Beautifull Cambodia Explorer 21Days - 20Nights

Day 1 - Sun – Phnom Penh – Arrival day

On your first day in Cambodia, according to your arrival time, we will be pleased to give you some suggestions on what to do with your first day in Cambodia.  In the evening, you will have a first group meeting with your local tour leader before going to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner, where you will have chance to taste first Khmer Cuisine.

Overnight in Phnom Penh at Town view I hotel or similar.

Dinner included  

Day 2 - Mon – Phnom Penh – Takeo

After breakfast, we will leave Phnom Penh and drive to the South to the small town of Takeo, about two hours by bus from Phnom Penh, but we will stop for visits on the way. First stop at Phnom Tamao wildlife sanctuary. This zoo was established to preserve and rescue rare and endangered local species from poachers and smugglers. Phnom Tamao is home to 70 Sun bears and Asiatic bears that have been rescued with the help of the NGO Free the Bears which aim to protect, preserve and enrich the lives of bears. We will afterward stop at the two temples of Tonle Bati, an important worshipping place and a popular local weekend picnic site where we will have our picnic lunch. Afternoon, we will visit Phnom Chisor, a well preserved Angkor era temple ruin. After visit, we drive to our homestay. Tonight, we will have friendly meal together.

Overnight in homestay, Takeo

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 3 - Tue - Takeo - Kampot 

After breakfast we will enjoy a 40-minute boat trip along the canals of Takeo, through the rice fields and marshland to visit the ancient of Phnom Da which is the oldest historical site in Cambodia and Angkor Borei as well as visit a nearby museum housed in a small colonial building. We will continue to Kampot. Kampot is the durian growing region of Cambodia and is also renowned for producing one of the world’s finest peppers. On arrival, we will relax. Later in the afternoon, we will take a boat on the Prek Kampong Bay River, which runs along the city for a sunset river cruise. Passing through a Cham village, this journey will lead us to the rapids at Tekchhou, a very popular with the locals on weekends. We will return to Kampot

Overnight in Kampot at Borey Bokor hotel or similar

Breakfast and Lunch included

Day 4 - Wed – Kampot (Bokor Hill Station)  

After breakfast we will drive to Bokor Hill Station. This site is located on a 1000 meters high plateau of steaming jungle, shy wildlife and abandoned buildings. The specific climate of the site, often shrouded in fog and clouds, completes the mysterious atmosphere of this ghost-town. In addition, the view of the coast from the top is really spectacular. We will spend a full day in this eccentric and surprising site with a picnic lunch near the Popokvil waterfalls. We will drive back to Kampot in the evening. After, you will be perhaps tempted by a shiatsu-style massage or foot massage at “Seeing Hands 5 Massage” or “Kampot Massage by the Blind”, two places offering massages by seeing-impaired masseurs and masseuses.

Overnight in Kampot at Borey Bokor hotel or similar

Breakfast and Lunch included

Day 5 - Thu – Kampot – Sihanouk Ville

We will have breakfast before leaving Kampot for Sihanoukville. It is Cambodia’s leading beach resort. There are white-sand beaches around the headland, un-spoilt islands off the coast and the popular Khal Chhay waterfall. As we will arrive there at noon time, we will first take you for lunch on your own account at a nice local restaurant. Afterwards, you will have a whole free afternoon to explore the beaches after check in. Dinner and drinks at some of local restaurants and bars along the beaches to enjoy sunset on the seaside.

Overnight at Sihanouk Ville at CCS hotel or similar

Breakfast included

Day 6 - Fri – Sihanouk Ville 

Today, we will organize a boat trip on the Gulf of Thailand. The boat will stop close to islands with rocky reefs providing a rich marine life for snorkeling before to shore to an island with uninhabited sandy beaches where you will relax while your guide will prepare lunch. Later, you will return to Sihanouk Ville with one or two more snorkeling stops.

Overnight in Sihanouk Ville, at CCS hotel or similar

Breakfast, lunch included

Day 7 - Sat – Sihanouk Ville

Here, you will have a full day to unwind and enjoy the beautiful tropical environment. No activities are planned today, but there are many sights around the city which are interesting to explore. You can spend the day in one of the numerous beautiful beaches around the peninsula, explore the surroundings of the city, or visit the maritime national park of Ream by boat to see the mangroves and wildlife on the shore. If someone is interested in diving, this will be possible with Eco sea Dive. Tonight, we will have dinner and drinks at some of local restaurants and bars along the beaches to enjoy sunset on the sea.

Overnight in Sihanouk Ville, at CCS hotel or similar

Breakfast included

Day 8 - Sun – Sihanouk Ville – Kirirom National Park  

Today, we will take the bus to Chambok Community-based Ecotourism Site.

