Hidden Treasures of Cambodia

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the Thai Airways flight to Bangkok. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Bangkok

Arrive into Bangkok where you will stay overnight. Bustling and eccentric, intriguing and unforgettable, Bangkok is the gateway to the country and Thailand's principle city. With a history stretching back a little over two-hundred years, Bangkok has always been a modern forward-thinking place yet much traditional Thai culture remains, as do beautiful monasteries, colourful markets and opulent palaces. (N)
Accommodation in Bangkok: Hotel Muse Bangkok (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Sukhothai
Alternative upgrade option: Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Day 3 Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani – by air/ Ubon Ratchathani to Dong Daeng Island – 160kms

Today transfer back to the airport and fly to the eastern Thai city of Ubon Ratchathani. From here cross into Laos and head towards Pakse then continue on to Dong Daeng Island and the pretty La Folie Lodge for a three night stay. Set amidst lush tropical gardens, this simple colonial-style lodge has twenty-four comfortable rooms all with fabulous views over the river to the Khmer temple ruins of Wat Phou. There is also a lovely swimming pool and good restaurant. (B)
Accommodation on Dong Daeng Island: La Folie Lodge (or similar)

Day 4 Dong Daeng Island

This morning cross the river to Champassak which is located close to the fascinating archaeological site of Wat Phou. Sitting in the shadow of the sacred mountain of Linga Parvata, this is one of the finest temple complexes anywhere in Southeast Asia. Re-discovered by a French explorer in the mid-19th century, the crumbling ruins pre-date those at Angkor Wat by almost 200 years and are equally mysterious. Spend time exploring the site before returning to the hotel in the afternoon. (B)
Accommodation on Dong Daeng Island: La Folie Lodge (or similar)

Day 5 Dong Daeng Island to Don Khong Island

Today follow the Mekong south to visit the 'Four Thousand Islands'. Located at the southern tip of Laos, close to the Cambodian border, here the river swells covering a vast area and dividing into numerous channels which in turn surround higher ridges of land forming the islands. Starting at Khong Island, travel by long-tail boat to the small village of Ban Khone, with its French colonial buildings, before visiting Liphi waterfall and Khone Phapheng – the largest waterfall in South East Asia. (B)
Accommodation on Dong Daeng Island: La Folie Lodge (or similar)

Day 6 Don Khong Island to Ban Lung

After an early breakfast drive south to Nong Nok Khian and the border between Laos and Cambodia. From here continue by road on to the remote town of Ban Lung for a two night stay. Capital of Rattanakiri province this outpost, located in Cambodia's far north-east, is rarely visited by foreign travellers and inhabits an area of unparalleled beauty. Focal point to the many local minority villages, this region is also rich in gems and the base for adventurous jungle treks. (B)
Accommodation in Ban Lung: Terres Rouges Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 Ban Lung

Today there are a number of options available. Visits can be made to local Jarai, Tampoun or Katcha villages or relax by the lodge's swimming pool. Alternatively, undertake a trek deep into Kroeung territory through villages and thick forest. The trails here are not overly testing and the opportunity to experience the jungle fascinating. (B)
Accommodation in Ban Lung: Terres Rouges Lodge (or similar)

Day 8 Ban Lung to Kratie – 290kms

Leaving Ban Lung, head south-west to Kratie where you will stay overnight. On the journey stop in Sambo which is house to the ‘100 Pillar Pagoda’ and a turtle conservation centre which aims to conserve one of the world’s rarest and largest freshwater turtle, the Cantor. A Mekong port midway between Laos and Phnom Penh, Kratie is a pretty little town and a good spot to watch the rare Irrawaddy dolphin which inhabit this part of the Mekong River. After checking in to your hotel, you may wish to have lunch at Le Tonle Training Centre which supports young locals in hospitality training, as well as serving excellent Khmer food. (B)
Accommodation in Kratie: Rajabori Villas Resort (or similar)

Day 9 Kratie to Phnom Penh – 315kms

This morning leave Kratie and drive to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh for a two night stay. Capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is a bustling riverside city located at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Retaining much of its charm, Phnom Penh is a bustling city of wide tree-lined boulevards, fabulous shrines and charming colonial-era architecture. (B)
Accommodation in Phnom Penh: Palace Gate Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 10 Phnom Penh

After breakfast travel out of the city to the Choeung Ek killing fields and Toul Sleng Museum which recounts the horrors of the notorious Khmer Rouge regime. For lunch, stop at Lotus Blanc, a quaint garden restaurant, who support a local organisation who train and teach hospitality skills to underprivileged children in the city. That afternoon explore this riverside city with your guide. Places of interest include the National Museum which houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer archaeological, religious, and artistic artefacts, the French-built Royal Palace complex, the Silver Pagoda and the city's oldest shrine Wat Phnom with its mystics, faith healers and fortune tellers. (B/L)
Accommodation in Phnom Penh: Palace Gate Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 11 Phnom Penh to Kampot – 150kms

