| |
|
|
Cambodia Encounter
14 days/13 nights - Gateway: Phnom Penh
Standard Tour from: £950pp
Prices valid to 31 Dec 08
|
|
| The Cambodia Encounter combines Cambodia’s highlights with some of her best kept secrets. Beginning in the riverside capital of Phnom Penh, this in-depth journey takes you through stunning rural scenery and villages of the south – including the quaint colonial port of Kampot, the ruined French beach resort Kep-sur-Mer and deserted Bokor Hill Station – before culminating with a visit to the stunning temples of Angkor. |
Day 1-2: Phnom Penh
Arrive Phnom Penh and transfer to your hotel, then in the evening get to know your tour leader during drinks and a briefing. The next morning we begin our tour of the capital. We contrast the impressive Silver Pagoda and the National Museum with the chilling Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes and the Killing Fields. You will also have free time to explore the waterside ambience, colonial architecture and fine restaurants of this riverside town.
3 nights in Phnom Penh at the Juliana Hotel |
Day 3-4: Angkor Borei, Kep & Kampot
Travel through sugar palm landscapes to the beautiful south coast. En route take a speedboat along rice field canals to a hilltop temple near the Vietnamese border and visit the museum at Angkor Borei, site of a pre-Angkorian capital. In the south of Cambodia, see some of the most beautiful yet least touched scenery in an unknown pocket of Asia. We explore deserted Kep, once a famous French beach resort, as well as nearby limestone caves and quaint Kampot town.
1 night in Kep at the The Beach House
1 night in Kampot at the Borei Bokor Hotel |
Day 5-6: Bokor Hill Station & Sihanoukville
Leave Kampot for sunny Sihanoukville and a break on the beaches. On the way we visit the eerie Bokor Hill Station, with its deserted casino and church. Once a famous playground for the rich and famous, Bokor was largely destroyed during the Cambodian civil war. Enjoy a picnic lunch at lovely Popokvil Falls, then continue down the Elephant Mountains to Sihanoukville. There is plenty of time to relax on the gorgeous beaches, visit beautiful Ream National Park, watch the sun set from a hilltop monastery and enjoy fresh, tasty seafood in one of Sihanoukville’s great restaurants.
2 nights in Sihanoukville at the Seaside Hotel |
Day 7-9: Oudong and Battambang
We travel four hours back to Phnom Penh where you have an afternoon and evening to explore at your leisure, then set out the next day on a road trip to Battambang. On the way we explore the hill-top remains of ancient Oudong city, and visit Kampong Chhnang, famous as a centre for pottery production. Late afternoon we arrive in Battambang, nestled aside the Sangker River. Home to atmospheric colonial architecture, Battambang is our base for discoveries of nearby ancient temples, and launching point for our slow boat trip (vehicle in the dry season) to magnificent Angkor city.
2 nights in Battambang at the Teo Hotel |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Day 10-14: The Temples Of Angkor
Angkor city is one of humankind’s largest and most inspiring sights. We begin at Angkor Wat, taking a thorough foray into the central chambers and bas-relief corridors of this monumental structure before moving onto the fortified city of Angkor Thom and the remarkable stone faces of the Bayon. We see jungle enveloped Ta Prohm and Preah Khan by tuk tuk, and little-visited Boeng Mealea. At Banteay Srei we marvel at pink sandstone carvings considered the finest in the whole of Angkor. During our stay at the ancient city we see Angkor Wat by air from a fixed balloon and enjoy a fun Khmer cuisine cooking demonstration, in a boutique wooden house. We also set out on a dusk horse drawn cart trip through pretty villages and lovely countryside. End your Cambodian encounter with a transfer to the airport for your onward travels.
4 nights in Siem Reap at the Angkoriana Hotel
Accommodation in Kampot and Battambang is clean and comfortable with air-conditioning but is 1.5 star only. |
|
14 day tour includes breakfast, 1 lunch, tour leader, English speaking guide, boat trips, tuk tuk temple touring, tethered balloon ride and transfers if you arrive and depart on day of tour. Prices are per person based on twin share (excluding flights & entrance fees). An above average level of fitness is required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
