11-Day Cambodia Uncovered Tour

[Guided Tour] Today, we will meet you in the hotel lobby at 8:00 am and head directly to purchase the Angkor pass.

Then, we drive to the World Heritage-listed Angkor temple complex to visit one of Cambodia’s jewels, the impressive Angkor Thom, which was the fortified “Great Royal City” built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. At the South Gate, we can see the imposing statue of Avalokiteshvara, which appears in the Tomb Raider movie.

Next, we visit the temple of Bayon, in Buddhist style and adorned with hundreds of faces made of stone, and also explore the Terrace of Elephants, former Royal Palace, Phimeanakas, Terrace of Leper King, and Baphoun temple, it is considered the largest Hindu temple in Angkor Thom.

In the afternoon, we will have lunch near the Angkor Wat temple. Then we enjoy a visit to the fascinating Angkor Wat, the largest sacred building on the planet and an icon of the Khmer civilization. It was built by King Suyavarman and is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It contains hundreds of decorations that cover the walls and the longest bas-relief in the world. It is surrounded by a giant moat, and its five towers are part of the Cambodian flag, and from the top you can see the impressive and dense jungle. It is the most revered in the country and the most emblematic of the complex.

If you want to see the sunset, the best place to go is either Phnom Bakheng Hill or Pre Rup temple.

+ O/N: in Siem Reap

[Guided Tour] Today, we wake up early in the morning at 4:40 am and visit one of the world’s cultural heritage sites, Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world as you soak in the breathtaking sunrise. The magnificent architecture and charming light and shadow are even more memorable with the light morning mist that is most often present in this region of Cambodia. As your expert guide tells you stories about the bas-reliefs, they’ll also provide insight into life during the height of the Khmer Empire. After surise at Angkor Wat, we will have breakfast nearby the temple, please ask your hotel to pack a breakfast box for you.

Afterward, we will pay a visit to Ta Prohm temple, which has been left in its original state and is partly overgrown with trees and huge roots. Then, we head directly to Banteay Srei (Lady’s Temple), a unique red sandstone temple, before the crowds arrive, and then to Beng Mealea, the mysterious 12th-century temple in the middle of the jungle. This temple is heavily overgrown with vegetation, trees, lianas, and mosses. This temple is the most ruined stone temple in Angkor Park, as well as one of the largest temples on a grand scale in this historic site.

We will have lunch at the Rolous Group and continue our journey to explore temples in the Rolous Group, including Bakong, and Preah Ko temple.

In the late afternoon, we will head to the famous floating village of Kampong Phluk. There, you can see firsthand what everyday life is like for the many families who make their living primarily from fishing. We enjoy a boat ride and observe the local life in the villages with their floating farms, schools, markets, and Buddhist temples.

+ O/N: in Siem Reap

9:00 AM. We leave Siem Reap and head to the incredible jungle temple of Banteay Chhmar, famous for its signature faces of Jayavarman VII. En route, we can visit Banteay Top (Fortress of the Army) temple which a small but impressively tall with damaged towers. Nearby, there is a big lake that has a lot of lotus and some time there a number of water buffalos playing in the water. It’s highly photogenic. 

We spent the afternoon visiting the magnificent carvings of Lokesvara with 32 arms, nicknamed lok sam-pee (Mr 32) by Khmers, as well as the beautiful Hall of Dancers, similar to the famous Preah Khan. After clambering about among this sleeping giant, we continue to explore the outer complex, including the outer gate of Ta Prohm, like a smaller cousin of the impressive Angkor Thom gates and protected by a moat and the jungle-clad face-tower of Samnang Tasok. We also visit Banteay Torp, the temple is a fascinating and interesting site built as a tribute to the Khmer army for their defeat of the Cham army leading to Khmer control of the region. We spend the night in a homestay.

+ O/N: Homestay at Banteay Chhmar Community (1nt)

+ Included meal: Dinner.

Wake up early in the morning for a walk in the village of Banteay Chhmar to observe the daily lifestyle of the local people. It could be very interesting as everyone in the village start their day so early. There are opportunities to see small size production of charcoal ovens, Buddhist monks walking with monk bowl to collect food, students walk and bike to school. We might also visit Prasat Ta Promh which is a small ruined temple and topped by a well-preserved example of a Bayon-style four-faced Avalokiteshvara. Breakfast at the community restaurant then we say good bye the family that accompanied us and continue our journey east towards to the mountainous border region and the last outpost of the Khmer Rouge at Anlong Veng, where we visit the house of the former military strongman Ta Mok. Anlong Veng was the last Khmer Rouge stronghold to surrender to government forces in the late 1990s. We then head east to Sra Em where we check into a comfortable hotel for the night.

+ O/N: Hotel in Sra Em (1nt)

+ Included meal: Breakfast.

In the morning we enjoy [Guided Tour] to explore an imposing mountain-top temple guards the border between Cambodia and Thailand, Preah Vihear temple which was registered to be the world heritage 2008, perched on a pinnacle overlooking Cambodia and the object of recent battles with Thailand. We climb to the top of the Preah Vihea temple via the snaking road up to the mountain which is very steep in places and we eventually emerge at the second enclosure of this king of the mountain temples. We explore the temple on foot and continue onwards to the final level, clinging to a cliff face in the Dangrek Mountains, towering hundreds of meters above lowland Cambodia below. The views from this most mountainous of temple mountains are breathtaking.

After a lunch break in a local restaurant in Sra Em, we journey to Cambodia-Lao border of Preah Rumkel Community, one of the most remotes eco-tourism frontier community. We survey Sopheakmet Waterfall; that thwarted the grand designs of French imperialists (and which now mark the Lao border). If time is available, we will take the boat across the river to visit Hang Khone, which is the southernmost tip of Laos. The French used this as a ferry port where goods were then transferred back to the ferry by train before they continued their travel by river. Sunset here is some of the most beautiful sunsets across the Mekong River.

