Cambodia with friends

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Phnom Penh, a smooth arrival

  You will be welcomed at the airport and you will settle into your hotel. First unusual discovery of the city of Phnom Penh, depending on your level of fatigue and your arrival time. We will invite you to dinner to discover the local cuisine and flavors, and to end this first day beautifully.

• day 2

  Unusual Phnom Penh

  

  This day is dedicated to visiting Phnom Penh, an unusual city. Depending on your mood, you will have a multitude of choices: a stroll through the winding market; a visit to Wat Phnom (a wooded hill topped with a very beautiful pagoda, the serenity of the place strongly contrasting with the hustle and bustle of the city. Sellers of lucky birds and lotus flowers will be waiting for you there). Other points of interest: the old French quarter of the city, the Olympic stadium to visit at sunset, or a walk along the quays by the Mekong. You can reach these sites on foot or by tuk-tuk, depending on your preferences and the weather conditions!

• day 3

  Phnom Penh - Tonlé Sap Lake - Battambang

  

  After breakfast, departure from Phnom Penh to Kompong Chnang (2h drive). On today's program: visit the potters' villages to discover this typical local craft. Then, drive to Kompong Luong (2h drive) and its floating village. You will visit this village by boat.

• day 4

  The artisans of Battambang

  

  This day will be dedicated to discovering local artisanal life, a total immersion in Cambodian life. By tuk-tuk, you will discover the artisans of the region and their specialties: wood carving, making rice papers, dried bananas, prahok (Khmer condiment made from fermented fish), and many more! Then, in the afternoon, you will attend a Cambodian cooking class; of course, you will taste your creations for dinner!

• day 5

  Battambang - Siem Reap

  

  You will leave in the morning towards Siem Reap (3h drive). After settling in at the hotel, you will visit the Angkor National Museum (audio guide in French), as an introduction to visiting the temples. We recommend this museum for its very educational setup; you will discover the history of the Khmer kingdom and see the statues and bas-reliefs that are no longer visible on the sites, which you will then be able to visualize in situ.

• day 6

  Siem Reap - the temples of Angkor

  

  This day will be dedicated to discovering the temples of Angkor. To avoid the crowds, we will make it a point to create a personalized itinerary for you! This way, you will be able to discover the temples in the best possible way. After a bit of rest, the afternoon will be devoted to discovering the artisans of Siem Reap, selected by us for their know-how and uniqueness. Art, pottery, accessories, fashion... We can refine our selection of artisans according to your interests. The day will continue with a show by the Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus, which works to rehabilitate local culture and Cambodian art. An unmissable activity!

• day 7

  Siem Reap - Kulen Mountain

  

  Early morning departure in a private vehicle for Mount Kulen. If you wish, on the way, stop to visit the Banteay Srei temple at sunrise (a little stone gem, entirely carved... and very popular... hence our recommendation for an early departure!). Mount Kulen is a place where nature is still intact and preserved, and above all a site of sacred contemplation. On today's program: refreshment at the waterfall (depending on the water level, you may be able to swim), visit to the pagoda and the reclining Buddha at the top of the mountain. Finally, you will discover the river of a thousand Lingas, which fertilizes the Cambodian plain... The place is very busy on festival days by Cambodians, but much less visited the rest of the time, which will give you the opportunity to discover it away from the crowds. This visit is in every respect a real spectacle in itself and will allow you to discover another aspect of the region, very well known for the temples of Angkor. In the evening, enjoy high-end Cambodian gastronomy in one of our favorite restaurants in the country, which offers a blend of tradition and modernity in a very intimate setting, for an exceptional tête-à-tête dinner.

• day 8

  Siem Reap - the temples of Angkor

  

  You will spend your second day on the temples, discovering more remote and less visited places. Once again, we will make sure to create a tailor-made program to avoid the crowds and make the experience unique... The day will start early, and you will spend the hottest hours of the day in a beautiful traditional Cambodian house, exclusively reserved for TOKAE, ideal both for relaxing, discovering life around the temples, and tasting local culinary specialties.

• day 9

  Siem Reap - the countryside of Kampong Speu

  

  In the morning, departure by plane to reach Phnom Penh airport, then drive to Kampong Speu province (1 hour drive), where we will spend 24 hours living at the pace of local life, with a farming family. You will discover the village and its inhabitants; you will settle in and have lunch with the family. On the program, discovery of the Cambodian countryside: walk through the rice fields, field work, fishing, crab hunting… In the evening, you will have dinner with the villagers and prepare the meal together. This will be an opportunity for discussions, songs, local stories… To end this day in total immersion with the locals. Overnight stay with the host family. This stay was created in discussion with the families and is reserved for TOKAE; the number of guests is limited to ensure maximum interaction and not to disrupt the lifestyle of those who welcome us. Comfort is naturally basic, but you will have floor mattresses, mosquito nets, fans, unlimited drinking water, and an outdoor shower for washing.

• day 10

  Kep and the seaside

  

  After breakfast, you will head to Kep (about 3 hours by road). Check-in at the hotel and the rest of the day is free: beach, relaxing at the hotel… Dinner and evening at leisure.

• day 11

  Kep Otherwise

  

  This day will be dedicated to discovering Kep and its region, between sea and mountains, rice fields and flooded plains. By motorbike (scooter) or tuk-tuk, you can visit salt marshes, pepper plantations (a specialty of the region), nearby caves... for an unforgettable day!

• day 12

  Kep

  Free day in Kep. You can be independent all day and, if you wish, we can offer you additional activities according to your preferences and the season.

• day 13

  Kep - Phnom Penh

  Return to Phnom Penh at the time of your choice, in a private vehicle with driver.

• day 14

  Phnom Penh

  

  You will spend your last day in the capital to soak up the local life one last time (market, souvenirs, massage...) and then you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.