Authentic Cambodia
Overview
Authentic Cambodia is a 10 days/9 nights experience of Cambodia through the less-travelled routes. We'll start with the beach city of Sihanoukville and travel northward. The tour covers the must-see sites such as the temples of Angkor and also Bokor National Park, Takeo, Phnom Oudong, Kampong Chhnang and Battambang where camera-toting tourists are not often encountered. The river trip from Battambang to Siem Reap offers you a real refreshment, plenty of photo opportunities and a further look into the authentic life of the Cambodian people. At Siem Reap, home to the Temples of Angkor we'll explore the stunning architecture of the popular sites as well as the far afield and rarely-visited temples.
Accommodation for the trip range is standard adventure, and there are options of luxury properties depending on local conditions. The pace of the trip is moderate. Authentic Cambodia brings a further insight into the normal life of the Khmer people and their culture.
Day1 Arrive in Phnom Penh/Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville
Day2 Sihanoukville free at leisure (B)
Day3 Sihanoukville – Bokor – Kampot (B)
Day4 Kampot – Takeo – Phnom Penh (B)
Day5 Phnom Penh (B)
Day6 Phnom Penh – Battambang (B)
Day7 Battambang – Siem Reap (B)
Day8 Siem Reap (B)
Day9 Siem Reap (B)
Day10 Depart Siem Reap (B)
1. What’s included?
English-speaking guide
Transportation as on the tour itinerary;
Boat trip in Takeo and between Battambang and Siem Reap as per itinerary;
Accommodations on twin-shared basis as indicated in the program;
Meals as indicated in the program: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner;
All admission fees during guided times in the program;
2. What’s not included?
Insurance of any types;
All airfares;
International and domestic airport taxes;
Compulsory dinners on Dec 31st and Dec 24th;
Drinks or personal expenses;
Others not specified in the included services as above;
Itinerary
Day1 Arrive in Phnom Penh/Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville
Arriving at Phnom Penh Airport, you'll be welcomed by our tour guide and transferred through the scenic countryside to the beach city of Sihanoukville. Overnight in Sihanoukville.
Day2 Sihanoukville free at leisure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy free at leisure. Overnight in Sihanoukville.
Day3 Sihanoukville – Bokor – Kampot (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We continue our tour venturing futher into the Bokor National Park which offers stunning view over the surroundings. After our picnic lunch at the hillstation, we'll descend the mountain and head for Kampot, a sleepy riverside town. Overnight in Kampot.
Day4 Kampot – Takeo – Phnom Penh (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our journey goes on further to Angkor Borei and Takeo where we'll enjoy a visit to a museum and a boat cruise to the Pre-Angkorian styled temple of Phnom Da and a nearby temple of Asram Maharose. Our car takes us further to Phnom Chisor Temple dated back from the 11th century with commanding view over the surrounding countryside before reaching Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day5 Phnom Penh (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We'll have full day visiting different highlights of this capital city including the impressive Silver Pagoda and the Khmer National Museum. In the afternoon, we'll travel through the chilling Tuol Sleng Museum and the horrific Killing Fields with bones and skulls of victims of the Khmer Rouge stil found in the ground.
Day6 Phnom Penh – Battambang (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We set out again on a less-travelled road to Battambang, a somnolent riverside town. On the way, we'll visit the remains of Ancient Phnom Oudong City and Kampong Chhnang where much of pottery in Cambodia is produced. Arriving at our hotel in late afternoon, we'll check in and enjoy free time at leisure. You may want to have a stroll in late afternoon adoring the charming colonial architecture or spend some peaceful moments on the riverfront. Overnight in Battambang.
Day7 Battambang – Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Embark on a local boat and enjoy the most spectacular river trip in Cambodia. We'lll travel through many wetland preserved areas as well as encounter the authentic riparian life. Arriving in Siem Reap, we check into our hotel and head out for the first encounter with the legendary temples of Angkor. We'll start with the Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King. In late afternoon, we'll climb Phnom Bakheng for the stunning sunset over Angkor Wat and the countryside. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day8 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our morning tour is dedicated to the unrivaled Angkor Wat. We'll enjoy the timeless moments in this fabled world, then head back to town for refreshment.
In the afternoon, we'll continue our exploration with Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo. We'll also cover Prasat Kravan, Pre Rup, Neak Pean & Preah Khan temples. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day9 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we'll travel out of town through jungles and countryside of Cambodia to the less-visited temples of Angkor: Phnom Kulen and Beng Mealea.
Phnom Kulen was where Cambodia was proclamed independence from Java by King Jayavarman II in 802. Phnom Kulen has a nice setting of jungles and waterfalls, and nowadays is the most sacred site for the Cambodian pilgrims.
Beng Mealea was constructed in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II and has similar architecture to Angkor Wat. Nowadays Beng Mealea is almost hidden by forests now.
We'll have time to explore thoroughly the temples at these 2 sites with picnic lunch en route. In late afternoon, we'll travel back to Siem Reap and you enjoy free time at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day10 Depart Siem Reap (B)
You have free time at leisure until we transfer you back to the airport for your departure flight. We trust you had had an adventure of a life time in the Kingdom of Cambodia.