The Grand Tour of Cambodia
Siem Reap - Angkor - Preah Vihear - Ratanakiri - Mondulkiri - Kratie - Phnom Penh - Kêp
Duration: 18 days
Ref: CCR18J-RPPVRKMKKTPHKêP
DAY 1
Siem Reap - Welcome
You will be met at the airport by our private driver. Transfer and free time at your chosen hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 2
Siem Reap - Discover the famous Tonlé Sap Lake
With a qualified English-speaking guide for days 2, 3, and 4 Our English-speaking guide will greet you at the hotel reception. This morning, you'll depart by private car to discover the magnificent Tonlé Sap Lake, located 20 km from the city center. You'll take a private boat tour to see the unique and fascinating fishing villages of Kampong Pluk. On the way back, enjoy a short rowboat excursion through the flooded forest of Kompong Phluk, home to a vast mangrove forest. Free time for lunch. 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. On the way back, you'll visit Prasat Banteay Samre, which was built in the mid-12th century. It's well worth a visit to this slightly off-the-beaten-path monument, which displays magnificent carvings. Free time and overnight stay in Siem Reap
DAY 3
Siem Reap - Angkor (Dinner Show)
In the morning, meet our guide at the hotel and 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 can also visit Prasat Thommanon and Prasat Chao Say Tevada. Free time for lunch. 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. Return to the hotel by car! Overnight in Siem Reap
DAY 4
Siem Reap - Discover ancient Angkor Thom
Day of sightseeing by tuk-tuk with our guide. 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. Free time at lunch. Depending on time and your pace, continue your visit to Prasat Preah Khan and Prasat Neak Poan. Return to your hotel and free time. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 5
Siem Reap - Preah Vihear via Boeng Mealea and Koh Ker
Without a guide Departure by road to Preah Vihear. En route, you will visit: Beng Mealea Temple, a 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. You will continue your journey to Prasat Koh Ker, an isolated site abandoned in the Cambodian jungle during years of civil war. It is located 120km 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 leisure. There are local restaurants on site. Head to Sra'em, 100 km. Check-in at the hotel you booked. Overnight in Sra'em / Preah Vihear Site
DAY 6
Preah Vihear - Banlung/Ratanakiri
Before your departure for Banlung this morning, meet your driver at the hotel reception and depart to visit the magnificent Preah Vihear Temple, perched atop the Dangrêk mountain range, at an altitude of approximately 750 meters. This ancient Hindu temple, built over more than three centuries (from the 10th to the 12th century) by Khmer kings, was once a nerve center of the Khmer empire. From the hotel, you'll drive 20 km to the temple. Once you reach the mountain, you'll change vehicles for a 4x4 ascent, one of the only means of transport to access the site. You'll continue exploring the temple on foot. At the summit, you'll be rewarded with a superb panoramic view of Thailand and Cambodia. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, head to Banlung, 390 km away, a drive of approximately 4 hours with breaks. Your journey will take you through primeval forests and remote villages. Before reaching Stung Treng, you'll cross the Mekong River where it joins the Tonle Sekong. A stop on the bridge will allow you to enjoy a breathtaking view of the river. In the past, locals had to cross the Mekong by ferry to reach the city center. Arrival in Banlung in the late afternoon. Free time at your hotel. Overnight in Banlung/Ratanakiri.
DAY 7
Banlung - Minority Territories
English-speaking local guide Before departing in the morning, be sure to visit the Banlung market, where ethnic minorities sell their vegetable harvests in baskets carried on their backs. Afterward, you'll take the trail north of the city to discover ethnic villages. The itinerary will include visits to the villages of Norng Lek, Torng Kampoul, and the Veal Romplan lava field. You'll also have the opportunity to visit Kroeung villages. Optional: It's possible to hike between Kala and Krès villages, through bamboo forests and plantations. The Kroeung are known for their uniquely designed bachelor houses. Lunch at your leisure. At noon, return to Banlung. You'll continue your journey to visit the Borkeo gemstone mines, offering stunning lunar landscapes. Ratanakiri Province is renowned for its gemstones. You can purchase rough semi-precious stones as souvenirs on site, prices ranging from $5 to $10 depending on their size. Return to the city. Free time at the hotel. Overnight in Banlung.
DAY 8
Banlung - Territories of Precious Stones (Picnic)
Departure north along a red dirt road towards Voeun Sai, located 35 km from Banlung and about 40 km from the Laotian border, a drive of approximately 40 minutes. Arrival at the small local market in Voeun Sai, then continue by boat on the Sé San River to visit the isolated 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, as well as ethnic languages among themselves. These people settled here during the wars of the 1960s. Depending on your interests, on the way back, you can visit their village as well as a Laotian pagoda and its surroundings. A picnic lunch will be provided along the way. In the late afternoon, return to Banlung and visit the volcanic lake of Yeak Lom, located in the heart of a lush jungle. There's the option of taking a short 5km hike around the lake. Don't forget your swimsuits for a dip! The water is very refreshing. For local minorities, this site is sacred, particularly because of the mysterious creatures said to live in these crystal-clear waters. Overnight in Banlung.
