Cambodia Escape Tour

Cambodia Escape - 13 Nights / 14 Days

Day 1 Arrival

Meet and greet at Airport and we transfer to your hotel, Arrive at your hotel and your guide will assist to check in to your hotel. Please take some time with your guide to discuss your itinerary for your next activities.

Day 2 Signature Angkor in a Day

An incredible day of sightseeing begins at dawn, with sunrise over Angkor Wat. Packed breakfast at Angkor Wat (you can have in Vehicle after Angkor if the client wants, to save time) After exploring the site, we drive direct to Banteay Srey (Pink Sandstone carvings). Journey break to see palm sugar being made in one of the villages.

Arrive, Banteay Srey, built by a Brahman in the 10th Century, this temple was dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments, and friezes. it is said they must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. This gives us the origin of the Khmer name, Fortress of the Women. Lunch at Bong Thom Homestay.

Later, we continue to visit Ta Prohm (Jungle-tomb Raider temple). Through Victory gate into Angkor Thom, Terrace of elephants on foot and continue on foot until after Bayon. After enjoying the great bass reliefs they can then climb up and wait a while before the temple becomes really magical. Return to the hotel after a long and busy day.

Day 3 Beng Mealea Temple Tour

After breakfast at your hotel, your English-speaking guide will pick you up and we drive to Beng Mealea. Visit Beng Mealea, the sprawling jungle temple covering over one square kilometer. The temple is largely overrun by vegetation and less visited, giving it an adventurous, lost temple feel. Photographers: trees growing from the broken towers and galleries offer some of the best trees in temple shots aside from Ta Prohm. Constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style under the same king that built Angkor Wat.

Lunch at a local restaurant. En route back to Siem Reap, we can stop at the local village or Rolous group. Arrive at Siem Reap and we transfer to your hotel. End of the service.

Day 4 Preah Vihear Full-Day Tour

This is a Full Day Trip to explore Preah Vihear where at the Dangrek Mountain range. This is an incredible Preah Vihear temple, which straddles the Cambodian and Thai border. As you journey from Siem Reap to Preah Vihear province you pass through typical Cambodian countryside allowing a chance to learn more about the way of life in these farming villages. We explore the incredible monument and learn both about the temples ancient and more recent history.

Preah Vihear a Khmer ruin was built at top of the mountain in the 9th-century decade to Hindu religion. ( Preah Vihear Temple is a Hindu temple built during the reign of the Khmer Empire, that is situated atop a 525-meter (1,722 ft) cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, in the Preah Vihear province, Cambodia.

In 1962, following a lengthy dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over ownership, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague awarded the temple to Cambodia. Affording a view for many kilometers across a plain, Prasat Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-centuries-long Khmer Empire.

As a key edifice of the empire's spiritual life, it was supported and modified by successive kings and so bears elements of several architectural styles. Preah Vihear is unusual among Khmer temples in being constructed along a long north-south axis, rather than having the conventional rectangular plan with orientation toward the east.

The temple gives its name to Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, in which it is now located, as well as the Khao Phra Wihan National Park which borders it in Thailand's Sisaket province and through which the temple is most easily accessible. On July 7, 2008, Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 5 Siem Reap- Battambang Transfer

Siem Reap - Battambang (Overland - 161KM with 3 hours drive)

Early morning, we depart from Siem Reap to Battambang via Sisophon Town. Road travel is generally the easiest, fastest, most reliable way to travel between Siem Reap and Battambang. The road goes around the lake, first west from Siem Reap to Sisophon then back southeast from Sisophon to Battambang on National Route #5.

An optional visit from Sisophon to Banteay Chhmar Temple dates from the late 12th to the early 13thcentury and it means Narrow Fortress. It is thought to have been built by Jayavarman II. It was later rebuilt by Jayavarman VII as a funerary temple for his sons and four generals who had been killed in a battle repelling a Cham invasion in 1177.

The temple area covers 2km by 2 and a half km. It contains the main temple complex and a number of other religious structures and a baray to its east. (please add 2 and half hours, for 120Km return from Sisophon town).

Continue to Battambang, arrive, and transfer to your hotel.

Day 6 Battambang Sightseeing - With Lunch

Battambang Fullday Visit with Lunch. 0900 hours, start your tour with a visit to Wat Ek Temple, which adapts the architecture of the 11th century and built-in 1027 during the reign of King, Sorayak Varman I (1002-1050). It is located at Piem Ek commune in 14 kilometers from the provincial town.

