Cambodia Overland Experience

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport, you will be picked up by our local guide and driver who will transfer you to your chosen hotel in the city centre.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

In the morning, head out to the Choeung Ek Memorial, where a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields. This was the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng and standing in this peaceful setting it’s almost unthinkable to imagine that to date nearly 9000 corpses have been exhumed from the area. Confront Cambodia’s tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school that served as a Khmer Rouge torture center. It’s estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here. Lunch not included

In the afternoon, visit the National Museum. Housed in a beautifully traditional building, it contains many outstanding examples of Khmer craftsmanship. Learn about a brighter period in Cambodian history with a visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Explore Wat Phnom, a peaceful temple situated on a hill for which the city is named. According to legend, a 14th-century woman named Penh found sacred Buddhist objects in the nearby river and placed them here on the small hill.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

This morning, road with our tour guide and driver to Siem Reap (314 km/6-7 hours). On the way, we will visit Skun Market where you can see local people selling fried grasshoppers, snacks, big black spiders, and seasonal fruit.

Continue the road to Siem Reap and visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the ancient capital of Cambodia called Isanapura, and was the capital of the Chenla Kingdom, the Pre-Angkorian time at Kampong Thom. At the end of this afternoon, we will arrive at Siem Reap and transfer directly to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Visit to 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.

Dinner at local restaurant in enjoying Khmer Traditional Dance Show and night at hotel in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

This morning, the tour will then continue to some of distant temples, including the beautiful temple of Banteay Srei which was built in the late 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu God. Banteay Srei basically means “citadel of the women” and Banteay Srei has some of the best carvings of all the temples. Then, visit Banteay Samre Temple.

This afternoon, visit to the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang (“The Royal Baths” was once used or ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake) and Preah Khan temple, Built by the King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Enjoy wonderful sunset from the top of Pre Rup Temple.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

This morning, take a drive through the countryside to the Rolous Group. Located amid rice paddy fields and sugar palm tree plantations, the setting is quintessentially Cambodian. Upon reaching the entrance, leave the car behind and travel on foot to appreciate the beauty of the land and the pagodas. Admire the three monuments of the Rolous Group from afar while the guide provides a brief introduction of their history. Dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries these are the oldest ruins in the region and, yet, are still remarkably well preserved.

Take a closer look at the temples, named Lolei, Bakong and Preah Ko, with a three-kilometer walking tour.

This afternoon, after breakfast, we will drive to Preah Vihear, along the way we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake at Kampong Phluck VILLAGE. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is the same as a big village floating on the lake, and the “village” moves from place to place following water levels and current.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

Pick up and welcome at your hotel by our guide and drive to Preah Vihear (239km/5-6 hours). On the way visit the remote Beng Mealea temple through the typical Khmer countryside (60 km from Siem Reap). Explore the long-abandoned ruins of Beng Mealea (11th century), still strangled by the overgrown jungle.

Lunch at a local restaurant

A further 1-hour drive brings you to Koh Ker, situated in the northeast of Siem Reap. Discover the long abandoned temples in the forests of northern Cambodia. Also known as Chok Gargyar, it served as the capital of Jayavarman IV (reigned 928-42). His son and successor Harshavarman I moved the capital back to Angkor in 944. There are a remarkable number of religious buildings in the Koh Ker region, considering the short space of time that it was the capital of the empire. There are more than 30 major structures and experts believe there may have been as many as 100 minor sacred buildings in the region. It was also a prolific period for gigantic sculpture and several of the most impressive pieces in the National Museum in Phnom Penh come from Koh Ker, including a huge garuda (half-man, half-bird creature).  At the end of the afternoon, arrival at Preah Vihear and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant and night at a hotel in Preah Vihear

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Early morning, you will visit the wonderful temple of Preah Vihear, which was built atop the mountain near the border of Thailand – Cambodia. The tour will depart early in the morning and be completed later in the evening by returning to Siem Reap for accommodation. Temple of Preah Vihear, which took over 300 years to complete construction by some Khmer famous king, was first constructed from 893 by King Yasovarman who led the country from 889 to probably 910. The majority of the building of the temple was created by King Suryavarman I (1002 – 1049) and finally the temple was completed during the reign of Great King Suryavarman II (1113 – 1150), the famous king who was the founder of the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province.

Lunch at local restaurant

This afternoon, transfer by road to Stung Treng (252km/5-6 hours). On the way, visit the Sopheak Mitt Water Fall, in the Mekong River on the Cambodia-Laos border. At the end of the afternoon, arrival at Stung Treng. Check-in at the hotel.

Dinner at local restaurant and night at a hotel in Stung Treng.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

In the morning, after breakfast, we visit open market in Stung Treng to see local people selling fresh vegetables, meat, fish, snake, fruit etc… Then, we continue to visit Banlung town (170km/3-4 hours), Ratanakiri where there are a lot of natural, cultural and historical resources. Upon arrival at the town, check-in at the hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant

This afternoon, we visit Yakloam Lake, the Crater Lake and a unique lake in Cambodia. It was formed by a volcanic eruption around 4000 years ago. The lake is about 50m depth and is a good place for relaxing, swimming and panoramic view surroundings. Then return to town.

Dinner at local restaurant and night at hotel in Ratanakiri.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

This morning, departure to Kratie (276km/5-6 hours). Upon arrival, then, take the ferry to Koh Trong Island and check-in at the hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant

This afternoon, begin your journey north by cycling around the island from the local community for our easy and peaceful 9km ride. You will pass many traditional Khmer houses built on stilts. Keep an eye open for traditional rooftop decorations. The numbers on the top of the roof indicate the year the house was built. The narrow roads are perfectly designed for cycling with plenty of shade while simultaneously allowing you to pass close to people’s homes without intruding too much on their privacy. This allows you a more in-depth look into the lives of the local people of Koh Trong. Although some villagers are shy, plenty of children and even adults will offer friendly smiles and “hellos” welcoming tourists to their island home.

Dinner at local restaurant and night at hotel in Koh Trong

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

This morning boarding on a boat to learn more about the lives of Irrawaddy dolphins – a species of freshwater dolphin endangered. Lunch at a local restaurant

Afternoon, drive back to Phnom Penh (261km/5-6 hours). On the way, we will visit to the famous Chub Rubber Plantation where most of the Raw Rubber is produced and exports. This city used to be the French-based for Michelin Tire in the 1950s. We will also see lots of Rubber Trees and how they planted. At the end of the afternoon, arrival at Phnom Penh and check-in in the room.

Dinner at local restaurant and night at a hotel in Phnom Penh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Leave for Kampot Province (154km/4-5 hours). On the way, we will drive up to Bokor National Park; a pleasant 30 minutes forest walk will take you to the Popokvil Waterfalls. Access is difficult during the wet season and there may be no water in the dry season – however, the walk is pleasant at any time!

After that, visit the long-abandoned hill station of Bokor Mountain: discover the ruins of the former Royal Residence, the church, the casino hotel and (weather permitting) enjoy an amazing view of the southern coast. Lunch at local restaurant

Then, drive down the mountain and continue to Kampot City. On the way, visit the Pepper plantation. Check-in at hotel in KEP

Dinner at local restaurant and night at hotel in Kampot.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today, we will take the boat to Rabbit Island where you will spend your time free on your own. Lunch will be served at local restaurant. Return to Kep by boat in the late afternoon.

Dinner at local restaurant and night at hotel in Kep

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Phnom Penh airport (~4 hours) for your flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Transportation: Private vehicle