Angkor And Mekong Expeditions

Day 1: Siem Reap – Arrival

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport, you will be met and transferred by the local guide to the hotel in Siem Reap town for check-in (early check-in is not included and is subject to the hotel’s availability). Free at leisure

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: None
Accommodation: Lynnaya Urban Resort (deluxe garden view) or a similar standard hotel

Day 2: Siem Reap – Sunrise and Angkor Temples

At 5:00 am, our guide and driver will pick you up to drive to the main artificial lake of Srah Srang to watch the sunrise. Your guide will find the perfect spot for you to wait and witness the sun rising on the other side of the lake, creating a stunning and tranquil scene reflected in the water. After sunrise, beat the crowds early at 7:00 am with a visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm, a temple nearly swallowed by the jungle, overgrown with roots that create an eerily haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of ancient trees pushing between the massive stone blocks evoke feelings that may stay with you forever. Your breakfast box from the hotel will be arranged at a local cafe, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee before we continue to explore the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites. The temple is renowned for its exquisite Apsara carvings and detailed Angkorian-era art. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal City of Angkor Thom. Highlights include the Bayon Temple, with its 54 towers and massive stone faces. At first glance, it appears as a shapeless mass of stone, but upon closer inspection, you’ll notice the serene faces gazing out with half-closed eyes, conveying a silent, enigmatic presence from a primitive and remote era. Next, visit the surrounding complex, including Baphuon Temple, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace area, offering a deeper insight into the grandeur of Angkor’s ancient civilization. Return to the hotel in town at about 3.30 pm

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver (and boat ride)
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (village cooking class)
Accommodation: Lynnaya Urban Resort (deluxe garden view) or a similar standard hotel

Day 3: Siem Reap – Village Cooking Class & Tonle Sap Lake Boat Ride

Our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to a remote village, where you will be welcomed by villagers and enjoy an ox-cart ride for about 10-20 minutes around the village. You will walk through the village to see daily activities such as weaving, working in rice fields, and tending vegetable gardens. Later, you’ll stop at a traditional Khmer house where the hosts will teach you how to cook three Cambodian dishes, which you can enjoy afterward. In the afternoon, continue to Tonle Sap Lake to take a boat ride through the floating villages, providing an interesting opportunity to learn about the unique lifestyle of people living on floating houses, with floating shops, schools, and more. Discover how this vast lake, covering 12 square kilometers, is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Finally, return to your hotel in Siem Reap in the late afternoon

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (village cooking class)
Accommodation: Lynnaya (deluxe garden view) or a similar standard hotel

Day 4: Siem Reap – Anlong Veng – Preah Vihear Temple – Sraem

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we depart. Our first stop will be to visit Ta Mok’s house, the former Khmer Rouge leader’s residence, which offers insights into Cambodia’s tumultuous recent history. We then drive to visit Preah Vihear Temple, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site located atop Phnom Dangrek Mountain near the Thai border, renowned for its impressive architecture and breathtaking views. In the evening, we return to Siem Reap for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Preah Vihear Boutique Hotel (superior room) or a similar standard hotel

Day 5: Sraem – Koh Ker – Preah Vihear City

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer approximately one hour and thirty minutes to Koh Ker, an ancient Angkor-period complex from the 10th century known for its dense jungle setting and impressive collection of ruins, including temples, towers, and a monumental staircase. Spend 2–3 hours exploring this historic site, with the highlight being Prasat Thom, the pyramid temple built on a terraced mountain, offering stunning views and a glimpse into Cambodia’s past of royal grandeur and architectural achievement. Following lunch at a local restaurant, we continue our drive to Preah Vihear City, where we will check in to the hotel upon arrival. The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure, and later, our guide will take you on a walking tour of this lesser-known city to observe local lifestyles, sample snacks and fresh fruit sold at the markets, before enjoying dinner at a local restauranty

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Lyhout Hotel (deluxe room) or a similar standard hotel

Day 6: Preah Vhear City – Mekong Waterfall – Stung Treng

After breakfast at the resort, we continue our journey to the Sopheak Mitt Waterfall near the Laos border, renowned as the largest waterfall in the world, extending over 4 km with wild, cascading waters. Take some time to admire the stunning scenery and capture photos before proceeding to enjoy lunch in Stung Treng. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel, and later in the afternoon, we embark on a boat ride upstream on the Mekong River to explore the mangrove forests, with opportunities for leisure kayaking and swimming. Afterward, we return to the resort for dinner and an overnight stay.

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Mekong Bird Resort (superior room) or a similar standard hotel

Day 7: Stung Treng – Kratie – Han Cheay Bamboo Resort

After breakfast at the riverside resort restaurant, we continue our drive to Kratie, where we will embark on a local boat cruise to gently explore the Mekong River in search of the rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, known for their rounded heads and shy, elusive nature. These intelligent creatures often swim close to the boat, allowing for a rare and fascinating wildlife observation as they interact with their family groups. After this memorable experience and lunch, we proceed to Han Cheay Bamboo Resort, a serene eco-lodge nestled amidst lush greenery. The resort offers simple, comfortable accommodations designed to blend harmoniously with the natural environment, providing an authentic and peaceful retreat. In the evening, we enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the resort. On the way, we’ll make several stops to observe villagers engaged in daily activities such as working in the fields and at home, offering a vivid glimpse into local life and family interactions.

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Han Cheay Bamboo Resort (bungalow room) or a similar standard hotel

Day 8: Han Cheay Bamboo Resort – Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh

After breakfast, we drive to Kampong Cham, Cambodia’s third-largest province by population. In the city, we visit the bustling main market, vibrant with local products and fresh fish, offering a lively glimpse into everyday life. Then, we continue our journey to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and check-in at the hotel for some rest and refreshments. In the afternoon, we visit the Royal Palace and nearby Silver Pagoda, followed by a stroll through the Central Market, famed for its Art Deco architecture and diverse offerings. We conclude the day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Baitang hotel (deluxe city view) or a similar standard hotel

Day 9: Phnom Penh – Departure

Breakfast at the hotel.
Free until transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for departure

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: None
Meals: Breakfast