Continue to visit Ba nan Temple, which was built finally built by the king, Jayavarman VII (1181-1219). The temple is located on the top of approximately 400 meters of the heightened mountain at Koh Tey 2 commune. Later, we return to town for lunch at La Villa or at your hotel.

In the afternoon, an optional bamboo train The bamboo train is a unique and creative form of ad-hoc local transportation. It consists of a small motorcycle engine-powered bamboo cart that rides the railroad tracks, picking up and dropping off passengers, cargo, animals, motorcycles along the way.

When it meets an on-coming train or bamboo train, it can be disassembled and taken off the rails in a minute or two, allowing the other to pass. Cambodia is currently in the process of upgrading its rail system. When the Battambang tracks are replaced, the Bamboo Train will likely come to an end. We will then have a village walk.

Return to town and walk through the local market before heading back to your hotel.

Day 7 Transfer to Kampong Cham

Depart from Battambang early morning and drive to Kampong Cham. It may take almost 6 hours to reach Kampong Cham. When you arrive in Kampong Cham, transfer to the hotel.

Day 8 Kampong Cham Fullday Tour

Transfer by Car -Approx: 140KM After Breakfast, we depart from the hotel, and the driver will take approximately 2 hours through the rubber plantation. We visit Wat Norkor. The temple was built in the middle of the 11th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II and King Ouphey dedicating to Brahmanism.

The temple is about 200 meters inside the gate. An optional visit to Wat Han Chey Temple We take a boat trip to Phnom Han Chey which lies 20kms north of Kompong Cham city, on the banks of the Mekong River, and boasts an interesting collection of ancient prasats and modern-day pagoda buildings.

The site is also known as Chey Kiri mountain and for the energetic, there's a 295 step climb to the top. Next to the main vihara at the pagoda of Wat Han Chey, sat on the summit of the mountain and surrounded by gorgeous views of the Mekong, is an unusual square sandstone cellar with a series of well-defined carvings.

Day 9 Transfer to Phnom Penh

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from Kampong Cham to Phnom Penh. En route, we stop at Skun, the famous spider village. After a journey break, we continue to drive to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, we transfer to your hotel.

Day 10 Phnom Penh Signature Tour

Morning Visit with S-21 and Killing Fields (45 mins drive each way). Now has audio set to guide you round last 1.5-2 Hours. The very good tour which really brings the best out of the visit includes history, true accounts, personal stories, etc …Audio was done by the same Australian company who did the cave tour at Vieng Xai. Some guides may prefer to do the guiding themselves, but the best info I have heard on Killing fields in more than 30 visits!

Heading back into the city, a visit to the famous Russian Market provides a chance to soak up the color and chaos of one of Phnom Penh’s most frenetic locations. Go to lunch at Friends restaurant, Friends is an NGO run-restaurant and a training school for the underprivileged and street kids.

After the visit Russian Market. Great way to change the feeling of the day! Delicious and imaginative Khmer fusion tapas, loads of choice great for vegetarians. Bright and colorful décor, they have black and white portrait shots of all the staff on the walls with big smiles and energetic poses, a very different version of all the black and white portraits at S21. Service is quick and slick and all profits go back into the organization.

They have a school next door also so lunch is often accompanied by the sound of laughing children. Best way to move on from the horrors of the past to the positivity of the future! After lunch do National Museum (next door to friends restaurant). Walk to Royal Palace (generally less busy in the afternoon and better light for photography).

After the Royal Palace, we can do the Cyclo Tour of Phnom Penh (in partnership with a local NGO that provides employment for a dying profession for some of the poorest in Phnom Penh. 45 mins- 1 hour– don’t get out – just explore Phnom Penh from the road and see the traffic/markets/people. Start at Royal Palace and finish at FCC for Happy Hour. No guiding required – no talking at the clients – just meander through the chaos before recovering with a cocktail.

Cyclo starts from Royal Palace and passes through Street 240 (Boutique shopping street) towards Norodom Boulevard. Pass through Central Market and continue to Wat Phnom, then towards Post Office. Final ride along the river bank to FCC Restaurant for a cocktail.

A great way to soak up the feeling of Phnom Penh from the comfort of a wheelchair on wheels. Finish on the balcony of the FCC to reflect on a busy day in this very special city!

