Cambodia Intrepid Adventure, 10 days

On arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, you are greeted by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You may have free time to relax and catch your first glimpse of Phnom Penh. This bustling capital city of Cambodia  favorably located at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Tonle Bassac Rivers has long remained little more than a large village. However, it became the permanent capital of Cambodia since 1866 and had developed into a sizeable, largely French designed city, once known as the Pearl of Asia. The crossroads of cultures, peoples and worlds have made Phnom Penh on the edge of everything. We can find the Cambodian elements together with the Chinese and French influences in the gleaming temples, sidewalk coffee,  vibrant markets, and colonial structures and tree lined boulevards amidst the monumental Angkorian architecture. The cityscape undergoes rapid changes from the ashes to take its place among the hip capitals of the region, with an alluring cafe culture, bustling bars, world-class food scene and international chains of hotel.

Today, we explore some major sights of Phnom Penh. The stunning Royal Palace complex is now home to the royal family, therefore  it is very close to the public. We walk across the beautiful royal gardens to see the Throne Hall where the king coronation  and the royal receptions are often  held.  The magnificent Silver Pagoda set at the northern palace ground would not to be missed. This country most sacred pagoda  is named  after some 5000 silver tiles covering the floor,  each weighing 1kg. Nearby this complex is the National Museum of Cambodia, a graceful terracotta structure inspired by temple architecture. This exquisite masterpiece with an inviting courtyard garden concentrates various incredible sandstone sculptures and intricate bronze objects from the  Angkor periods. The following stop is  Wat Phnom which dominates the skyline of Phnom Penh and  has an interesting legend about this city name. We come face to face with the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge as we visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, a former high school turned into a centre for interrogation, torture, and death by the Khmer Rouge. Heading out of town,  we follow the same route of Tuol Sleng  prisoners  to the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek that is  an extermination camp for political prisoners. The painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge still can be seen at the memorial stupa.  We round off our day with a walk in the Central Market, a showcase of the local product richness. This flagship trade center of Phnom Penh was built in shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways crammed with  countless stalls of goods.

The modern comfort will be left behind as we venture into the remote region of Cambodia and drive to Kratie. Along the way,  we make stop at Skuon, an important junction for  Kratie and Stung Treng in northeastern direction and Kampong Thom  in northern turn. This small town is famous for  the tasty spiders that are sold around your stop. The spiders first used by locals against the rife starvation under the Khmer Rouge regime. You can have a look at food stands and sample an eight-legged snack. We continue driving past the extensive rubber plantations to Kampong Cham Town, a tranquil riverside city by the Mekong River. The town center is famous for many  colonial buildings, but the main jewel is  Wat  Nokhor Bachey , which is a fusion of modern structure and old date Angkorian elements. The new pagoda was built out of sandstone and laterite walls decorated with characteristic motifs of Bayon. We visit both the downtown and  Wat Nokhor before we keep on our  journey.  On arrival in Kratie Town, we board a boat to cross the mighty Mekong River to  Koh Trong. This lush island houses approximately 280 families who are mostly living from fishing and farming. We spend this night as  the guests of a Khmer family and get a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday Cambodian life, taste a traditional-style dinner. The facilities are basic and multi share with mattresses, bedding and mosquito nets provided. However, you have an option to stay at more comfortable lodge with some additional charge.  

The island exploration begins as we ride our bike around the island. This transport mode is a great way to explore the tradition and  lifestyle of the locals who call this island their homeland.  We say goodbye to your host family  and head back to Kratie Town. On arrival we have time to stroll around the downtown which is dominated by a central marketplace among many old, French colonial buildings. The river stretch in the north of Kratie Town  is home to a group of rare Irrawaddy dolphins which can be seen in certain times of day.  Upon leaving Kratie Town, we make our way towards Stung Treng, an outpost town close to Cambodia and Laos border. This remote settlement located near the junction of the San and Mekong Rivers, was once a part of the vast Khmer Empire, but  it  has been switched to Cambodian ownership during the French colonial era. There are many people who can speak both Khmer and Lao language. The scenic drive will deliver us in Stung Treng Town by early or mid-afternoon depending on the roads and  traffic conditions. We check in our hotel and stroll around to get a close look at the townscape  showing  us an authentic and remote “ face” of Cambodia. The two rivers make Stung Treng Town an important trade hub between Cambodia and Laos, and also create a nice sketch in northeastern Cambodia.

Heading out of the town, we take a short drive to Ou Svay Village, an emerald gem rising up in the heart of a green, tropical forest lying along a mighty river. We set off on our boat trip along the Mekong River to visit the incredible Sopheak Mitt Waterfall. The river water crashes over limestone crags and boulders, making for a beautiful waterfall and  also home to many Irrawaddy dolphins. This wonderful example of natural raw force creates the best unique spectacle. We leave this waterfall and embark on a walk through the beautiful countryside filled with wildlife to Preah Rumkel, which is a small jungle village alongside the Mekong. This tranquil village is a prominent showcase of the fascinating mix of Khmer and Laotian cultures. We enjoy a simple local lunch cooked by the community before we paddle our kayak  to view the endangered Irrawaddy at the nearby Anlung Cheuteal Dolphin Pool. The freshwater dolphins frolicking in watercourse  and the birdlife hovering in nearby wetlands are a fantastic scene. We enjoy the memorable experience of paddling and floating in a kayak down the river through the spectacular flooded forests to Veun Sien village.  We travel by roads back to Stung Treng Town and have free time at leisure. You have an option to enjoy a traditional massage to give our  muscles a relax or simply admire the beautiful sunset over the river.

