The loop around the lake + Kratie (dolphins) + Banteay Chmar

Description du séjour

Hébergement

Programme du séjour

• jour 1

  Arrival in Phnom Penh

  

  The first day of your exciting journey begins in Phnom Penh, the bustling capital of Cambodia. This city will welcome you with its grand avenues and lively markets. After settling into your accommodation in Phnom Penh, you will be ready to explore this vibrant city and begin your adventure. Get ready to immerse yourself in the culture, history, and beauty of Cambodia in the coming days! Accommodation in Phnom Penh

• jour 2

  Kompong Cham: rural life, pagodas and temples

  

  It will be our first day through the most real and authentic Cambodia. In the morning, you will depart for the city of Kompong Cham. On the way, we will make a stop in the Skun area, where we can taste, if we wish, its famous fried spiders. We will continue to Kompong Cham, where we will visit Phnom Pros / Srey and, then, the Nokor temple. We will take a break for lunch and, then, we will continue by road to Kratie. Accommodation in Kratie.

• jour 3

  Kratie: immersion in authentic Cambodia and encounter with freshwater dolphins

  

  In the morning, we will head to a pier from which we will take a boat, from which we will try to respectfully spot the famous Irawadi freshwater dolphins. Next, we will visit the Wat Sambok pagoda, from which we will have excellent views of the area. We will stop for lunch and then continue by road to Kompong Thom. Accommodation in Kompong Thom

• jour 4

  Kompong Thom and floating villages. Rural life, pagodas and temples

  

  In the morning we will head to the impressive temples of Sambor Prey Kuk (Tao, Yei Poan and Prei Kuk). These temples are located in a fantastic forest and will give us a relaxing view of the ancient Khmer empire. We will make a stop for lunch and then continue on to Siem Reap. Before arrival, we will make a stop at a floating village, Kompong Klean, where we can tour its canals and see how its inhabitants live in houses built on impressive stilts. Accommodation in Siem Reap

• jour 5

  Angkor Temples 1

  

  This day marks the beginning of our immersion in the incomparable temples of Angkor, recognized as a World Heritage Site since 1992. We will choose to explore these architectural wonders aboard our tuk-tuks. We will head to Angkor Wat, a religious complex so vast that it holds the title of the largest religious enclosure on the planet. This will be the perfect place to begin our journey, immersing ourselves in the rich symbolism that will accompany us in the coming days. Afterwards, we will cross the south gate of Angkor Thom. Our first stop will take us to Bayon, where we will experience the unique sensation of being watched by the gaze of Avalokiteshvara. We will continue our exploration on foot, reaching Baphuon and crossing its magnificent stone causeway. We will move on to the royal enclosure and to Phimeanakas. We will enjoy the panoramic view from the Terrace of the Elephants and walk to the Terrace of the Leper King. We will leave by tuk-tuk to exit Angkor Thom through the imposing Victory Gate and head to Tomanon, a small temple, but of great beauty. After a break to enjoy a well-deserved lunch, we will continue to Ta Prohm, famous for its ruins intertwined with the roots of the forest. Our last stop of the day will be Banteay Kdei, the City of Justice, and Sra Srang. We will return to the hotel. Accommodation in Siem Reap

• jour 6

  Angkor Temples 2 or Kulen Mountain (to choose)

  

  OPTION 1: Angkor Temples 2 The day will begin with a visit to Pre Rup, a temple that will allow us to admire the jungle that surrounds it. We will continue to Banteay Samre, the citadel of the farmers, built by King Suriavarman II. We will continue to the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srey, also known as the "Citadel of Women". This temple, with its intricate reliefs and stone carvings, will leave us speechless. After a break for lunch, we will head to Ta Som, a temple with an impressive back gate completely covered by the roots of a tree. The next stop will be Neak Poan and, from there, we will go to Preah Khan. OPTION 2: Kulen Mountain In the morning we will drive to Kulen Mountain, where we can enjoy its impressive waterfalls and pagodas. This mountain is far from Siem Reap and we will have to use approximately one hour to get to it. After the visit to this mountain, we will return to the city and we will have the rest of the day free. Accommodation in Siem Reap

• jour 7

  Banteay Chmar and Battambang

  

  In the morning we will set course for the city of Battambang. On the way we will take a detour and make a fantastic visit to one of those magical temples: Banteay Chmar. We will spend a good while walking through its labyrinthine corridors and once again contemplating the excellence of the Khmer Empire. After this visit, we will take our car again and head to Battambang, where we will arrive in the afternoon. Accommodation in Battambang.

• jour 8

  Discovering Battambang and its hidden treasures

  

  Today we will have to visit Battambang. This city was always considered the second city of the country, until Siem Reap and its temples snatched the position from it. Our first visit will be Phnom Sampeau, a mountain full of caves and stories. We will then head to Wat Ek Phnom, a curious temple with a pagoda next to it. After lunch, we will explore Wat Bannan, a semi-ruined temple located on a hill about 20 kilometers from the city. On the way back to the city, we will be able to visit the colonial neighborhood and the city market. Accommodation in Battambang. The use of the bamboo train is strictly prohibited by the local authorities after several serious accidents. The use of the traditional bamboo trolleys was prohibited, which forced us, unfortunately, to remove them from our tours. IF THE TRAVELER WANTS TO TAKE A TOUR USING THIS MEANS, THEY MUST DO IT ON THEIR OWN. We insist that it is prohibited and is carried out clandestinely.

• jour 9

  From Battambang to Phnom Penh

  

  Today we will connect Battambang with Phnom Penh. On the way, we will explore the floating village of Kompong Loan. This unique enclave is home to around 1500 families who live in floating houses. Here, everything floats, from schools to gas stations, creating a constantly moving landscape. An intriguing peculiarity is that the houses change location every ten days, which means we will witness up close the dynamic floating life. Our journey will continue to Phnom Penh. Accommodation in Phnom Penh.

• jour 10

  Visits in Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital of the country

  

  In the morning we will visit Wat Phnom, located on top of a hill that gives the city its name. We will also visit the central market Psar Thamey, which has an impressive dome and where Cambodians go to do their day-to-day shopping. Next, the imposing Royal Palace awaits us. Inside, we will explore the Chanchaya Pavilion and the Throne Hall, witnesses to the rich history and elegance of the Cambodian monarchy. The Silver Pagoda, with its 5200 silver tiles of one kilo each, will leave us amazed. We will continue to S21, the genocide museum, a former school converted into an interrogation center during the Khmer Rouge regime. After a comforting lunch, we will explore the Russian market, where the Russian colony used to shop. After this visit, we will adjust the timing to head to the airport and bring our trip to an end.