Mekong Beach Safari - 12 days/11 nights

Phnom Penh - Koh Ker - Anlong Veng - Banteay Chhmar - Siem Reap - Kep - Rabbit Island

Get off the beaten track in Cambodia while still taking in the vibrant capital city of Phnom Penh and the vast temples of Angkor in Siem Reap. Spend a night in a luxury safari tent to explore the remote temples of Koh Ker. See the cave pagodas around the sleepy seaside village of Kep and end with a night on the idyllic palm-fringed Rabbit Island where you will enjoy a comfortable African-style bush camp on the beach and freshly prepared seafood.

• 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.

Click here to read what our clients have told us after they return.

Trip Highlights

• City tour of Phnom Penh
• Unique luxury safari experiences
• 2 full days to tour UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat
• The jungle temple of Banteay Chhmar

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh
Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International airport, be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Rest of day free at leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 2: Phnom Penh
After breakfast at your hotel, see the sobering Genocide Museum of Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek to reflect on the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge. After lunch see Wat Phnom, a symbol of the city. Explore the stunning Royal Palace complex and Silver Pagoda. Continue to the nearby National Museum, home to the worlds’s finest collection of sculpture from the Angkor period. Late afternoon, board a local boat for a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Overnight in Phnom Penh (Breakfast)

Day 3: Phnom Penh to Koh Ker via Kompong Thom
Depart Phnom Penh and head northeast toward the bustling city of Kompong Cham. En route, have a chance to stop at Skuon, affectionately known as “Spiderville,” where you can sample the local delicacy of deep fried tarantula. Continue your journey west to Kompong Thom where you will have lunch. Explore the pre-Angkorian capital of Isanpura, known today as Sambor Prei Kuk. After exploring the main temples, make your way to the remote Angkor capital of Koh Ker. Visit vast Prasat Thom, Prasat Krahom and Prasat Ling. Return to your camp for the night and enjoy a local dinner before bedding down in your luxury safari tent. Overnight in luxury tent camping (All meals)

Day 4: Koh Ker to Preah Vihear and Anlong Veng
Rise early to enjoy the sunrise across the temple complex and after breakfast, explore some of the lesser known sites around Koh Ker. Continue north toward Preah Vihear. Enjoy a local lunch along the way before arriving at the base of this sacred mount. The snaking road up the mountain is very steep in places and eventually emerge at the second enclosure of this king of the mountain temples. Explore the temple on foot and continue onward toward the final level, passing through part of the Dangrek Mountains. The views from this mountain temple are breathtaking, the foundation stones of the temple stretching to the edge of the cliff as it plunges precipitously away to the plains of Preah Vihear province below. Later, continue your journey to the former Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng, where you will have dinner and stay the night. Overnight in Anglong Veng (All meals)

Day 5: Along Veng to Banteay Chhmar
Rise early for breakfast and to visit the house of the former military strongman Ta Mok as well as the gravesite of Brother No 1, Pol Pot. Anlong Veng was the last Khmer Rouge stronghold to surrender to government forces in the late 1990’s. Then travel west to the incredible jungle temple of Banteay Chhmar, famous for its signature faces of Jayavarman VII. Continue to explore the outer complex, before heading to your luxury safari tent close to the temple of Banteay Chhmar. Overnight in luxury tent camping (All meals)

Day 6: Banteay Chhmar to Siem Reap
After enjoying an optional sunrise at beautiful Banteay Chhmar, have some free time to explore some of the more remote outer gates and temples around the main complex. Journey south to the enigmatic temple of Banteay Top. Continue south to the provincial capital of Svay Sisophon, where you will enjoy a local lunch. If time permits, take a look at the bustling market, which is crammed with goods from nearby Thailand. Then head west to Siem Reap, where you will enjoy some time to wind down at your hotel after the long road trip. Overnight in Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7: Siem Reap
Rise early to view 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. There is an option to visit the smaller temples of Chau Sey Devada and Thommanon for avid temple enthusiasts. After lunch visit the immense walled city Angkor Thom. See the Terrace of the Leper King, Terrace of Elephants, the Baphuon and the enigmatic faces of the Bayon. Journey to the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng to see the sunset cast its soft light over Angkor Wat. This temple is the signature spot for sunset, so it can get very crowded. Please advise your guide if you want to experience sunset at a quieter location. Overnight in Siem Reap (Breakfast)

