Cambodia Heritage and Southern Coast 24 Nights / 25 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 | Phnom Penh – Arrival

Meal: None
Upon your arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you will be greeted by our friendly driver then transfers directly to a booked hotel for check in. Simply have free time at hotel’s poolside.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 2 | Phnom Penh City Tour with Sunset Boat Cruise

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. Today our guide and driver will pick you up at 8.00am then go to Independent Monument where we stop to capture some beautiful photos before continue to witness the tragic site of Choeung Ek – the killing field that proceeded more than 20 thousands of civilians and the site is connecting with Tuol Sleng Museum – was the former school that was transformed to Tortured Prison S21. Stroll around Russian market for shopping.

Enjoy Khmer set lunch at Bopha Titanic Phnom Penh restaurant by The Riverside.

Afternoon, visit The Royal Palace – a complex of buildings which are served as the royal residence for the King of Cambodia, admired by impressive Silver Pagoda with over 5000 solid silver tiles and other Royal Stupas, shrines, monuments etc. Continue for a guided tour at the National Museum, the world’s most important collection of Cambodian antique sculptures and carvings. Next, continue to visit Wat Phnom with interesting legendary of founding place of Phnom Penh Capital.

Evening, we head to Phnom Penh’s Riverside where get on board with a welcome cocktail while the boat cruise is slowly gliding along Mekong & Tonle Sap, watch the sunset fading at horizon, immerse yourself with golden color of Phnom Penh skyline. Disembark around 6.20pm and return hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 3 | Phnom Penh to Kratie & Boat to Koh Trong

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Check out then we drive with 5 hours to Kratie Province – a sleepy town and the great home for freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphins. On the way, we will have a few stops to enjoy the highlights of Cambodia and sample Cambodian snacks as well as deep fried crispy insects (spiders…).

Once we arrived in Kratie, we will catch a local boat to Koh Trong Island and check in at a booked hotel.

Overnight in Kratie

Day 4 | Koh Trong Exploration & Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphin

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. We go to explore Koh Trong Island by push bike for the highlights of Koh Trong, interact local people as well as seeing rural life. Learn from your tour guide about their way of living, routine, culture especially the en-rooted superstitions. Passing traditional stilt houses and hear kids welcoming you by saying “Hello”, you’ll have a lot of chance to take interesting photos. Continue to see Vietnamese floating houses, make a friendly visit to grape farm (seasonal) and enjoy the taste of famous Koh Trong pomelo and fresh coconut juice before making our way back to the hotel.

Afternoon, embark a local boat to the mainland then heading to visit Wat Sasar Mouyrouy (100 column pagoda) with interesting history & legend, continue to Kampi pool where you take a small boat to capture the special glimpses of rare endangered freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphins and watch beautiful sunset over the Mekong River. Return and back to hotel in Koh Trong.

Overnight in Kratie

Day 5 | Kratie to Ratanakiri, Waterfalls & Yeak Lom Crater Lake

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Check out then take a local boat to the mainland, we’ll then go for the highlight of Kratie’s city included visiting local market with interesting activities of local trades. Continue driving (Approx. 4 hours) to Ratanakiri and spend the afternoon to visit natural Kachang waterfalls, the market in Banlung town of Ranakairi and see beautiful nature, and enjoy swimming (if you want) in the popular Yeak Lom crater lake before heading to Terres Rouges Lodge for check in.

Simply enjoy free time in the evening after check in.

Overnight in Ratanakiri

Day 6 | Adventure to Ethnic Minority Villages

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. We leave a bit early at 7.45am for a wonderful journey to get the best insight into the diversity of cultures that Ratanakiri has offered to hundreds of visitors to experience its remarkable uniqueness and ethnic daily life that is animated by ritual cultures, customs and interesting routine.

