Cambodia Discovery

Admiring Cambodia’s sublime beauty in style, this 16-day trip of Cambodia Tours takes you deep into the country’s rich culture and history. Let join with us to immerse yourself in the heart of the Khmer way of life, enjoy rustic homestays, visit remote tribal villages and ride elephants through the jungle. From bustling cities to ancient temples and relaxing and white-sand beaches,  this tour covers all of Cambodia’s main attractions while taking you off the beaten path to craft a travel adventure of a lifetime.

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Duration: 16 days/15 nights

Tour Code: MCHL08

Tour Valid: Until December 30th, 2013

Highlights: Phnom Penh - Kampong Chhnang - Battambang - Siem Reap - Angkor - Kratie - Mondulkiri - Kampong Cham - Sihanouk Ville - Phnom Penh.

• Day 1 - Phnom Penh Arrival

  Place Transport: Airplane->Boat
  Meals: Dinner

  Welcome to Phnom Penh, the Cambodia’s vibrant and bustling capital city. Despite its recent turbulent history, Phnom Penh’s wide tree-lined boulevards and faded colonial mansions hold an undeniable charm. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to rest and freshen up before driving to the dock to catch an evening boat cruise along the Mekong River. Savor a welcome dinner on board as you watch the sunset over the shimmering lights of Phnom Penh.

  Day 2 - Phnom Penh – City Tour

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Phnom Penh was founded in the 14th century and has long been a vital trading hub at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac. Start the day learning about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent history on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Choeung Ek “Killing Fields.” In the afternoon,show your bargaining skills on a walk through the city’s expansive “Russian Market” where you can find anything from motorcycle parts to valuable gems. Our cultural tour continues as we visit the National Museum—an excellent introduction into ancient Khmer art and civilization, and the Royal Palace which is home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda.

  Day 3 - Phnom Penh – Kompong Chnang – Battambang

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Today, we travel by car to Battambang which is the Cambodia’s second largest city. Get a glimpse into the Cambodia’s rural life and stop en route at Kompong Chnang to visit the floating village in Kompong Luong. We arrive in Battambang in the afternoon. Check in at your hotel then enjoy an orienting walking tour through the city’s bustling boulevards lined with quaint French colonial buildings. Next, visit some of Battambang’s signature hilltop temples as well as the infamous cave, Phnom Sampov. It is used as an execution field under the Khmer Rouge. Take a relaxing 30' ride on the Bamboo train before returning to your hotel.

  Day 4 - Battambang – Siem Reap – Angkor Wat

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Today, we drive from Battambang to Siem Reap, the provincial capital and gateway to the ancient Angkor Temples. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srei and the legendary Angkor Wat. Spend 3 hours driving through Cambodia’s charming countryside, past stretches of rice paddies and exotic hamlets. Arrive at Siem Reap and check in at the hotel. In the late afternoon, we drive to the Archeological Park to visit the magnificence of Angkor Wat which is the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture.

  Day 5 - Siem Reap – Angkor Thom - Ta Prohm – Banteay Srei

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Enjoy an entire day devoted to the mystical and ancient Angkor temples. After an early breakfast at the hotel, we set out to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Leaving Angkor Thom by the north gate, we travel to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword) which is one of the Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII before heading to the mystical, jungle-entwined Ta Prohm temple. In the afternoon, drive 35km to Banteay Srei temple- the birthplace of classical Khmer architecture. After that, explore Banteay Samre before returning to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.

  Day 6 - Siem Reap – Daily life – Tonle Sap Lake

  Place Transport: Boat
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  Today is dedicated to exploring Cambodia’s daily life and rich culture with trips to Chres Village and the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake. Travel down winding picturesque roads on the way to Tonle Sap. We stop to admire the rice plantations and various season activities of the locals such as roof building and banana harvesting. Enjoy a boxed lunch in the countryside before proceeding to Komong Phluk floating village—a must see on Tonle Sap Lake. Board a boat and visit the floating village before heading to the nearby flooded mangrove forests. In the afternoon, we drive to Chres Village. Take a cooking class on traditional Khmer cuisine before joining with a local family for a cozy homestay.

  Day 7 - Siem Reap – Koh Ker - Beng Mealea

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Say good bye to your host family and travel in the morning to Koh Ker. Here, we will discover the long abandoned temples in the forests of northern Cambodia. Koh Ker is also known as Chok Gargyar, this region is served as the capital of Jayavarman IV until his son and successor, Harshavarman I, moved the capital back to Angkor. There are more than 30 major structures and archeologists believe there may have been as many as 100 minor sacred buildings in the region. In the afternoon, drive back to Siem Reap and stop en route to visit the remote and jungle-covered Beng Mealea temple.