After breakfast leave Phnom Penh and drive to Takeo to visit the temples at Tonle Bati, Ta Prohm and Yeay Peou then to Phnom Chisor, site of an 11th century Khmer Brahmanic temple. Following lunch travel by speedboat to Angkor Borei – a pre-Angkorian city over 1,500 years old – where a highlight is the brick sanctuary of Phnom Da. In the afternoon drive to Kampot where you will stay overnight. Life passes slowly in this riverside town with its crumbling colonial architecture and tumble-down French villas. (B)
Accommodation in Kampot: Rikitikitavi (or similar)

Day 12 Kampot to Tatai – 250kms

This morning explore Kampot then travel along the coast towards Koh Kong stopping in Tatai where you will join a boat and travel downstream to the unique Canvas and Orchids Retreat for a two night stay. With only twelve comfortable tents set on platforms in the Tatai River, the lodge is set on the edge of the spectacular Cardamom Mountains bordered by impenetrable jungle and Southeast Asia's largest coastal mangrove. (B)
Accommodation in Tatai: Canvas and Orchids Retreat

Day 13 Tatai

At leisure to enjoy this special, secluded location. Kayak down the river entering the mangrove waterways that reach back into the jungle, go fishing or visit the Tatai Waterfalls. Alternatively, venturing further afield with a jungle trek to discover the customs, beliefs and natural cures of the inhabitants of the Cardamom Mountains and the secretive wildlife of its forests. The Cardamom Mountains are home to some of the region’s rarest mammals including tiger, elephant, clouded leopard, sun bear and pileated gibbon. Over 500 different species of birdlife have also been recorded here. (B)
Accommodation in Tatai: Canvas and Orchids Retreat

Day 14 Tatai to Phnom Penh – 270kms

After breakfast leave the Canvas and Orchids Retreat and return by road to Phnom Penh where you will stay overnight. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Accommodation in Phnom Penh: Palace Gate Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 15 Phnom Penh to Battambang – 290kms

This morning leave Phnom Penh and begin the journey west to Battambang where you will stay for two nights. En-route stop to visit Oudong, Cambodia's royal capital between 1618 and 1866, the lively colonial port of Kompong Chhnang and the floating village of Kampong Leung. Cambodia's second city, Battambang is home to the country's finest collection of French colonial architecture as well as some interesting Angkorian sites. (B)
Accommodation in Battambang: Bambu Hotel
Alternative accommodation: Maisons Wat Kor

Day 16 Battambang

Start the morning with a ride on the eccentric 'Bamboo Train' – a simple wooden platform on wheels that follows a railway track through beautiful Cambodian countryside stopping to drop off locals, cargo and animals to rural villages along the way. Stop to explore one of the villages then return to Battambang for a walking tour of the town's historic centre including the grand French Governor's residence. End the day at Wat Ek and the hilltop Wat Ban Non, the latter offering excellent views.For dinner, visit the excellent Jaan Bai, a social enterprise restaurant of the Cambodian Children’s Trust that provides training and employment for local youths as well as delicious, traditional Khmer food. (B/D)
Accommodation in Battambang: Bambu Hotel
Alternative accommodation: Maisons Wat Kor

Day 17 Battambang to Siem Reap – 170kms

After breakfast leave Battambang for the drive to Siem Reap where you will stay for two nights. Siem Reap is the gateway to the temples of Angkor – some of the most spectacular religious monuments ever built. Capital of the ancient Khmer Empire, Angkor was abandoned in 1431 and reclaimed by the thick Cambodian jungle only to be rediscovered 400 years later by French naturalist Henri Mouhot. (B)
Accommodation in Siem Reap: Jaya House River Park (or similar)
Upgrade option: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor
Alternative upgrade option: Raffles Grand d’Angkor

Day 18 Siem Reap – visit Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat

This morning visit the excellent Angkor Thom complex where you can explore the temple ruins of Bayon, Baphoun and Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and 12th century Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat. This iconic ancient monument offers extraordinary architecture and classical Khmer sculptures and relics. Departing Angkor Wat, travel to Pre Rup, a pyramidal temple surrounded by lush rice paddies. This lesser-known and quieter temple offers visitors a peaceful setting to catch the beautiful evening light and watch the sun set behind the impressive structure. (B)
Accommodation in Siem Reap: Jaya House River Park (or similar)
Upgrade option: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor
Alternative upgrade option: Raffles Grand d’Angkor

Day 19 Siem Reap to Bangkok – by air/ Depart Bangkok

This morning transfer to Siem Reap Airport and fly to Bangkok. Here connect onto the Thai Airways flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

Hidden Treasures of Cambodia

19 days from £5150 per person

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Itinerary: Hidden Treasures of Cambodia

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