Program

Day 1

Travel to Bangkok

Day 2

Morning arrival in Phnom Penh, via Bangkok and check-in to a small, comfortable, downtown hotel close to the historic riverbank quarter. Time to relax before a leisurely afternoon walk taking in the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and lively waterfront area.

Day 3

Day tour of some of the sites of Cambodia’s fascinating capital city; the Russian market, the infamous ‘Killing Fields’ site and the highly moving Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum at Tuol Sleng, finishing perhaps with sundowners at the famous Foreign Correspondents Club?

Day 4

Up country through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to the small provincial town of Siem Reap in Western Cambodia – our base for the next few days and jumping off point for the nearby Angkor Temple complex. Stops on the way at the famous ‘spider village’ of Skuon, (tasting not compulsory), the rarely visited but well preserved 10th century temple of Kuhananokor and lunch by the Tonle Sap Lake. A dusk visit to the atmospheric ruins of Ta Prom completes our day.

Day 

5 & 6

Angkor – an unforgettable two-day tour of this fabulous site – its vast jungle clad temples and mysterious stone carvings: a comprehensive tour of the major sites, plus some lesser known ones, including sunrise and sunset visits.  (A detailed itinerary for our Angkor visit is available upon request.)

Day 7

Free morning in Siem Reap: explore the market, checkout the handicraft school or unusual landmines museum before an afternoon trip to some of the remoter Angkor sites of Banteay Samre and sunset at the little visited Bakong Temple.

Day 8

Spectacular boat journey across the Tonle Sap Lake, past the ‘flooded forest’ and Prek Toal bird sanctuary and on down the Sangker River and it’s floating fishing villages to the town of Battambang. Afternoon to check out the town’s French colonial architecture.

Day 9

Continue on through this little visited region of Cambodia via the hilltop temple of Phnom Sampeu and on to the Thai border at Pailin – famed for it’s gemstones and as the Khmer Rouge’s last stronghold. Afternoon arrival in Thailand’s Chantaburi Province and time to recover from Cambodian roads in the beautiful setting of a small Thai hill resort.

Day 10

A tour of the local market, hike to nearby scenic Soi Dao Waterfall or white water rafting for the energetic, water levels permitting*, are the day’s activities. (*Usually June to October)

Day 11

Continue south to the tropical island of Koh Chang where we’ll stay in chalets in a beachside resort - stop-offs on the way to visit the spectacular Khao Wat Sukim monastery and Chantaburi’s truly amazing ‘Buddha Park’!

Day 12

A boat tour through the surrounding archipelago of Koh Chang National Marine Park including swimming and snorkelling on some of the area’s vibrant coral reefs*. (*Generally available from October to April – sea conditions from May to Sept. may be unfavourable for snorkelling.)

Day 13

Venture into the mountainous interior for a visit to the Ban Kwang Camp - established in co-operation with the Asian Elephant Foundation – for an elephant ride. Afternoon at leisure on the island; make the most of the turquoise waters and coconut-palm lined beaches or try out a beach massage?

Day 14

Morning on the island to relax or top up your suntan before returning to Bangkok.

Notes

Specifications of the tour

Highlights: Phnom Penh, Cambodian river trip, ruined cities of Angkor, dawn at Angkor Wat,  jungle hike, hill resort, white water rafting,  elephant riding, snorkelling on coral reefs, local food.

Fitness:  easy – several hours walking on days 5 & 6 during the temple tour

Accommodation: hotels, guesthouses.

Transport: flight, boat, pick-up truck, minibus.

Meals: full board except for lunch & dinner on day 7 & dinner on day 12.

Tour cost from Bangkok: 995 to 1030 GBP (United Kingdom Pound) depending of the season. Money converter

Note: This tour is offered with or without a return flight from London. Persons not wishing to take up the flight option should join the tour in Bangkok on day 2 of the itinerary and depart in Bangkok on day 14..

Suggestions: extend your trip with a stay at a spa resort, scuba diving trip or a few extra days in Bangkok

*=cheaply available in Thailand