This tour is a journey to the gem of Southeast Asia. Cambodia South Coast Tour offers travelers a sneak peek into this heartwarming country that will keep you coming back for more. The magnificent temples of Angkor are inimitable, which bear testimony to the immense power and wealth of the once ruling Khmer Empire. Beyond the rich legacy of such a mighty empire lies Phnom Penh also known as the “Pearl of Asia”, this amazing country also offers several kilometers of unspoiled tropical beaches, the world’s 12th longest river Mekong, and the forever smiling Khmer people. Come and experience Cambodia’s story for yourself, it will touch your heart more than you could ever imagine and leave you indifferent.

TOUR SUMMARY

Day 1: Siem Reap

Day 2: Siem Reap

Day 3: Siem Reap

Day 4: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

Day 5: Phnom Penh

Day 6: Phnom Penh - Kep

Day 7: Rabbit Island

Day 8: Kampot

Day 9: Sikhanoukville

Day 10: Sikhanoukville

Day 11: Sikhanoukville - Phnom Penh

Day 12: Phnom Penh

DAY 1: SIEM REAP

Today, you will arrive in the legendary town of Siem Reap, the great Khmer Empire’s former capital. The town is now full of ambling lanes with stalls proffering local food and interesting handicrafts, which will leave you with no spare space in your suitcases. Upon arrival at the airport, you will meet up with your English speaking tour leader, who will assist you with the included hotel transfer. Your tour leader will brief you on everything you would like to know about the area; from the history and culture to the distinctive and enlightening curiosities that are not available to most first-time visitors. After checking into your hotel and getting some rest, we invite you for a walk around town. Siem Reap has a very diverse culinary culture, from international restaurants to hidden Cambodian kitchens. Pub Street will sure satisfy your need for a cold drink while the Night Market will help take care of souvenirs for your loved ones.

Overnight in SIEM REAP. Accommodation is included in this package.

* Please remember that hotel check-in times are after midday – unless the hotel has some rooms already available. If you do arrive early, you can leave your luggage at reception.

DAY 2: SIEM REAP

Today, we will immerse in one of the most astounding archaeological sites in the world, Angkor. The magnificent temples of Angkor scatter over an area of 200 square kilometers, which was the former capital of the Khmer Empire. The Khmer kings ruled from this ancient seat, reined over the largest, most prosperous and sophisticated kingdom in the history of South East Asia. At the height of their power, the kings of Angkor controlled territories that extended from the tip of the Indochina peninsula, northward to Yunnan and from Vietnam, westward to the Bay of Bengal.

We start early at the Ta Prohm temple when birds and parrots still outnumber the tourists. Giant trees spread their roots across the temples, giving the impression that nature is very much in control. Shrouded in dense jungle, the temple of Ta Prohm is as ethereal in aspect as it is romantic in aura. It was built around the mid-12th century to the early 13th century (1186) by King Jayavarman VII. The temple’s main image, representing Prajnaparamita, the personification of wisdom, was modeled on the King’s mother. Leaving this amazing jungle temple behind, we drive approximately 30 km to the small temple of Banteay Srei. The temple’s modern name, Banteay Srei — citadel of women, or citadel of beauty — is probably related to the intricacy of the bas relief carvings found on the walls and the tiny dimensions of the buildings themselves. On the way back, we stop at the Land Mine Museum. This small self-guided museum offers a fascinating insight into Cambodia’s troublesome past and its continuing problems with unexploded ordinance. When the Vietnamese withdrew from Cambodia in 1989, there were left more landmines than people. Akira, the founder, was a child soldier who has since dedicated his life to ridding his country off landmines. We also make a stop at Banteay Samre. Built during the same time as Angkor Wat, this beautiful temple receives relatively few visitors but make a great addition to any itinerary. Afterwards we return our hotel for lunch and a refreshing swim.

