Cambodia
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Day One: Arrive in Phnom Penh
Discover Phnom Penh’s thriving contemporary cultural scene shortly after touchdown: you’ll be driven from the airport to your hotel to check-in and relax, before enjoying a welcome dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Classic - Patio Urban Resort
Premium - Vmansion Boutique Hotel
Deluxe - Sofitel Phnom Penh
Meals included: Dinner
Day Two: Insider’s Cambodia
Get to know Phnom Penh City on a speedy foray by tuk-tuk. You’ll stop off at the Royal Palace (built in 1866 and home to treasures that include a 90-kilo solid gold buddha, encrusted with 9,584 diamonds).
Then, you’ll visit a very different landmark, as you take in Tuol Sleng, the school that turned torture centre under the horrific Khmer Rouge regime. It’s now a moving museum paying respects to the victims. You’ll follow this with a visit to the infamous Killing Fields, where more than a million people lost their lives during the genocide. Pay your respects, before returning to the city centre.
In the early evening start your discovery of street food, an essential part of Phnom Penh's daily life and culture. This private tour will be led by a local chef who will give you the chance to experience the rich diversity of traditional Khmer cuisine. You will taste a variety of unusual dishes, gain a deeper knowledge of the local life and spend time with an amazing host.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Classic - Patio Urban Resort
Premium - Vmansion Boutique Hotel
Deluxe - Sofitel Phnom Penh
Meals included: Breakfast; Streetfood Dinner
Day Three: Journey to Battambang
It’s a long drive (5.5 hours) through rice fields and villages of wooden houses en route to the sleepy town of Battambang. Break the journey in the fishing port of Kampong Chhnang, a town on the banks of the vast Tonle Sap lake that’s renowned for its pottery and floating village. You’ll arrive in Battambang in the early afternoon – in time to set off by tuk tuk on a trip past crumbling colonial riverside houses on your way to the 11th-century temple of Wat Ek Phnom. Please note that the hotels and attractions in Battambang are rural and unsophisticated in character, which we feel adds to their charm.
Overnight in Battambang
Classic - Bambu
Premium - Bambu
Deluxe - Bambu
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Four: Tonle Sap and Villages
Life is slow in the leafy villages around Battambang, as you’ll find out on a cycling trip which follows a small stream past rice paddies, and wooden houses and workshops. On the way, you’ll see villagers making knives, preparing prahok (traditional fish paste) and cooking sticky rice as children run alongside your bike, shouting their hellos. Arriving in a local house, you’ll enjoy a home-cooked lunch before making the three-hour drive to Siem Reap, heading north of Tonle Sap Lake and through the peaceful town of Sisophon, topped with intricate pagodas and bright market stalls. You’ll stop off to watch stonemasons using traditional techniques passed down from the age of Cambodia’s great temples, arriving in Siem Reap late afternoon. The evening is free to explore this charming city, where wide streets harbour cosmopolitan cafes, boutiques and spas, and where the pretty river is punctuated by pagodas.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Classic - The Cyclo D'Angkor Boutique Hotel
Premium - Shinta Mani Shack
Deluxe - Heritage Suites
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Five: Angkor Wat and Temples
Most people come to Siem Reap to visit the vast 12th-century temple complex around Angkor – this morning you’ll get the chance to visit Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Baphuon, and the most famous temple Angkor Wat. For the ultimate overview, there is an option to add a 20 minute helicopter flight over the temples and over Chong Kneas floating village. At midday, you’ll travel by traditional ox cart to a secret temple far away from the tourist crowds, for a picnic lunch. Post meal, a foot massage will soothe temple-hopping feet. Your final visit of the day is to the jungle-covered Ta Prohm temple, which once had a starring role in the Tomb Raider film. This evening, enjoy an action-packed, circus-style performance courtesy of Phare Ponleu Selpak, an NGO founded to give artistic training to poor young Cambodians. It is energetic, thrilling and shows a real insight into Cambodia history and culture.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Classic - The Cyclo D'Angkor Boutique Hotel
Premium - Shinta Mani Shack
Deluxe - Heritage Suites
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Six: Floating Village of Chong Kneas
Your journey starts in the morning, departing from Siem Reap and taking you to Chong Kneas, where you will hop on a boat that will take you directly to Preak Toal. During the boat journey, discover the unique way of life in these villages,where everything floats - from the church to the school, to the pharmacy.
Your experience continues with a truly authentic home-cooked lunch in a peaceful and private setting. Then enjoy a special activity : a villager will teach you about water hyacinth weaving. Then it's time to wave goodbye to this unique, floating world and head back to the mainland.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Classic - The Cyclo D'Angkor Boutique Hotel
Premium - Shinta Mani Shack
Deluxe - Heritage Suites
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Seven : Monk Blessing Ceremony
Check out this morning, bound for Koh Rong, but first, bring good luck for your onward journey with a sacred Monk Blessing Ceremony in a remote temple. After being blessed with water, you’ll have the chance to chat with the monks about life in the temple, before it’s time to transfer to the airport for your onward journey to Koh Rong.
Meals included: Breakfast;
Koh Rong
Day Seven: Journey to Koh Rong
After finishing your trip in Siem Reap you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward journey to Sihanoukville, where you’ll catch a boat to Koh Rong (approx. 2 hours). You’ll have a private transfer to your hotel for check-in and with the rest of the day to relax, you can settle in and take in the jungle paradise around you.
Days Eight & Nine: Time to relax
The next two days will be spent at your leisure. You could go snorkelling, hike through the jungle to a private beach, kayak over to Koh Toch, charter a private boat for a trip around the island or simply lie on the beach and relax in the sun, it’s completely up to you. In the evenings, be sure to watch the sunset with a cocktail or go swimming with the bioluminescent plankton in the warm, calm waters of a quiet beach. A moonless night is the best time to take in this spectacle.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day Ten: Homeward Bound
After breakfast you can catch the last rays at the pool or on the beach until it’s time to leave for airport for your flight home (Check out 12pm).
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Classic
Sok San Beach Resort (Pavilion Garden View)
Premium
Sok San Beach Resort (Chalet Garden View)
Deluxe
The Royal Sands (Oceanview Villa)
Overall meals included: 8 breakfasts; 4 lunches; 1 dinner
What's included:
Private English-speaking guides unless stated otherwise
Private transfers unless stated otherwise
Meals as listed
Boat rental and cycle hire as per the programme
Entrance fees
Mandatory taxes and service fees
What's not included
International flights to/from experience: call 0208 432 0885 for AX specially negotiated flight rates
Tips for guides, drivers and other staff
Any visa, customs, airport taxes or similar charges before or after the holiday and during border crossings during your experience
Drinks during meals unless stated otherwise
Personal expenses, such as laundry
SUITABILITY FOR FAMILIES : Suitable for families with adult kids.
If you intend to travel solo, contact us on 0208 432 0885
GETTING THERE
Your transfer to Koh Rong from Siem Reap is included in the experience price. This includes a flight from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, boat transfer from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong and transport to your hotel from the port. Your return from Koh Rong to Sihanoukville is included, however international flights home from Sihanoukville are not included.
Experience start point: Phnom Penh (PNH). Hotel check in 12pm.
End point: Sihanoukville (KOS). Hotel check out 12pm.
Prices for departures to 30th October include a 20% Pioneers Club discount and are subject to Pioneers Club terms & conditions. Click here for more information.
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