Cambodia Off the beaten tracks 8 days 7 nights

Tour code: CAM15E
Duration: 8 days 7 nights

Day 1: Phnom Penh - Arrival (-)
- Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you will be welcomed by our expert tour guide and transfer to the hotel for check in. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 2: Phnom Penh - Visit (B)
- Discovery of the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh, home of the royal family and symbol of the kingdom. You will begin your visit with the magnificent palace gardens, decorated with many species of tropical plants, and reach the Throne Room, where official receptions are held and where the king's coronation took place. Then you will cross the Napoleon III Pavilion, made of steel, a gift from the French emperor to the royal family of Cambodia in the 19th century.
  
  You will then reach the Silver Pagoda, whose name comes from the 5,000 silver tiles that line its floor. It contains the most extraordinary treasures of Cambodia, such as a golden Buddha dressed in 9,584 diamonds, the largest being 25 carats. You will also see a delicate emerald Buddha, which gives the temple its Khmer name of Wat Preah Keo (‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’).
  
  Then, visit the National Museum of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, which contains the most fabulous collection of sculptures dating from the Angkorian period. This splendid building was built between 1917 and 1920, and has a magnificent interior courtyard, a veritable lush garden surrounded by the unique pieces of the museum.
  
  In the afternoon you will discover the horror and scale of the crimes committed by the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979. Discovery of Tuol Sleng, a former high school in Phnom Penh that the Khmer Rouge transformed into an interrogation and torture center and death. Now converted into a museum, the former S21 Prison reminds each visitor of the atrocities committed in Cambodia during the terrible years of communist dictatorship. Visiting S21 can be a disturbing and harrowing experience that some will not be able to bear. However, it is one of the keys to understanding the hell and the madness in which Cambodia found itself during these years of the Khmer Rouge regime.
  
  Return to Phnom Penh, free time for your rest
Day 3: Phnom Penh - Kampong - Kratie (B/L)
- You will leave Phnom Penh in the morning, towards the bustling city of Kampong Cham, the provincial capital located on the banks of the Mekong. Along the way, you will make a stop at Skuon, or Spider city, where you can try the local specialty: fried tarantula. You will arrive in Kampong Cham mid-morning and visit the sacred hills of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (Hills of Men and Women). Then you will visit the fusion temple of Wat Nokor, a sandstone temple dating from the 11th century with a modern and very colorful pagoda in its central courtyard. There are some intriguing sculptures in this temple, and the stark contrast between the Hindu past and the Buddhist present is almost unique in the entire country. then transfer to Kratie. Arrival in Kratie in the afternoon. You will transfer by ferry to reach Koh Trong. You will have the opportunity to take a bike ride around the island and the floating village. Dinner And Night with locals on Koh Trong.
Day 4: Kratie - Mondulkiri (B)
- After breakfast, a morning is dedicated to a cruise on the Mekong and will contemplate the dolphins of the Irrawaddy then you will continue the visit to Roka Kandal, one of the oldest pagodas in the region then you will en route to Mondolkiri via Snoul. Just like Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri is one of the most remote regions of Cambodia. It is located in the southern highlands, a vast area extending between southern Laos, central Vietnam and eastern Cambodia. The Mondulkiri region is made up of an interlacing of inhospitable massifs, basalt plateaus, hills, savannahs, marshes, clearing forests and dense jungles on red earth. Country of the Proto-Indochinese, ethnic minorities of Austronesian or Austro-Asian origin: Mnôngs Biet, (Phnongs), Rhadés, Tampuas, Kraol, Chams and Stiengs. Peasants of the forest, the latter live in its fear and in that of the geniuses, their life is organized around agrarian cycles linked to the monsoons, they practice the technique of slashing or burning, picking, are skillful trackers and hunters. During the Khmer Rouge era, they were affected by ethnic cleansing programs and often had to hide in the depths of their jungles to escape the minions of the Pol Pot regime. Now they live on the edge of the jungle or along tracks, in houses with long thatched roofs. A mountainous region, Mondulkiri benefits from a more temperate climate than other regions of the country. Due to the infrastructure conditions, it is best to visit Mondulkiri in the dry season, from November to April.
  
