CAMBODIA HIGHLIGHT IN 12 DAYS

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Int’s Airport, process immigration procedure (visa on arrival is available or obtain in advance via www.evisa.gov.kh), then get your luggage and walk straight to the Exit Gate where our representative is waiting. After self-introduced, you’ll transfer directly around 30 minutes to the hotel in the city for check in (check in time is 2pm). Time to fresh-up and relax at hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

We start very early in the morning so we can capture the iconic picture of the pre-dawn facing Angkor Wat temple. Sunrise at Angkor Wat can be a busy venue especially during the months of December, January, February and March.

After sunrise, we will explore the vast Angkor Wat temple, taking pictures at different angles, playing with light and shadows and capturing the most beautiful devatas carved in sandstone.

Next destination will be the Ta Prohm Temple, famous for its giant trees where the most impressive scenes of the Tomb Raider movie were filmed. We will also visit places out of the beaten path where you will capture unique pictures. We will get lost in the magnificent Preah Khan temple, one of the best temples to learn photography.

Next, at the Golden Hour, will be the impressive Bayon temple with its 54 towers and 216 faces overlooking the defunct city of Angkor Thom. The final stop will be at one of gate of Angkor Thom to capture sunset over the moat.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, we drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture. On the way back stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the countryside with their struggling for daily life.

Not to be missed is Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

Depart for the Tonlé Sap. You will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in Southeast Asia. You will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station, etc. The “village” moves from place-to-place following water levels and current.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After a breakfast, journey through the Cambodian countryside to the colonial city of Battambang (Cambodia’s second largest city.) Despite being (not too long ago) a stronghold of the erstwhile Khmer Rouge, the city still boasts a beautiful countryside and some striking French colonial architecture. The former “rice bowl” of Cambodia, Battambang today still holds a thriving agriculture with large orange and jute plantations.

Drive to the Bamboo Railway Station. The Bamboo Train has been set up by the villagers to facilitate the transportation of goods and people. The train is very basic – one platform on 4 wheels activated by a small motor. Sitting on the platform we travel the 8km to the next station through beautiful landscape and rice paddies.

Departure to Phnom Sampeu Mountain to catch the bats! As darkness falls, we will begin to see thousands of nocturnal bats taking flight from the surrounding caves in a massive formation of dark, black clouds. Be sure to photograph this amazing and staggering sight!

Overnight in Battambang.

Depart Battambang for the overland transfer to Phnom Penh (duration 5 hours not including stops).

Starting early travel first to Kampong Chhnang, known for its traditional pottery, with many kilns at work in this province. In a village near Kampong Chhnang, to see the different aspects of pottery making and experience in the production of traditional rice wine.

Continue to Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia. The drive passes through many rural villages and pagodas, and you will visit the temple mountain with its dozens of stupas from afar. Upon arrival at Oudong you enjoy a traditional Khmer lunch at a picnic hut at the foot of the hill.

Before heading to Phnom Penh, you stop at the spectacular Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Centre. Your guide can explain more about the school of Vipassana (Insight Meditation) as you tour the centre, before taking part in a meditation class with a master.

From here, it is not far to Phnom Penh where you will reach in the late afternoon. Check into your hotel.

Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its turbulent history and recent development, it still retains a colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, we meet our guide and hop on Cyclo, an original means of transport from Phnom Penh and a fun way to explore this vibrant city. First visit Wat Phnom. It is a Buddhist temple located in center of Phnom Penh City. It was built in 1373 and stands 27 meters above the ground. Next, we visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver, continuing visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others. Then, you will visit Independence Monument, which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony.

We will stop at Central Market that is in the heart of the Phnom Penh. The Khmer name of the market is Phsar Thmei, which translates to “new market”. The Central Market was built in 1937 during the French colonial period, in Art Deco style, and is painted bright ochre.

We will enjoy a cruise for view sunset on the Mekong and Tonle Sap River (1 hour). Situated at the “Four Arms” where the Mekong meets the Tonle Sap River before splitting into two branches, Phnom Penh offers the ideal location to discover the mighty Mekong.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

08:30 – 09:00hrs pick up by private air-conditioned vehicle (no guide) from hotels in Phnom Penh and drive to Trapeang Rung (approx. 4 hours). Coffee stop and light meal en route (on own account). Fresh up at the lodge’s lounge in Trapeang Rung before embarking for the hour’s trip over the Preak Tachan River to Cardamom Tented Camp.

Settle into your comfortable safari-style tent. This afternoon goes on an exploratory hike in the jungle around the camp. The diversity of the fauna will amaze you! Get information on the conservation and protection work of Wildlife Alliance.

Overnight in Tent.

After early breakfast, Wildlife Alliance Rangers will meet us and together with an English-speaking guide embark on patrol over a network of abandoned poaching and logging trails through the dense forest. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. The half-day hike will stop by the Ranger Station, where confiscated snares, traps and improvised hunting rifles are on display. Use one of our kayaks, or hike back to the camp.

Overnight in Tent.

Breakfast at leisure. If you are an early riser, you can go on a self-guided hike on the trails around the camp. Around 10:00hrs board to boat back to Trapeang Rung.

Meet your driver (no guide) and continue to Sihanouk Ville, which has long been a place of relaxation for Cambodians. Arrive in Sihanouk Ville we take fast boat to Koh Rong Saloem “Paradise Island”.

Overnight in Koh Rong Saloem.

Enjoy a full day of sun or swimming in the warm coastal waters. This is the moment when the dream of going on vacation to an exotic land becomes reality.

Overnight in Koh Rong Saloem.

We farewell island and take express boat back to Sihanouk Ville. Upon arrival at Sihanouk Ville port, meet your driver (without guide) and drive back to Phnom Penh.

Arrive in Phnom Penh, transfer to airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.

Note: To have enough time, please book departure flight from Phnom Penh not early than 4 pm.