Hidden Gems of Cambodia

Upon arrival into Siem Reap, as you depart the plane our team will be waiting to greet you and assist you through the airport. Taking care of you and fast-tracking you through the passport procedures, assisting when needed with your luggage, where you will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to settle into your new surroundings. Meals: None Accommodation: The Aviary - Kingfisher Deluxe Room

Rising at the crack of dawn, we start our day at Angkor Wat. As the crowds return to their hotels, we venture into world's largest religious building in order to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. Begin by unravelling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost one kilometre, these intricate carvings are a candidate for the world’s longest unbroken piece of art. Continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctuary. The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are the steepest of all. Finally the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry so perfect that few moments will measure up. After strolling the corridors of Angkor Wat, return to your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast at your hotel, we continue to discover the magnificient temples of Angkor, starting with the jungle-clad Ta Prohm. This temple was a monastery built by Jayavarman VII as a residence for his mother. Ta Prohm has been controversially left to the destructive power of the jungle by French archaeologists to demonstrate the awesome power of nature. It has been largely consumed by the jungle and as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. After that, we visit the site of Angkor Thom with its vast walls, some 6m wide, 8m high and 13km in length containing many monuments. We begin by visiting the South Gate, flanked by demons and gods engaged in a tug of war to obtain the elixir of immortality. We continue to the Bayon, a temple mountain built by Jayavarman VII. It is situated in the centre of the city of Angkor Thom. It is a three-tiered pyramid with its entrance facing east. The central shrine is surrounded by 54 towers all crowned by gigantic faces, We also visit other important sites in this immense walled city, including the pyramid of Baphuon, Phimean Akas, and the royal viewing stands known as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: The Aviary - Kingfisher Deluxe Room

We journey north to Kbal Spean. The original ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’, Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle only discovered in 1969. The Khmers venerated its limestone bed with a riot of carvings, including thousands of lingams. A trip to Kbal Spean is one of the easiest ways to experience a short jungle trek in the Angkor area, as it is a steady but scenic climb to reach the river carvings. After lunch we visit the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), a rescue center for wildlife, which includes a range of monkey species, pangolin, civets, leopard cats and a boar. The tour lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. We then head to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man. After that, we visit the 12th century temple of Banteay Samre. Built by King Suryavarman II, the genius behind Angkor Wat, this temple has been extensively restored. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: The Aviary - Kingfisher Deluxe Room

Today we travel to the pristine biosphere of Prek Toal, home to some of the most endangered birdlife on the planet. The immense Tonle Sap Lake is one of the most productive bodies of water in the world and millions of fish spawn here in the flooded forest. Prek Toal lies on the northeastern shore of the Tonle Sap, about one hour by boat from the port at Phnom Krom. Prek Toal is a vast area of natural flooded forest that draws thousands of birds annually to breed during the dry season (Oct-Mar). This is one of the premier places in Southeast Asia to see rare birds such as storks, adjutants, pelicans and ibis. Birdwatchers will drift through their habitat and can observe large flocks of birds feeding on the lake shore, perched in the trees or soaring above the forest. A trip to Prek Toal requires a very early start. We transfer by boat from Phnom Krom to Prek Toal and enjoy breakfast along the way. The morning is spent birdwatching on a traditional wooden boat as we glide through the flooded forest with local specialists. After a local lunch, we experience local life in the floating village, learning about different fishing techniques and traditional water hyacinth weaving. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: The Aviary - Kingfisher Deluxe Room

Leave Siem Reap and travel southeast on National Highway 6. This was an old Angkor road. Once in Kompong Thom province, take a short detour to explore the impressive pre- Angkorian capital of Isanapura, known today as Sambor Prei Kuk. The first major temple city in South-East Asia, the brick temples of Sambor Prei Kuk are a peaceful contrast to their more illustrious relatives at Angkor. These ancient structures offers a fascinating chronological insight into the development of temple architecture during the Khmer Empire. Explore the main temples here, including Prasat Tao with its elaborately coiffured lions and Prasat Sambor, with its crumbling sanctuaries. Continue to the provincial capital of Kompong Thom, where you stop for lunch. Then continue towards the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. En route, there is the chance to pause at Skuon, affectionately known as 'Spiderville', where it is possible to sample the local delicacy of deep fried tarantula. Arrive in Phnom Penh and check into your hotel for the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Palace Gate Hotel & Resort - Royal Deluxe Room

If you have ever been wild about bears and wanted to learn more about why they are threatened in Cambodia then this is your chance! You will get to go behind the scenes and learn what it takes to look after more than 100 rescued bears on a daily basis whilst working alongside their keepers to prepare special treats to keep the bears happy and healthy in their forested sanctuary. Best of all, by taking part in this unique experience you’ll know that you have contributed directly towards helping care for bears and hundreds of other animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. Program: 07:00 - Pick-up from your hotel 08:30 - Arrive at the wildlife rescue centre and meet the keepers on a tour of the bear sanctuary 1000 - Help the keepers prepare enrichment toys for the bears then enjoy a quick tour of some of the other endangered species kept at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre 12:30 - Traditional Khmer lunch (Vegetarians catered for) and a bit of time to rest in a hammock 13:30 - Help the keepers hide food in the bear’s forest enclosures and watch them enjoy the fruits of your labour Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Palace Gate Hotel & Resort - Royal Deluxe Room

