reflects the great evolution in Khmer architecture. Lunch at your leisure. Then, Prasat Thom or Prasat Pyramid, which is one of the main temples of the Koh Ker site. It is shaped like an unfinished pyramid, seven stories high and 37 meters high. Only one pyramid was built at the time to represent the pride of King Jayavaraman IV. Depending on the weather: Continue your visit to the temple of Beng Mealea, garland of flowers. Prasat Boeng Mealea is located about 60km from Siem Reap. It is a model of Angkor Wat, meaning it was built 30 years before Angkor Wat. A mysterious temple is overgrown by the Angkor jungle. A French film by Jean-Jaques Annead, "Two Brothers," was filmed there in 2004. The temple's architecture and decoration will amaze you, even though nature and man have left it in ruins. Arrival in Siem Reap in the late afternoon. Check-in at your booked hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 8
Siem Reap - Angkor (Dinner Show)
With a qualified English-speaking guide for days 8, 9, and 10 In the morning, depart by private car to visit the magnificent Khmer temples on the short circuit: Prasat Kravan, Prasat Banteay Kdei, Prasat Ta Prohm, and Prasat Takéo. If time permits, you may also visit Prasat Thommanon and Prasat Chao Say Tevada. In the afternoon, continue your visit to the famous Angkor Wat. Then, head to Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset. In the evening, you will attend an "Apsara" dinner show with your guide at the Amazon Angkor restaurant. Optionally, for a small additional fee, if you don't like crowds and prefer a higher-quality show, enjoy it at the Apsara Theatre restaurant: Please let us know! • Tapas Menu: $26 per person • Traditional Menu: $28 per person • Vegetarian Menu: $26 per person Return to the hotel by car! Overnight stay in Siem Reap
DAY 9
Siem Reap - Discover Angkor Thom
In the morning, meet your guide at the hotel reception. This day is reserved for visiting the ancient capital of Angkor Thom! The temples of Angkor Thom include: South Gate, Prasat Bayon, Prasat Baphuon, Terrace of the Elephants, the former Royal Palace, Terrace of the Leper King, Prasat Phimeanakas, and Prasat Preah Palilay. Lunch at leisure. Depending on time and your pace, continue your visit to Prasat Preah Khan and Prasat Neak Poan. In the afternoon, head to the Banteay Srei Temple, also known as the Citadel of Women, built in the 11th century. This unique temple, made of fragile pink sandstone, features magnificent carved motifs, representing precious Khmer art and attracting the attention of André Malraux in 1923. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 10
Siem Reap - Return
Free morning. Enjoy your last day. The guide and vehicle remain at your disposal. Meet our driver at your hotel reception. Transfer to the airport by private vehicle according to your flight schedule! End of the trip.