Rural Cambodia - Village Life, Temples and Wildlife

Arrive into Bangkok and connect onto the Thai Smile flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel where you will stay for the next three nights. Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. A quintessentially South East Asian city, Phnom Penh is a heady combination of temples and shrines, tree-lined boulevards and art-deco architecture as well as a burgeoning food scene. (N)
Accommodation in Phnom Penh: Palace Gate Hotel
Upgrade option: Sofitel Phnom Phokeethra

Today you will be cycling from Phnom Penh to Koh Dach which is known locally as ‘Silk’ Island. With your guide and bike, cross the Tonle Sap River then catch the local ferry to Koh Dach. A world away from the capital’s hustle and bustle, the island of Koh Dach is located in the middle of the Mekong River and known for its typical Khmer villages of wooden stilt homes and silk workshops. The families here have maintained many traditional hand-loom methods and you will have the opportunity to learn about the weaving process and meet local villagers. Following lunch, cycle back to Phnom Penh where the remainder of the day will be at leisure. (B/L)
Accommodation in Phnom Penh: Palace Gate Hotel
Upgrade option: Sofitel Phnom Phokeethra

Early this morning leave Phnom Penh and drive south from 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 endangered animals, how they are looked after and also be able to assist with the running of the centre. All of the animals here are rescued from poachers and illegal traffickers and the sanctuary is home to Asian elephant, tiger, sun bear, gibbon deer and python. In the afternoon return to Phnom Penh. (B/L)

Please note that the day at the day at Phnom Tamao Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Centre will be on a ‘join in’ basis with other travellers.

Accommodation in Phnom Penh: Palace Gate Hotel
Upgrade option: Sofitel Phnom Phokeethra

Leave the Cambodian capital after breakfast and drive to the provincial town of Kampong Cham. Here visit Nokor Bachey Temple where, uniquely, a modern Buddhist pagoda has been built inside the grounds of a much older Angkor-era temple. Following lunch in Kampong Cham continue north towards Sen Monorom with one further stop on the way to see a monument commemorating the liberation of Cambodia by Vietnamese forces, now 40 years ago. On arrival in Sen Monorom the remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure. (B/L)
Accommodation in Sen Monorom: Mayura Hill Resort

Today visit the Elephant Valley Project. A sanctuary for elephants set within a wider nature reserve, the Elephant Valley Project was established to allow rescued captive elephants the opportunity, safety and space to recover and learn how to become wild elephants again. You will learn how the Elephant Valley Project give the elephants back their independence, natural behavior and dignity and where the elephants’ best interests always come first. Hike through the forest to meet one of the groups of elephants in the morning, enjoy lunch at the main forest camp and help locals, staff and other volunteers on projects that help to keep the sanctuary running. Return to Sen Monorom in the late afternoon. (B/L)
Accommodation in Sen Monorom: Mayura Hill Resort

After breakfast drive to Bousra Ecopark, site of one of Cambodia’s best known waterfalls. The massive two-tiered waterfall can be reached by a thirty-minute trek through the forest and there are a number of different viewing points. On the return to Sen Monorom stop for a panoramic view of the jungle then visit a local coffee plantation for lunch. Here learn about coffee cultivation and how the crop thrives in this region’s cool weather climate and, once back in Sen Monorom, ascend Dohkrormom Mountain for a sunset view of the provincial capital. (B/L)
Accommodation in Sen Monorom: Mayura Hill Resort

This morning leave Sen Monorom and drive to remote Ban Lung. On arrival stop to see the Eisan Reclining Buddha then be welcomed into the home of a local Tampuon family where you will enjoy a traditional lunch. The Tampuon are one of the main indigenous communities of Ratanakiri province and during your visit you will have the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle, music, food, art and textiles. Afterwards drive to Yeak Laom – an almost perfectly circular lake in the middle of thick jungle which was created by a volcanic eruption 700,000 years ago. Hike, swim and relax beside the lake returning to Ban Lung in the late afternoon. (B/L)
Accommodation in Ban Lung: Terres Rouges Lodge

Today meet more of the tribal communities that live in the countryside surrounding Ban Lung. Learn about traditional mining techniques that take place in Ratanakiri province, spend time in a Kreung village then visit a cemetery of the Jarai people unique for its elaborate graves complete with totems of people and animals. After a boat journey upriver and a stop for lunch on a river island, a number of different options are available including another village visit, a return to Yeak Laom or a visit to Ban Lung Market. (B/L)
Accommodation in Ban Lung: Terres Rouges Lodge

