Adventure in Eastern Cambodia
Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Kratie - Mondulkiri - Ratanakiri - Preah Vihear - Siem Reap
Duration: 12 days
Ref: CCR12J-PHKCKTMKRKPVRP
DAY 1
Phnom Penh - Home
Welcome at the airport by our private driver. Transfer to the hotel and free time! Check-in at the hotel of your choice. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 2
Discovery of the capital of Phnom Penh (Lunch)
Meet our English-speaking guide. Departure by vehicle to discover the capital city of Phnom Penh. 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, 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, including one weighing 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-style building built by the French in the 1950s. Lunch is provided at the 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'll be treated to a beautiful sunset over the Royal Palace and the capital. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 3
Direction 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." To end our day, a short city tour: stroll through the city's main market and its shopping district. Check-in at the hotel you booked. Overnight in Kampong Cham on the banks of the Mekong River.
DAY 4
Departure for Kratie
Heading towards Kratie, a 150km drive. Along the way, we discover lush countryside: cashew nut plantations, rubber plantations, pepper crops, cassava crops, and more. In the afternoon, we cruise on the Mekong River to observe the Irrawaddy river dolphins. The Irrawaddy dolphin, or bottlenose dolphin, was identified by Owen in 1866 and was long considered the only species in its genus. Recent studies have concluded that the Irrawaddy dolphin and the Australian snub-finned dolphin are two separate species. It is similar in appearance to the beluga whale. Genetically, it is closely related to the killer whale. Its specific name, brevirostre, comes from the Latin brevis, meaning short. Lunch at leisure. You'll then take a 30-km trail north of Kratie to discover Wat Sorsor 100, also known as the 100-Column Pagoda, as well as Wat Vihear Kaok, one of the oldest pagodas in the region. Meet Buddhist monks! On the way back, if your fitness permits, you can climb Phnom Sambok to enjoy breathtaking views of the Mekong River. Around 5:00 p.m., depending on the season, you'll witness a magnificent sunset over the river. Book your hotel. Overnight in Kratie.
DAY 5
Sen Monorum ou Mondulkiri
Heading towards Sen Monorum, 203 km, approximately a 3.5-hour drive. Halfway there, a photo stop at 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 city of Sen Monorum. Check into your booked hotel. Overnight stay in Sen Monorum.
DAY 6
Sen Monorum - Hiking with elephants (Picnic)
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. Check into your booked hotel. Overnight in Sen Monorom.
DAY 7
From Sen Monorum to Banlung/Ratanakiri
English-speaking local guide for days 7 and 8 Early in the morning, head to Banlung, a 200 km (124 mi), approximately 3-hour drive, crossing mountains and wildlife reserves. Our local English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel. Departure north of Banlung town, continuing our visits to ethnic minority villages. This region is home to about ten different minority groups. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, you'll return by vehicle to the Vietnamese border to observe workers in the gemstone mines in Borkeo. You can purchase these rough stones for small prices depending on their size. Return to the city. Check-in at your booked hotel. Overnight in Banlung.
DAY 8
Banlung - Banong Minority Territory (Picnic)
Meet your English-speaking guide at your lodge or hotel. Departure via the red dirt road to Voeun Sai, 35 km, approximately 50 minutes. Arrival at a small local market in Voeun Sai, then continue by boat on the Tonlé Sé San to visit the village of Koh Pèak, famous for its funerary totems. Most of the inhabitants of this region are of Chinese and Laotian origin and speak Khmer, Chinese, Laotian, and sometimes ethnic languages among themselves. These Chinese and Laotian populations settled there during the wars of the 1960s. A picnic lunch will be provided along the way. Depending on your interests, you will have the opportunity to visit their village, as well as a Laotian pagoda and its surroundings. In the late afternoon, return to Banlung and visit the volcanic lake of Yeak Lom, located in the heart of a lush jungle. You can take a short 5km hike around the lake! Don't forget to bring your swimsuits for a swim! The water is truly refreshing! For the minorities who inhabit the region, this site is sacred, particularly due to the mysterious creatures said to live in these crystal-clear waters... Overnight in Banlung.
DAY 9
Departure for Preah Vihear
Avec guide local anglophone Ce matin, départ tôt par la route en direction de Preah Vihear, 390kms, environ 5 heures de route, pauses comprises. Lors de votre trajet, vous traverserez des forêts primaires et des villages reculés. À mi-chemin, à Stung Treng, vous traverserez le Mékong, où il rejoint un autre fleuve, Tonlé Sékong. Vous aurez la possibilité de faire un arrêt sur le pont pour profiter d'une belle vue sur le fleuve. Auparavant, les habitants locaux devaient traverser le Mékong en bac pour rejoindre le centre-ville. Déjeuner libre. Dans l’après-midi, l’ascension en véhicule 4*4 local pour la découverte de magnifique temple Preah Vihear, arrivée au sommet de la montagne, vous continuez votre excursion à pied et aurez des belles vues panoramiques sur le Cambodge et la Thaïlande. Prasat Preah Vihear est situé au sommet de la chaîne des Dangrêk, environ 750 mètres d’altitude. C’est un ancien temple hindou construit pendant plus de 300 ans (10-12ème siècle) par les grands rois khmers. C’était à l’époque un centre de l’empire khmère. Ce site est de nos jours situé à la frontière khmère-thaï et est aussi une ancienne zone de conflit entre la Thaïlande et le Cambodge pendant quelques décennies. Retour à l’hôtel que vous réservez, 30kms du temple. Nuit à Sra’èm, une petite bourgade de cette région.
DAY 10
Road to Siem Reap
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, 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. 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 11
Siem Reap - Discovery of the small circuit (Dinner show)
With a qualified English-speaking guide for days 11, 12, and 13 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 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 12
Siem Reap - Discovery of the Grand Circuit
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 your 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. Transfer to the airport by private vehicle according to your flight schedule! End of the trip.