Cambodia tour - Discovery of the Mekong river

Arrival in Phnom Penh. You are welcomed by your guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel. Visit of the capital and the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and the National Museum (if the schedule allows it). Night in a hotel in Phnom Penh. Meals not included.

We leave for Kratie, the old French colonial town of the Mekong river. It is time to discover the city and its colonial architecture. We then board a public ferry to get to an isolated island on the river. Arrival in a village where we are welcomed by our host family, have dinner with them. (5-6h drive, 1h walk) Meals included.

We go for a walk on some sand and dirt tracks to discover the island and the Cham community's daily life. We visit a floating village and a local ship construction site. We take a public ferry to go back to Kratie, meet our driver we take the local ferry to cross the Mekong. Transfer by vehicle to the rapids of Krampi. We return to Kratie and dine with our host family. Overnight stay in the village. (2 hour drive, 1h by boat) Meals included.

After saying goodbye to our hosts, we leave for Stung Treng, where we will settle in a bungalow along the Mekong river. We go visit the silk workshop of Mekong Blue. Return to your bungalow where you can relax and have a swim (depending on the season). Enjoy a dinner by the river and spend the night at a hotel. ( 3-4hr drive, 2hr walk) Meals included.

This morning, we travel by vehicle close to the Lao border, where our captain awaits us. We go up the river by boat, then have a walk in the forest to discover some unknown waterfalls, similar to canyons. We then return by boat to the small island where we can watch some river dolphins and the flooded areas of this natural river. Return to Stung Treng by vehicle. Camping on the Mekong river bank or at a homestay depending on the water level. (1hr drive, 3hr boat ride and 2hr walk) Meals included.

This morning we enjoy a walk on laterite trails through the forest to observe the flooded areas. We can observe some islands and the flooded areas of this natural border. By local boat, we go down the Mekong river and witness the varied landscapes. We stop and begin a kayak excursion in the flooded forest and the protected areas of the river. We go through areas with giant trees, with tentacular roots and observe many bird species living in this natural area. We go through villages of nomad families living in these zones difficult to access. Picnic on the river banks before returning to our boat. We carry on cruising along the Mekong river and its breathtaking sceneries to arrive in Stung Treng. (1hr walk, 2hr boat ride, 1-2hr kayak excursion).

The kayak excursion is available depending on the season and the water level. Night in a bungalow on the river bank.  Meals included.

We leave for the isolated archeological site of Koh Ker. According to the weather conditions we can use a local trucks.We go through the forest and villages. This former Khmer capital,located in the Preah Vihear province has recently been opened to tourists. There, we discover a mountain temple from the Khmer kingdom. We carry on visiting the many  temples of this incredible site. Night at a homestay in Koh Ker. (4-5hr drive, 1h walk) Meals included.

Today we are transferred to the lost temple of Beng Mealea. This temple dating back to the 10th centiury is believed to be a miniature of Angkor Wat temple. It was used to shoot J-J Annaud's movie "Two Brothers". Visit of the temple reclaimed by vegetation before heading to the Tonle Sap lake.

Every year, the water level of the Great Lake varies from 4 to 8 m, overflowing the lands and forests in this region (from August to January).We go on the dam to discover a floating village. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Siem Reap in the afternoon. Enjoy some free time to relax by the hotel pool. Meals included  The activities of the day might be altered depending on the water level and wether conditions. 

Today, we take a tuktuk (local taxi) to visit the archeological park. Our morning is dedicated to the discovery of Angkor Wat temple. We explore this unique World Heritage UNESCO site. Lunch on site in a local restaurant. Transfer to visit the Oriental Baray and have a walk along the dam and in the villages surrounding the isolated temple of Banteay Samre. In the late afternoon, we watch the sun set on the Pre Rup mountain temple. Return to the city. Night at a hotel in Siem Reap. (3-4hr walk for the visit of the temples) Meals included.

On city bikes, we head towards the South Gate of Angkor Thom, to discover the old city walls which are still covered by the jungle (6km). On our way, we come across the majestic Bayon temple, with smiling faces carved into its towers. Lunch on site. We then visit Angkor Thom, ‘’the great royal city’. We cycle on some small trails in the fores and explore the famous Preah Kan as well as the small temple of Ta Nei. Our visit continues with a walk on the Baray to reach Ta Phrom temple and its famo.us Kapok trees. This temple was used as a set for the movie Tomb Raider. Night at a hotel in Siem Reap.(3hr walk in the temples and 25km by bike). Meals included.

Enjoy this day without a guide to do your shopping. Free lunch and dinner. Night at a hotel in Siem Reap.  Meals not included.

Free time before the transfer to the international airport for your return flight departure. Meals not included.