This place lies at the border of Kirirom National Park. It boasts a beautiful 40-meters high waterfall, which can be reached via a 3 km nature trail. The site serves as a model for best practice in community-based ecotourism in Cambodia. The site offers a wide range of outdoor activities and attractions such as trekking, hiking, bird watching, animal tracking or visiting a bat cave. You can also swimming in the stream, riding a bicycle or experiencing Khmer rural lifestyle. We will spend the night at a homestay which benefit the local community. We will stay at a traditionally fashioned Khmer house of a local farmer’s family and have dinner with our hosts.

Overnight in homestay, Chambok

Breakfast, Lunch and dinner included

Day 9 - Mon – Kirirom  National Park – Phnom Penh 

After breakfast with our hosts, we will spend some time at the village area before resume our journey to Phnom Penh. In the afternoon, we will drive to the Choeng Ek killing fields and the Tuol Sleng genocide Museum - a mass gravesite and a former high school converted to a detention and torture centre by the Khmers Rouges when they came to power in 1975. Choeung Ek also serves as a memorial to those killed under the Khmers Rouges regime.

Overnight in Phnom Penh at Town view I hotel or similar

Breakfast included

Day 10 - Tue –Phnom Penh - Battambang  

Early morning, we will take the public bus to Battamang. The journey takes about 4-5 hours the city. After check in at the hotel, we will go for lunch at a local restaurant. Battambang is the provincial capital of Battambang province; it is the second biggest town of Cambodia. However it still has a very local, un-touristic, provincial atmosphere. In the afternoon, we will go around the city to see the old colonial buildings, the small museum and Wat Kampheng, a colorful temple in a peaceful garden. Then, we will drive 11 km along the Sang Ker River to reach Wat Ek Phnom temple (11th century).

Overnight in Battambang at Royal hotel or similar

Breakfast, lunch included

Day 11 - Wed – Battambang 

After breakfast, we will drive 18 km to Phnom Sampov to visit two caves formerly used by the Khmer Rouge and enjoy a spectacular view of the countryside. Afterwards, we will go to Phnom Banon which homes a 12th century temple and the cave of the holy water. The "Kouhea Preah Toeuk" still hosts some Buddha statues brought by locals in this immense natural room. A real life experience on the bamboo train will bring us back to Battambang where we will have some time to relax.

Overnight in Battambang at Royal hotel or similar

Breakfast included

Day 12 - Thu – Battambang – Siem Reap 

Early morning, we will take a regular boat departing from Battambang at 7:00 am. The boat will first navigate along the Sang Ker river before go onto the Tonle Sap lake, the biggest lake in Southeast Asia. This is a very scenic and picturesque journey; you will enjoy the wonderful landscape, passing through the flooded forest and the floating villages and learn about the daily life on the lake and along the river. This marvelous journey lasts about 4 hours during the wet season but can be considerably longer in the dry season due to low water. After check in, the rest of the afternoon will be free at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Side Walk Villa or similar

Breakfast included

Please note that if water levels are low the journey from Battambang to Siem Reap will be overland. The Tonle Sap Lake presents its lowest level at the end of the dry season, in March and April. 

Day 13 - Fri – Siem Reap 

After breakfast, we will visit Handicap International, an NGO which provides a range of support activities to disabled people, many of whom are victims of leftover weapons. Then, we will continue to the Jayavarman VII Children’s hospital, a state-of-the-art hospital which provides free medical care to children. Like every hospital in Cambodia, the medical staff is always in need of blood to save lives. We will stop there for the ones who would like to give blood. Afterwards, we will have lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon, we will visit Angkor Wat which is the largest and most impressive of all the temples. We will proceed to the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakhengafterward, climb to top and meet the crowd for a truly memorable sunset.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Side Walk Villa or similar

Breakfast included

Day 14 - Sat – Siem Reap  

This morning, we will visit some more temples of the Angkor complex. We will first stop at Prasat Kravan Temple. It consists of five brick towers in a row on one platform and contains some remarkable brick bas-reliefs. Then, we will visit Banteay Kdei and Srah Srang Royal Bath. It is a large lake originally excavated during the mid-10th century and remodeled in the 12th century as part of Jayavarman VII’s massive building campaign. Banteay Kdei is enclosed by a large laterite wall. The afternoon will be free to let you explore Siem Reap on your own.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Side Walk Villa or similar

Breakfast included

Day 15 - Sun – Siem Reap  

You will have a free morning to have a long lie or continue your exploration of the city and its surroundings. In the afternoon, we will drive about 15 km southeast of Siem Reap to reach the temples of the Roluos group, a collection of monuments representing the remains of Hariharalaya, the first major capital of the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire. We will visit the three main temples of this site, Prasat Bakong, the oldest temple mountain of the Angkor-era, Prasat Preah Ko, with beautiful preserved carvings and Prasat Lolei, 4 tours built in the middle of a now dry baray.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Side Walk Villa or similar