We’ll take about an hour and half drive that passes fascinating scenery and stop on the way to visit traditional Kroeung village to witness lifestyle of her friendly people and other highlight in the village before we arrive at Veun Sai for a boat excursion cross the river to explore other tribal villages. The boat excursion offers scenic views of lush rainforest and Tonle San River, and if you’re luck to spot wildlife and hear sounds of birds.

Disembark the boat, visit interesting ancient cemeteries at tribal villages of Kachok and Koh Piek. Next, we continue down Tonle San River where we will find a stop for lunch at a local restaurant (at your own account).

After lunch break, we continue our boat trip to Chinese and Laos villages to observe people making a living based on simple life, and visit their traditional medical center where they produce traditional medicines by their ancient methods and based local natural products included tree roots, leaf, flowers and tree skins etc. You may interrupt them to ask questions regarding to healing and sickness before we make our way back to Banlung Twon.

Overnight in Ratanakiri

Day 7 | Half a Day with Noelle and her mum, Drive to Siem Reap

Meal: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. Check out and goodbye to Terres Rouges Lodge then we make small trip towards the South of Banlung trough fields and rubber plantations, half road, half dirt track. Arrival at the Airavata site at 8.45-9.00AM. Presentation of Airavata Elephants of the place, our philosophy, and preparation of the milk bottles and Noelle’s bath. We leave for the enclosure, greet mother and daughter and give treats to the mother while listening to the story of Ikeo and of her unlikely pregnancy.

We take Ikeo to the training area, hose her, brush her nails with shampoo and do a health check. Noelle’s bath, we wash her with shampoo, check her weight while giving her the bottle to get on the scale. All this done, we take mother and daughter into the forest, walking to the place where they will spend the day together. It is elephant school for Noelle as by observing her mother and mimicking her, she learns what plants to eat or not to eat. We return and eventually observe the training of the other elephants (power washing, etc).

*Note: No elephant ride and we don’t certainly promote or encourage to ride an elephant.
After the tour finished, we make a long journey with a few stops for local snacks and juice from Ratanakiri to Siem Reap Angkor with approximate arrival at around 7.00pm.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 8 | Tonle Sap Lake, City Tour & Traditional Apsara Show

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast is at hotel. We set off hotel at 8.30am for countryside sightseeing along with a visit at local market to see interesting trades before resuming our journey to Kompong Phluk village of Tonle Sap Lake. We process to take a boat trip along canal toward the centre of Kompong Phluk then the boat slows down to let you enjoy the surrounding admired by amazing houses atop high poles, come across the highlight of fishing activities as well as see people selling fruits/vegetable/meats on their boats, you sometimes see kids in their student uniforms coming back from their classes. Witness how life works on the water and how people make the lake as home then we embark on a canoe to explore the pleasant mangroves, enjoy the serenity while taking picturesque photos and you may see a few waterbirds. Continue by our main boat to see the great lake of Tonle Sap, learn from your tour guide about Tonle Sap ecosystem and its rich biosphere reserve.

Return Siem Reap city to enjoy tasty Khmer set lunch at Khmer wooden house restaurant.

Afternoon, we go for guided orientation at the finest Artisan Angkor wood/stone carving center which displays various defined handicrafts and silk products, continue to stroll around old market to see interesting daily trade as well as bargaining for local handmade products, paintings, lacquers, carvings, clothes, traditional crafts and so on, and you can also go to Royal Residence Garden for walking and breathtaking.

Evening, we leave to enjoy delicate Khmer set dinner (or buffet) followed by traditional Apsara dance performance at a selected local restaurant.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 9 | Fully Guided Angkor Discovery & Traditional Gondola Sunset

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. We’re journeying out (or tuk tuk) of hotel at 8.00am to the South Gate of Angkor Thom atop 4 giant faces that religiously represents compassion, sympathy, equanimity and charity. Stroll around Bayon temple consisting of more than 200 smiling faces in stone, admired by interesting temples including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, terrace of leper king and terrace of elephant. Resume the journey to visit Ta Prohm temple adorned with the stunning, amazing tree roots where Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed.