Our exploration of Angkor continues in the afternoon as we visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, built by the most prolific of all temple builders, King Jayavarman VII. Having expelled the marauding Chams from Angkor, the King set about building a huge walled city, surrounded it with a wide crocodile infested moat and 5 enormous ornate gate entrances. Within the great walls, there were numerous temples, palaces and residences. We enter at the best preserved South Gate and take an in-depth look at the Terraces of the Elephants, Terraces of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, and Baphoun. We save the best temple, the Bayon, for last. The bass reliefs are among the most interesting in Angkor and offer an insight into the past. They show re-enactments of the war against the Chams, scenes of daily life depicting childbirth, pig fights, drinking and farming. There are also 37 standing towers; each bears four faces of a figure believed to represent both Loksvara (the Bodhisattva of compassion) and the great King. These faces come to life with the changing light of the falling sun. We time our visit when most other visitors have departed to encourage a truly magical experience!

This evening we enjoy a wonderful dinner performance of traditional Apsara and Folk dances. Although not as famous as Thai dance, legend has it that, from Khmer Apsara dance, Thai dance originated.

Overnight in SIEM REAP. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 3: SIEM REAP

This morning we head out early to Angkor Wat before sunrise. Erected in the 12th century, Angkor Wat stands as a powerful symbol of Cambodia. It is one of the world largest religious monuments. This high classical style of Khmer architecture will form the centerpiece of your memories, long after you have returned home. The sun rises from behind the 5 towers of the temple. Even though it is a busy time, we can always find our own little quiet corner to escape the crowd and appreciate the moment. We will enjoy our packed breakfasts at Angkor while the majority of visitors return to their hotels for breakfast. We then take a detailed tour around Angkor Wat. Afterwards, we climb the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng. Built in the late 9th Century, this was the first major temple built in the Angkor area. It lies on a man-made hill, which offers an imposing view of Angkor Wat. In the late afternoon, this temple is literally packed with tourists for the sunset. Though, at this time of the day, we almost have it all to ourselves.

Note: During the Monsoon months June-Oct, sunrise viewings are less reliable. However, we strongly believe that making the effort to get up earlier than usual is very rewarding. Imagine being among the first visitors at Angkor Wat, walking down the course way under the moon and the stars with only the sound of the crickets and frogs (and your guide) to keep you company. Even though it may only be 10-15 min, it is worth getting up early to experience of a calm and spiritual Angkor Wat!

We then return to the hotel for a well-earned siesta. After lunch, we change up the pace by visiting the floating village of Me Chrey. Nestled on the banks of the Tonle Sap Lake, this village is smaller and receives far fewer visitors than the other nearby options. Like the other villages, everything here takes place on the water; from homes, shops to pig pens. Even the schools are afloat. Children paddle boats on their way to school and boats laden with goods travel from house to house.

Our journey from Siem Reap is short but as soon as we leave the town we are immersed in the countryside. We also have the opportunity to take a short ox cart ride through the fields and village on dry land. It is a great opportunity to experience real local transport while supporting the local economy. There is also the chance to stop at Artisan d’Angkor’s Silk Farm at the village of Pouk. Here, talented locals receive vigorous training in traditional Khmer methods of weaving. This helps preserve the countries cultural heritage as well as support the local economy. Visitors can see the silk making procedure from the silk worms, through the cocoon stage, weaving, dying etc.

Overnight in SIEM REAP. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 4: SIEM REAP - PHNOM PENH

In the morning, you will head to Phnom Penh by private transportation. You will travel alongside the Tônlé Sap River which flows into the Tônlé Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. During the wet monsoon season from June to November, the high waters of the Mekong River reverse the flow of the Tônlé Sap River and increase the size of the lake from about 2,600 to 10,400 square kilometers. As it begins to recede again, the lake’s huge stocks of fish are easily trapped in nets and bamboo traps or simply caught in the branches of trees.

We take our first break at Kampong Kdei to visit the Ancient Bridge. It is the highest and longest of the 800 years old ancient bridges, spanning approximately 85 m and 14 m high. Though it was originally agreed by the competent authority that the ancient bridge was to be rehabilitated without any bypasses, cultural heritage considerations soon took precedence. The bridge was built in the 12th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It is one of the few Khmer empire era bridges to have survived to the modern day. Before reaching Phnom Penh, we will stop by the town of Skun to try the local delicacy, fried spider!

In the 1950s and 1960s, Phnom Penh was one of the finest cities in South East Asia. Despite the wide scale destruction that took place after the Khmer Rouge emptied the city in 1975, Phnom Penh still manages to exude some colonial charm from a bygone era. Particularly down on the palm-fringed riverfront where a number of French-era shops and villas still exist and the spires of the Royal Palace pierce the skyline.