Breakfast included

Day 16 – Siem Reap

After breakfast, we will begin to explore the complex of Angkor Thom including South Gate, a beautiful introduction to Angkor Thom with well-restored statues of asuras (demons) and gods lining the bridge, Bayon Temple, a pyramid temple decorated by about 200 smiling faces. We will also visit the Royal Enclosure, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. We also visit Preah Khan, a labyrinth of pavilions, halls and chapels. This afternoon, we will visit Ta Phrom. It has been largely consumed by the jungle and as you will climb through the dilapidated stone structures you will see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. At every turn you will expect to see Indiana Jones or Lara Croft step out from behind a fallen pillar. The rest of the afternoon will be free at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Side Walk Villa or similar

Breakfast included

Day 17 – Siem Reap  

Today we will drive to Koh Ker, the most remote ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire.It was the capital city of the Khmer Empire during hardly two decades (928-944). The main ruins at Koh Ker consist of an impressive seven-storey sandstone pyramid (Prasat Thom).  On the way back, we will stop at the magnificent Banteay Srei temple – the Citadel of women, decorated with superbly intricate reliefs of male and female divinities, carved on pink sandstone contrasting with the main walls made of laterite. Then, we will visit the Cambodian Landmine museum and Rehabilitation Centre which promotes mine awareness and education to Cambodian people. Our last stop will be the temple of Pre Rup. On upper levels of a pyramid temple offers a brilliant panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and is a good spot to enjoy the sunset.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Side Walk Villa or similar

Breakfast and lunch included

Day 18 – Siem Reap – Kampong Thom  

Today, after breakfast, we will drive to Kampong Thom Province, East of Siem Reap. A two hours ride on public bus through a beautiful countryside will take us to the central city. Afternoon, we will visit Sambor Prei Kuk. This is the setting of the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments anywhere in Cambodia. There are more than 100 small temples, scattered through the forest.

Accommodation in Stung Sen Hote, Kampong Thom

Breakfast included

Day 19 – Kampong Thom – Phnom Penh  

After breakfast, we will go to Phnom Penh by public bus. On the way, we will stop for lunch at the village Skun. If you are very hungry or just looking for a eccentric dessert, you will get the chance to taste the local specialty, the delicious famous fried spiders (Tarantula called A ping in Khmer). Never try, never know, that’s our motto!

On arriving in Phnom Penh, we will check in at our hotel and then we will visit Wat Phnom, a temple on the top of the only hill of Phnom Penh. Then, we will visit the NGO Child’safe. Created and managed by Friends International since 2004, the ChildSafe project is developing a child protection network aimed at safeguarding children in Cambodia.

Overnight at Phnom Penh Town View I hotel or similar

Breakfast included

Day 20 – Phnom Penh 

In the morning, we will drive 35 km north of Phnom Penh to Oudong. It was the royal capital between 1618 and 1866 before the capital was moved to Phnom Penh. Several temples and stupas cover three hills. After lunch in Oudong, we will drive back to Phnom Penh and we will visit the Royal Palace situated on the site of the former citadel includes Wat Preah Keo, better known as the Silver Pagoda. This amazing place, which floor is covered with 5000 silver plates, houses the Preah Keo or emerald Buddha, made of Baccarat crystal. In front stands a 90 kg golden Buddha studded with 9584 diamonds. We return to hotel after visit.

Overnight in Phnom Penh at Town View I hotel or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 21- Phnom Penh  

Today is departure day so no activities are planned. Check-out will be at 12 noon and you are free to leave at any time.

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* The booking has to be paid at least 42 days before tour starts.

The single supplement is the price of one supplementary room for 13 nights (2 single rooms instead of one double/twin room). There is no single room available in homestay. Note that for every odd-number pax, one of the rooms is already a single room

Price of Tour Includes:

Accommodation on twin sharing basis and meals as stated in the itinerary

Entrance fees and sightseeing tours by boat, tuk-tuk and private air con vehicles

An experienced English-speaking local leader

The services of local guides at some sites

1-week Angkor Pass

Public bus & private transportation mentioned in the itinerary

Boat from Battambang to Siem Reap

Joining / Finishing Point 

Town View I Hotel 

NOT Included in Tour Price:

Personal travel insurance (compulsory!)

International flight , airport taxes & excess baggage charges

Visa & visa fees, passport & vaccination charges

Arrival & departure transfers

Departure tax

All optional tours & activities during free time

Personal expenditure, such as souvenir, laundry, postage, and phone calls, etc…

Drinks & tips

Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary