Complete Cambodia

Arrival at the international airport of Phnom Penh, your local guide will welcome you and welcome you to the country, then will accompany you to your hotel for check-in (if the room is ready for arrival time).

In the afternoon we begin the visit with the National Museum, built by King Sisowath in 1920. Here you can admire many statues from many historical sites of the country.

We also visit the Wat Phnom, the small hill crowned by a Pagoda. According to legend, the first pagoda in this place in 1373 to house four statues of the Buddha deposited here by the current of the Mekong and discovered by a woman named Penh, from which the city is named.

Then we take a relaxing boat ride of about an hour along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers to enjoy the golden lights of sunset on Phnom Pehn.

Overnight stay at hotel in Phnom Pehn.

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866, and its Silver Pagoda, which takes its name due to its floor, consisting of over 5,000 silver tiles.

Among the other treasures that we can find within it are a gold Buddha of 90 kilograms to a small image, always of the Buddha, in emerald of the seventeenth century.

Then we visit the Monument to Independence, erected in 1955 and symbolizing the independence conquered against French colonialism in 1953.

We then visit the Toul Sleng Museum (S-21), a school transformed into prison by Pol Pot's security forces and which became the largest detention and torture centre of the Khmer Rouge. Now it has been transformed into a museum and a place of memory and testimony of tortures perpetuated by the regime.

In the afternoon we visit the Cheung Ek Killing extermination camp.

Time permitting, free time at Russian Market (Psah Tuol Thom Pong) for purchases.

Overnight at Phnom Pehn.

Today we leave for Kompong Cham and Sen Monorom.

Along the way we pass Chhup, the largest rubber plantation in the country, created during the French colonial period by the famous manufacturer of Michelin tires.

We continue to Sen Monorom, the capital of the province of Mondolkiri, with a mild scenery and climate like nowhere else in the country.

Upon arrival at Sen Monorom we check-in at our hotel and enjoy free time in the city.

Overnight stay at hotel in Mondulkiri.

Early in the morning we visit the local market where most of the Phnong population coming from nearby villages to trade with their typical baskets brought on the back.

The day we spend visiting the nearby villages of the hill tribes and the beautiful waterfalls a few kilometers from the sleepy capital.

There are hundreds of smaller villages around Sen Monorom. One of the largest and easiest to reach is the village Phlung inhabited by ethnic chunchiets. Their curious huts have painted wooden walls and the straw roof that reaches almost the floor.

Three or more families often live in one hut. We will be lucky if we see more than a handful of people during the day because they are almost all out in the fields for work.

In the afternoon, we head to the Bou Sra cascade (about 40 km northeast of Sen Monorom.) This 2-level waterfall is one of the largest and most spectacular in Cambodia. We'll be back in the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Mondulkiri.

Today we leave the isolated forests of the province and drive to Kratie via Snoul.

On arrival we check-in at our hotel. In the afternoon visit of this small town of province with its examples of colonial architecture. This tiny town on the banks of Mekong is unexpectedly delicious, with its relaxing and indolent atmosphere.

Further north we take a break in the best observation point on the fresh waters of Irrawaddy where we can admire the rare freshwater dolphin, more easily visible in the late afternoon.

Let's go back to Kratie for the night.

We leave Kratie in the morning.

We continue our discovery through typical rural scenarios through rubber plantations to Kompong Cham.

After a small stop, we continue with a visit to the Pagoda Wat Nokor and its ancient temple and its modern-style pagoda (XII century). We will also see examples of colonial architecture.

We continue towards Phum Presat with its singular and ancient temple.

In the afternoon, we leave Kampong Thom, on the street we will see scenes of traditional life of the Cambodian countryside.

Sambor Prei Kuk is the largest group of preangkorian monuments in Cambodia, including more than 100 (predominantly brick) temples scattered in the forest, some of which are among the oldest in the country. Originally called Isanapura, this was the capital of Chenla in the reign of King Isanavarman, in the early 7th century, and continued to be an important center of studies during the Angkor era.

The main complex consists of three groups of temples, each enclosed by the remains of two concentric walls. Their base plant, with a central tower surrounded by temples, ponds and doors, could have been an inspiration for Angkor architects five centuries later. Many of the original statues are now in the National Museum of Phnom Penh.

In the early 1970s, Sambor Prei Kuk was bombed by American aviation that supported the Lon Nol government's struggle against the Khmer Rouge: some of the bomb craters, dangerously near the temples, are still seen today. The area was cleaned from the last mines in 2008.

