Day 1 : Phnom Penh Arrival
Arrive in Phnom Penh, where a private driver and guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel to check in.
Meal plan: n/a
14 days
£2,910 pp
This is the price per person for a private tour (based on 2 people travelling) excluding international flights. Contact us for pricing for other group sizes including individuals.
Intro
There’s more to Cambodia than Angkor Wat. Join this exciting tour to visit a side of Cambodia few tourists ever see. Dine with locals in a weaving village, attend a blessing ceremony at a hidden monastery and meet remote tribes near the Laos border. Explore pre-Angkorian temples, Buddhist pagodas, and Hindu shrines, and take a boat to visit remote communities to learn how they live. Search for rare Irrawadi dolphins and spend time with elephants at an Elephant project. Finally experience a homestay, visit a floating village and enjoy a traditional Khmer massage.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Bike the Islands of the Mekong
- Witness the village life of the Cambodian countryside
- Visit a floating village in Koh Trong
- Visit the crystal clear Lumkut Lake
- Enjoy a boat cruise on the Se San River
- Witness the double-drop waterfall of Bou Sraa
- Visit the Elephant Valley Project
- Explore the 11th century Khmer Brahmanic Temple
Places Visited
Phnom Penh - Koh Trong - Kratie - Stung Treng - Ban Lung - Sen Monorom - The Elephant Valley Project - Kampong Cham - Sambor Prei Kuk - Phnom Chisor
What's Included
Arrival & departure transfersGround transport with driver
Domestic flights (if relevant - refer to itinerary)
Accommodation
Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan)
English-speaking guides
Entrance fees to sites & parks
Day 2 : Phnom Penh - Bike the Island of Mekong
In the morning, you will enjoy a peaceful bicycle ride of Mekong Island, just 5km from the capital Phnom Penh. In this largely isolated island rich in fertile soil, you will be able to visit local communities and farmlands, and witness village life in the Cambodian countryside.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city in Cambodia. Founded in 1434, the city is a significant tourist destination and was once considered the “Pearl of Asia”. Phnom Penh’s colonial heritage is evident through the many French-style buildings scattered along the grand boulevards. The city sits on the banks of the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers and is home to over two million people. The city’s main sights include the National Museum, the Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng Genocide museum and the killing fields.
Day 3 : Phnom Penh - Kratie - Koh Trong
Early morning, you will depart Phnom Penh to Kratie with guide and driver. On the way, you will shortly stop at Chhlong village on the Mekong River Bank, where you will witness typical Khmer and Colonial architecture, and the diverse landscape of the surrounding countryside. Upon arrival in Kratie, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and then be transferred by local boat to Koh Trong island in the Mekong River. You will be given opportunity to explore the island, taste a nationally renowned Koh Trong pomelo, and visit a floating village and pagoda. Dinner will be had in the village.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Koh Trong is an island situated in the middle of the Mekong River directly opposite Kratié Town. There is a 9km circuit road around the island’s perimeter which meanders through traditional Khmer villages, fruit orchards and rice fields while observing the rituals and routines of traditional village life.
Kratié, located on the banks of the Mekong River, is dominated by a central marketplace surrounded by French colonial buildings. The town is known for its sandy beached islands and its Irrawaddy dolphins.
Kratié, located on the banks of the Mekong River, is dominated by a central marketplace surrounded by French colonial buildings. The town is known for its sandy beached islands and its Irrawaddy dolphins.
Day 4 : Koh Trong - Stung Treng via Kampi
On the fourth day, the private driver and guide will escort you in the early morning towards Stung Treng. Along the way, you will hopefully see Kampi Pool's dolphins. Upon arrival in Stung Treng, you will be taken to your hotel, and given the rest of the day free to explore or relax at your leisure.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Stung Treng is located on a high sandy bank overlooking the Mekong River. This region initially was under the influence of the Khmer Empire, then the Lao Kingdom of Lan Xang and later the Lao Kingdom of Champasak. The province was later ceded back to Cambodia during the period of French Indochina in 1904. The population is of mixed Khmer and Lao origins.
Day 5 : Stung Treng - Ban lung via Loatian Pagoda & Eisei Patamak
On the fifth day the private driver and guide will escort you towards Ban lung, a 3 hour journey from Stung Treng. You will be dropped off at your hotel upon arrival, then visit a Laotian pagoda and local villages along the banks of the Se San River. In the late afternoon, you will visit Eisei Patamak Hill to witness the panoramic view of the town and the reclining Buddha statue.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Set in a heavily forested region, Ban Lung is a lively commercial and trade centre in north-eastern Cambodia, home to shy hill tribes, endangered wildlife and numerous natural attractions. Formerly known as Labansiek, Ban Lung attracts people from many neighbouring villages looking to sell their goods. The town, though small, is the capital of Ratanakiri province and is affectionately known as 'Red Earth'.
Day 6 : Banlung - Choeung Phnom, Lumkut, Borkeo, Aundong Meas, Charai graveyards
Early in the morning, you will explore a bustling ethnic-minority market. After, you will return to the hotel for breakfast, and then drive to the weaving handicraft village at Choeung Phnom, where you will visit Lumkut Late and another market at Borkeo. Then, stop by Borkeo District to visit a Tumpoun minority village, continue to Aundong Meas for a boat cruise on the Se San River where you will explore Charai graveyards. Enjoy a picnic lunch and then return to Ban lung in the late afternoon.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Day 7 : Banlung - Veon Sai, boat to Koh Peak then Bung Yeak Lom
Drive to Veon Sai on the banks of the Se San River. Upon arrival, cruise upstream to Koh Peak, passing rural villages and communities. After a picnic lunch, return to Ban lung to visit 4,000 year old Yeak Lom Lake.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Day 8 : Ban lung - Mondulkiri - Sen Monorom
On this day your private driver and guide will take you to Sen Monorom, stopping at Lom Phat to visit an abandoned airport. You will be dropped off at your hotel and given the rest of the day free to enjoy at your leisure.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Sen Monorom is a city in Eastern Cambodia renowned for its unique flora and fauna. Inhabited by the Pnong people, it is often compared to frontier towns in the old American west due to its size and appearance.
