Definitive Cultural Tour of Cambodia

Day 1 - Fly London to Phnom Penh

Today you will depart from London. As there are no direct flights to Phnom Penh from the UK you will fly overnight via a hub such as Bangkok.

Overnight: In flight

Day 2 - Arrive Phnom Penh. Group transfer to hotel.

On arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be met and transferred to your well-located hotel, close to the Independence Monument and a short walk from the royal palace and the riverside. After your long flight you might like to unwind with a walk in the lush tropical gardens, have a swim or perhaps venture out to take a stroll by the river.

Overnight: La Rose Suites Or Similar, Phnom Penh

Day 3 - Sightseeing in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, was founded in the 15th century and is known for its beautiful, historical architecture. You begin your sightseeing at the stunning Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. The palace, built in the 19th century, is a fine example of Khmer architecture with a slight French touch. It is set in beautiful gardens, landscaped with tropical plants and dotted with gleaming spires. You will visit the throne room, the Moonlight Pavilion and the Silver Pagoda, so called after the 5,000 silver tiles covering the floor. Here are found some of the country's most cherished treasures, including a life-size gold Buddha studded with diamonds and a delicate emerald Buddha made of crystal, which gives the temple its Khmer name of Wat Preah Keo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

After your visit to the palace you continue to the nearby National Museum. Housed in a terracotta structure of traditional design, it has a pretty courtyard garden and is home to the world's finest collection of sculpture from the Angkor period.

In the afternoon there is an optional tour to learn about the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge. Firstly you visit Tuol Sleng, formerly a school, which the Khmer Rouge turned into a prison. Today it is a museum which serves to remind visitors of the terrible atrocities that came to pass in Cambodia. Tuol Sleng is a profoundly moving experience and not everyone will want to visit. However, it is key to understanding the hell into which Cambodia descended and how far it has come in the years since. You then travel out of town to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Prisoners from Tuol Sleng followed this same route to their fate. An old Chinese cemetery, Choeung Ek was turned into an extermination camp for political prisoners. The remains of 8,895 people were exhumed from mass graves and are kept in a memorial stupa here. Despite the horrors of the past, this is a peaceful place to visit and to reflect on the tragic events that engulfed Cambodia and its people. If you would prefer not to take this tour, you may relax at your hotel or explore in town instead.

In the late afternoon, you will board a local boat for a sunset and dinner cruise on the Tonle Sap River. The river famously reverses its direction each year, acting as natural flood barrier, the largest in the world, to the Mekong River. You will enjoy sunset views and see a side of Cambodia that seems far removed from life in Phnom Penh as you cruise past small floating villages and watch fishermen working with their boats. You return to your hotel after dark.

Overnight: La Rose Suites Or Similar, Phnom Penh

Day 4 - Drive to Mondulkiri, 800m/2,624ft – 370 km, approximately 5 hours.

Today you drive to Mondulkiri, a hilly province located 370 kilometres east of Phnom Penh. Firstly you drive north out of town across the Chruoy Changvar Bridge and then cross the mighty Mekong River into Prey Veng Province. Later you go through the bustling junction town of Snuol and the border town of Kaoh Seima, before the road climbs into the hills and through some areas of pristine forest and jungle. After a journey of about five hours you emerge into a landscape of rolling hills and pine trees in the province Mondulkiri and continue to the regional capital, Sen Monorom.

Although it is the largest province in Cambodia, Mondulkiri is also the most sparsely populated. This upland landscape has a mix of grassy hills, pine forest and jade green rainforests. Wild animals, such as bears, leopards and especially elephants, are more numerous here than elsewhere, although sightings are usually limited to birds, monkeys and the occasional wild pig. Conservationists have established several superb ecotourism projects in the province, but are always having to battle against loggers, poachers, plantations and well-connected speculators. The area is home to various ethnic minorities including the hardy Bunong people and their much-valued elephants.

In the late afternoon, if time permits, you may visit the double-drop Bou Sraa waterfalls, and perhaps enjoy an afternoon swim there.

Overnight: Mayura Hill Resort Or Similar, Mondulkiri

Day 5 - Full day in the Seima Protected Forest. Gentle walks and game tracking.

