Cambodia Explorer - 14 Days/13 Nights

Phnom Penh – Kep – Sihanoukville – Kratie – Kompong Cham – Kompong Thom - Siem Reap 

Get off the beaten track in Cambodia with this comprehensive two week tour. Start in Cambodia’s modern and vibrant capital city of Phnom Penh, which boasts lovely French-style colonial architecture along the Mekong River. Indulge in the cheap and plentiful seafood of Kep before heading to the beach resort town of Sihanoukville. See the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins that make their home in the Mekong River just north of Kratie. Visit the quaint and charming town of Kompong Cham and the pre-Angkorian temple of Sambor Prei Kuk in Kompong Thom. End your tour in Siem Reap where you will explore the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat and the other majestic temples of the Khmer people. A special feature of this tour is a picnic breakfast at Angkor Wat after watching the sunrise, the perfect way to beat the crowds and heat of the day.

• Itinerary
• Rates
• Hotels
• Book this Tour

Privately-Guided! Whether you are a single person, a couple, or a group, you'll have your own guide and driver for all airport pickups, dropoffs, and daily excursions. 

Choose your own dates! This is not a fixed-departure-date tour. Just let us know the dates that work best for you and we will arrange everything.

Customizable! Need more time? Less time? Want to see or do something that isn't included? Just let us know, and we will arrange it for you and let you know the change in costs.

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Trip Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat
• Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields
• River dolphins of the Mekong
• Quiet beaches of Sihanoukville
• Floating villages of Chong Kneas

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Phnom Penh
Arrive at the Phnom Penh airport, where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
 
Day 2: Phnom Penh
After breakfast, visit the genocide museum of Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek for a glimpse of the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge. In the afternoon, explore the stunning Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and nearby National Museum, which is home to the world’s finest collection of sculpture from the Angkor period. In the late afternoon board a boat for a sunset cruise on the river. Set off on the Tonle Sap River, which famously reverses direction each year. Cruise past the Royal Palace complex and around the Chrouy Changvar Peninsular on to the mighty Mekong River. Cruise past small villages and see fishing boats preparing their catch. Overnight in Phnom Penh (Breakfast)
 
Day 3: Phnom Penh to Kep via Takeo
Leave Phnom Penh and travel south on National Highway 2 toward the south coast. Stop at Tonle Bati to visit the beautiful 12TH century temple of Ta Prohm. Continue to Takeo and enjoy a local lunch overlooking the water. Travel by speedboat along an ancient canal to Phnom Da, a beautiful 8th century temple. Follow a forest path to Asram Moha Russei, a curious hermit’s shelter carved from sandstone. Return by speedboat to Takeo and continue by car to the old French-era seaside resort of Kep. Check into your hotel. Overnight in Kep (Breakfast)
 
Day 4: Kep to Sihanoukville
Leave behind the beaches of Kep and head west toward the popular resort of Sihanoukville, home to Cambodia’s finest beaches. Pass through the charming riverside town of Kampot where you can stop for some refreshments. Continue south in the shadow of Bokor Mountain and past fishing villages before arriving in Sihanoukville where you will check into your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful beaches and warm waters. Overnight in Sihanoukville (Breakfast)
 
Day 5: Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh
Leave Sihanoukville and travel north on National Highway 4 toward the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Pause to pay respects to Yeay Peau, a protective spirit who looks after travelers on the road. The Pich Nil Pass is where the road cuts through Bokor and Kiriom National Parks to the east and west and is lined with shrines and incense. Arrive at the lively riverside capital of Phnom Penh and check into your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh (Breakfast)
 
Day 6: Phnom Penh to Kratie
Travel by road northeast from Phnom Penh to bustling Kompong Cham. En route you can pause at Skuon, affectionately known as “Spiderville,” where you can sample the local delicacy of deep fried tarantula. Arrive in Kompong Cham mid-morning and visit the sacred hills of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. Later see the temple of Wat Nokor. Continue northeast to Kratie, a sleepy Mekong port and gateway to an encounter with the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins that inhabit the upper reaches of the Mekong in Cambodia. Check into your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure to soak up the atmosphere of this charming town with its well-preserved colonial-era architecture. Overnight in Kratie (Breakfast)
 
Day 7: Kratie to Kompong Cham
After breakfast in Kratie, travel to Kampi, one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. Board a local boat and cruise out into the mighty Mekong for a change encounter with these gentle creatures. Viewing is commonplace, although it is easier to see the dolphins in the shallower waters of the dry season, than in the swollen river of the wet season. Return to Kratie for lunch before continuing south to the bustling city of Kompong Cham, nestled on the banks of the Mekong. Check into your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore on foot or bicycle. Overnight in Kompong Cham (Breakfast)
 