Day 11 Phnom Penh to Kampot

We will start early on the drive to Kampot, a charming riverside town, rich in colonial architecture. Kampot Town is the capital of Kampot province, best known as the starting point for trips to Bokor Mountain and its riverside scene. Kampot is a great escape from the larger cities and towns in Cambodia. Arrive at Kampot and transfer to your hotel.

Day 12 Kampot Country Side

0800 hours, In the morning we pick up from Champa Lodge and drive to Kampot, visit the Market
Kampot Market is a typical provincial town market where you can find anything from oranges to the famous local pepper, flowers to silk wedding dresses, and gold necklaces.

Take your time to explore the market bustle in the mornings and throughout the day. There is also is an area with basic food stalls serving up delicious soups, deep-fried treats, and a variety of sweets.

0930 hours, we then drive to one of the caves in Kampot. Caves & Caverns There are a number of caves in Kampot and Kep. One of the closest to Kampot is “Kabal Romneah”, “Phnom Sorsir” has several caves to explore and the path winding its way up to the hilltop stupa has stunning views over Bokor Mountain. “The White Elephant Cave” takes its name from the shape of the limestone formation at the base of the main cave.

Later, we continue to Starling Firm Kampot Pepper firm. Kampot Pepper Kampot pepper production is documented as far back as the 13th century. The climate and soil in Kampot Province are ideal for pepper plants and its distinct aromatic flavor has made it a world-renowned product, much sought after by gourmet chefs. More than a million pepper poles were producing thousands of tons for export up until the mid-’70s.

Local farmers using both traditional and modern techniques have been able to revive this world-famous pepper which received a Geographical Indication label in 2010. The peppercorns go through several maturing stages until they are ready to harvest and dry. Make sure you try the young green berries that are eaten fresh and are great with any kind of seafood or steak.

You can best visit the pepper plantations in the season which is from September to February. Harvesting is in March & April.

Lunch at Starling Pepper firm with very fresh seafood. Please do let us know if you have any seafood allergies.

In the afternoon, we visit Teuk Chhou Rapids Teuk Chhou rapids are just 8km from Kampot. It’s a popular place to picnic for locals and have a swim in the river. Local food stalls provide wooden gazebos and snacks for a relaxing afternoon. Bring your tower and extra cloth if you plan to swim in the river. You will have a local contact and enjoy the local ways of life.

Finally, we enjoy the sunset over Phnom Dong (Coconut Hill) Phnom Dong has great views over the ocean as far as Phu Quoc Island. Locals working the salt fields and fishing villages line the gravel track, making this a very pleasant trip.

Before it is dark, return to Champa Lodge.

Car/ Guide/ Entrance fees, Lunch, and drinking water are included.

Day 13 Kampot Climbing

The half-day tour starts with an easy 35-meter toprope climb. You are belayed by a guide from above for maximum security. This is a nice and gentle climb, guided all the way to the summit. On top of the hill, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of Kampot’s countryside, the islands in the ocean, the salt fields, Bokor Mountain, and on a clear day we see as far as Phu Quoc (Vietnam).

The tour starts at 8:45 and takes around 4 hours. The climbing site is situated at Phnom Kbal Romeas, a picturesque little mountain 15 minutes away from town by moto towards Kep. A map is provided during the briefing the evening before the tour and there are signposts along the way

Wear a T-shirt and shorts and lace-up shoes (sneakers or trainers). If you don’t have any shoes we will provide them for you, free of charge. Climbing shoes are not included in this tour and are not a necessity. If you’d like to rent them anyway.

The caves provide cool air and shade as well as shelter from the rain during the rainy season. This tour can be done all year round.

Guides, climbing gear (not climbing shoes), and water are included.

Day 14 Transfer to Phnom Penh

Transfer from Kampot to Phnom Penh... Departure time will depend on your onward flight to Phnom Penh. When you arrive at Phnom Penh, transfer to Phnom Penh International airport.

Service Included:

- A/C Vehicle for all transfer and tours
- Accommodation
- Daily Breakfast
- English Speaking Station Guides
- Entrance Fees or Zone Fees
- Meals as per program

Service Excluded:

- Entry Visa Fees
- Gratuity for guides
- International Flights to/from
- Personal Expenses
- Tipping at local restaurants
- Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of an accident or illness)