Today you will visit the Seima Protected Forest, an area which covers 2,000 square kilometres and is home to 25 different species of carnivore, including tiger and seven other species of wild cat. This protected area is of international importance for the conservation of primates such as gibbons, black-shanked doucs, macaques and langurs, as well as Asian elephants, wild cattle and an enormous diversity of birdlife including the striking giant hornbill. Importantly, the Seima forest is also home to several communities who have depended on the forest economically, culturally and spiritually for many generations.

In Seima Forest, the tented Jahoo Gibbon Camp will be your base for the day's walking and exploration. Jahoo Gibbon Camp is a community-based ecotourism and conservation project. The community is composed mainly of Bunong indigenous people, who have traditionally lived in a close relationship with the forest, but who have limited access to means of income, education, and healthcare. Jahoo Gibbon Camp seeks to address this by providing a sustainable way for the community to earn an income through their forest resources.

You will need a very early start to drive to Jahoo Gibbon Camp in order to have the best opportunity to see the wildlife, particularly the endangered (and very pretty) yellow-cheeked crested gibbons. Experienced local guides will help you identify the wildlife and do their utmost to ensure that you get the most out of your visit. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at Jahoo Gibbon Camp.

Overnight: Mayura Hill Resort Or Similar, Mondulkiri

Day 6 - Half day at the Elephant Valley Project walking with an elephant herd - approximately 4-5 hours walking depending on the herd.

Today you will drive half an hour to the nearby Elephant Valley Project. This project, with the support of the Bunong villagers, rescues and rehabilitates captive elephants who have suffered injury and mistreatment.

You will have a unique 'Walking with the Herd' experience. You will be introduced to two herds of elephants and get to know more about their history, character, behaviour and body language while walking alongside them in their natural environment. This is a chance to observe these majestic animals at close quarters in a natural habitat that gives them total respect and as much freedom as possible.

Please note that the activities at Elephant Valley Project may vary depending on the season and weather, as the elephants are able to roam over a wide area - but whatever happens a unique experience is guaranteed. After lunch you will return to your hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure for you to relax and reminisce over the day's experience.

Overnight: Mayura Hill Resort Or Similar, Mondulkiri

Day 7 - Drive to Preah Vihear - 7 hours.

After breakfast you will drive north towards the Laos and Thai borders. Firstly you travel along the new National Highway 7 towards Ratanakiri, where you will have lunch. You will then continue via Stung Treng a traditional fishing and farming region as well as a port and gateway to the nearby Lao border. Here you can learn about traditional silk production in northeast Cambodia as well as visiting the kindergarten where you will no doubt be greeted by lots of smiling, curious children. You then continue to your hotel at Preah Vihear through more lovely rural scenery.

Overnight: Preah Vihear Boutique Hotel Or Similar, Preah Vihear

Day 8 - Explore Preah Vihear Temple. Drive to Siem Reap – 238km, 3-4 hours.

Today you will visit the temple of Preah Vihear - an ancient Hindu temple complex, built during the period of the Khmer Empire and considered to be one of the outstanding masterpieces of Khmer architecture. This site is particularly well preserved mainly due to its remote location. To reach Preah Vihear you take 4x4 vehicles up a snaking mountain road into the Dangrek Mountains, which mark the border between Cambodia and Thailand. The final section of the road clings to the face of a cliff which plunges precipitously away to the plains of Preah Vihear province, hundreds of metres below and the views are breath taking. This impressive complex is a World Heritage Site and you will explore the sprawling temple complex on foot.

Later you journey to Siem Reap where you check into your hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure. You can relax by the pool or maybe treat yourself to a massage in the hotel spa. If you are feeling adventurous, you could jump in a tuk tuk and head into town to barter for the many souvenirs and clothing on offer.

Overnight: Hanuman Alaya Villa Or Similar, Siem Reap

Day 9 - Drive & walk to Kbal Spean - 1 hour drive, 1 hour walk. Explore Banteay Srei. Evening circus performance.

After breakfast you will drive north to visit Kbal Spean. Commonly known as the 'River of a Thousand Lingas', Kbal Spean was only 'discovered' in 1969. It is an intricately carved riverbed, located deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle. The Khmers adorned the limestone river bed with a riot of carvings depicting Hindu mythological scenes and symbols, including thousands of lingams. There is a uphill walk to reach the river carvings, this takes about 50 minutes from the road and is an easy climb up through the jungle on a pretty path.

