Heart of Cambodia

Arrive in Siem Reap, the vibrant gateway to the ancient temples of Angkor. Once a small village, the French 're-discovered' Angkor in the 19th century and Siem Reap has grown into a bustling hub for tourists, with something for everyone. A stroll along its lively streets reveals a vibrant food scene, with a mix of restaurants and street stalls, as well as spas offering a traditional Khmer massage. For those arriving on time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting. If you'd like, there's the option to head out for dinner afterward. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Siem Reap Airport (SIA), which is about 60-80 minutes from the hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will catch you up on any important info the following day. If you arrive earlier, you could explore the town on your own or check out the night market for some haggling fun. And don't forget 'Pub Street' - a lively pedestrian street full of neon lights, street performers, and lots of energy. It's not for everyone, but most people find it worth a visit to soak up the atmosphere. ...more ...less

This morning, we'll set off on a bike ride through back streets, giving us a chance to see the daily life of the locals, away from the main tourist spots. Our first stop is the APOPO Visitor Centre, where we'll learn about the incredible work being done to clear active landmines from surrounding towns and villages. Cambodia is believed to have the highest ratio of mine amputees per capita, with around 6 million mines still buried in the ground. APOPO has come up with a unique solution, training \ Hero Rats\ to sniff out landmines thanks to their amazing sense of smell. The rats are too light to set off the mines and are trained to detect explosives rather than metal, which helps them work much faster than conventional metal detectors. We'll spend some time learning about their fascinating work, watch a demonstration, and even meet these surprising critters. Next, we'll cycle to the Khmer Ceramics & Fine Arts Centre, where we'll explore the beautiful handmade ceramics created here. If you\ re interested, there's an opportunity to try making something yourself. Then, we'll continue our ride through backstreets and along canals back to the hotel. You'll have the rest of the afternoon to relax or explore more on your own. Today's total cycling distance is about 20 kilometres/12.5 miles, mostly flat, and takes approximately four hours, including stops.

This morning, we'll visit Angkor Wat - the most famous and breathtaking of all the temples, and a highlight of any visit to Angkor. Originally built as a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II in honour of Vishnu, it's unique because it faces west, symbolically the direction of death. It's an imposing structure, but its real beauty lies in the intricate bas-reliefs that stretch across the galleries and inner temples. In the afternoon, we'll continue exploring with a visit to the temples of King Jayavarman VII, often regarded as Angkor's greatest king. The fortified city of Angkor Thom, which he built in the late 12th century, is surrounded by a square wall 8 meters high, with five monumental gates, each adorned with stone elephant trunks. The moat, once said to have been home to crocodiles, was protected by statues of 54 different gods. The city also features The Bayon, another of Angkor's real gems. While it may not look as impressive from a distance as Angkor Wat, The Bayon is stunning up close, with its maze of corridors, gothic-style towers, and central temples. We'll end the day with a visit to Phimeanakas, in the Royal Palace area, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Today, you can enjoy another free morning to explore more of Angkor's amazing temples, or perhaps treat yourself to a Khmer massage, join in a monk's blessing, or simply sip a French coffee while soaking in Siem Reap's lively vibe. After lunch, we'll leave the city behind and drive along the beautiful Tonle Sap Lake toward the village of Sambor Prei Kuk for our homestay. When we arrive, we'll meet our host family, enjoy a delicious Khmer dinner, and learn about traditional life in Cambodia, where farming is still the main livelihood outside the two big cities. Tonight, we'll stay in a traditional Khmer wooden stilt house with our host family. While the welcome will be warm, the facilities will be on the basic side. The accommodation consists of twin-share rooms across a few village houses, all with western-style toilets. You'll find pillows, bedding, and mosquito nets provided, though showering will be limited to an Asian-style \ bucket\ shower in most houses.

After breakfast, we'll say goodbye to our hosts and explore the nearby ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is older than Angkor, with some of the earliest buildings dating back to the 7th century during the Chenla Kingdom. The red-brick temples, surrounded by lush forests, are dedicated to the Hindu gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu, each showcasing intricate carvings in sandstone. The atmosphere here is much more peaceful compared to the Angkor temples we saw yesterday. Afterward, we'll head back to the main road and continue our journey to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's lively capital. Located on the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the capital since the 1440s. It's now a dynamic city full of French colonial buildings, markets, art galleries, temples, and museums. This evening, you'll have free time to explore the city\emdash perhaps take a stroll by the Mekong River, try some street food, or enjoy a drink at the Foreign Correspondents' Club.

