Phnom Penh-Kratie-Rattanakiri-Kompong Cham-Kompong Thom-Siem Reap-Sihanoukville 17 days / 16 nights
Day 1: Phnom Penh - Arrival (L/D)
Transfer from Phnom Penh International airport to the hotel. Lunch. Visit the Independence Monument, the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Enjoy a joint 1-hour Sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel
Day 2: Phnom Penh (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek (16 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. They were often bludgeoned to death to avoid wasting precious bullets. Fragments of human bone and bits of cloth are scattered around the disinterred pits. Over 8,000 skulls, arranged by sex and age, are visible behind the clear glass panels of the Memorial Stupa, which was erected in 1988. Return to Phnom Penh. Visit the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum. In 1975 Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot's security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest such center of detention and torture in the country. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeung Ek to be executed; detainees who died during torture were buried in mass graves in the prison ground. Room after room the museum displays photographs of men, women and children covering the walls from floor to ceiling; virtually all the people pictured were later killed. Lunch at local restaurant. Visit the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures - throughout the ages. Stroll around the Central Market, a landmark in the city. End your afternoon with a visit to the city’s namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Phnom Penh - Kompong Cham - Kratie (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Phnom Penh to Kompong Cham. Make a stop in Skuon to taste Cambodia’s more exotic culinary delights, the deep-fried spider. Drive to Chhup, the biggest rubber plantation in the country, established during the French colonial time by the French tire maker Michelin. Arrive in Kratie at lunch time and check in at hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of this small provincial town with its good examples of sumptuous colonial architecture. This tiny town on the Mekong is an unexpected delight, with a relaxing, indolent atmosphere. Further north stop at the best riverside vantage point from which to view the rare freshwater Irrawady dolphins which can be best seen late afternoon. Then, drive back to Kratie. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Kratie - Rattanakiri (B/L/D)
Breakfast. Depart Kratie by road to Banlung, capital of Ratanakiri, nicknamed "the Red City" because of the omnipresent literate. Arrive in Banlung. Lunch. Discovery of the surrounding waterfalls Teuk Cha Ong is the most impressive of them, then a little trip to the volcanic lake of Yeak Laom, superb place surrounded with pristine rainforest. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Rattanakiri (B/L/D)
Breakfast. Direction north-west today by 4x4 and cross bamboo forests before reaching the village of Voeun Sai located on the left bank of the Se San river; the view on the Chinese village on the other side of the river is quite pretty. Besides, this place is nearly a Chinese enclave in Cambodian territory, most villagers, who are there the thirties, don't even speak Khmer. Upstream of the Se San are a certain number of Tampoun villages that practice funeral statuary. If weather conditions permit, take a scenic boat trip to the village of Ka Choan that has superb totems. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Rattanakiri (B/L/D)
Breakfast. Depart Banlung heading to the East to the town of Bokeo. On the way, stop at the gems mines: Deep and narrow holes dug in the ground, still in activity according to the season. Having reached Andong Meas, what we might call an harbor, take a small fast boat to go to the Jarai village of Phum Tang. There, drop everything and directly go to visit the Jarai graveyard, ethnologically very interesting. Drive back to Banlung. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Rattankiri - Kompong Cham (B/L/D)
Breakfast. Early departure for a quick shopping tour in Banlung, departure by road to Stung Treng. Lunch at local restaurant. Then, continuation by road to Kompong Cham. Tour of Kompong Cham to view examples of colonial architecture and check in at the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Kompong Cham - Kompong Thom (B/L/D)
Breakfast. Depart Kompong Cham to Kompong Thom. Make a stop to visit Wat Nokor Bachey with its ancient temple and modern style pagoda (12th century). En route, visit of the Wat Kohear Nokor temple (11th century). You will also visit the nearby village and its pagoda where you can observe the daily life of the monks. Arrive in Kompong Thom at the lunch time and check in at the hotel. Lunch. Depart Kompong Thom by car to visit Sambor Prei Kuk temples, site pre-angkorien dating from the 7th century. These are among the most ancient surviving examples of Khmer architecture. Drive back to Kompong Thom. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Kompong Thom-Siem Reap (B/L/D)
Breakfast. Depart to Siem Reap. En route, visit traditional villages and stop at the ancient Naga Bridge (Spean Pratpo), located 40 km from Siem Reap. Arrive in Siem Reap and transfer to the hotel. Lunch. In the afternoon, start your visit of Siem Reap to the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang (“The Royal Baths”, once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Eastern Mebon, (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the mountain-temple of Pre Rup until sunset. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Option: Visit the Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap located at Vithei Charles de Gaulle. Opening hours 10.00 am -10.00 pm everyday. This museum was open at mid-April 2007. Angkor National Museum will take its visitors through the journey back in time from the creation to the highest point of civilization. Through the use of interactive exhibits, visitors will develop a deeper understanding of customs, traditions and different beliefs of the ancient empire. A tour of the museum will be joyful for both visitors who have a good understanding of ancient Khmer civilization and visitors who do not have any previous knowledge of the ancient Khmer empire. All artifacts will be divided into 8 galleries in chronicle order of the evolution which are enhanced by a realistic atmosphere. Through out the whole experience Angkor National Museum will allow this legend to slowly reveal before your eyes. The supplement for entrance fee is USD 10 per person.