Enjoy Khmer set lunch at a selected local restaurant near temples.

Afternoon, continue to witness the marvelous Angkor Wat – the world’s heritage listed by UNESCO in 1992 and the largest unrivaled monument in the world. Built by Suryavarman II in 12th Century, Angkor Wat is considered as one of the top destinations in Asia and is a must-see in your lifetime. Learning from your tour guide the amazing history, its ancestral incredible, architectural masterpieces and the finest carvings dates back to the Khmer Empire when it dominated the largest parts of Southeast Asia.

Next, we’re heading to Angkor Thom where we will embark a traditional gondola which slowly glides along the moat (Tonle Om), immerse yourselves with the serenity among the stunning nature of Angkor which the moment seems date back to the old time of Angkor Kingdom while the picturesque sunset with golden color fading at horizon.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 10 | Sunrise, Phnom Kulen Waterfalls & Beautiful Banteay Srei

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

We start the tour at 5.00am then drive within Angkor jungle toward the magnificent Angkor Wat where we wait to watch the spectacular sunrise over Angkor Wat towers and capture its beautiful sunrise reflection at the lotus pond.

Return hotel for breakfast then leave hotel again to Phnom Kulen where you meet the famous beautiful waterfalls. Phnom Kulen is regarded as the holy mountain for religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists and was the significant home of the ancient Khmer Empire when King Jayavarma II proclaimed independence from Java in 804 CE. The journey provides nice views of rice paddies, countryside dotting with palm trees and cattle.

Enjoy the walking tour to see the giant reclining Buddha statue on the hilltop along with breathtaking, spectacular views and learn from your tour guide about historical site. Resume walking within the jungle to witness religious Hindu of the riverbed of 1000 linga carvings, next we move to observe the sacred ground-pool before we head to relax near the waterfall. From then, it is your own free time for cooling down, swimming and enjoying local lunch at a selected local restaurant near the waterfalls.

Afternoon, we drive back to unlock the intricately carved, beautiful red-pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei – considered to be a Jewel of Khmer art which features elaborate decorations and its finest details. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a “precious gem”.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 11 | Unique Village Experience with Oxcart Ride

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. We start the tour at 8.30am to a remote countryside village, the journey passes interesting city highlight and huge beautiful rice paddies dotting with palm trees and cattle in the fields. We will visit a local market to observe interesting trade exchanges before arriving in the village, next have some fun on the oxcart ride through the village to get interaction along with “Hello” from friendly kids. Disembark the cart, you’ll be greeted by a host family then we get involved with rural activities such as rice planting or harvesting or growing vegetables or making roof of palm leaves depending on the season of the year. These rural village activities are most unique, memorable experience in your trip to Cambodia. Return to the family’s house, stroll round to see the surrounding which admired by routine, lifestyle, culture, customs and superstitions, enjoy lunch followed by tropical fruits and get refreshed by coconut juice before saying goodbye to the host family and we make our way back to the hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 12 | Private Car/Minivan to Battambang & Battambang Tour

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Check out and goodbye to Siem Reap. We drive (3 hours) to Battambang Province, we stop at a roadside for chances to dare of sampling deep-fried crispy insects including crickets, grasshoppers etc. Check in at a booked hotel in Battambang and have your own free time.

*Note: Angkor Silk farm is available for a visit on the way. Please talk to our tour guide if you want to observe the silk processing as well as browser unique silk products at Angkor Silk Farm.

Afternoon, we leave to visit traditional wooden house which was built a century ago during French Era and have a short tour that reveals a very interesting background regarding to its history. We will stroll at Battambang winery (with grape wine tasting) before heading to Phnom Sampov where you enjoy the active walking at the top of the mountain to witness the killing caves and visit hidden caves of Battambang. Next, we wait at hillside to watch thousands of bats flying back to their caves in the red sky while the sun is setting down.

