Authentic Cambodia
Phnom Penh - Kratie - Siem Reap
Duration: 8 days
Ref: CCR08J-PNKTRP
DAY 1
Phnom Penh - Welcome
Welcome at the airport by our private driver. Transfer to your hotel of choice and free time! Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 2
Phnom Penh - Discover the capital (Lunch included)
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, 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-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
Phnom Penh - Kratie via Kampong Cham
Without a guide Meet with our driver at your hotel reception. Departure by private car for 130 km towards 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 tour by visiting Wat Nokor Bachey, an ancient Buddhist temple built by the Great Khmer King in the 12th century. Optionally, you can visit the hills of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. Phnom Srei offers panoramic views of the city of Kampong Cham. Lunch at your leisure. Before arriving in downtown Kampong Cham, our guide will take you to a village called Amica, where an NGO offers Khmer and English lessons to the village's 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." In the afternoon, drive to Kratie. Overnight in Kratie.
DAY 4
Kratie - Cruise on the Mekong
This morning, a 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 two species are distinct, between the Irrawaddy dolphin and the Australian snub-finned dolphin. It is similar in appearance to the beluga whale. Genetically, it is close to the killer whale. Its specific name, brevirostra, comes from the Latin brevis, meaning short. Lunch at leisure. You will then take a trail of approximately 30 km north of Kratie to discover Wat Sorsor 100, also known as the Pagoda of 100 Columns, as well as Wat Vihear Kaok, one of the oldest pagodas in the region. Meet Buddhist monks! On the way back, if your fitness allows, you can climb Phnom Sambok to enjoy breathtaking views of the Mekong. 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
Kratie - Siem Reap via Stung Treng
In the morning, meet our driver 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 about a hundred temples built of sandstone and brick. Prasat Koh Ker now reflects the great evolution in Khmer architecture. Then, Prasat Thom, or Prasat Pyramid, is one of the main temples of the Koh Ker site. It is shaped like an unfinished pyramid, 7 stories high and 37 meters high. Only one pyramid was built at the time to represent the pride of King Jayavaraman IV. Lunch at leisure. Optional visit: Depending on time and your preferences, continue your visit to the flower garland temple of Beng Mealea. Prasat Boeng Mealea is located about 60km from Siem Reap. It is a model of Angkor Wat, and was built 30 years before Angkor Wat. This 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. Continue your visit to the magnificent Tonle Sap Lake, located 20km from the city center. You will take a private boat tour to observe the unique and fascinating fishing villages of Kampong Pluk. On the way back, enjoy a short rowing boat excursion to the flooded forest of Kompong Phluk, home to a vast mangrove forest. Arrive in Siem Reap in the late afternoon. Check into your booked hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 6
Siem Reap - Angkor (Dinner Show)
English-speaking guide for groups of 7, 8, and 9 This morning, accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide, set off by private car to explore the sacred site of Kbal Spean, also known as the River of a Thousand Lingas. After a hike of approximately 1.5 hours through the heart of the jungle, marvel at the linga and yoni sculptures adorning the riverbed. Lunch at your leisure. Continue your journey to the magnificent Banteay Srei Temple, the Citadel of Women, famous for its exceptionally fine pink sandstone sculptures. If time permits, you can also explore Banteay Samre Temple, a lesser-known architectural gem. In the evening, you will depart to 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 superior show, enjoy the Apsara Theatre restaurant: Please specify! • Tapas Menu: $26 per person • Traditional Menu: $28 per person • Vegetarian Menu: $26 per person Return to the hotel by car! Check-in at the hotel of your choice. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 7
Siem Reap - Angkor
In the morning, meet your guide at the hotel reception. This morning, explore the temples of Angkor Thom, including: 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. In the afternoon, continue your visit to the famous Angkor Wat. Then, head to Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 8
Siem Reap - Return
Free time at your hotel. Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. End of the trip.