Cambodia Cultural Gems & Island Escapes
PRIVATE TOUR see page 7
14nt privately escorted tour from £ 3829pp
Kota Bahru market
Indochina- Cambodia tour
Koh Royal Rong Palace, Phnom Penh
Cambodia Cultural Gems & Island Escapes
14nt privately escorted tour by air-conditioned car
travel off-the-beaten-track • remote temples & exotic islands • tour with your own personal guide
DAY 1 Fly to Phnom Penh
DAY 2 Phnom Penh
On arrival transfer to your hotel. This afternoon’ s cyclo tour is a unique way to see the city’ s Khmer architecture.
DAY 3 Phnom Penh
See the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum. After lunch, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Khmer Rouge Killing Fields( which can cause distress). Later, a Mekong River cruise allows you to see traditional fishing villages and a mesmerising sunset.
DAY 4 Phnom Penh
Join a chef for a cooking class to prepare traditional Khmer dishes for lunch. This afternoon, take a transformative walking tour through Phnom Penh, navigating quiet backstreets and remote communities. Next, visit the“ 2 Faces of Life Foundation” which provides free schooling to underprivileged children. As the tour progresses, you’ ll transition from poverty to a landscape of skyscrapers and affluent lifestyles.
DAY 5 Phnom Penh / Koh Trong
Drive to Kratié( approx 5 hours drive), which has retained its colonial-era charm. Travel on by local ferry to Koh Trong, an island in the middle of the Mekong River. Later, you’ ll leisurely cycle or travel by ox and cart on a shady trail around the island visiting a Reforestation Project where you can plant a tree in your name.
DAY 6 Koh Trong / Chhlong
Take a ferry back to the mainland for a walking tour of Kratié. Drive on to Wat Rokakandal Centre, a former pagoda and now local craft museum. This afternoon, visit Wat Phnom Sambok to see Buddhist monasteries and enjoy magnificent views. Later, board a boat in the hope of spying rare freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphins, then travel on by road to tiny Chhlong( approx 1 hour drive).
DAY 7 Chhlong / Kampong Thom
Drive to Kampong Cham to visit the local market then continue to Kampong Thom. This afternoon, drive to 7th century Sambor Prei Kuk Temple and on to the ancient capital of Chenla with its 100 pre-Angkor temples( approx 4½ hours drive).
Koh Rong
DAY 8 Kampong Thom / Siem Reap
As you travel to Siem Reap, watch the daily lives of local people in the countryside. Make a stop at 12th century Kampong Kdei Bridge, which has more than 20 narrow arches spanning 285 feet( approx 3½ hours drive).
DAY 9 Siem Reap
Temple exploration gets underway at the Roluos group, dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries, including the Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei Temples. After lunch, explore the last capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom before visiting the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King.
DAY 10 Siem Reap
Drive to the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva, Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre Temple then visit the famous Ta Prohm, a beautiful jungle temple that nature appears to have taken over. After lunch, transfer to Tonle Sap *, Southeast Asia’ s largest freshwater lake. During a boat cruise spy everyday life of locals who live in floating shacks and whose livelihood depends mainly on fishing.
DAY 11 Siem Reap
Embark on a tour of a genuine non-touristy village, where you are warmly welcomed and able to interact with the farmers through activities such as harvesting and watering crops. Travel by ox and cart before visiting a local family home for a tasty homemade lunch. This afternoon, a tour highlight is a visit to the incredible Angkor Wat Temple.
DAY 12 Siem Reap / Koh Rong or Koh Russey Islands
At leisure before your flight to Sihanoukville and onwards boat travel to your selected island.
DAYS 13-14 Koh Rong or Koh Russey Islands
These islands are simply heavenly for doing nothing at all. However, optional jungle walks, snorkelling, diving and fishing trips are available( at extra expense).
DAY 15 Koh Rong or Koh Russey Islands / Phnom Penh
Return to Sihanoukville and meet with your driver who will drive you back to Phnom Penh for a day at leisure.
DAY 16 Phnom Penh Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Koh Rong
Siem Reap
Phnom Penh 3nts | Koh Trong 1nt | Chhlong 1nt Kampong Thom 1nt | Siem Reap 4nts Koh Rong or Koh Russey Islands 3nts | Phnom Penh 1nt
Alternatively, before flying home, Why not extend your beach stay? See pages 159-161.
What you need to know:
Daily departures
Kampong Thom
CAMBODIA
Koh Trong
Phnom Penh
Chhlong
VIETNAM
3H hotels. 4 and 5H hotels available at a supplement.
Breakfast. Lunch also included on days 4-8 & 10. Dinner also included on days 2-3, 5 & 9.
The price shown includes international flights, domestic flight on day 12, boat transfers on days 12 & 15, private transfers between your hotels( excluding Koh Rong or Koh Russey), accommodation, sightseeing as outlined, private services of an English speaking guide and entrance fees.
Note: The best time to see Irrawaddy Dolphins is during the dry season from January to August. * 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 day 4.
visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 444 • www. premierholidays. co. uk Indochina 153