Day 8: Kompong Cham to Kompong Thom
After breakfast, journey west to the provincial capital of Kompong Thom, your base for the night. En route, you have another chance to stop at Skuon for some deep fried tarantula. After lunch, explore the impressive pre-Angkorian capita of Isanpura, known today as Sambor Prei Kuk. Explore the main temples here, including Prasat Tao and Prasat Sambor. Overnight in Kompong Thom (Breakfast)

Day 9: Kompong Thom to Siem Reap
After breakfast, set out for Siem Reap, stopping to visit Prasat Andet along the way. Also stop in Kompong Kdei, home of one of the largest Angkorian-era bridges in Cambodia, Spean Praptos. Continue on to Siem Reap where you will stay for the rest of the tour. Overnight in Siem Reap. (Breakfast)
 
Day 10: Siem Reap
In the monring visit the earliest temples of the Angkor period at Roluos, including Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. A stop can be made at the small country town of Roluos to see the real Cambodia. After lunch, see the highlights of the grand circuit, including petite Neak Poan, mighty Preah Khan before finishing  at the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng for the classic sunset over Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap. (Breakfast)
 
Day 11: Siem Reap 
Rise early to travel to Ta Prohm in the dawn light. This temple has been abandoned to the elements and is known as the “jungle temple” for the tentacle-like roots slowly strangling the surviving stones. Continue to the giant pyramid of Takeo, one of the highest temples in the Angkor area. Visit the remains of an old Angkorian bridge which once spanned the Siem Reap river. There is an option to visit the smaller temples of Chau Sey Devada and Thommanon for avid temple enthusiasts. Visit the royal bathing pond of Sra Srang, once for the exclusive use of the king and his concubines. Walk to the first great Buddhist monastery in Cambodia, Banteay Kdei. Continue to the large stone temple of Eastern Mebon before returning to Siem Reap via the temple of Kravanh. Overnight in Siem Reap (Breakfast)
 
Day 12: Siem Reap
Take an early trip to Angkor Wat to watch the sunrise and enjoy a picnic breakfast at the temples - a great way to beat the crowds and heat of the day. As the crowds return to their hotels, venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. In the afternoon travel through the traditional village of Preah Dak to the 12th century temple of Banteay Samre. Continue further north to the elegant temple of Banteay Srei, known for its elaborate and intricate carvings. Finish with a sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside. Overnight in Siem Reap (Breakfast)

Day 13: Siem Reap
Taking a break from the temples, travel out to the mighty Tonle Sap Lake to visit the floating village of Chong Kneas.In the afternoon visit the highlights of Angkor Thom, including Victory Gate, the enigmatic faces of the Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Overnight in Siem Reap. (Breakfast)
 
Day 14: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. (Breakfast)

Rates

Per Person Rates (based on double occupancy)
Prices good through March 31, 2011. Discounts available for groups of 3 or more!
 

4 star Hotels: $2,400
5 star Hotels: $3,155
 
Single Person Rates
4 star Hotels: $4,510
5 star Hotels: $5,945
 
Single Room Supplement (for groups of 2 or more)
4-star Hotels: $925
5-star Hotels: $1,595
 
Rates Include

• All airport transfers
• All private tours and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
• All surface transportation as per the itinerary by private, air conditioned car
• Hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast basis inclusive of all taxes and service charges
• All entrance fees
• Boat trips
• Services of a private local English speaking guide for all visits and excursions

 
Rates Do Not Include

• International airfare
• Visa fees
• Airport departure taxes
• Tips
• Expenses of a personal nature

Hotels

To Book This Tour

1. Download, print, and fill out the Reservation Form for each person.
2. Fax the form to 206-529-4803, or mail it with your non-refundable $500 per person deposit to:
   
   Red Lantern Journeys
   1000 N. Northlake Way
   Suite H Seattle, WA 98103
   
   
3. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment will be due upon confirmation of hotels and flights.

 
Payments must be made by personal check, bank wire transfer, or credit card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will initiate the reservations and send you a statement showing your payment. Approximately 4 weeks prior to your departure, we will send you a final confirmation package containing your itinerary and detailed information on the logistics of your trip.
 
Forms to Download (pdf file)
Reservation Form with Complete Terms and Conditions