  Arrival at Sen Monorom, capital of the province, late in the morning. After settling into a local hostel, weather permitting, admire the sunset on Dos Krormom hill via a chaotic dirt track lined with Mnong hamlets. Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 5: Mondulkiri - Visit (B/L)
- You will leave Sen Monorom after breakfast to go just a few kilometers from the city to discover Mondulkiri Project which, with the support of Phnong villagers, collects and cares for injured or mistreated elephants. You will be able to experience ‘herd walking’ during your day’s visit. You will be introduced to the center's herd of elephants and will learn a lot about their history, their characters, their behavior, and even their body language. You can feed the pachyderms, begin to tame them as they gradually get used to your presence, and then watch them roll around in the mud. After lunch, you will set off for a trek with elephants through the thick tropical forest of Mondolkiri, then finally arrive at the foot of a refreshing waterfall where you can take your enormous traveling companions for a swim. You will not be on their back at any time but will walk alongside them. End of day free. Night at the hotel in Mondulkiri.
Day 6: Mondulkiri - Kampong Cham (B)
- After breakfast, visit the minority market then depart for Phnom Penh, en route you enjoy visiting local activities or planting depending on the season. In the afternoon, visit a beautiful pagoda in Mohaleap then continue the tuk tuk ride to Koh Pene. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Kampong Thom - Siem Reap (B)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
  After breakfast at your hotel, visit the Kampong Cham market and the town on the banks of the Mekong, then you will return to the main road to the provincial capital of Kompong Thom, discover the pre-Angkorian capital of Isanapura, today better known as Sambor Prei Kuk, the first true temple city in Southeast Asia. The brick temples of Sambor Prei Kuk contrast with their illustrious cousins in the city of Angkor. Discovering these ancient structures in addition to Angkor offers a great overview of the evolution of the Khmer architectural style over the centuries. You will visit the main temples of the area, including Prasat Tao, with its famous lions with superb manes, and Prasat Sambor, with its collapsed sanctuaries. Return to Kampong Thom continue to Siem Reap, free dinner and night at the hotel.
Day 8: Siem Reap - Departure (B)
- Breakfast at hotel
  Free time for your own relaxation or discover around the city before your departure flight. Our driver will transfer you to Siem Reap International Airport for your flight to the next destination

Tour Includes:

Professional vehicle transportations and commercial vehicle insurance. Professional driver
Air-conditioned vehicle, Round-trip transportation from selected hotels
All private transfer and transportation
Private door to door pick-up drop-off services
Accommodation at ecolodges, hotels, homestays as mentioned
Experienced English-speaking guide
Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)
(Optional) Vegetarian and vegan food is available
Bottled water
All sightseeing tickets
No extra charge after confirmation
24/7 hotline support guaranteed

Tour Excludes:

Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
International flights and taxes
Beverage
Other personal expenses: drinks, souvenir, etc.

What To Take:

Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes. Take a small day pack for hiking and trekking
It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. We also recommend packing: insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat and sun hat...

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Accommodation List

Please note that the hotels mentioned in this list are for reference only. Depending on availability and your preference, they can be changed. If we are unable to book any hotel, it will be replaced by another hotel at least of equivalent standard and value.

Blanc Smith Hotel

Address: Sok San Rd, Krong Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia

Blanc Smith Hotel is a newly hotel with 50 rooms, centrally located in the heart of Siem Reap downtown and just a few minutes (1.30km) to Old Market and Pub Street, It is an ideal venue for both business and leisure travelers.

HM Grand Central Hotel Phnom Penh

Address: #42, Street 208, Village II, Sangkat Beuong Reang, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh City.

HM Grand Central Hotel is situated in the heart of Phnom Penh. We welcome guests and travellers of all backgrounds to experience our modern facilities with a touch of caring Khmer hospitality. Situated within walking distance of Sorya Shopping Mall and the Central Markets. As well as a short 5-minute tuk-tuk ride to Aeon Mall, Russian Market and Wat Phnom. Riverfront Park is 2 km away while The Royal Palace and National Museum are within 600m away.

Hanchey Bamboo Resort

Address: Preaek Preah Angk village, Stueng Trang District 03108, Cambodia

Serene Spaces Overlooking the Mekong. Gazing out over vibrant landscapes and the Mekong, Hanchey Bamboo Resort's rooms blend local artistry with comfort.

Greenhouse Retreat

Address:
Doscromom Village, Chomka Tae Commune, Sen Monorom City, Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia , Sen Monorom, Cambodia

Each accommodation at Greenhouse Retreat is thoughtfully created and adorned to provide visitors with a comfortable, home-like atmosphere. In certain rooms, the resort offers linen service and air conditioning for guest convenience and satisfaction. At Greenhouse Retreat, uniquely crafted rooms provide various layout choices, featuring spaces equipped with separate living room and balcony or terrace. In rooms, guests at the resort can enjoy top-notch in-room entertainment with television and cable TV available for their convenience. Rest assured, in a few chosen rooms, you will find the convenience of a refrigerator and a coffee or tea maker at your disposal. Maintain your cleanliness and comfort using a hair dryer, toiletries, bathrobes and towels available in guest restrooms.

Mekong Dolphin Hotel

Address: Preah Soramarith Street Kratie City

Mekong Dolphin Hotel is a 3-star Superior Hotel with 23 rooms furnished to excellent standards. High above river and dolphin view you will find relaxation and privacy in a unique setting.