Early this morning leave Ban Lung and drive to Stung Treng where you will stay overnight. Leave your luggage at the hotel and travel north by car to a small village where you will board a boat and cruise upriver. The pristine deep water pools and rocky islands here protect numerous fish species and are a lovely place to stop for lunch. Visit a small fishing village known for its practice of traditional medicine then continue by boat towards the Laotian border. The area here forms part of the ‘4000 Islands’ and, with luck, the rare Irrawaddy dolphin can be seen. In the afternoon board kayaks and paddle through the surreal scenery of the Ramsar Wetlands where trees and roots of flooded forests protrude from the water. There is also excellent birdwatching. Later return to Stung Treng and your hotel. (B/L)
Accommodation in Stung Treng: Mekong Bird Resort

Leaving Stung Treng, drive due west to the ancient Angkor-era capital of Koh Ker. Less well known than the temples of Angkor, Koh Ker is best known for its unique pyramidal temple that was constructed in 931AD. Spend ample time here and, after lunch at a local restaurant, continue on to Siem Reap and your hotel. The town of Siem Reap is the gateway to the evocative religious monuments of Angkor which were abandoned in 1431 and lost to the jungle before their rediscovery over 400 years later by French naturalist Henri Mouhot. (B/L)
Accommodation in Siem Reap: Jaya House River Park
Upgrade option: Belmond Residence D’Angkor

Enjoy a full day today exploring the fabulous temples of Angkor. Start the day at Angkor Thom, the grand walled capital of Jayavarman. Highlights here include the ruined temples of the 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. One of Angkor’s better known temples, Ta Prohm is one of the few ruins to have been kept much as Mouhot would have found them – concealed by jungle, undergrowth and creepers. This afternoon visit iconic Angkor Wat where ample time will be set aside to fully explore this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, before ending the day as the sun sets at the nearby temple of Pre Rup. (B)
Accommodation in Siem Reap: Jaya House River Park
Upgrade option: Belmond Residence D’Angkor

Trailhead to Anlong Thom: 16kms / 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Medium

This morning drive to Phnom Kulen. This towering jungle-clad sandstone plateau dominates an otherwise low-lying area and was the first stronghold of the Khmer Empire. Since that time Phnom Kulen developed into a place of both sacred and spiritual significance and continues to attract Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims to this day. In addition to villagers, pilgrims and hermits, the hills of Phnom Kulen shelter a number of extraordinary temple ruins, some of which even pre-date the Angkor period. Once at Phnom Kulen you will be dropped off at the trailhead and begin the day’s hike. Highlights include Bat Cave, a spiritual cavern where monks and hermits still meditate, and the Elephant Pond with its collection of stone animals. Arrive in Anlong Thom, a small village near the heart of the mountain, where you will stay overnight in simple homestay accommodation. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Anlong Thom: Homestay (basic bathroom and toilet facilities)

Anlong Thom to Preah Angthom: 13kms / 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Easy / Medium

After breakfast, this morning continue your hike through the rural landscapes of Phnom Kulen. Visit the village of Khla Khmum, home to a pre-Angkorian 8th century temple, then continue through rice paddies and forest to the mountain-top temple of Kra Hom – an archaeological site which is believed to have once formed part of one of South East Asia’s largest ancient cities. From here continue on to the village of Popel then on to Preah Angthom where you will stay overnight in simple homestay accommodation. In the afternoon you are at leisure to explore the village including its large reclining Buddha. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Preah Angthom: Homestay (basic bathroom and toilet facilities)

Preah Angthom to Trailhead: 6kms / 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy

The hike this morning begins initially with a visit to Kbal Spean, also known as ‘River of Thousand Lingas’, which consists of a series of rock carvings that line the banks of the Stung Kbal Spean River. From here follow a jungle trail down towards the surrounding plains, stopping to spend time at the enormous Preah Ang Choub Pagoda. Upon reaching the trailhead you will be met and taken by road back to Siem Reap where you will stay overnight. (B)
Accommodation in Siem Reap: Jaya House River Park
Upgrade option: Belmond Residence D’Angkor