Day 10: Siem Reap (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Lunch. Visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Siem Reap (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning, transfer to Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer Art. Visit Banteay Srei, then continue to Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. Two concentric walls enclose the ensemble. Lunch. Visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Siem Reap (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, continue the temple tour to Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Lunch. Visit Preah Khan. Built by King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, though, it’s well preserved and ongoing restoration efforts should improve this situation. Visit as well Neak Pean a fountain built in the middle of a pool and the temple of Ta Som. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, drive from Siem Reap to the district of Puok. Visit the Silk Farm of Puok. Learn the different stages of the complex process of producing handmade silk. Return to Siem Reap for the visit of “Les Artisans d’Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles” of Siem Reap. Lunch. In the afternoon, spend time at leisure at a local market. Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for domestic flight to Phnom Penh. Arrive in Phnom Penh, transfer to the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, excellent road. Arrive in Sihanoukville and check in at the hotel. Lunch. The rest of the day is free at leisure for swimming and relaxation on the beach. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 15: Sihanoukville - Bamboo Island - Sihanoukville (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Take a full-day boat trip to the beautiful islands offshore of Sihanoukville’s beaches. Embark on a boat and enjoy the sea breeze while discovering islands that offer coral white sandy untouched beaches. Enjoy a seafood BBQ on the beach for lunch. Take the opportunity to snorkel, scuba dive or simply swim in the warm crystal clear waters. Late afternoon return back to the mainland and transfer to hotel. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 16: Sihanoukville - Ream National Park - Phnom Penh (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Sihanoukville by road to Phnom Penh. En route, take a boat to visit the Ream National Park. Ream National Park is located 18 km from Sihanoukville. The park, which has been open since 1993, encompasses 21,000 hectares including 15 000 hectares of terrestrial and 6000 hectares of marine habitats. Lunch. Continue the route to Phnom Penh. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 17: Phnom Penh - Departure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for departure flight to the next destination.
Hotel Category |
Validity |
Tour pricing per person - Prices in US Dollars |
|||||||
1 |
2 |
3-5 |
6-9 |
10-14 |
15-19 |
20 up |
SGL |
||
Deluxe |
01 Oct 10- |
3934 |
2233 |
2113 |
1497 |
1353 |
1293 |
1186 |
468 |
01 Apr 11- |
3846 |
2189 |
2054 |
1453 |
1309 |
1246 |
1139 |
428 |
|
Superior |
01 Oct 10- |
3650 |
2091 |
1924 |
1355 |
1211 |
1119 |
1028 |
339 |
01 Apr 11- |
3606 |
2069 |
1895 |
1333 |
1189 |
1095 |
1004 |
319 |
|
Standard |
01 Oct 10- |
3479 |
1986 |
1783 |
1249 |
1106 |
1024 |
949 |
241 |
01 Apr 11- |
3450 |
1969 |
1761 |
1233 |
1089 |
1012 |
933 |
228 |
|
Our tour prices include:
- Hotel on shared TWN/ DBL-basis at indicated hotels or similar,
- Meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- English Speaking Guide (guides in other languages are on request and may be subject to supplements )
- Transfers and transportations mentioned in the program
- Entry fees to all sites mentioned in the program
- Service charges, room tax and baggage handling.
Our tour prices do not include:
- International flights to and from Cambodia
- International airport tax 25 USD per person
- Cambodian Visa fees
- Christmas and New Year's Eve Dinners
- Drinks and other personal expenses
HOTEL CATEGORY:
Deluxe Category: Phnom Penh Hotel (Phnom Penh), Oudom Sambath Hotel (Kratie), Boeung Kanseng Hotel (Ratanakiri), 7 Makara Hotel (Kompong Cham), Kompong Thom Village (Kompong Thom), Borei Angkor (Siem Reap), Sokha Beach & Resort (Shanoukville)
Superior Category: Juliana Hotel (Phnom Penh), Oudom Sambath Hotel (Kratie), Boeung Kanseng Hotel (Ratanakiri), 7 Makara Hotel (Kompong Cham), Kompong Thom Village (Kompong Thom), Somadevy Angkor (Siem Reap), Independence Hotel (Sihanoukville)
Standard Category: Castle Hotel (Phnom Penh), Oudom Sambath Hotel (Kratie), Boeung Kanseng Hotel (Ratanakiri), 7 Makara Hotel (Kompong Cham), Kompong Thom Village (Kompong Thom), Angkor Holiday (Siem Reap), Golden Sand (Sihanoukville)
Please contact us for rates based on other hotels.
E-mail us: cambodiajet@online.com.kh
We wish you a pleasant trip.
