Colonial Cambodia
PRIVATE TOUR see page 7
14nt privately escorted tour from £ 3769pp
Indochina- Cambodia tour
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap
Colonial Cambodia
14nt privately escorted tour by air-conditioned car
perfect tour for a first visit • incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites • tour with a private guide
Siem Reap / Angkor Battambang
CAMBODIA
DAY 1 Fly to Siem Reap
DAY 2 Siem Reap On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
DAY 3 Siem Reap
Begin your 9th and 10th Khmer temple discoveries with the Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei Temples. After lunch, see the last capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom’ s South Gate with its huge statues, the Bayon ruins, Elephant Terrace and Leper King Terrace.
DAY 4 Siem Reap
Drive through scenic countryside to the graceful Temple of Shiva, Banteay Srei and the Banteay Samre Temple. Later, visit Ta Prohm, a beautiful jungle temple overtaken by nature and relatively untouched since its discovery. After lunch, drive to explore the remarkable stilted village of Kampong Phluk on the Tonle Sap Lake *, whose unique architecture has been nicknamed“ bamboo skyscrapers”.
DAY 5 Siem Reap
Visit a genuine non-touristy village which is home to farming families, where you interact and assist with activities such as harvesting crops. Travel by ox and cart before lunch at a local’ s home. This afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat.
DAY 6 Siem Reap / Battambang
Drive to colonial Battambang, which is Cambodia’ s second-largest city. After lunch, head to Phare Ponleu Selpak, a non-profit association working with vulnerable youngsters and families. Later, experience a short ride on the Bamboo‘ Train’, a basic vehicle used by villagers in times past to transport themselves and their goods( approx 3 hours drive).
DAY 7 Battambang
Embark on a local livelihoods tour to discover some of the artisans who open their homes and workshops, with products such as incense, rice cakes, rice wine and rice paper. Drive on to Wat Ek Phnom, an 11th century temple surrounded by trees and lily ponds. After lunch, head for Phnom Sampeau, a limestone outcrop home to several temples which tell the story of the tragic history of the Khmer Rouge regime.
DAY 8 Battambang / Kampong Chhnang
Enjoy an early visit to Battambang Market before driving on to Kampong Chhnang( approx 4½ hours drive).
DAY 9 Kampong Chhnang
Go on a morning tour with the Smiling Gecko Project which was established to sustainably combat poverty in rural Cambodia through schooling and vocational training. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy this amazing resort.
DAY 10 Kampong Chhnang / Phnom Penh
On reaching Phnom Penh, have lunch before embarking on a cyclo tour focussing on“ New Khmer Architecture” as well as Chinese shophouses and French colonial buildings( approx 1½ hours drive).
DAY 11 Phnom Penh
This morning, visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. In the afternoon, see the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and notorious Khmer Rouge“ Killing Fields”( which some may find upsetting) before taking a Mekong River sunset cruise.
DAY 12 Phnom Penh
Enjoy a local market visit and Khmer cooking class, then feast on the fruits of your labour for lunch. This afternoon, is a transformative walking tour through the city’ s heart where you visit to the modest yet impactful“ 2 Faces of Life Foundation” which schools underprivileged children.
DAY 13 Phnom Penh / Kampot
Enroute to Takeo Province visit Tonle Bati, Ta Prohm, Yeay Peou Temples and Prasat Neang Khmau before Chiso Mountain for the 11th century Khmer Brahmanic Temple. Continue to Kampong Trach where limestone caves and passages shelter Wat Kirisan with its various stalactites and stalagmites in the shapes of dragon heads, monkeys and whales. Continue to Kampot( approx 3 hours drive).
DAY 14 Kampot
Explore picturesque Kampot’ s colonial-style houses before travelling to Kep Crab Market. In the afternoon, visit La Plantation, an organic pepper and spice farm.
DAY 15 Kampot
Visit the salt fields, surrounded by rice paddies, palm trees and mountains. Next is Phnom Chngouk for a walk down 203 stairs into the caves. In the afternoon, take a Kampot River boat ride, with an hour long kayak activity through the green cathedral( green loop).
DAY 16 Kampot / Phnom Penh Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Kampot
Siem Reap 4nts | Battambang 2nts Kampong Chhnang 2nts | Phnom Penh 3nts Kampot 3nts
Alternatively, before flying home, why not add on a beach stay? See pages 159-161
What you need to know:
Daily departures
Kampong Chhnang
Phnom Penh
VIETNAM
3H hotels. 4 and 5H hotels available at a supplement.
Breakfast. Lunch also included on days 3-7, 10-12, 13( packed lunch) & 14-15. Dinner also included on days 3-5 & 10-11. Majority of included meals are at local restaurants.
The price shown includes international flights, private transfers between your hotels, 3H accommodation( except The Farmhouse at Kampong Chhnang which is 4H), sightseeing as outlined, private services of an English speaking guide and entrance fees.
Note: Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang are closed weekends and public holidays. * Water levels vary seasonally at Tonle Sap, so the itinerary and what you see may vary.
Premier Plus
FREE 60 minute foot or Khmer traditional massage: At La Rose Spa at the end of day12.
152 Indochina prices & offers change constantly- call for today’ s best available deals!