  Day 8 - Siem Reap – Sambor Prei Kuk – Kampong Thom

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then set out on a drive to Kampong Thom (147km, 2 hours drive), which is home to the Cambodia’s most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments. Here, we will visit the ancient temple complex, Sambor Prei Kuk which is situated just north of Kampong Thom. The main temples are divided into three complexes, all dedicated to Shiva. Enjoy the serene atmosphere as you wander through these 7th century brick monuments, artfully scattered about the jungle. Return to the town of Kampong Thom in the afternoon and proceed to Paray Village for dinner and a homestay.

  Day 9 - Kampong Thom – Kratie

  Place Transport: Car->Boat
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Today, we travel to Kratie, a vibrant riverside town and home to the endangered freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins. Stop for breakfast at a local restaurant and then continue on to tour to the Cham Ka Lour rubber plantation before crossing the Mekong River by ferry at Stung Trong / Krochmar district of Kampong Cham province. Arrive in Kratie in the afternoon and check-in at your hotel. Then drive north of town and take a local boat to view the freshwater dolphins that inhabit this stretch of the Mekong. Enjoy an hour on the river before returning to the quaint French colonial town in the the evening.

  Day 10 - Kratie – Mondulkiri

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Today, we travel to the Cambodia’s eastern province, Mondulkiri. With rolling grassy hills, pine growths and rainforests, this sparsely populated province is like nowhere else in Cambodia. Mondulkiri is also home to the majority of country’s tribal minorities including the Cham and Phnong peoples. Arrive in Sen Monorom which is the region’s capital in the late afternoon. Check in at the Mondulkiri Hotel and enjoy the evening discovery this small and quirky town—the base from which to explore the surroundings hill tribe villages and cascading waterfalls.

  Day 11 - Mondulkiri

  Place Transport: Car->Elephant
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Wake up early and visit the local market frequented by the Phnong people, travel from the nearby villages to buy and sell their wares. Next we journey to some of the surrounding hill tribe villages. There are hundreds of minority villages around Sen Monorom. One of the largest and easiest to access is the Phlung village which is inhabited by Phnong chunchiets where their curious huts have woven, wooden walls and thatched roofs that slope almost to the floor. You will be lucky to see more than a handful of people during daytime as most are out working in the fields. Later in the afternoon, explore the jungle astride an elephant, guided by the experienced Phnong mahouts, then stop to visit some of the region’s beautiful waterfalls.

  Day 12 - Mondulkiri

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Today, we travel to Bou Sra about 40 km northeast from Sen Monorom. This double drop waterfall is one of the largest and the most impressive in all of Cambodia. Enjoy the natural beauty of the region then discover the Phnong village which also named Bou Sra. On the way back to Mondulkiri, we will stop at a numbers of hill tribe villages and take time to appreciate the countryside and scenery. A picnic lunch will be provided.

  Day 13 - Mondulkiri - Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Say good bye to Mondulkiri and continue on the tour to Kampong Cham where we will stop to visit the Wat Nokor Pagoda. This 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine is home to a large reclining Buddha as well as many carved Buddha images. In the afternoon, we continue on to Cambodia’s capital- Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel then enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.

  Day 14 - Phnom Penh – Sihanouk Ville

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast

  Have breakfast at the hotel then travel by private car with our English-speaking guide to Sihanouk Ville (226km with 3-hour drive). Sihanouk Ville’s white-sand beaches are some of the most pristine in Southeast Asia. 10 km of beach stretches the whole length of the town and with dozens of small islands, Sihanouk Ville makes a the perfect tropical getaway, complete with facilities for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will help you check in at the hotel then leave you free to enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Soak up the sun as you lounge on the beach or enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

  Day 15 - Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  In the morning, you visit the International Port from the outside, Fishing Port and the Independence Square and Golden Lion. In teh afternoon, you enjoy a private excursion to Kbal-Chhay Waterfall before heading back to Phnom Penh.

  Day 16 - Phnom Penh Departure

  Place Transport: Car->Airplane
  Meals: Breakfast

  After breakfast you take free time untill transfer to Phnom Penh International airport departure flight.

  The Tour Inclusion:

  - 15 Nights Accommodation with daily breakfast.
  
  - Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.
  
  - Boat cruises as specified in the program.
  
  - The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.
  
  - Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the program.
  
  - Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.

  The Tour Exclusion:

  - International flight tickets and airport tax.Visas.
  
  - Dinners, except as specified above.
  
  - Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
  
  - Surcharge for peak season (if any) & other not mentioned in the above detail program.

  Additional Information

  Importance note
  - The itinerary is just a sample of our tours; we'll be pleased to design similar programs with dates and itinerary customized to your personal preferences in Tailor Made Tours section. Rates may vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.
  
  What to bring?
  - Sun Block, Wide brim hat, Camera + Film, Comfortable shoes, Rain gear, Warm clothes, original Passport...
  
  How to start?
  - MinMax Travel is a fully escorted tour and best-available all year round; the only thing you need to prepare in advance is the international air-ticket from/to your country.
  - You can get Cambodia Visa on arrival easily (getting visa at the airport).