Rural Cambodia and the Gibbons of Virachey National Park

Day 1 Depart UK

Depart the UK on the non-stop Thai Airways flight to Bangkok. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Bangkok/ Bangkok to Phnom Penh – by air

Arrive into Bangkok and connect onto the Thai Airways flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel for a three 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. (N)

Accommodation in Phnom Penh: White Mansion Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 3 Phnom Penh – visit Silk Island

With your bike, this morning cross the Tonle Sap River and cycle past communities of the Cham minority group. Catch a local ferry to Koh Dach – also known as Silk Island – arriving at a typical Khmer village of wooden stilt homes and silk workshops. The families here have maintained their traditional hand-loom methods and there will be ample time to learn about the weaving process and meet the villagers. Following a picnic lunch, cycle back to Phnom Penh arriving later in the afternoon. (B/L)

Accommodation in Phnom Penh: White Mansion Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 4 Phnom Penh

At around 0700 hours leave Phnom Penh and drive south of the city to the excellent Phnom Tamao Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Centre. Here you will spend a memorable day behind the scenes to learn about the different animals, how they are cared for and also be able to assist with the running of the centre. Rescued from poachers and illegal traffickers, the sanctuary is home to sun bear, gibbon, elephant, tiger, deer and python. In the late afternoon return to Phnom Penh and your hotel. * Please note that the day at the day at Phnom Tamao Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Centre is on a ‘join in’ basis with other travellers. (B)

Accommodation in Phnom Penh: White Mansion Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 5 Phnom Penh to Ban Lung – 495kms

Early this morning leave Phnom Penh for the long eight hour drive north to Ban Lung where you will stay overnight. 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 expeditions into Virachey National Park. In the evening meet the other travellers who will be joining you on the two day trek in Virachey. (B/L)

Accommodation in Ban Lung: Terres Rouges Lodge

Day 6 Ban Lung to Virachey National Park

This morning leave the hotel and travel by 4X4 and local boat deep into the jungle, reaching the small town of Veun Sai in time for lunch. You are now in Virachey National Park but continue further to a small Laotian community then on for an hour trek to camp arriving mid-afternoon. At dusk take a guided nature walk in the zone surrounding the camp then return for dinner. Isolated and inaccessible, Virachey National Park is one of region’s last remaining wilderness areas and is home to numerous rare mammals and birds including tiger, clouded leopard, elephant, great hornbill and giant ibis. *Please note that all activities on Days 6 and 7 will be on a ‘join in’ basis with other travellers. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Virachey National Park: Tented accommodation

Day 7 Virachey National Park to Ban Lung

Today rise early in search of gibbon aiming to be ready to hear the calls as the sun rises. As the calls begin there is only a small window to locate them before they stop and hearing the gibbon song increase in volume as you approach is a thrilling experience. Watch and follow the gibbons for the next couple of hours, in some cases getting to within 15 metres of them, then return to camp for breakfast. Later retrace your steps to Veun Sai and the Sesan River arriving back in Ban Lung in the afternoon. (B/L)

Accommodation in Ban Lung: Terres Rouges Lodge

Day 8 Ban Lung to Kratie – 290kms

Leaving Ban Lung, head south-west to Kratie where you will stay overnight. A Mekong port midway between Laos and Phnom Penh, Kratie is a pretty little town and a good spot to watch the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin which inhabit this part of the Mekong River. (B)

Accommodation in Kratie: Rajabori Villas Resort (or similar)

Day 9 Kratie to Siem Reap – 435kms

Today 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: Sokkhak Boutique Resort (or similar)

Upgrade option: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor

Alternative upgrade option: Raffles Grand d’Angkor

Day 10 Siem Reap – visit Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat

This morning visit Angkor Thom, the spacious walled capital of Jayavarman where highlights include the temple ruins of Bayon, Baphoun and Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and 12th century Terrace of the Leper King. From here continue to the atmospheric remains of Ta Prohm which remain enveloped by thick jungle undergrowth and creepers. Ta Prohm is one of the last remaining monuments not to have been cleared and provides one of the most enchanting experiences of Angkor. End the day at Angkor Wat, explore its extraordinary Khmer architecture and enjoy a spectacular sunset viewed from the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng. (B)

Accommodation in Siem Reap: Sokkhak Boutique Resort (or similar)

Upgrade option: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor

Alternative upgrade option: Raffles Grand d’Angkor

Day 11 Siem Reap to Preah Kral

Today leave Siem Reap and drive to Phnom Kulen – a holy mountain and site of the ancient Khmer city of Mahendraparvata. It is also the starting point of your three day trek. Leaving the car at the base the mountain hike uphill through dense forest reaching Preah Kral village for lunch then continue on stopping to explore caves and Sras Damrei – a high plateau. Stay overnight in a local monastery close to Preah Kral. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Preah Kral: Local monastery

Day 12 Preah Kral to Ta Penh

After breakfast continue the trek, stopping to see temple complexes – currently thirty have been discovered – and other archaeological remains which it is believed formed part of one of South East Asia’s largest ancient cities. Tonight you will stay overnight with a local family in their simple homestay in the village of Ta Penh. Basic bathroom and toilet facilities are available and the village is home to around 200 families. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Ta Penh: Homestay accommodation

Day 13 Ta Penh to Preah Angthom

Start the day walking through rice fields and forest to the mountaintop temple of Kra Hom. See the reclining Buddha statue then trek on to the Preah Angthom Waterfall in time for lunch. Tonight’s homestay is only a short walk away and the remainder of the day will be at leisure to relax and enjoy the surroundings. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Preah Angthom: Homestay accommodation

Day 14 Preah Angthom to Siem Reap

This morning leave Preah Angthom and return by road to Siem Reap where you will stay overnight. The rest of the day will be at leisure. (B)

Accommodation in Siem Reap: Sokkhak Boutique Resort (or similar)

Upgrade option: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor

Alternative upgrade option: Raffles Grand d’Angkor

Day 15 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)

Rural Cambodia and the Gibbons of Virachey National Park

15 days from £4650 per person

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Itinerary: Rural Cambodia and the Gibbons of Virachey National Park

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