Today, your guide will escort you to the Cardamom Mountains for the next few days back to nature, a journey of about 3.5 hours. Cardamom is considered to be South East Asia mainland's largest remaining tract of virgin forest. From here you can make forays into the forests to look for wildlife and visit the villages. Disembark from Trapeang Rung Resort Pier at 14.00 on a 30 minute boat ride down the Preak Tachan River to Cardamom Tented Camp. - On arrival you will get a brief introduction on the conservation and protection work of Wildlife Alliance and an explanation of how guests money is spent to protect the area from logging and hunting. - Settle into your comfortable safari-style tent. -You can go on an exploratory hike in the jungle around the camp, kayak or swim in our pristine river or enjoy our zip-line across the river. - Relax at the riverside restaurant as the sun sets over Botum Sakor. - Dinner and overnight stay at Cardamom Tented Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Cardamom Tented Camp - Canvas-Tented Room

After an early breakfast we embark on a kayak to the old ranger station, where we explore trails before walking back to the camp in time for lunch. The entire trip takes 3.5 to 4 hours. Afternoon is at your leisure, you can zip-line, explore trails close to the camp, swim in our beautiful river, or take a kayak along shady tributaries of the river in search of wildlife, such as Pileated Gibbons and Smooth-Coated Otters. Dinner and overnight at Cardamom Tented Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Cardamom Tented Camp - Canvas-Tented Room

After breakfast we embark on a Kayak and trek to an even more remote part of the forest, before returning to the camp for lunch. (Due to guests having different requirements, we try to be very flexible as to what we do on day 3. Also access to more remote parts of the river system can be affected by low tides. Afternoon is at your leisure, you can zip-line, explore trails close to the camp, swim in our beautiful river, or take a kayak along shady tributaries of the river in search of wildlife, such as Pileated Gibbons and Smooth-Coated Otters. Dinner and overnight at Cardamom Tented Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Cardamom Tented Camp - Canvas-Tented Room

This morning at the appropriate time, your driver will escort you from Cardamom Mountains back to Phnom Penh. After freshening up, late afternoon, enjoy a cyclo ride through Phnom Penh. The cyclo is a famous mode of transport all through South East Asia and a great way of seeing the sights in the Cambodian capital. Start at Wat Phnom before travelling west past the National Post Office and Hotel Le Royal. Next visit Psar Thmei (the central market) then wind your way through the back roads such as 178 Street which is full of workshops. Finally visit the Independence Monument, the river front, and then finish at sunset with a drink overlooking the Mekong River. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Palace Gate Hotel & Resort - Royal Deluxe Room

We leave Phnom Penh and travel northeast to the bustling provincial city of Kompong Cham. We then continue east towards the small junction town of Snuol, our gateway to the wilds of Mondulkiri. The first half of the journey from Snuol is flat, passing through patches of lush forest and areas of cultivation and plantations. After Khau Si Ma district, the road snakes up through the mountains that give Mondulkiri its name of 'where the mountains meet'. There is lush jungle hugging the road and locals claim to see tigers on this stretch at night. Nearing Sen Monorom, the provincial capital, the scenery changes again, jungle giving way to clusters of pine trees and rolling grasslands. The scenery is unique for Cambodia and dotted with traditional Pnong villages, the main minority group in Mondulkiri. On arrival in Sen Monorom, we check into the accommodation at Jahoo Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Jahoo Camp - Basic Bungalow

Today we are on the trail of more Cambodian wildlife, specifically the yellow-cheeked crested gibbons and black-shanked douc langurs in their natural habitat around Andong Kraloung. Our hosts are the Bunong villagers who run the Jahoo camp. Our early start to our day-long trek will give us the best opportunity to spot these endangered species, as we wind our way through mixed evergreen forest to distant waterfalls. Other rare species such as giant black squirrel and northern pig-tailed macaque are also present, although not so commonly sighted, but the abundant bird life includes the spectacular giant hornbill and green peafowl. The scheme provides local villagers with an incentive to conserve the gibbons and douc langurs and protect the habitat and a conservation contribution is included in the cost of the trip, which supports village development projects. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Jahoo Camp - Basic Bungalow

We enjoy a unique ‘Walking with the Herd for a day’ experience at EVP, with the support of the Bunong villagers, which rescues and treats domestic elephants who have suffered injury and abuse. You will be introduced to the herd of elephants and get to know more about their history, character, behaviour and body language while walking alongside them in their natural environment. You will be able to feed the elephants buckets of bananas and bathe the elephants before watching themselves cover themselves in mud again. After lunch, you will undertake a walking trek with the elephants through the stunning Mondulkiri countryside to a waterfall for a refreshing swim and elephant bath. After that, your driver will take you to your hotel for check-in. NB: Please note that this is a description of an average day, due to the nature of this project and the elephants, some days may vary. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Pine Resort - Bungalow

We leave behind the wilds of Mondulkiri, dropping off the windswept, pine-clad hills through steaming jungle back to the lowlands of Cambodia. We are making for the charming Mekong port of Kratie, gateway to an encounter with the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins that inhabit the upper reaches of the Mekong in Cambodia. We arrive at Kratie and check in to our hotel. After a leisurely lunch, we travel to Kampi, one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. We board a local boat and cruise out into the mighty Mekong for a chance encounter with these gentle creatures. On the way back to Kratie, we can stop at the hilltop temple of Phnom Sombok to watch sunset over the Mekong. We spend the night in a comfortable local hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Soriyabori Resort - Pool Villa

Today, transfer back to Phnom Penh, enroute make a stop at the sleepy town of Chhlong makes an alternative base as it has an interesting market and some attractive colonial buildings: these include the gorgeous Relais de Chhlong, a stunning French mansion overlooking the Mekong, which has been converted into a hotel. Enjoy your afternoon around the village before heading back to Phnom Penh Airport for your flight home. Meals: Breakfast