Overnight in Battambang

Day 13 | Full Day Battambang Tour with Bamboo Train

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. We set off at 8.00am to experience some fun on the famous bamboo train in Battambang, cruising on the track of the train rail while enjoying the highlight of rural landscape. Continue to wander around the infamous Prohoc market “Fermented Fish Market”, observe rice paper making, have chances to try the taste of Cambodian rice wine and learn how it is made before drive to visit ancient temple of Wat Ek Phnom – an Angkorain temple built in the 11th century.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon, we will have Battambang City tour, start with the market of Phsar Nat with interesting local trades and have chances to taste some of local snacks then we go for the fascinating highlights of Khmer & French architectures, National Bank and the old bridge that was built more than a hundred year ago. Continue to visit the most popular Ta Dumbang Statue with an interesting legendary and now become the religious site for praying to have happiness and good luck in life.

Overnight in Battambang

Day 14 | Private Car/Minivan to Siem Reap & Cambodian Water Blessing

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Check out then we drive with 2.30 hours back to Siem Reap. Check in and simply have free leisure

Our experienced tour guide and and Tuk Tuk driver will be picking you up at 3.00pm (or 2.30pm) from your hotel’s lobby then heading out to a Buddhist Pagoda where the tour guide escort you to see the pagoda, explain you more about daily life of Buddhist monks, culture, Cambodian religion and how monks leave in the early morning to search for alms giving.

Next, we respectfully invite a Buddhist monk and provide an offer-gift to him to get prepared ritual water blessing. Once you changed clothes and get ready, let’s get started.

A longer ritual that involves vessels of blessed water being poured over your head by monks. Saffron monks prosperously chant to wish you good luck, safe travel, healthy harmony and longevity. It is a way to cleanse yourself, peaceful mind and receive a sacred Buddhist blessing at an ancient pagoda. This traditional water blessing is fully accomplished by a wishing red tie at the end.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 15 | Flight to Sihanoukville & Speed Boat to Koh Rong Samloem

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Simply enjoy the rest of free time in Siem Reap until our team transfers you airport for domestic flight to Sihanoukville City.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our friendly driver then he will escort you to the boat pier where you catch speed boat at 2.30pm to Koh Rong Samloem.

Once you arrived at Koh Rong Samloem’s boat pier, you will be warmly greeted and assisted with your luggage by the resort’s staff and enjoy your own free time after check in.

Overnight in Koh Rong Samloem

Day 16 | Koh Rong Samloem – Beach Leisure

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Today is completely reserved for your own free time by the seaside for sunbathing, swimming and relaxing at lovely resort’s swimming pool.

Overnight in Koh Rong Samloem

Day 17 | Koh Rong Samloem – Beach Leisure

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. It is totally reserved as free and easy day at your own free time.

Overnight in Koh Rong Samloem

Day 18 | Speed Boat to Mainland, Drive to Kamport & River Sunset

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Simply enjoy the rest of free time on Koh Rong Samloem. Check out and catch speed boat at 10.30am (or 12.30pm) back to the mainland then transfer with 3 hours directly to a booked hotel in Kampot Province and have free time after check in.

Evening, we leave hotel to the riverside where we process to take a local boat which slowly cruises along Kampot River to let you cool down to enjoy beautiful nature, along with local snacks and beers (or soft drinks) while catching the spectacular sunset fading right behind mountain range.

Overnight in Kampot

Day 19 | Kampot – The Surrounding & Bokor Mountain

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. Today we leave at 8.00am to explore Phnom Chhngok where we experience walking 203-step staircase, down into the caves and admired by Pre-Angkorian bricked temple, continue to see the salt fields with learning from our tour guide about salt processing, the trip is enhanced by beautiful rice paddies dotting with palm trees and mountainous landscape before we drive to observe the process of pepper at Sothy’s Pepper farms where the best famous Kampot pepper comes from and you may purchase a few packs of Kampot pepper before leaving the farm.

Enjoy delicious lunch with seafood at a local restaurant.

