Cambodia: Go Off the Beaten Track

Day 3: Explore the Floating Village & Tonle Sap Lake

Today, discover the great landscape of the Tonle Sap lake. This is a unique experience offering a great outdoor adventure into Siem Reap’s countryside by exploring a floating village and seeing first-hand the livelihoods of the Cambodian people.

We will take you on the Siem Reap backroads in order to explore the local ways of life in Siem Reap. You will be greeted by friendly locals and get a deeper understanding of their lives and traditions. The journey will end at the Tonle Sap lake, where you will experience the livelihoods of Cambodian people living in the floating villages, offering you the opportunity to see how families adapt their life to be able to live on the water.
Return to the hotel in the afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure on your own.

Day 4: Siem Reap – Kampong Thom, Visit the Sambor Prei Kok temple complex

Today, we depart to the middle of Cambodia, on the way to Kampong Thom, a picturesque small town.
Discover the hidden secrets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sambor Prei Kok. This temple complex near Kampong Thom, often referred to as Isanapura, dates back to the Angkorian era of Cambodia.

Set off early in the morning to what was once the capital of the Chenla Empire, located between Tonle Sap Lake and the Sen River. There you will find the ruins of nearly 100 brick temples, which are scattered in the dense tropical forest. The mysterious atmosphere of this jungle complex will make you feel like you are in an adventure film. After you have explored the terrain and the surrounding jungle at your leisure, make your way back to the hotel.

Day 5: Kampong Thom – Kratie, dolphin watching in Kratie

This morning, we head to Kratie, which is one of four provinces in northeast Cambodia. Because it’s far enough from the country’s most popular destinations, Kratie is perfect if you’re looking for a little more tranquility. Here you will find delightful French colonial buildings that were hardly damaged during the civil war.

Upon arrival in Kratie, we set out to observe the rare Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River. You’ll cruise down to the river and take a guided private boat ride to watch the animals play in their natural habitat. The chances are good that in addition to the nearly sixty dolphins that live in the river, you will also spot some rare birds. Catch a glimpse of the locals casting their fishing nets, selling their wares in the market, or watching the football game. Disembark and explore the former colonial town of Kratie, known for its charming promenade and beautiful buildings. These come from the era of Farnese colonial rule. Soak up the city’s coastal flair as you stroll through the local market. Pay a visit to the little bars and pubs along the main street before heading back.

Day 6: Kratie – Mondulkiri

In the morning, set off from Kratie to Mondulkiri, known for its elephants, spectacular waterfalls, fragrant coffee plantations, and orchards. You will be amazed by the landscape that gradually changes from flat plains to mountainous jungle. During a break, enjoy a snack or lunch before continuing to the Tree Ocean lookout (Samuth Cher). This offers a breathtaking view of the mountain slopes overgrown with rainforests. Continue to the peaceful grounds of the Dos Kromom Pagoda. Let the silence of this Buddhist temple, which is located high on a mountain, sink in. Then return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day with some refreshing laps in the pool. If you’re more into relaxation, sit back with a cup of tea and a bite to eat in the picnic area.

Day 7: Mondulkiri, visit the Elephant Valley Project

Today you will get to know the Elephant Valley Project, a retirement home for captive Asian elephants that takes care of them in their natural habitat. Created by a British elephant lover, this non-profit only pachyderm-only welfare organization has a unique approach. The animals won’t ride, swim or perform tricks with you, but you’ll see how the elephants behave naturally and interact with each other. It is up to the elephants whether they greet their human visitors while they search for food in their forest and pasture territory and throw dust and mud at themselves. The trained elephant guides come from the region instead of being fed.

Day 8: Mondulkiri – Phnom Penh, sunset cruise

After breakfast and a 6-hour drive, we will arrive at Phnom Penh, the city considered as one of the most beautiful cities as it still retains a colonial charm flat. Cambodia’s capital is the bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Lake. The city contains many colonial-era buildings that reflect the glorious days and add to the allure of the city where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinated way.

Upon arrival at the accommodation, your afternoon will be leisure until set off on a sunset cruise along the Phnom Penh riverfront. Take in the sights and sip cocktails, beer, or soft drinks as you get a unique overview of Phnom Penh.

Day 9: Phnom Penh city tour

Departure to visit this incredible city. The first stop of the day will be Choeung Ek, better known as the “Killing Fields”, where thousands of people were executed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The visits will continue with the genocide museum, “Tuol Sleng S21”, the testimony of the Cambodian genocide of that historical period.

After the visit to the national museum, where exhibits dating from the Angkorian and pre-Angkorian period of the glorious history of the ancient Khmer empire are displayed. The block adjacent to the museum is completely occupied by the royal palace complex, within which is also the “Silver Pagoda”.

Finally, a stop in the rich and interesting “Russian Market” and its great variety of products.

Day 10: Phnom Penh – Kampot

Today, we depart from the capital for the journey to the riverside town of Kampot with the optional sightseeing route. Kampot supplied most French restaurants with this vital spice for many years during colonial rule, Kampot pepper. Today, the region is well-known for its plantations of durian – a spiky, pungent fruit that has its lovers, and haters!

In your free time this afternoon, you might choose to stroll along the riverside and observe the French colonial architecture, or have a cup of coffee on the veranda of one of the riverside restaurants and admire the view of Bokor Mountain Range.
In the evening, we will enjoy a ride on the firefly cruise on the river – watch the sunset behind Bokor Mountain as you chug upstream, then look out for trees full of the little glowing bugs as you return in the dark.

Day 11: Kampot, visit the salt fields and pepper farms

This morning you will explore Kampot, which is a charming place with a relaxed atmosphere in the south of the country. Many of the historical buildings provide information about the former influence of French colonial rulers. Life mainly takes place on the river promenade: here are some cozy pubs and bars that have retained a certain hippie flair. We then head to the roundabout in the centre of the town where a giant durian statue sits smack in the middle and perhaps browse for goodies at the covered market. The nearby countryside is also a delight to explore – among fields of Kampot pepper and rice, there’s also a salt field and a limestone cave with a small seventh-century brick temple inside called Phnom Chhnork. After all the crawling, we will hang out in Kep’s crab market. It is one of our favorite things to do in Kep. Enjoy a memorable meal in the coastal town of Kep, located on the south coast of Cambodia. In the evening, return to the hotel and accommodation in Kampot.

Day 12: Kampot – Sihanoukville

Today we depart from the hotel in the southern direction for Sihanoukville. We head on the road with the buzz of day to day life in Cambodia from the view of the coastline. The blue of the Gulf of Thailand at your left always wakes you up from the hot weather of today as the road is a bit wide open from the shade of the tree. We’ll have lunch at the local hut to the sleepy houses along the way as your lunch will be offered very tasty Khmer food.
After lunch, you will be transferred to Sihanoukville to catch up to the speed boat to Koh Rong Island. For the rest of the day, enjoy your own leisure at the beach.

Day 13: Free Day on the island

Today, you can take the boat to explore life underneath the water and relax at the beach with your family at your own leisure.

Day 14: Transfer to Phnom Penh & Tour Concludes

After breakfast, use your last morning in Koh Rong for a leisurely stroll on the beaches, a morning swim, or a trip to the beach. Your guides will then transfer you back to Phnom Penh and be followed by goodbyes with your guides. Take the day to reflect upon the rewarding vacations, beautiful coastal views, and cultural immersion this tour has provided!