Explore Cambodia and glorious Angkor 13 days by Mekong Delta Travel Travel to Cambodia with excursion of its main capital. Continue to Siem Reap by scenic river cruise and tour around the Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom (Bayon), Rolous Group and Tonle Sap Lake. Itinerary Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival On arrival at Po Chen Tong Airport , you are welcome and transferred to hotel. The capital city of Phnom Penh was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerable charm. A city tour acquaints us with some major sights of Phnom Penh. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are now home to the royal family and are therefore very close to the public. At the northern area of the palace grounds is Silver Pagoda, the most sacred shrine in the country. We visit both structures as well as the legendary temple of Wat Phnom, which provides an interesting view over the surroundings. Overnight in Phnom Penh. Day 2: Phnom Penh Sightseeing Tours (B) The sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh continues with the Royal University of Fine Arts, where the young Cambodians learn the ancient arts of their ancestors. A view of numerous children practicing the graceful movements of the beautiful national dances is impressive. The next stop of our trip is the National Museum, exclusively dedicated to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period from 9th to 15th centuries, but some date from as early as the 4th century. Heading out of town we visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek, which will give us a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. We have time this afternoon, exploring Psar Toul Tom Pong, also called the “ Russian Market”, where anything and everything is for sales. Overnight in Phnom Penh. Day 3: Phnom Penh – Rattanariki ( B/L/D) Today we board a short flight to Banlung, the capital city of Rattanakiri Province. After checking into hotel we drive to Wat Phnom Soui to catch our first view over the plateau and Banlung Town. We follow this with a trip to Cha Oug Waterfalls and Yeak Laom Park, a protected area, which is looked after and managed by the regional authority .The main attraction of this area is Yeak Laom Lake, a volcanic crater lake believed to have been created about 700,000 years ago. Surrounded by forest up to the crater rim, the spectacular lake is a beautiful oasis and a great place for a refreshing swim! We will walk along the lake – side and visit the simple visitor center, which exhibits different tools from the various tribes. Overnight in Banlung. Day 4: Banlung – Tampolum – Banlung ( B/L) Heading out of the town , we make our way to Voeune Say which is one of the main villages by the Se San River. The road conditions are rough in this region and the travel is somewhat arduous. We arrives at Voeune Say and are sure to attract attention since this part of the country receive very few tourists. After a short walk through this village, we will embark on a traditional wooden long boat navigating on the scenic Se San River which gives us a taste of adventure and an enjoyable visit to the Tampoun, Kroeng and Brou minority people. They are very poor but have rich and interesting culture. Overnight in Banlung. Day 5: Banlung – Kroeung Territori – Banlung( B/L) The journey northwards begins as we depart the town and pass various scenic landscape changing from the volcanic lava field of Veyrum Plang to the village of Kroeung. The Kroeung people have the curious custom of erecting bachelor houses standing on long bamboo poles. These houses will remain so till the young man finds a wife. After a short walk around this seldom visited village we continue driving to the Bai Srog , an impressive waterfall with seven levels in the middle of the forest. A swim in the clean and refreshing mountain water is highly recommended. Overnight in Banlung. Day 6: Banlung – Stungtreng (B) The morning market of Balung also attracts a wide array of hill tribe people who converge from the surrounding the mountainsides to trade their goods. After an enjoyable walk around this congregation we set off on a rough but scenic drive to Stungtreng. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Cambodia. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. On arrival in Stungtreng we have time to stroll around this outpost town. There is not many thing to see Stungtreng apart from the countryside and few temples. Overnight in Stungtreng. Day 7: Stungtreng – Kratie ( B/L) Upon leaving Stungtreng, we board a local boat navigating down stream on the Mekong River to Kratie, a lovely riverside town. The pace is very relaxed, a perfect way to observe the rural life close up. After checking into hotel in Kratie we transfer out to explore a complex of temple, containing Phnom Sambok and Kampi, which boast the major sights in this region. A view over the surrounding area from the temple is impressive. The next stop of our trip is Phnom Srey and Phnom Pros. A part of the pleasure of travelling in Kratie is the simple joy of catching a glimpse of the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin and seeing the dramatic sunset over the river. Overnight in Kratie. Day 8: Banlung – Kompong Cham ( B/L) The river dolphins and the many old architectural structures are a highlight of Kratie although conditions are very basic. We explore this charming town when we walk along the roads spotted with many charming Khmer houses and make fun with waving kids. Afterwards we embark again on a local boat for a tranquil paced trip to Kompong Cham. This town has plenty of interesting sights, some of which are old colonial buildings and Wat Nokhor, containing the ancient temple and modern style pagoda. We then spend the rest of today on our own. There are few little bars by the riverside, all ideal places for visitors to sample local foods and explore the local life. Overnight in Kompong Cham. Day 9: Kompong Cham – Kompong Thom (B) The following destination of our trip is Kompong Thom. We drive past Cambodia ‘s biggest growing rubber area. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible. Along the way we make stop over at Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, two hills whose names were translated as the ‘man hill’ and the ‘woman hill’. On arrival in Kompong Thom, we visit some nearby villages and climb 980 steps to the top of Phnom Santuk for an impressive sunset view over the surrounding areas. Overnight in Kompong Thom. Day 10: Kompong Thom – Siem Reap (B) An early morning departure to the archeological sight of Sambor Prei Kuk , which is dotted with hundred pre-angkor styled temples. The road conditions are very poor, but the spectacular scenery of this ancient ruins, with a mixture of temples and forest makes the hardship all worthwhile. We then continue our journey to Siem Reap. This town is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, home for the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire , which is dated from 802 AD to 1350 AD. This stunning and extensive site sprawls through the dense jungle, over an area of 60 square miles. Overnight in Siem Reap. Day 11: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (B) Today we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Overnight in Siem Reap. Day 12 Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (B) The jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. The grand circuit with Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup Temples, is also visited this afternoon before we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. Overnight in Siem Reap. Day 13: Siem Reap Departure (B) There is free time for you own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping areas. The trip ends after your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure.
Tour includes - Hotel accommodation in Siem Reap (Angkor) Tour excludes - International Airfare |
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