Afternoon, we drive up Bokor mountain to capture the highlights of Bokor attraction including 29-metres high Yeay Mao statue, The Black Palace of King Norodom Sihanouk, along with the interesting legend of Wat Sampov Pram (5 Boats Pagoda) which was built in 1924 by King Monivong and also grab the breathtaking with picturesque panoramic views. We resume to visit a grand colonial building “Le Bokor Palace” and Catholic Church before returning back to the hotel.

Overnight in Kampot

Day 20 | Kep Crab Market, National Park Trekking & Rabbit Island

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. We head out from Kampot town to visit the famous Kep Crab Market animated by crab farming, people selling a lot of fresh seafood as well as regional vegetables and fruits. Next, we venture by trekking with 8km through the jungle trail in Kep National Park, feel the serenity of the mother nature that admired by songs of wildlife/birds and you will probably come across wild monkeys, and take beautiful photos of Cambodia’s landscape overlooking blue sea, islands and countryside.

Transfer to Kep boat pier, embark a local boat to Rabbit Island where we will have lunch mixing of fresh seafood and fried crabs with Kampot green peppers. Enjoy free time, swimming by the white sand beach or have a short trekking to see people growing sea weeds on this island. We take the boat back to the mainland and return to hotel in Kampot.

Overnight in Kampot

Day 21 | By Private Car to Koh Kong & Boat to Canvas & Orchids Retreat

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Enjoy the rest of free time in Kampot. At 11.00am, our guide and driver transfer you with 5 hours to Koh Kong were you will catch speed boat to Canvas & Orchids Retreat. Check in and relax in the luxury tent at Canvas & Orchids Retreat.

*Note: If you love kayaking through the tranquil Kampot Riverside, please feel free to speak with our tour guide for this arrangement.

Overnight in Koh Kong (Koh Andet Island)

Day 22 | Canvas & Orchids Retreat – Lost in the Mangrove

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. Leaving the resort at 10.00am, depending on the tide, you will cruise deep into the mangroves to experience a rare glimpse of life among the fishing communities that live off the natural bounty of this watery paradise.

Drinks will be served en route as you glide down the waterway to your fishing village destination where you will spend time with these shy but friendly people. While the men tend their boats, the womenfolk patiently mend their nets and children play tag and football in the narrow alleyways between the stilt houses.

BBQ lunch on the beach would be served after visiting the pagoda, school and a few villager’s homes. Back in the boat, you will experience the pure magic of life among the mangroves from our boat and the kayaks before heading back to the resort.

Overnight in Koh Kong (Koh Andet Island)

Day 23 | Paradise Regained – Tatai River Sunset Cruise

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Today is reserve as FREE & EASY for your own leisure.

Evening at 4.30pm, we leave for sunset boat, as your boat cruises the waters of Tatai River with a warm ocean breeze, the descending darkness embraces you in the lush green of the forest and brings the misty mountains closer as the tropical sun dips to the horizon and transforms the skies into a spectacle showing off magnificent shades… Before the sun sets, with the calm waters and the natural sounds of the surrounding forest to complement the romantic mood, you can sit back, relax and indulge your senses, with a glass of wine, on an unforgettable sunset boat cruise.

Toast the end of a perfect day in paradise as the sun’s flare dies down and the velvet darkness of the night descends …a prelude to a magical evening.

Overnight in Koh Kong (Koh Andet Island)

Day 24 | Back to Mainland & By Private Car to Phnom Penh Capital

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Say Goodbye to Canvas & Orchids Retreat then catch the boat at 8.00am to the mainland. Our awaiting car driver (no guide) greets you then transfers with 5 hours directly to a booked hotel in Phnom Penh and have your own free time in the evening.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 25 | Phnom Penh – Departure

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Simply enjoy the rest of free time in Phnom Penh before our team picks you up from hotel’s lobby and transfers to Phnom Penh International Airport for your flight to the next destination.

Thank You and Goodbye to Beautiful Cambodia