Overnight in PHNOM PENH. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 5: PHNOM PENH

We begin with the genocidal past and learn why Cambodia was referred to as the Killing Fields. Although the Khmer Rouge only ruled the country for a period of 3 years, 8 months and 21 days, this chapter of history devastated the country, its heritage and its people. Toul Sleng is a former high school that the Khmer Rouge used as a center for torture and interrogation. It now serves as a museum of torture. Amongst 17,000 people who passed through the gates of S21, only 7 survived to tell the tale. We also visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where prisoners from S21 were taken to be executed. Formerly a Chinese cemetery, Choeung Ek became a mass grave where the remains of 8985 were found.

When we finish this morning’s tour we make our way back to the capital. En-route we recommend stopping for lunch at PSE (Pour un Sourire d’Enfant). This is a fantastic project that has rescued thousands of children from scavenging on the rubbish dumps around Phnom Penh. We learn more about their excellent work and have a look around the project. Hundreds of smiling students greet us on our way as we move away from the horrors of the past, and focus on the promise of the future.

Once back in the city we make a stop at the Royal Palace, which is what the current Cambodian Monarch King Sihamoni calls home. Inside the Palace complex, we will explore the manicured gardens and the Silver Pagoda with its floor made from over 5,000 silver tiles. Inside is a life sized Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds.

Moving on from the Palace we take an alternative mode of transportation and do a cycling tour including some of the architectural landmarks of the city. We will travel along the Tonle Sap River, past the Post Office and Le Royal Hotel (The Raffles) and circumnavigate Wat Phnom. The cycle is the ideal way to enjoy the frenetic pace of Phnom Penh’s street life. You become a part of it from the relative comfort of one of South East Asia’s iconic modes of transportation. We conclude our afternoon with a refreshing drink on the balcony of the FCC (Foreign Correspondents Club) overlooking the river and the busy streets.

Overnight in PHNOM PENH. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 6: PHNOM PENH - KEP

After breakfast, we head south and make our way towards the coastal town of Kep. Our journey takes us through agricultural lands and brings us to one of the last Khmer Rouge thresholds. During the 50’s and 60’s, Kep was Cambodia’s premier seaside resort, which attracted the Khmer elite as well as the French expat. Many a luxurious villas was built here. Some were Colonial style, some were influenced by Khmer traditions, and some were very modern for their time. During the Khmer Rouge reign, Kep was vandalized and deserted. The ruins of its former opulence were left to decay. Throughout the past 15 years, many of the villas have been restored and are now hotels or private residences. Kep now boasts a number of characteristic boutique accommodations and trendy eateries. The beach is not the finest, but nearby Rabbit Island, a short boat ride away, offers golden sandy beaches and a host of rustic seafood restaurants. Kep is famous for its fresh crab and the region for its Kampot pepper, championed by the likes of Rick Stein and Gordon Ramsey.

This afternoon we visit Kep Mountain National Park. An easy 8 km loop takes in panoramic views of the area. We will look over the Kep and Kampot countryside, out to the sea, Rabbit and the Phu Quoc Islands. We follow the trail around the mountain which is covered in dense forest and jungle. Monkeys and a variety of birds can often be seen.

Although it is a small and undeveloped part of the country, there are some fantastic dining spots in Kep. The Sailing Club offers one of the most atmospheric locations for a drink or a meal. Their pier stretches into the sunset.

Overnight in KEP. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 7: RABBIT ISLAND

Today, we take a 30-minute boat ride to Rabbit Island. This is a beautiful little island just off the coast from Kep. There are no major developments other than some very simple family run bungalows, restaurants, and seaweed- farming. This golden sand beach is perfect for swimming whilst palm trees offer shade at the water’s edge. Enjoy a day on this wonderful paradise and do not forget to try their stir fried squid with Kampot. Tonight we strongly recommend you have a sundowner and/or dinner at the Sailing Club as the sun sets beyond the picturesque wooden pier.

