Code:	CAL03
Routes:	Phnom Penh - Ratanakiri - Stungstreng - Kratie - Mekong River - Kompong Cham - Kompong Thom - Siem Reap - Angkor Wat - Angkor Thom
Duration:	13 Days

Itinerary in brief

Day 1:  ARRIVAL - PHNOM PENH
Day 2:  PHNOM PENH
Day 3:  PHNOM PENH - RATTANAKIRI
Day 4:  BANLUNG - TAMPOUM TOTEMS - BANLUNG
Day 5:  BANLUNG - KROEUNG TERRITORI - BANLUNG
Day 6:  BANLUNG - STUNGTRENG
Day 7:  STUNGTRENG - KRATIE
Day 8:  KRATIE - KOMPONG CHAM
Day 9:  KOMPONG CHAM - KOMPONG THOM
Day 10:  KOMPONG THOM - SIEM REAP
Day 11:  SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
Day 12:  SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
Day 13:  SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE

This adventurous tour is exciting as we use different travel transport. Come and share our passion of the hidden Cambodia. We explore many minority villages in remote province of Ratanakiri, before cruising downstream on the Mekong River to Kratie. Here we change the transport we drive through through Kompong Cham and Kompong Thom to the splendour of the Angkor Temples.

Detail Itinerary
 

DAY  1: ARRIVAL - PHNOM PENH

Morning arrival at Phnom Penh Airport. Transfer to your hotel (room may not be ready until begining afternoon). With your professional guide and prived car we start to visit Phnom Penh . Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers, the Cambodia's capital city look like a big village- town where French colonial influences can still be seen in old buildings restored. We will first go to see Wat Phnom Temple.Then we will visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda . The Palace is a magnificent example of Khmer architecture, it was built in 1866. You will see the Throne Hall and the Napoleon III Pavilion. Silver Pagoda is one of the richest shrines in the world . The floor is made of 5.000 silver tiles. O/N in Phnom Penh.

DAY 2 : PHNOM PENH

The sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh continues with the Royal University of Fine Arts, where the young Cambodians learn the ancient arts of their ancestors. A view of numerous children practicing the graceful movements of the beautiful national dances is impressive. The next stop of our trip is the National Museum, exclusively dedicated  to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period from 9^th to 15^th centuries, but some date from as early as the 4^th century. Heading out of town we visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious 'Killing Fields' of Choeung Ek, which will give us a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. We have time this afternoon, exploring Psar Toul Tom Pong, also called the "Russian Market", where anything and everything is for sales. O/N in Phnom Penh. (B)

DAY 3: PHNOM PENH - RATTANAKIRI

Today we board a short flight to Banlung, the capital city of Rattanakiri Province. After checking into hotel we drive to Wat Phnom Soui to catch our first view over the plateau and Banlung Town. We follow this with a trip to Cha Oug Waterfalls and Yeak Laom Park, a protected area, which is looked after and managed by the regional authority .The main attraction of this area is Yeak Laom Lake, a volcanic crater lake believed to have been created about 700,000 years ago. Surrounded by forest up to the crater rim, the spectacular lake is a beautiful oasis and a great place for a refreshing swim! We will walk along the lake-side and visit the simple visitor center, which exhibits different tools from the various tribes. O/N in Banlung. (B,L)

DAY 4: BANLUNG - TAMPOUM TOTEMS -  BANLUNG

Heading out of the town , we make our way to Voeune Say which is one of the main villages by the Se San River. The road conditions are rough in this region and the travel is somewhat arduous. We arrives at Voeune Say and are sure to attract attention since this part of the country receive very few tourists. After a short walk through this village, we will embark on a traditional wooden long boat navigating on the scenic Se San River which gives us a taste of adventure and an enjoyable visit to the Tampoun, Kroeng and Brou minority people. They are very poor but have rich and interesting culture. O/N in Banlung. (B,L)

DAY  5: BANLUNG - KROEUNG TERRITORI - BANLUNG

The journey northwards begins as we depart the town and pass various scenic landscape changing from the volcanic lava field of Veyrum Plang to the village of Kroeung. The Kroeung people have the curious custom of erecting bachelor houses standing on long bamboo poles. These houses will remain so till the young man finds a wife. After a short walk around this seldom visited village we continue driving to the Bai Srog , an impressive waterfall with seven levels in the middle of the forest. A swim in the clean and refreshing mountain water is highly recommended. O/N in Banlung. (B, L)

