Cambodia Explorer

Itinerary Details

Day 1   
Airport pick up and Welcom Dinner

Upon arriving the Phnom Penh airport, you wil be welcomed by our tour guide and assist you to get to your hotel for checking in. Later free at leisure.
Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 2   
Phnom Penh city tour ( B+L )

You will be greeted by your tour guide and the driver at your hotel lobby. The first stop will be Wat Phnom shrine which is located on the top of 27 meters man made hill, the only hill in the cityl. The shrine itself was first constructed in 1373 but has been reconstructed several times later ( 1434, 1806, 1894, 1926 and recently.) The shrine houses many statues of Buddha and decorated with the painting of the Buddha stories on the walls and the ceilings. There is a huge stupa just right behind the shrine preserved the cremated ashes of the king Ponheayat who relocated the capital city from Angkor to here. There is a big clock placed on the right side of the foot of the hill and on the left side of the shrine there is another shrine for the ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese.
Continue to the palace with a short drive along the lively river front. The royal palace was constructed twice in 1400s and 1800s but most of the buildings in the compound were reconstructed in 1900s. There are several significant buildings included the Silver pagoda which is housed thousands of artifacts made out of gold, silver, bronze and other materials. The whole floor of the pagoda is covered with 5329 silver tiles. Among those thousands artifacts, the most elegant one is the future Buddha statue made of solid gold 90kgs and decorated with 2086 diamonds and the emerald Buddha.
Next visit is the national museum which was built in 1917 and the inauguration ceremony was held on 13th April 1920. It was designed by French but constructed by Cambodian craftsmen. It was first called The Phnom Penh museum then Krong Kampucher museum, Albert Saraut museum, Archaeological museum and today is known as The National museum of Cambodia. The museum are divided into 4 galleries , East, south, west and north gallery with thousands of statues and art works are on display. East gallery is housed the statue of Hindu gods, Buddha and many other artifacts made from bronze keep in the small glass cases which the gallery also called bronze gallery. The south gallery is contained stone statues from 6th to 11th century AD. West one housed the statues from 11th to the early 13th century and the north gallery dedicated to the ethnology with some prehistoric ceramics display in the glass cabinets. In the middle of the museum there are four fish ponds with a beautiful garden.

After lunch return to the hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 3  
 S 21- Cheong Ek killing field and Russian market ( B + L )

Today we head to S-21 Genocidal museum which once was a school constructed in 1962 but converted to prison cells, tortured center and the killing field in August 1975 by the Khmer Rough. Approximately 17000 people were sent to there, tortured and smashed. When the regime was collapsed only around 12 survived. Thousands of victim’s photographs remains there included infants and children. It is a grim and very confronting but crucial to see that will allow you to dig below the surface to get a much better understanding Cambodia recent history.
Next stop for today will be Cheoung Ek killing field which is the actual killing field in this town. 343 killing fields have been discovered in Cmbodia with more than 20000 mass graves. Cheoung Ek has 129 mass graves but only 86 were exhumed in 1980. In 1988 the proper glass memorial stupa was constructed to house the skeletons, bones and skull of the victims. The stupa was set into 17 tiers in which the first to the 9th preserved the skulls and the 10th to 17th housed other bones. A small museum was also set up with a small video room that provided a short history of the killing field. The last stop for today is Russian market known as Toul tompoung by the locals and it is one of the most popular markets in town to shop in the city where you will find souvenir, clothes, scarves, jewelry, silk products, food stands, fish…etc.
The rest of the day is free at leisure
Overnight in Phnom Penh. 

Day 4  
Venture to Battambang ( B + L )

Today we depart early for Battambang stopping by Udong hill one of the former Khmer capital cities date between1618 to 1866. To get up the hill with a scenic panoramic view you’ve got to climb the 509 steps stair. Several old stupas are still exist but some other were destroyed by the recent war. The new stupa is housed the Buddha relics with several hundreds of Buddha statues in it. Be aware of the monkeys and please take off your shoes before entering the shrine.
After the lunch break, then we will visit the pottery village where the local villagers have their own factories or kilns manufacturing their own clay pots, pans, stoves and many other stuffs out of clay.
After another stop for rest room then we head straight to Battambang.
Overnight in Battambang

Day 5  
Explore Battambang ( B + L )

