Code:	CAL05
Routes:	Stung Treng - Kratie - Kompong Cham - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Angkor Wat - Angkor Thom - Banteay Srei
Duration:	9 Days

Itinerary in brief

Day 1:  ARRIVAL - VEUN KHAN - STUNGTRENG
Day 2:  STUNGTRENG - KRATIE
Day 3:  KRATIE - KOMPONG CHAM
Day 4:  KOMPONG CHAM - PHNOM PENH
Day 5:  PHNOM PENH
Day 6:  PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
Day 7:  SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
Day 8:  SIEM REAP - BANTEAY SREI - ROLUOS GROUP
Day 9:  SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE

This is a comprehensive itinerary, designed for those who want to travel from Laos ( Pakse) to Phnom Penh and discover both the mighty Mekong River and the Angkor Wat complex. We pass many charming riverside villages and waving kids on their boat before arriving to the town of Siem Reap, our base for touring Angkor Temples.

Detail Itinerary
 

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL - VEUN KHAN - STUNGTRENG

On arrival at Veun khan border point, you are met and transferred to Stungtreng. This a real outpost town on the banks of the San River just off the Mekong. The tranquility in the region shows us an authentic and remote "face" of Cambodia. There is not many thing to see in this town apart from the countryside and few temples. O/N in Stungtreng.

DAY 2 : STUNGTRENG - KRATIE

An early morning departure by local boat takes us 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 3: KRATIE - KOMPONG CHAM

The river dolphins and the many old architectural structures are a highlight of Kratie althrough conditions are very basic. We explore this charming town as we walk along the roads spotted with many charming Khmer houses and waving kids. We then embark 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 with its ancient temple and mordern style pagoda. After seeing these sights, we have time strolling around the town to discover different way of lifes. O/N in Kompong Cham. (B)

DAY 4: KOMPONG CHAM - PHNOM PENH

Upon leaving town, we set off on a scenic drive to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. Phnom Penh was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerable charm. A city tour acquaints us with some major sights of Phnom Penh. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are now home to the royal family and are therefore very close to the public. At the northern area of the palace grounds is Silver Pagoda, the most sacred shrine in the country. We visit both structures as well as the legendary temple of Wat Phnom , which affords an interesting view over the surroundings. O/N in Phnom Penh. (B)

DAY  5: PHNOM PENH

Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting 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, dedicated exclusively to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period from 9^th to 15^th century, 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 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  6: PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES

The river journey begins as we embark on express boat and make our way up the Tonle Sap River and into the lake of the same name. The shallow Tonle Sap is the largest of Southeast Asia’s lake. Depending on the season, our boat journey takes us anything from 4 to 6 hours to reach Siem Reap. This town is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD. After checking into hotel, we drive to the archeological area to visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, 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, the largest and most complete structure of Angkor Wat. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)

DAY 7: 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  8: SIEM REAP - BANTEAY SREI - ROLUOS GROUP

Heading out of the town, we drive on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. On the way , we make stover at the Preah Dark village and the River of 1000 Lingas, locally named Kbal Spean. We follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. We also have time today, exploring the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)

DAY  9: SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE

There is free time for your own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping area. 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
Stung Treng	Sok Sambath hotel
Kratie	Santaheap hotel
Kompong Cham	Mekong hotel or Mittapheap hotel
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
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 Stung Treng, Kratie and Kompong  Cham do not match tour classification since some of them may be simple but remember that Cambodia is a developing country.