DAY 6 : BANLUNG  - STUNGTRENG 

The morning market of Balung also attracts a wide array of hill tribe people who converge from the surrounding the mountainsides to trade their goods. After an enjoyable walk around this congregation we set off on a rough but scenic drive to Stungtreng. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Cambodia. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. On arrival in Stungtreng we have time to stroll around this outpost town. There is not many thing to see Stungtreng apart from the countryside and few temples. O/N in Stungtreng. (B)

 

DAY 7 : STUNGTRENG  - KRATIE

Upon leaving Stungtreng, we board a local boat navigating down stream on the Mekong River to Kratie, a lovely riverside town. The pace is very relaxed, a perfect way to observe the rural life close up. After checking into hotel in Kratie we transfer out to explore a complex of temple, containing Phnom Sambok and Kampi, which boast the major sights in this region. A view over the surrounding area from the temple is impressive. The next stop of our trip is Phnom Srey and Phnom Pros. A part of the pleasure of travelling in Kratie is the simple joy of catching a glimpse of the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin and seeing the dramatic sunset over the river. O/N in Kratie. (B)

DAY 8 : KRATIE - KOMPONG CHAM

The river dolphins and the many old architectural structures are a highlight of Kratie although conditions are very basic. We explore this charming town when we walk along the roads spotted with many charming Khmer houses and make fun with waving kids. Afterwards we embark again on a local boat for a tranquil paced trip to Kompong Cham. This town has plenty of interesting sights, some of which are old colonial buildings and Wat Nokhor, containing the ancient temple and modern style pagoda. We then spend the rest of today on our own. There are few little bars by the riverside, all ideal places for visitors to sample local foods and explore the local life. O/N in Kompong Cham. (B)

DAY  9: KOMPONG CHAM - KOMPONG THOM

The following destination of our trip is Kompong Thom. We drive past Cambodia 's biggest growing rubber area. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible. Along the way we make stop over at Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, two hills whose names were translated as the 'man hill' and the 'woman hill'. On arrival in Kompong Thom, we visit some nearby villages and climb 980 steps to the top of Phnom Santuk for an impressive sunset view over the surrounding areas. O/N in Kompong Thom. (B)

DAY 10: KOMPONG THOM - SIEM REAP

An early morning departure to the archeological sight of Sambor Prei Kuk , which is dotted with hundred pre-angkor styled temples. The road conditions are very poor, but the spectacular scenery of this ancient ruins, with a mixture of temples and forest makes the hardship all worthwhile. We then continue our journey to Siem Reap. This town is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, home for the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire , which is dated from 802 AD to 1350 AD. This stunning and extensive site sprawls through the dense jungle, over an area of 60 square miles. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)

DAY  11: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES

Today we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12^th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)

DAY  12: SIEM REAP  - ANGKOR TEMPLES

The jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. The grand circuit with Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup Temples, is also visited this afternoon before we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. O/N in Siem Reap.(B)

DAY  13: SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE

There is free time for you own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping areas. The trip ends after your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure. (B)

 

HOTELS USED ON  THIS TRIP
CITY/ AREA	Standard  Class	First Class	Superior Class
Phnom Penh	Diamond hotel, Princess hotel, La Parranda hotel, Queen hotel	Juliana hotel , Bayon hotel, Monorom Holiday Villa,	Cambodiana hotel , Royal Phnom Penh hotel , Sunway hotel
Banlung	Lodge de Terre Rouge
Stung Treng	Sok Sambath hotel
Kratie	Santaheap hotel
Kompong Cham	Mekong hotel or Mittapheap hotel
Kompong Thom	Stung Sen hotel
Siem Reap	Salina hotel, Neak Pean hotel, Nokor Phnom hotel,	City Royal hotel, Angkor hotel,Ta Prohm hotel, City Angkor hotel	Angkor Century hotel, Apsara Angkor hotel
HOTEL NOTES	+ The higher hotel category in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh can be arranged  upon request. + The hotels in Kompong Thom do not match tour classification since some of them may be simple but remember that Cambodia is a developing country.