Phnom Penh Holidays

14 nights guided adventure tour of ruined cities & tropical islands in Cambodia and Thailand - full board (except 3 meals)

Cambodia - this charming, though little known, South East Asian country is now opening up slowly to the outside world. Discover its friendly people, serene landscapes and fascinating, if sometimes tragic history.

Mysterious ruined cities enveloped by steamy jungle, massive stone carvings amidst flocks of parrots and squabbling monkeys – Angkor is definitely one of the world’s great destinations, but on this trip you’ll also discover Cambodia’s charming villages, friendly people, serene landscapes and fascinating, if sometimes tragic history.

Explore the bustling, present day capital of Phnom Penh and the ancient Khmer imperial city of Angkor Wat, before travelling overland to Thailand and the tropical island of Koh Chang. Relaxing in a Thai hill-resort, jungle trekking, snorkelling on coral reefs and elephant riding through the island’s pristine rainforest are some of the activities on offer.

Highlights

• Phnom Penh
• Cambodian river trip
• ruined cities of Angkor
• dawn at Angkor Wat
• jungle hike
• remote hill resort
• White water rafting
• Snorkelling on coral reefs
• Elephant riding
• Local food

Itinerary

• Day 1: Departure from London

• Day 2: Morning arrival in Phnom Penh, via Bangkok and check-in to a small, comfortable, downtown hotel close to the historic riverbank quarter. Time to relax before a leisurely afternoon walk taking in the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and lively waterfront area.

• Day 3: Day tour of some of the sites of Cambodia’s fascinating capital city; the Russian market, the infamous ‘Killing Fields’ site and the highly moving Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum at Tuol Sleng, finishing perhaps with sundowners at the famous Foreign Correspondents Club?

• Day 4: Up country through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to the small provincial town of Siem Reap in Western Cambodia – our base for the next few days and jumping off point for the nearby Angkor Temple complex. Stops on the way at the famous ‘spider village’ of Skuon, (tasting not compulsory), the rarely visited but well preserved 10th century temple of Kuhananokor and lunch by the Tonle Sap Lake. A dusk visit to the atmospheric ruins of Ta Prom completes our day.

• Days 5 & 6:Angkor – an unforgettable two-day tour of this fabulous site – its vast jungle clad temples and mysterious stone carvings: a comprehensive tour of the major sites, plus some lesser known ones, including sunrise and sunset visits. (A detailed itinerary for our Angkor visit is available upon request.)

• Day 7:Free morning in Siem Reap: explore the market, checkout the handicraft school or unusual landmines museum before an afternoon trip to some of the remoter Angkor sites of Banteay Samre and sunset at the little visited Bakong Temple

• Day 8:Spectacular boat journey across the Tonle Sap Lake, past the ‘flooded forest’ and Prek Toal bird sanctuary and on down the Sangker River and it’s floating fishing villages to the town of Battambang. Afternoon to check out the town’s French colonial architecture.

• Day 9:Continue on through this little visited region of Cambodia via the hilltop temple of Phnom Sampeu and on to the Thai border at Pailin – famed for it’s gemstones and as the Khmer Rouge’s last stronghold. Afternoon arrival in Thailand’s Chantaburi Province and time to recover from Cambodian roads in the beautiful setting of a small Thai hill resort.

• Day 10:A tour of the local market, hike to nearby scenic Soi Dao Waterfall or white water rafting for the energetic, water levels permitting*, are the day’s activities. (*Usually June to October)

• Day 11:Continue south to the tropical island of Koh Chang where we’ll stay in chalets in a beachside resort - stop-offs on the way to visit the spectacular Khao Wat Sukim monastery and Chantaburi’s truly amazing ‘Buddha Park’.

• Day 12:A boat tour through the surrounding archipelago of Koh Chang National Marine Park including swimming and snorkelling on some of the area’s vibrant coral reefs*. (*Generally available from October to April – sea conditions from May to Sept. may be unfavourable for snorkelling.)

• Day 13:Venture into the mountainous interior for a visit to the Ban Kwang Camp - established in co-operation with the Asian Elephant Foundation – for an elephant ride. Afternoon at leisure on the island; make the most of the turquoise waters and coconut-palm lined beaches or try out a beach massage?

• Day 14:Morning on the island to relax or top up your suntan before returning to Bangkok for evening flight to London. Note that extended beach stays or a few extra days in Bangkok can be arranged upon demand.

• Day 15: Morning arrival in London

Fitness level: Easy - several hours walking on days 5 & 6 during the temple tour.

Accommodation: Hotels, guesthouses.

Transport: Minibus, boat, pick-up truck, flight.

Please note: Tourism in Cambodia is relatively undeveloped - food and accommodation may at times be whatever we can find and transport - whatever's going. Our emphasis, as usual, will be on small, family run accommodation, traditional food and local transport to give you a real feeling for and genuine insight into these fascinating cultures and stunning landscapes.

Useful information:

Currency: US$ is widely accepted

Language: Khmer

Visa: Required - cost: US$20, obtained on arrival at Phnom Penh airport

Time difference: 7 hours

Price includes: Flights, all meals (except lunch and dinner on day 7 and dinner on day 12, accommodation (based on 2 persons sharing), activities and entrance fees.

Single supplement: No single supplement - single people are most welcome - room sharing is arranged.

Ticketing information: You will be contacted by the tour operator after making your booking

1. Your confirmation email from us is notification that the tour operator has received your request and is processing it. The availability of this holiday is checked on a regular basis, however as the carrier is a scheduled airline we are regrettably unable to provide an instant confirmation.

2. If the holiday is available
   1. the tour operator will automatically process your booking and your credit card will be debited accordingly;
   2. once done the holiday will be ticketed and you will be invoiced, at this moment there is a binding contract between you and the tour operator for the holiday;
   3. if you wish to cancel the holiday after his stage you will be liable to cancellation charges as per the tour operator's booking conditions. These terms and conditions can be accessed via the link at the bottom of the page; and
   4. you will be contacted by the tour operator within 6* hours from the time the booking was requested. The tour operator will be able to answer any questions you may have.
3. If the holiday is not available
   1. the tour operator will contact you within 6* hours from the time the booking was requested to inform you of the nearest available alternative; and
   2. if the tour operator is unable to offer you an alternative which meets your approval you can cancel your request for a holiday without having to pay a cancellation fee.
4. Once you have purchased a holiday, any amendments or cancellations can only be processed through the tour operator directly. There may be a charge to effect these amendments.
5. The following extra charges will apply when booked by credit card: Visa/Mastercard - 1%, Amex – 1%. *This applies between the working hours of 9am - 6pm Monday - Friday - if your booking is received outside these hours you will be notified as soon as possible.

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