Day 8: Siem Reap
Rising at the crack of dawn, journey to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat . Enjoy a picnic breakfast as you watch the sunrise. As the crowds return to their hotels for breakfast, 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 Banteay Srei. Finish by experiencing the 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 9: Siem Reap to Kep
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your short flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, be welcomed by your guide and depart Phnom Penh, traveling south on National Highway 3 toward the south coast. Stop at Tonle Bati to visit the beautiful 12th century temple Ta Prohm. Continue to Takeo where you will enjoy a local lunch overlooking the water. Then travel by speedboat along an ancient canal to Phnom Da, a beautiful 8th century temple atop a small mount. An island in the wet season, when this area is inundated by water, it is surrounded by a sea of green rice fields in the dry season. After exploring this brick temple, follow a forest path to Asram Moha Russei, a curious hermit’s shelter carved from sandstone. Later return by speedboat to Takeo and transfer by car to the old French-era seaside resort of Kep. Check into your hotel. Overnight in Kep (Breakfast)

Day 10: Kep
Morning leave Kep and travel to the little town of Kompong Trach. Stop to visit the interesting cave temple of Wat Kirisan, built into the base of Phnom Sor. Travel through a small cave to a hidden chamber open to the elements, the sheer walls dripping with foliage. There are several hidden shrines here, as well as the Cave of a Thousand Ricefields, where locals claim the limestone looks like terraces. Return to Kep to enjoy a freshly prepared lunch of seafood and some time for a swim. In the afternoon, stop at the cave complex of Phnom Sorsia, a holy mountain peppered with shrines and grottoes. Visit White Elephant Cave and the 100 Ricefields Cave. Journey to Phnom Chhnork, a large cave that contains a 7th century temple in remarkable condition. This hidden temple is a very sacred place for local Khmers. Overnight in Kep (Breakfast)

Day 11: Kep to Koh Tonsay
Travel to the boat pier to board a local boat for the journey to Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island. Journey across calm waters to this beautiful palm-fringed island, home to a small community of fishermen and farmers. Tonight you will enjoy a comfortable African-style bush camp on the beach here, offering a romantic and private tropical island experience. Have some free time to enjoy the white sand beaches that ring the island. After a lunch of fresh seafood, there is more time to enjoy the sun, sea, and sand before lighting the torches around the camp for a memorable night under the stars. Overnight in luxury tent camping (All meals)

Day 12: Departure
After a private breakfast on the island, board the boat to return to the mainland. Leave behind the beaches of Kep and head north toward the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The road passes through some beautiful rural areas. Stop for a short break in Angk Tasaom before continuing to the lively riverside capital. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. (Breakfast)

Rates

Per Person Rates (based on double occupancy) start from:

$3,500

Single Traveler
$6,135

Single Room Supplement (for groups of 2 or more)
$695

Contact Us for advice on hotels and a quote based on your choice.

Please note that peak season supplements for stays over Christmas and New Years may apply.

 
Rates Include

• All airport transfers to and from hotel by private car
• All private tours and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
• All surface transportation as per the itinerary by private, air-conditioned car
• 4WD vehicle for the temple safari tours
• Hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast basis inclusive of all taxes and service charges
• 3 nights in a luxury safari tent at Koh Ker, Banteay Chhmar and Rabbit Island
• All entrance fees
• Boat trips
• Services of a private, local English-speaking guide for all visits and excursions
• Flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

 
Rates Do Not Include

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

Hotels

Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. If a hotel listed below is not available, an alternative hotel of similar quality will be substituted.

To Book This Tour

Please call us toll free at 1-877-362-2793 and let us know that you would like to book this tour. Then follow these instructions:

1. Download, print, and fill out the Reservation Form for each person.
2. Fax the form to us at 206-529-4803, or mail it to:
   
   Red Lantern Journeys
   1000 N. Northlake Way, Suite H
   Seattle, WA 98103

3. Pay a non-refundable $500 per person deposit and we will initiate your reservations.
4. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure.

If your reservation is made less than 75 days prior to departure, the non-refundable deposit will allow us to initiate reservations. Full payment will be due immediately upon confirmation of all hotels and transportation services. If the services quoted cannot be confirmed, alternate accommodation or transportation will be arranged and the price will be adjusted accordingly.

 

Payments can be made by personal check, bank wire transfer, or credit card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will initiate your 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

 

Cancellation/Refund Policies

 

- Cancel more than 60 days prior to departure - forfeit your deposit.

- Cancel between 30 and 60 days prior to departure - forfeit 50% of the tour cost.

- Cancel less than 30 days prior to departure - NO REFUND of tour cost.

- Cancellations must be made in writing and sent via mail, fax, or email to Red Lantern Journeys.

- Refunds will be processed within 30 days of receipt of your written request.

- No refunds are available for unused services or tours during your trip.