Overnight in KEP. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 8: KAMPOT

This morning, we check out of our hotel and make the short journey to the western town Kampot. En-route, we stop at the pre-Angkorian cave pagoda of Phnom Chhnork. The small cave pagoda is not the only attraction this morning. Cambodia and patterns of everyday life are the highlight of this visit. We take our vehicle away from the town and into the fields. Kampot has a beautiful countryside with rice fields spreading as far as the eye can see. During harvesting season, we can offer a helping hand and be a source of amusement to the locals as they thresh their harvested rice or transplant the seedlings. We continue through the village, exchange pleasantries with its inhabitants until we reach a small morning market. Local markets are always an open book to the local lives and cultures. Make sure to try their small green bean filled doughnuts, a very tasty snack! Depending on the heat and the amount of exercise we want, we can continue walking to the Mountain or returning to our vehicle. The last leg is through the rice fields and vegetable patches.

We then arrive at and climb the 200 steps of Wat Ang Sdok. There are fantastic views of our surroundings. Afterwards we visit the cave, which is relatively small with some impressive stalactites. It is famous for its Funan era (7th Century) Brick temple dedicated to Shiva. Inside, there is a stalagmite, considered a natural linga. This is a healing area where people from all over the country come to be cured of their illnesses. We then make our way to Kampot Town. We visit the local market where unusual but wonderful things can be seen and purchased. A good place to pick up some local Kampot pepper!

After checking into tonight’s lodging, we suggest a leisure walk around the town to enjoy the colonial architecture and friendliness of the people. We also recommend Epic Arts Café for a great lunch, a small restaurant run by and supporting people with disabilities. A sunset cruise on the river is a wonderful way to end the day. We head out on a simple local boat to join the local fishermen as they make their way out for a fishing trip. As we approach the mouth of the river where it meets the South China Sea, we wave the fishermen farewell and wish them good luck in their adventure. Our journey takes us past riverside homes where children laugh and play in the shallows, and the mangroves of good birdlife.

Overnight in KAMPOT. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 9-10: SIKHANOUKVILLE

After breakfast, we make our way to Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s main beach resort. Sihanoukville was formerly known as Kompong Som before it was renamed in honor of the recent king. Here, we will have a day and a half to enjoy the relaxed beach culture that is part of the resort’s charm. In Sihanoukville you are free at leisure. You may choose to relax in this beachside paradise, go for a swim, try a Khmer beach massage and sip cocktails during sunset. For snorkeling and fishing, you can take a boat trip out to some of the islands. Alternately, there are some cooking classes available where you can learn a few skills of Khmer cuisine.

There are numerous beaches in the vicinity. Occheuteal Beach houses many bars and restaurants where seafood is the specialty, or the northern enchanting Serendipity Beach. Other beaches include Otres Beach, Sokha Beach, Independence Beach and Victory Beach. These beaches can easily be visited by renting a bicycle for the day and touring the peninsula or by hiring a local tuk-tuk. For more activities, you can wander into the town center or explore the countryside. Please be aware that this town is quite hilly in areas and spreads over quite a large area.

Overnight in SIKHANOUKVILLE. Accommodation (2 Nights) are included in this package.

DAY 11: SIKHANOUKVILLE - PHNOM PENH

We make a leisurely start this morning. So, there is time for a last swim or walk before we make our way back to the capital. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, we check into our hotel and the afternoon is left free for your leisure. You can have a relaxing afternoon by the pool or check out some of the boutique shops, cafes and restaurants that Phnom Penh has to offer. We often have a chance to share a chat, get the down low on life in this vibrant city with those talented local and expat designers.

Overnight in PHNOM PENH. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 12: PHNOM PENH

Today is the last day of your tour. After breakfast at the hotel and the check-out, we will bring you to the airport to catch you international flight back home. We wish you a comfortable journey home and we are sure you will take some wonderful memories of Cambodia with you.

 When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (Day 12) is not included.

* Hotel check-out times are midday. Late check-out is not included.

PRIVATE TOUR

*Accommodation & Transportation is subject to availability at booking moment & Tour price is subject to seasonal fluctuations

Included:

• Accommodation based on twin sharing
• Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise
• Transfer from and to the airport
• Accommodation in hotels/resorts
• Daily breakfast, Dinner show on Day 2
• Local English speaking tour leader (full escort in Siem Reap & additional local guide in Phnom Penh)
• Entrance fees for the sites

Excluded:

• International flights
• Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, etc.)
• All other meals
• Gratitude for driver and guide
• Visa fees
• Travel Insurance, airport taxes or any other government fees or additional surcharges
• Optional excursions