Battambang is the second largest city in Cambodia, the most fertile province in the country and also known as the rice bowl in Cambodia which most of our rice are produced here. The city itself was established since 11th century and today almost 80% of the town buildings are from the colonial time. Battanbang is located by the Sangke River, a quiet and small river that winds its way through. Today we begin our tour with the bamboo train ride which is being used as a form of transportation for the locals then head to Phnom Banan, the 11th century temple located atop the hill with 358 steep steps to reach. It was constructed by a Khmer king Udiyaditya varman 2 for the Hindu god and completed by King Jayavarman 7 which he added some Buddha images and the statues on. This beautiful sandstone and laterite temple is still in good condition. After lunchbreak we will make our visit to the smelly fish paste market and rice paper village. Today last visit will be Phnom Sampov hill with some beautiful shrines up there and also a killing cave where many thousands of people were killed by dropping into the cave alive. Phnom Sampov literally means Ship Hill. due to its distinctive shape is one of the few hills standing out in this otherwise pancake alike-flat plain. You will get a panoramic view over the paddy field and sugar palm trees. Since it is home of a notorious killing cave, the cruel reminders of Cambodia in recent past dark age and peaceful shrines for monks and nuns doing meditation in present day, this serenity and very humility represented in a same place made this interesting visit. Walk back down to enjoy watching the wrinkled lip bats flying out of their cave to search for insects or rice hoppers. 
Overnight in Battambang

Day 6  
Siem Reap the ancient Khmer capital ( B + L )

Today we set out to Siem Ream the main tourist attraction in Cambodia by stopping at the Silkfarm where you will learn  how silk are made. The local expert will show you around included the Mulberry farms, coocoonery, weaving center etc.
After lunch get to the hotel for checking in and then you will have your own free afternoon to explore the central town of Siem reap and enjoy the lively evening at the pup street or night markets.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7   
Magnificent sunrise at Angkor Wat ( B + L )

Set off a very early start to witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat which is one of the highlights of the tour by viewing the first sun beam glow over this largest religious building on the planet. Enter the building in the dark from the causeway through the moat until you get to the edge of one of the ancient library’s pond before hopping into the interior of the main building, creeping along a part of hoary cloistered corridors then crawling up a steep stair after observing some of the magnificent bas-reliefs stretching along the galleries by hearing your local expert deciphering the myriad of the myths and stories behind it. After spending a thorough couple hours exploring this main structure then return to the hotel for your breakfast. Head back to the Angkor Thom city which is located a few kilometers orth of Angkor Wat. Upon arriving the south gate, take a moment to consider its grandiosity before venturing through the gods and demons flanked causeway and enter the ancient city gate that topped by gigantic living Buddha faces facing the main cardinal directions. This majestic site once served as the great Khmer empire’s glistening capital with so many structures were erected. Bayon is the principle building and was the state temple during the greatest Khmer king was in charged, situated right in the center of the city and it remains one of the most enigmatic temple of the whole Angkor complex with the architectural scale and composition exude grandness in every aspects. Its elements juxtapose each other to create balance and harmony. Enter the temple by first explore the bas reliefs along the galleries which presented a combination of mythological, historical and mundane scenes then climb up the stairs to the upper terraces which you will be able observe the serene smiling faces closer. Then continue to the Elephant terrace and Leper king terrace and the Tomb raider temple known as Ta Phrom by locals which was build and dedicated to the great king’s mother late 12th century. The founder Jayavarma 7th also embarked on a massive works plan of the construction and public infrastructure’s tasks. The stone stele commemorating the foundation gives a date back to 1186 AD with its original name Rajavihara (means the Royal shrine) and also mentioned that the site was home of 12640 people including 18 high ranking priests and 620 dancing girls. This temple was listed into one of the main ruins by its extraordinary state of nature and manmade together.  
The rest of the day is free at leisure
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8   
Banteay Srei and Phnom Kulen (B + L )

Set out a bit early start to get to Banteay Srei another ruin built in 967 ad Shiva temple which was rediscovered by French, Captain Marec in 1914 and the site was cleared in 1924 and restored in 1931 to 1936, implied another restoration in 1952 to 1972 and the last one 2002 to 2008. Banteay Srei meant Citadel of women which is the jewel of Khmer art made from the reddish and pinkish sandstone with so many intricately carvings and reliefs made this one unique. Some statues are on display at the national museum in Phnom Penh.
Carry on our journey of driving up the Kulen sacred mountain until we get to the top  then walk to the thousand Linga river where there are thousands of small Lingam carvings carved into the bed of the river since 800s Ad during the reign of Jayavarman 2th who used this mountain to be the headquarter for establishing his new religious cult known as Devaraja or God King cult. This site is considered as the birthplace of the Khmer empire and is still a sacred site for Cambodian today. After observing this we move on to the topmost where a huge reclining Buddha statue carved out of a single block of sandstone since 16th   century AD rendered a breathtaking view. After we walk  all the way down to the waterfall to enjoy our swimming and lunch along the river. After we back to Siem Reap the you will be free at leisure.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 9  
Ton Le Sap lake high stilted houses village of Kampong Khleang and Apopo Museum ( August to December ) ( B + L )