Day 9 : Sen Monorom - Bou Sraa Waterfall and Phnom Doh Kromom
After breakfast, head towards the famous Bou Sraa Waterfall, stopping at Pnong village to sample rice wine and learn about local lifestyle. Swim in and explore the falls, marvel at panoramic sunset views at Phnom Doh Kromom, and then enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to Pichenda village. Return to Sen Monorom in the afternoon.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Day 10 : Elephant Valley Project
Early morning, meet at Hefalump Cafe (Mondulkiri's Responsible Tourism Hub in Sen Monorom), then transfer to the Elephant Valley Project, where you will spend the day with 9 beautiful elephants; learning about them, and feeding them. After lunch, return to Hefalump Cafe to return to the hotel for check out. Then, meet your private driver and guide to transfer to Phnom Penh airport for your flight departure.
Meal plan: Breakfast
The Elephant Valley Project is an elephant sanctuary in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia, where captive working elephants are rescued, retired and slowly rehabilitated into their natural habitat. All proceeds from visitors are ploughed back into the project to help care for the growing number of elephants under their watch.
Day 11 : Sen Monorom - Kampong Cham
After breakfast, meet your driver and guide to drive to Kampong Cham, where you can explore French colonial houses, rubber plantations, and the Angkorian Temple of Wat Nokor. After, return to hotel for free time.
Meal plan: Breakfast
The third largest city in Cambodia, Kampong Cham has a genuine ‘Wild West’ atmosphere. Not as heavily visited as Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, the city, located on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, provides plenty of colonial French charm and a warm welcome to visitors.
Day 12 : Kampong Cham - Sambor Prei Kuk - Phnom Penh
Your driver and guide will escort you to Kampong Thom, where you will continue to Sambor Prei Kuk, a complex belonging to the Pre-Angkorian era of Chenla. Here, visit Prasat Sambor, Prasat Tor, and Prasat Yeah Puon, and have lunch in front of the temple. Return to your hotel in Phnom Penh and enjoy leisure time.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Formerly known as Isanapura, Sambor Prei Kuk was the ancient capital city of the Chenla Kingdom. The complex is composed of four groups of temples that are among the most ancient surviving examples of Khmer architecture. Architectural features include octagonal towers, ponds, reservoirs and lion sculptures.
Day 13 : Phnom Penh - Phnom Chisor & Tonle Bati
On your penultimate day, your guide and driver will take you through the countryside of Phnom Chisor to explore 11th century Khmer Brahmanic Temple, located atop the mountain, and still reveals much about religion and history. Continue to Neang Khmau Temple, then proceed to Tonle Bati. Picnic lunch enjoyed by the river. Visit Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau Temples, then return to Phnom Penh.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Over 130 metres tall, Phnom Chisor offers exceptional views over the surrounding landscape. On top of the hill sits a temple constructed in the 11th century which is dedicated to the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu.
Day 14 : Phnom Penh departure
Concluding your adventure, after check out from your hotel, your driver and guide will escort you to the airport for your flight home.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Hidden Indochina (21 days)
Capture the true essence and diversity of Indochina
Classic Indochina (19 days)
Lively cities, majestic coastlines and welcoming people
Hidden Cambodia (14 days)
Explore Cambodia's beautiful landscape
Classic Cambodia (10 days)
Khmer temples, colonial towns and warm locals
Mark Pettengel & Jo Martin , Tailormade Vietnam & CambodiaA well-planned itinerary that crammed an impressive amount into 16 days, without ever feeling rushed. Cambodia and Vietnam are both fantastic destinations, offering stunning natural scenery and beautifully preserved historical sites, together with truly delightful and welcoming people. Our guides made our trip extraordinary, weaving their personal histories in to the many insights they gave us of two countries that have experienced such difficult pasts.
Greg & Jan Sheffer , Classical Indochina, IndochinaOur trip with Travel The Unknown was one of our best trips ever. All went as planned, wonderful guides, perfect hotels - best of all: excellent scheduling of activities and time to rest - balance was just what we needed!! Thank you to all staff involved!
Christine Barratt , Tailor-made Vietnam and CambodiaThis is my fifth visit managed by Travel the Unknown. I will continue to travel with them as they always deliver exactly what I enjoy - I travel alone. Any local input they select is without exception first class. My ideas are followed up, with gentle dissuasion if unrealistic, & time left in my stay is padded out with imagination. I always feel safe, & have a smile on my face for a month after returning home.
Erika & Robert Hollingdale , Tailormade Laos, Cambodia and VietnamOur holiday to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam with Travel the Unknown was a huge success. We had a fascinating itinerary, well-informed and friendly guides who really looked after us, and lovely accommodation. Every time there was a change of vehicle or guide, the next one was always there and waiting. All stages of the planning and booking process were efficiently done, so all we had to do was enjoy it!
Jenny Lee Robins , Cambodia & JavaThe Cambodia/Indonesia trip was a wonderful experiential journey into another world filled with life, history, myths, legends, spiritual edifices and lovely people.