DAY 9
Departure for Sen Monorom/Mondulkiri
Self-guided Early in the morning, head to Sen Monorum, 200 km away, a journey of about 3 hours through mountains and wildlife reserves. Before arriving at Sen Monorum, visit the largest waterfall in Bousra, a popular meeting place among Cambodians. You can ask the driver to prepare lunch on site. Lunch at your leisure. The tour continues with Phnong village, located a few kilometers from the waterfall, where you'll also visit a Catholic church built as part of a mission to provide the village's children with access to education. On the way back, visit a coffee plantation and Samot Chheou (locally known as the Sea of the Forest). Enjoy the sunset atop Phnom Dos Kramom hill, with a beautiful panoramic view of Sen Monorum. Check-in at your booked hotel. Overnight in Sen Monorum.
DAY 10
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 starting point of the trek. 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 present on site. Our French-speaking guide will also accompany you throughout the trek. 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'll visit a Phnong ethnic village, cross mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, and perhaps even spot monkeys. Elephant Trek: • 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. There will be no 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 11
Kratie - Cruise on the Mekong
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. Lunch at leisure. On the way back, if your fitness permits, you can climb Phnom Sambok to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Mekong. Around 5:00 p.m., depending on the season, you'll witness a magnificent sunset over the river. Check-in at your booked hotel. Overnight in Kratie.
DAY 12
Kratie - Phnom Penh via kg. Cham
Meet your driver at your hotel. The 255-km drive will take you there. Along the way, you'll pass through rubber and cashew nut plantations and cassava fields. Photo stops are available; don't hesitate to ask your driver! Next, you'll visit Wat Nokor Bachey, an ancient Buddhist temple built by a great Khmer king in the 12th century. Lunch at your leisure. Before continuing on to Phnom Penh, you'll visit the hills of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. Phnom Srei offers an exceptional panoramic view of the city of Kampong Cham. Your last stop will be Skun, famous for its spiders and tarantulas. Eating tarantulas is very popular in Cambodia, so don't hesitate to try them! These creatures are also used in traditional medicine. Arrival in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon. Check into your booked hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 13
Phnom Penh (Lunch in a restaurant on the Mekong)
With a French-speaking guide Discover the capital city of Phnom Penh. This morning, discover the Royal Palace, originally located in Oudong and moved to Phnom Penh in 1863. Next, visit the Silver Pagoda, famous for its more than 5,000 silver tiles and its emerald Buddha statue encrusted with 2,000 diamonds, including one of 25 carats. This statue represents the future Buddha, Maitreya, in 90 kg of gold. Continue with a stroll through the Central Market, renovated thanks to a donation from France. This magnificent art deco building was built by the French in the 1950s. Around noon, we invite you to lunch at a restaurant on the banks of the Mekong to refresh yourself before resuming your tours. Continue with the National Museum, formerly the Albert Sarraut Museum, where Khmer objects, statues, and works of art from all over Cambodia are exhibited. Nearby, visit the Ounalom Pagoda, built in 1443, the most important in Phnom Penh. Finish with a visit to Wat Phnom, a pagoda built on a 27-meter-high hill and renovated in 1926. At the foot of the hill, a bas-relief sculpted by Théodore Rivière honors the Franco-Siamese treaty. In the evening, take 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 can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Royal Palace and the capital. Overnight in Phnom Penh
DAY 14
Phnom Penh - Silk Island
Accompanied by your English-speaking guide, embark on a local ferry crossing the Mekong River to Silk Island, known in Khmer as Koh Dach. Immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of this traditional village where you can watch artisans weave magnificent silk fabrics, visit stilt houses, and learn about the daily lives of the locals. Lunch at your leisure. Back in Phnom Penh, explore the bustling Russian Market, a true paradise for lovers of souvenirs and local crafts. Then, delve into Cambodia's tragic history with a visit to the S-21 Genocide Museum, a former high school converted into a detention and torture center under the Khmer Rouge regime. Return with free time and overnight stay in Phnom Penh.
DAY 15
Phnom Penh - Kep
Without a guide Meet at the hotel, depart by private vehicle for Kep. 176km drive, approximately 3.5 hours. En route, discover the splendid Phnom Chisor mountain temple, built in the 11th century for Mahayana Buddhism. This promontory rises to 133 meters above sea level and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding plain. Optional visit at no extra cost: visit Cambodia's largest zoo, Phnom Tamao Zoological Park. The zoo covers a total area of 2,025 hectares, covered in deciduous forest. It is home to approximately 102 wildlife species, including critically endangered, threatened, and vulnerable species, such as birds, mammals, and reptiles. Departure to Kep. Free time and check-in at the hotel of your choice. Overnight in Kep.
DAY 16
Back
A tuk-tuk ride to discover Kep and its surroundings 8:30 a.m.: Departure for a morning visit to the crab market. From the early hours of the morning, fishermen and locals gather here to buy fresh seafood. This market is also a must-see place to enjoy the local atmosphere and enjoy dinner in the evening. Many of Kep's best restaurants are located nearby. We particularly recommend Kimly Restaurant, renowned as one of the best in the region! Lunch at your leisure. Then, you will be transferred to Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) by private boat. There, you will find several local restaurants offering traditional Khmer dishes to savor with your toes in the sand. Around 1:00 p.m.: Return to Kep by boat. You will then continue your tour with a stop at Sothy's Farm Peppers, where a local multilingual guide will share the history and secrets of this world-renowned pepper. Free time to relax, followed by an overnight stay in Kep.
DAY 17
Kêp and its surroundings
Free day without any activities. Overnight in Kêp.
DAY 18
Back
Free time. Meet our driver at the hotel. Transfer to the airport according to your flight time. End of our services.