Today you will be transferred to the bank of the lake, the Southeastern Asian’s largest fresh water lake with it tremendously size changing depends on the season as normally it swells up to five times during the wet season. We take the local comfortable boat through the lake flood plain and the flooded forests, over the paddy field and into the villages, Market and Buddhist temples. Most of them earn the living by fishing, farming and hosting tourists. Kampong Kleang are home to more than 10000 people, many of whom have been living here for generation. Visiting this community you experience real Cambodia and gain insight into daily life of the locals.Next visit is Apopo which jointed operation with CMAC Cambodian Mines Action Center in 2014. During this initial phase Apopo’s capacity was made up of manual teams, tecnical survey and clearance team, mechanical armored brush clutters as well as explosive ordinance disposal teams. You will learn about the herorat, landmines and understand about what is Apopo dealing. Return to the hotel and you are free at leisure.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 10  
Kampong Cham ( B + L )

Today we departs for Kampong Cham the city that located on the bank of the mighty Mekong river in southeastern Cambodia. It is known for its French colonial buildings.
Stopping at Phnom Bros Phnom Srei Hill and Angkor Bachey temple the Angkorrean period ruin. In the evening Peddle through the bamboo bridge to explore the Koh Pen island.
Overnight in Kampong Cham

Day 11
Kratie Mekong dolphin ( B + L )

Today we depart for Kratie a supremely mellow riverside town with a beautiful riverfront and some of the best Mekong sunset in Cambodia. Taking the horse cart ride aroung the Koh Trong island and take the boat to see the rare fresh water dolphins known as Irravady dolphin with the sunset view.
Overnight in Kratie

Day 12  
Modolkiry with Indigenous People ( B + L )

Today we set out our journey to Mondolkiri the original wild east, is world apart from the low land of Cambodia with not a rice paddy or sugar palm trees insight. It is the most sparsely populated town in the country. Upon arriving the town after experiencing the stunning scenery en route, get to the hotel check in and relax.
Overnight in Mondolkiri

Day 13   
Elephant Valley Project ( B + L )

Elephant valley project is an experience like nothing else. You trek into the elephant’s natural jungle habitats and observe these amazing creatures being themselves. There is no ridings, no tricks, no show and stress free by spending hours walking with them, learning about their trails, tribulation and amazing stories. If you love elephants and truly care about their welfare and future this is the place for you.
Elephant valley project is the original and premiere elephant sanctuary in Cambodia. Walk with them as they interact with each other and grace through their natural environment. Learn about each of the elephant’s unique histories and their road to recovery. Meet the local indiginious  Bunong People and see their unique role they play in protecting these animals.
Overnight in Monsolkiri

Day 14   
Phnom Penh free day B

Head the coastal area stop over in Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 15  
Discover Kampot ( B + L )

Set out the trip the coast and our first stop will be Kampot pepper farm that considered one of the  

Day 17  
Sihanuke ville free day  B

Overnight in Sihanuke Ville

Day 18   
Back to Phnom Penh to catch a flight home  B

End of the tour service

Note :

• Duration : 18 days
• Free cancellation a month prior the tour start
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Please provide a specific dietary requirement at the time of booking
• Tour price is base on the number of people in your booking not on the size of the group.

Our services include :

• Touring with national escort and all admissions/entrance fees
• Local guides services at some spots
• Accommodation on twin sharing basis and meals as stated in the itinerary
• Sightseeing tour by Boats, cyclo and A/C Vehicle
• Meals mentioned in the itinerary ( B is breakfast and L is lunch )
• Parking and toll road fees
• Local taxes
• Purified cold bottled drinking water

Our services do not include :

• Cambodian Visa and visa fee
• Personal Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Departure tax and departure transfers
• International flights, airport tax & excess baggage charges
• All optional tours and all activities during free time
• All personal expenditures: Shopping, laundry, drinks, phone calls, etc.. 
• Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Gratuities/tipping (recommended)