Later you head to Banteay Srei, Angkor's ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is considered the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia - the name translates as 'Fortress of the Women', thanks to the intricate detail, considered too fine for the hands of a man.

On the way back to Siem Reap, you will visit the small Cambodia Landmine Museum to learn more about the scourge of landmines and the shadow they cast over rural communities in Cambodia. The museum promotes mine awareness and education and shows how land mines and bombs are being defused every day by a growing group of dedicated men and women, how help is being given to those disabled by explosions and also how schools are being set up to help educate and train the local young people.

In the evening you head out to the home of the innovative circus performers from Phare Ponleu Selpak. This contemporary circus includes acrobatics, dancing, juggling, live music and much more. As this is a modern circus there are no animals involved in the hour long show.

Overnight: Hanuman Alaya Villa Or Similar, Siem Reap

Day 10 - Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Visit floating village on Tonle Sap Lake.

Rising at the crack of dawn, you journey out to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. The majority of Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th century by King Jayavarman II. There has been debate as to whether Angkor Wat was built as a temple or a tomb, but it is now generally accepted that it was both; a temple of worship when the King was alive and a mausoleum after his death. It is surrounded by a wide moat and its architectural plan was designed to be symbolic. It was built to represent the universe with the five central towers symbolising the mythical Mount Meru, the outer wall the mountains on the edge of the world and the surrounding moat either the oceans beyond or the universe. The first causeway is flanked by Naga - seven-headed snakes and the causeway represents the bridge between Earth and Heaven. The temple consists of three rectangular or square platforms, each of which is progressively smaller and higher than the one below. The lower platform contains amazingly-detailed bas-reliefs, which depict battle scenes as well as scenes derived from Hindu epics such as the 'Churning of the Ocean of Milk'. At the heart of the temple is a tower, which rises 65m/213ft, surrounded by four other towers at each corner. It is estimated that the temple took 30-40 years to construct. It is believed that King Jayavarman II died before the temple's completion with some carving being unfinished.

After your visit to Angkor Wat, the rest of the morning is free for you to rest at your hotel or visit some other nearby temples.

You then drive to Tonle Sap lake, stopping en route to have lunch at Sala Roluos Khmer House, a beautiful traditional wooden house located close to the 9th century capital of Hariharalaya and the rustic Cambodian town of Roluos. After lunch you continue south to visit Kompong Pluk floating village. To reach the village you board a small wooden boat and cruise down a narrow waterway. In this medieval floating village, the houses stand atop stilts as much as seven metres above the water. Everything lives on the water, pigs, dogs, crocodiles and people, all jockeying for space in this incredible floating town. You explore the local wat, as well as some of the traditional Khmer houses on stilts. There is also the opportunity to stop a local floating café or restaurant amid the flooded forest. In the wet season, the houses appear to be floating, as water laps at the verandas, but in the dry season towering stilts are revealed, the houses almost like wooden skyscrapers and you can wander through the town's narrow streets.

Later, you return to your hotel by road and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hanuman Alaya Villa Or Similar, Siem Reap

Day 11 - Early morning visit to Ta Prohm. Walking tour of Angkor Thom and Bayon. Evening dinner with traditional dance show.

It is an early start again today as you travel to Ta Prohm Temple. Now cloaked in shadows Ta Prohm was once a monastery and Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII. There are many towers, corridors and piles of carved stones, now lying in ruins. It has become famous as one of the places used in the 'Tomb Raider' film, but despite its popularity it is one of the most atmospheric of all the monuments

Next you travel to Angkor Thom which you will explore on foot. This walk is a fantastic way to experience the best of Angkor Thom and offers a real insight into the size and scale of this ancient city. You begin your walk at the impressive South Gate of the walled city of Angkor Thom and walk on the immense ancient walls towards the southwest corner where there is a small temple, Prasat Chrung. You also discover the irrigation and drainage system that enabled the waters of the Siem Reap river to flow through the city from the northeast to southwest. You continue walking around to the West Gate, where the causeway has collapsed leaving a muddle of stone figures looking like victims of some terrible historic accident.

