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.
Afternoon, visit of the National Museum, a Khmer red
pavilion, which is dedicated to Khmer art and sculpture. The
majority are from the Angkor period (9th to 15th century), and
some from the 4th century. If you would like to see, you will
visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and we will enjoy a
boat cruise on the Mekong River to see Phnom Penh from
the river, and watching the sunset over Phnom Penh.. 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 9th to 15th centuries, but
some date from as early as the 4th 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 12th 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)