We spend the morning visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, a palace as equally impressive yet far quieter than its namesake in Bangkok. We continue onto Wat Phnom, the city's glittering centre piece and then the National Museum, a beautifully ornate building that houses a fascinating array of Khmer architecture. After lunch, we stop at the infamous 'Killing Fields' of Choeung Ek. Here we find the huge glass tower filled with human skulls, acting as both a memorial piece and a sombre reminder of the scale of Pol Pot's atrocities). We'll also visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21 - a High School which became the Khmer Rouge's main torture and interrogation centre. You should be aware that many people find Tuol Sleng and the 'Killing Fields' quite an emotional place to visit.

After a short drive up river, we'll take the Mekong ferry across to the peaceful Koh Dach Island which we'll explore by local rickshaw. Our route takes us through weaving villages and past stilted houses. This charming, secluded and small island offers a peaceful contrast to the bustle of Phnom Penh. Known locally as 'Silk Island' the ladies here weave silk scarves on wooden looms in their homes, for sale in the markets on the mainland. We'll likely hear the clatter of looms and see children and animals by the side of these quiet roads as we pass. This afternoon, we leave Phnom Penh as we head west into lush jungles of Koh Kong province. Nestled in the south-eastern corner of the Cardamom mountains, Chi Phat is a small palm-lined village embracing an eco-tourism initiative to bring the beautiful surroundings of the area to visitors in a sustainable and responsible way. The area is a paradise for nature lovers and really feels off the beaten path. You'll stay with local families, sharing meals and living just like the locals do. This does mean the facilities and food are quite basic, but you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Rising early this morning, we take a motorised sampan (a type of hollowed-out canoe) down the Piphot River toward the Stung Prat tributary. Enjoying our packed breakfasts as the sun rises, we cut the engines and climb into traditional row boats to start our bird watching, with only nature's chorus as our soundtrack. At this time in the morning there is often mist rolling across the river, further adding to the atmosphere. We take a break at the Island Lodge shelter where depending on the season, we can take a dip in the river before returning to Chi Phat. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, with options to explore the village further, enjoy a short trek in the surrounding jungles or hire bicycles.

Departing the wilds of the Cardamoms this morning, we'll leave the jungle by river before driving to the lively coastal town of Sihanoukville. From here, we board a public ferry to take the 45-minute transfer to the idyllic Koh Rong Island. We aim to arrive on the island in the early afternoon, where the rest of the day is free to explore our new surroundings or relax on the palm-fringed beaches. Our accommodation here consists of a number of picturesque, thatched bungalows set back from the sand, along with a beach-front restaurant, bar and a selection of hammocks to relax in. Day 10\~- A free day to relax on the beaches of Koh Rong Island Located close to Cambodia's coastline, the sleepy island of Koh Rong feels far further away from the high-rise hotels and lively nightclubs of Sihanoukville. By contrast, Koh Rong has no cars, no roads and just four villages, with the island comprising of a jungle-clad interior enveloped by white-sand beaches. More guesthouses are starting to pop up along the island's coastline as word of Koh Rong's beauty spreads, but today the island still offers a little slice of paradise away from the tourist masses. The day has been left free to relax on the beach and swim in the warm turquoise waters.

Located close to Cambodia's coastline, the sleepy island of Koh Rong feels far further away from the high-rise hotels and lively nightclubs of Sihanoukville. By contrast, Koh Rong has no cars, no roads and just four villages, with the island comprising of a jungle-clad interior enveloped by white-sand beaches. More guesthouses are starting to pop up along the island's coastline as word of Koh Rong's beauty spreads, but today the island still offers a little slice of paradise away from the tourist masses. The day has been left free to relax on the beach and swim in the warm turquoise waters.

Today is another free day. There are a number of excursions available including a hike to the nearby village, a boat trip around the island with opportunities to swim and snorkel, or a fishing trip. Alternatively snorkels and masks are available to hire should you wish to snorkel in the tropical waters in front of the resort.

We leave Koh Rong this morning as we travel back to the capital, Phnom Penh. We catch a morning ferry back to the mainland before continuing by road, where we hope to arrive in the capital just after lunchtime. The remainder of the day is free, perhaps stocking up some last-minute souvenirs at the eclectic 'Central Market'.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Phnom Penh. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Phnom Penh at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), which is 40 minutes from our hotel.