The structures of the area are intended to welcome extensive improvement in line with the ambition of the temple to obtain the recognition of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return and overnight stay at hotel in Kompong Thom.

We leave for Siem Reap, 147 km away that we can reach in about 2 and a half hours by car.

On the road, we will visit traditional villages and stop at the ancient Naga bridge (Spean Kampong Kdei) located about 40 km from Siem Reap.

Upon arrival check-in at our hotel.

In the afternoon we visit the Roluos group, which was the first town of Angkor, capital of Indravarman I (who reigned in 877-89), and which includes the Preah Koh and the Lolei temple which was built on an islet at the center of a large reservoir (now laughter) from Yasovarman I.

We will then discover the Bakong temple, the great and interesting of the group, from which we will enjoy the sunset.

Overnight at Siem Reap.

In the morning visit to the South Gate of the Angkor Thom complex, the ancient capital of the twelfth century.

We continue with the Bayon temple with its 54 towers decorated with smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Lebbroso King's Terrace.

Then visit the Thomano, Chau and the Ta Keo Temple.

The afternoon is the best time to enjoy the world's most famous temple, a World Heritage Site, the Angkor Wat with thousands of Apsara statues carved into the wall.

We enjoy the sunset on the hill Phonm Bakheng.

Overnight at Siem Reap.

We move to the temple Banteay Srei place about 32km north of the city, considered the jewel of the crown of classical art Kmer. We continue with the Ta Prum, the temple in the joint and the brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan. Return we visit the Srah Srang basin (the real pools, once used for ritual baths).

In the afternoon we continue our visit with the Preah Khan temple, built by King Jayavarman VII.

We continue with the Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a swimming pool (which represents the paradise mountain-lake Himalayana), then the Ta Som temple and the Per Rup temple until sunset.

Overnight at Siem Reap.

We visit the floating village of Ghong Khneas, located 10 km south of Sieam Reap.

The excursion will take place in a traditional wooden boat on Lake Tonle Sap, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the most wonderful in Asia.

In the afternoon, we visit the "Les Artisan d'Angkor Chantiers Ercoles" and take some time to the local market (time permitting).

Overnight at Siem Reap.

We then visit the Kulen Mountains, which are about 50 kilometers northward from Siem Reap, and which can be reached in about 2 hours transfer.

This is the area where the history of Angkor began, 500 years long. Phnom Kulen is the mountain where Jayavaraman II began the cult of Linga in 802 AD.

There are several linga worship sites around the Siem Reap River, including some still active pagodas.

We will relax in this oasis of nature and falls, and then descend the hill to visit the Chao Srey temple, the oldest in the style of the Banteay srei.

We will then return to Siem Reap, where we will overnight.

In the morning we head to Koh Ker, which was the capital of the Khmer Empire for a short time under the reign of King Jayavarman IV in the 10th century AD. During this period, many of the temples were built or restored. The site therefore has a significant historical importance in the history of Cambodia Koh Ker is known for its distinctive architecture, which differs from the most famous style of Angkor. The Koh Ker temples are mainly made of bricks, a rich red stone in the region, which gives them a characteristic appearance. Many of the structures have been restored and preserved, allowing visitors to admire their grandeur.

One of the most iconic aspects of Koh Ker are the stepped pyramids, which dominate the landscape. The main step pyramid, called Prasat Thom, is about 36 meters high and is the largest building in the complex. Climbing the steps, visitors can reach the top to enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding forest.

To get there we will cross the district of Damdek, to the complex “Koh Ker”, which includes the temple Koh Ker, the temple Neang Khmao and the temple Chin (Chinese temple).

At the end we will return to Siem Reap.

Along the way, which will allow us to observe the typical Cambodian country life, we will visit the remote time of Beng Mealea, which is 60 kilometers from Siem Reap, which is known for its decadent and romantic appearance. Built in the 12th century, the temple is in ruins and is partially covered by vegetation, creating a charming atmosphere. It is a labyrinth of passages and courtyards, with some parts of bas-reliefs and sculptures still intact. Its isolated location and tranquility make it an ideal place for those looking for an authentic and less crowded experience in the history of Khmer.

On the temine return to Siem Reap, where we will overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, free day until transfer to the airport for return flight.

Nota: during this day there is no provision for driving