From the West Gate you weave your way towards the principal temples: the Baphuon, often nicknamed the world's largest jigsaw puzzle as it was dismantled before the civil war and the Khmer Rouge destroyed all the archaeological records; the Royal Palace complex, which was once home to the God-kings of Angkor; and Phimean Akas, a petite pyramid temple. Finally you arrive at atmospheric Preah Palilay, a Buddhist temple overshadowed by huge Capok trees.

You will then take a long break for lunch within the walls of Angkor Thom, enjoying some Cambodian food and perhaps a fresh coconut to boost your energy for the afternoon. Lunch will be at Sala Kdei, a beautiful traditional wooden house overlooking the royal bathing pool of Sra Srang.

After lunch, you explore the central square of Angkor Thom, starting at the Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue that was originally thought to be the leper king is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. You continue along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. You may cross over the royal parade ground to take a look at the towers of Prasat Suor Prat, once believed to have been connected by rope bridges and used for dance and circus performances.

The climax is the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. At the exact centre of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia's most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself. These colossal heads stare down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to keep a hold on such a vast empire. Before clambering upwards, you puzzle over the mysteries of the bas-reliefs, with their intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and their snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period.

The rest of the day will be at leisure and in the evening you will enjoy dinner with a dance peformance that showcases the graceful form of traditional dance called Aspara.

Overnight: Hanuman Alaya Villa Or Similar, Siem Reap

Day 12 - Fly to Phnom Penh and drive to the eco camp in the Botum Sakor National Park.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in good time for your flight to Phnom Penh. You will be met on arrival in Phnom Penh, and immediately leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind as you once again head back into the countryside. Along the way you travel through the small port of Sre Ambel before passing beautiful stretches of Jungle and, weather permitting, enjoying some delightful views over the Cardamom Mountains. You stop for lunch at a local restaurant then continue to the Trapaegn Rung Bridge. Here you will have a chance to freshen up before taking a trip along the Preak Tachan River to the eco camp at in the Botum Sakor National Park, an adventure in itself and a great chance to get some great photos.

After arriving into camp the rest of the day will be at leisure to take in the surroundings and immerse yourself in nature. Botum Sakor is Cambodia's largest national park and is situated on the Gulf of Thailand. It has a great diversity of habitat including grassland, forest, coastal plain and mangroves, and therefore has a rich diversity of wildlife including many endangered and endemic species. Research into the park is still in its infancy though, so there is still much to learn and discover about the species who call the park home.

Overnight: Cardamom Tented Camp, Botum Sakor National Park

Day 13 - Forest walk.

After an early breakfast you will meet the Wildlife Alliance rangers whom the staff at the tented camp work closely with to maintain the area and its species. You will take a gentle walk along a network of abandoned poaching and logging trails in the dense forest. There may also be a chance to spot some macaques, gibbons or hornbill. This morning's walk will come to an end at the Ranger Station, where you will find many of the confiscated items that poachers have used on display.

You then have two options to return back to camp: you can walk back or alternatively you may kayak back to the camp along the meandering river.

Overnight: Cardamom Tented Camp, Botum Sakor National Park

Day 14 - Depart Cardamom tented camp and transfer to Koh Rong Island.

This morning if you are an early riser you can go on a self-guided walk along the forest trails. You will then bid a fond farewell to the camp and make your way to the coast and the popular resort of Sihanoukville. On arrival at the pier you will take a local speed boat to your accommodation on beautiful Koh Rong Island. Your resort is located on the beach giving you the chance to really relax and to watch some fantastic sunsets.

Overnight: Long Set Resort, Koh Rong Island

Day 15 - At leisure.

Today is free for you to relax and enjoy the excellent facilties at your hotel, or to explore the island. Koh Rong is famed for its beautiful white sand beaches and warm, crystal clear waters, whilst the interior of the island is made up of dense jungle terrain. Your hotel offers a selection of activities and local tours if you are feeling a little adventurous. These can all be booked and paid for locally.

Overnight: Long Set Resort, Koh Rong Island

Day 16 - Return to Phnom Penh - 6 hours.

This morning you will leave Koh Rong, taking the speed boat back to Sihanoukville then driving back to Phnom Penh for your final night in Cambodia.

Overnight: La Rose Suites Or Similar, Phnom Penh

Day 17 - Transfer to airport and depart Cambodia.

After breakfast there will be a group transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to London.

Overnight: In flight

Day 18 - Arrive London.