The overland adventure continues to Preah Vihear  Province  which is  named after the temple of Prasat Preah Vihear.  We drive through the wild of Cambodia to  Preah Vihear City. This is simply a stop to stretch our legs before we head towards Sra Aem Town , a base for our exploration of  Preah Vihear  Temple in a short distance. On arrival in  Sra Aem Town, we start our drive uphill, venturing into Dangrek Mountain range.  We embark on a walk up  to Preah Vihear Temple and get a stunning view with a blend of rugged mountains and imposing temples. The prominent design features a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases over an 800m long axis. They make for an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture in terms of plan, decoration and relationship to the spectacular landscape environment. The initial construction dates back to 893  AD , but many structures can be traced to the later years. They are particularly well preserved and exceptional for the quality of architecture, which is adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple.  We stroll around to explore the  carved stone ornamentations. They  are mainly dedicated to the supreme god “Shiva”.  Upon leaving the famous  Preah Vihear  Temple, we drive back to Sra Aem Town, which is basically an overnight stop to break our long journey.

Today, we drive through the undulating terrains and the rain forest to Siem Reap. The fascination is not just in the nature beauty but in the jungle secrets. Along the way, we make stop to visit Bang Mealea Temple, one of the largest Angkor ensembles. The temple complex was built on a similar scale and floor plan to Angkor Wat; however, many structures have been submerged in the evergreen jungle.  We walk over  debris and  trees to see the  temple decoration.  The ornamentation with Hindu and Buddhist motifs is simple and animated only in certain areas where we can find several bas-reliefs' showing scenes from the Khmer mythology. The trees sprout lush, dense, and tall, making a serene ambiance that accentuates the sense of legend.  Upon leaving Bang Mealea, we keep on our overland adventure to Siem Reap Town, a gateway to the ruins of Angkor Temple Complex. This archeological site stretches over an forested area of some 400 square kilometers and contains the magnificent remains from the different capitals of the Khmer Empire between  802 AD and 1350 AD. They range from stunning architectural marvels to ordinary edifices full of rubble and will make for an exciting exploration in forthcoming days. There are no activities planned in this afternoon, you have some time free to  explore Siem Reap Town at your leisure. This urban center has grown up from a relatively small backwater town into the fastest growing settlement in Cambodia. The vibrant downtown is tightly packed with small eating spots, shop houses, and luminous bars, offering an interesting exploration.

The majestic monuments draw a line for our exploration of Angkor Complex.  We start this day tour with Angkor Thom, an epic collection of striking structures encompassed in quadrangle area. The best preserved South Gate comes into view with a causeway fringed with 54 demons and 54 gods pulling a giant snake. This scene is focusing on a famous Hindu story in bygone time. We walk through two ranges of status on a cosmic scale to the gate tower with colossal human faces carved in stone. The walkway leads us to  the Royal Enclosure where remains some  mysterious ruins, including the Royal Palace, Phimeanakas Temple, and  Royal Terraces. These structures built from perishable materials have long vanished. The memorable climax of our visit is Bayon Temple  built in the centre of Angkor Thom. This enigmatic complex contains  54 towers, each topped off with the four faces of  Compassion Buddha. Upon leaving Angkor Thom Area , we take a short drive to  the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. The iconic monument  of the entire complex was built in the 12th century and reflects a perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry, bringing the pride and strength to all Khmers. The distinctive five towers of this temple are now emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. We stroll around this massive monument, unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs from Hindu mythology to the glories of the Khmer empire. The footsteps lead through the upper levels of the inner sanctuary to the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry. We round out day tour with a walk up the Pre Rup Temple to enjoy the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments.

Today, we continue venturing into the archeological site, seeing Prasat Kravan with a line of five brick towers and Srah Srang which  was once used for the royal baths and the ritual bathing. The following stop is  Banteay Kdei Temple, a monastic complex of  enclosure walls,  concentric galleries and towers. We take a walk to  the famous Ta Prohm Temple, which was once hidden by the jungle overgrowth for many centuries. The temple was constructed with flat rectangular walls surrounding the central sanctuary. There are enormous fig trees and creepers which embrace themselves from the stone foundation to the corridors of this tower temple, giving it a distinctive feature. We have a look at the small temple of  Neak Pean on our way to  Preah Khan, a good counterpoint to Ta Prohm Temple.  The large ruin of Preah Khan was all but partly destroyed by the climate impact. However, it is till interesting to walk around, exploring the legends, towered enclosures, and shoulder hugging corridors. The temple exploration is not only activity in Siem Reap Town. We spend this afternoon  on a boat trip out, to discover Tonle Sap Lake, one of the largest natural fresh water bodies in  Southeast Asia. The traditional boat navigates along a small river towards this large lake. Along the way we anchor to visit a floating village where are everything from schools, shop houses to police station. This enjoyable stop gives a good insight into the lifestyle of local people who call this grand lake their home and mostly rely on the lake for their livelihood.

The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to Siem Reap Airport for  your departure. There are no activities planned for the final day. You may have free time to continue your exploration of Siem Reap Town, do your last shopping or simply look back upon your trip images before your airport transfer.