Tonight, you will stay in a traditional Cambodian home under a mosquito net at one of the local family who lives on the bank of the Mekong River; experience bucket shower like Khmer people.

+ O/N: Homestay at Preah Rumkel (1nt)

+ Included meal: Dinner.

After breakfast at homestay, it’s time to say goodbye to the family. Then, we enjoy a boat trip down to explore the Ramsar Wetlands area. It stretches south along the Mekong River from the border with Laos to Stung Treng. Only accessible by boat, it is a haven for critically endangered mammals, birds, and fish and a unique riverine flooded forest system that is a photographer’s dream. With only birdcalls announcing our presence, we cruise our way leisurely downstream for 3 hours towards provincial capital of Stung Treng. You will meet your driver again and continue your journey to Ban Lun town of Ratanakiri.

+ O/N: in Ban Lun – Ratanakiri (3nts)

+ Included meal: Breakfast.

[Guided Tour] 8:30am; You will be picked up from your hotel in town and journey through many different plantations including rubber, cashew nut farms and pepper plantations. There are opportunities to stop by and learn about them from your guide. Your visit includes Cha Oung, Kachanh and Katieng waterfalls which locate around Banlung. Afterwards, enjoy a drive to Borkeo to explore local mining communities and examine the beautiful gemstone. Lunch break in a local restaurant.

Later in the afternoon, we continue our trip to the crater lake of Beng Yeak Loam which is the result of volcano around for 700.000 years ago. This is a sacred place for Khmer especially the local people who live around there. You can walk around the lake. It’s a popular natural swimming pool so you can enjoy refreshing yourself after a long day of activities.

Return to Ban Lung.

+ O/N: in Ban Lun – Ratanakiri.

[Guided Tour] 8:30am; Today, we explore the origin of Ratanakiri and learn about the indigenous people life who form up the region for thousands of years. We travel to Kachon where we’ll take a scenic boat ride for about on Sesan river to a remote village of Kaoh Piek. It is home to a traditional Kachoch burial ground complete with carved effigies of the deceased. Family groups are buried side by side and elaborate ceremonies held after a period of mourning. There are wooden men and women statues standing in front the tombs to guard and likeness of elephant tusks and beautiful decorated tombs. You will also take a walk through the village, visit school. You will learn about the animist belief of Kachoch hill tribe from your local guide in the area.

Return to Ban Lung and continue our trip to visit ancient reclining Buddha and from there we can walk to the top of Sway Mountain to see the view of the province and beautiful sunset too.

+ O/N: in Ban Lun – Ratanakiri

We leave behind Banlung and travel southwest towards O’Pongmon before veering south towards to the charming town of Kratie and check into your comfortable hotel.

Later in the afternoon we take a local ferry across the Mekong River and go for a 9km cycling on Koh Trong, a beautiful Mekong Island and home to famous sweet grapefruit and market gardens. We return to Kratie Town by ferry at sunset time.

+ O/N: in Kratie (2nts)

[Guided Tour] 8:30 AM, Today, you will meet your English-speaking guide and learn about local lifestyles of the Kratie. Our visit includes a walk through the central Market of Kratie where you will see the local trades and see some of the old colonial building which remain from the French colony. Visit Wat Rokakandal which has a unique wooden carving about 400 years of age. And opportunities to learn about local productions including mushroom farm, rice wish key making, brick factory, bamboo sticky rice and rice noodle production. Lunch break at Kampi.

The highlight of our day is a visit to one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. We board a local boat and cruise out into the mighty Mekong for a chance encounter with these gentle mammals. Viewing is guaranteed.
+ O/N: in Kratie

Today, we will transfer you to Cambodia capital city of Phnom Penh. We pass through Kampong Cham where we visit the bamboo bridge built across the mighty Mekong River connecting the mainland to Koh Pen Island (dry season between Jan-May only). Before reaching Phnom Penh, there is the chance to pause at Skuon, affectionately known as ‘Spiderville’, where it is possible to sample the local delicacy of the deep-fried tarantula. Have lunch on the road, returning to your Phnom Penh hotel between 3 and 5 pm, depending on weather and traffic.

Itinerary is subject to change.

This itinerary is written based on our tour research expeditions. It should be read to get a good general impression and NOT as a detailed hour by hour itinerary. As we care about your safety and always want to increase customer’s experience, Adventure Travel Cambodia’s team can change parts of the tour due to weather terrain conditions depending on the season and customer requests. If the program is changed upon customer’s request, possible additional costs will be charged directly to customers.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Road

This trip involves a long day of drivingCambodia roads can also be rough and bumpy, and delays are sometimes unavoidable. A dash of patience will go a long way toward your enjoyment of this beautiful country!

Malaria

Malaria’s risk is present throughout the country, including urban areas, except city of Phnom Penh. There is low risk of malaria transmission at Angkor Wat and in the city centre of Siem Reap. So, I advise you to take anti-malaria medication in every part we go. https://www.iamat.org/country/cambodia/risk/malaria

Dressing Standard: While visiting any temples, both male or female visitors must dress respectfully and at your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. Comfortable shoes are a must. The Apsara Authority which manages the park reserves the right to refuse entry to certain areas of the site for guests who wear clothing which is considered immodest.

Money: The American dollars are accepted everywhere in Cambodia and even you can withdraw your money from ATM. It could be in US dollar or local currency (Riel). So you don’t have change from US dollar to local currency. *

*All torn or old note of US dollar bills or coin are not acceptable in Cambodia.

Importance: No smoking, drinking alcohol or touching the carvings is permitted in and around the temples.

Closure of sites: The third level of Angkor Wat is not open during Buddhist holidays.