HIDDEN GEMS OF RURAL CAMBODIA 17 DAYS

Transcription

1 HIDDEN GEMS OF RURAL CAMBODIA 17 DAYS Phnom Penh, Mondulkiri, Kratie, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Koh Kong, Kep Day 1: Welcome to Phnom Penh Fly to Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA No 2A, Street 99 Tel: Fax: In Phnom Penh, after clearing immigration and customs, to be welcome by our guide and transfer to your hotel. This city was once considered one of the most beautiful in Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial charm. After getting settled, you'll head out with your guide and spend the afternoon visit the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom. See the different structures of this pagoda-style compound and stroll in its beautiful garden. Visit the Silver Pagoda so named because of its floor that is comprised of 5,000 silver tiles. A gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha are also housed here. End your afternoon tour with a visit to the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. Overnight at Plantation Urban Resort (Deluxe Pool View Room) Phnom Penh Day 2: Phnom Penh This morning you will visit the city s School of Fine Arts and then drive to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek (16 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. They were often bludgeoned to death to avoid wasting precious bullets. Fragments of human bone and bits of cloth are scattered around the disinterred pits. Over 8,000 skulls, arranged by sex and age, are visible behind the clear glass panels of the Memorial Stupa, which was erected in Return to Phnom Penh. Next, continue to visit the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum. In 1975 Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot's security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest such center of detention and torture in the country. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeung Ek to be executed; detainees who died during torture were buried in mass graves in the prison ground. Room after room the museum displays photographs of men, women and children covering the walls from floor to ceiling; virtually all the people pictured were later killed. Later this afternoon visit the National Museum. Built in 1917 it is an exceptional example of traditional architecture and is exclusively devoted to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces are housed here including both pre-and post-angkorian pieces. Next, visit the Russian Market (Psah Tuol Thom Pong), a lively outdoor market where you will find antiquities, silver and gold jewelry, gems, silk, kramas, stone and wood carvings, as well as T-Shirts, CDs and other souvenirs. Enjoy one hour sunset cruise on the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. The boat will pass past floating villages, providing great views of the city s rapidly changing skyline. Overnight at Plantation Urban Resort (Deluxe Pool View Room) Phnom Penh Day 3: Phnom Penh / Mondulkiri After breakfast, depart Phnom Penh to Kompong Cham. Drive to Chhup, the biggest rubber plantation in the country, established during the French colonial time by the French tire maker Michelin. Continue to Snuol where you will have lunch at local restaurant. Drive to Sen Monorom, the province capital of the Mondulkiri province with scenery and a climate quite unlike anywhere else in the country. Arrival in Sen Monorom in the late afternoon. Sen Monorom will be the base from which to explore the surroundings hill tribe villages and the waterfalls. Settle in and enjoy the evening at your leisure. Overnight at Mondulkiri Hotel (Bungalow Room) Mondulkiri

2 Day 4: Mondulkiri /L Today enjoy full day with the elephants, shadowing our two families of elephants in the jungle for the morning and afternoon. Learning about the elephants, the local mahouts and the forest. This is a highly unique experience and the first of its kind in Cambodia. Overnight at Mondulkiri Hotel (Deluxe Bungalow) Mondulkiri Day 5: Mondulkiri Breakfast at your hotel. Early morning, visit the local market where many of the Phnong people from the nearby villages are coming to trade with their distinctive baskets they carry on their back. Drive to Bou Sra about 40 km northeast from Sen Monorom. This double drop waterfall is one of the largest and most impressive in Cambodia. Discover the Phnong village of the same name. One of the largest and easiest to access being Phlung village inhabited by Phnong chunchiets. The curious huts have woven wooden walls and thatched roofs almost to the floor. Three or more families often live in just one hut. You will be lucky to see more than a handful of people during daytime, as they are all out working in the fields. Overnight at Mondulkiri Hotel (Deluxe Bungalow) Mondulkiri Day 6: Mondulkiri / Kratie Leave this isolated forested province and drive to Kratie. In the afternoon, city tour of this small provincial town with its good examples of sumptuous colonial architecture. This tiny town on the Mekong is an unexpected delight, with a relaxing, indolent atmosphere. North of Kratie, visit Wat Phnom Sambok to see the Buddhist monasteries and to enjoy the magnificent views of the surrounding countryside from the hilltop. Further north stop at the best riverside vantage point from which to view the rare freshwater Irrawady dolphins which can be best seen late afternoon. Drive back to Kratie and take a small ferry boat to the island of Koh Trong situated in the middle of the Mekong River opposite Kratie town. Overnight at Rajabori Villas (Deluxe Room) Koh Trong Island, Kratie. Day 7: Kratie / Kompong Thom Take a ferry ride back to Kratie and drive via Snuol along rubber plantations to Kompong Cham and continue to Kompong Thom. Short tour of Kompong Cham to view examples of colonial architecture. Visit Wat Nokhor with its ancient temple and modern style pagoda (12th century). Continue to Kompong Thom. En route, visit Wat Kohear Nokor (11th century). The Santuk Silk Farm makes a perfect stop, here you can learn about the process of silk weaving from worm to weaving and contribute to the sustainable development of the community. Visit a stone carving village nearby. Settle in and enjoy the evening at your leisure. Overnight at Sambor Village (Deluxe Room) Kompong Thom Day 8: Kompong Thom / Siem Reap After morning leisure, depart Kompong Thom for Sambor Prei Kuk, located 35 km northeast of Kompong Thom. Visit the ancient capital of Chenla with its 100 temples dating from the Pre- Angkorian period. Then continue to Siem Reap and stop at the ancient Naga Bridge, located 40 km from Siem Reap. Settle in and enjoy the evening at your leisure. Day 9: Siem Reap Spend the early morning at the Angkor Thom complex when it is best lit for photography, including Phimeanakas, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and finally, the Bayon, with its mysterious towers and beautiful bas reliefs.

3 Next, pay a visit to Ta Phrom. Built in 1186, Ta Phrom was dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII. Its atmospheric dark gray sandstone towers and courtyards exude an aura of reverence and mystery. Unlike most of the other inner temples of Angkor, Ta Phrom has been left to the elements and looks very much as it must have when "discovered" by Henri Mouhot in the 1860s. Navigating through its narrow passages, immense kapok trees and jungle-covered ruins is an unparalleled experience and one of the highlights of Angkor. In the late afternoon and sunset hours, explore Angkor Wat, the largest and most breathtaking monument at Angkor. Built as the funeral temple for King Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1112 to 1152, Angkor Wat never fails to reward the first time, or repeat, visitor with its grand scale, surreal bas reliefs and unbelievable attention to detail. Day 10: Siem Reap This morning, rise early for sunrise at Angkor Wat (optional, but we highly recommend it). You can position yourself for an incredible picture as the sun rises directly over Angkor Wat's central spire. After breakfast drive to the typical Khmer countryside Kulen Mountain range. Walk 45 minutes through the forest to the top of the hill to reach Kbal Spean, the Thousand Lingas River: discover the 10th-12th century sculptures chiseled from the rocky riverbed, the Royal Bath and the waterfall. Next, continue to visit Banteay Srei; the citadel of women - a tiny, enchanting temple, which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. Built of red sandstone in the tenth century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the carved male and female figures in the niches are exquisitely executed in both style and proportion. This is the most Indian of all the temples in Angkor and in the words of H.W. Ponder, is a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest. Stop at a local village to visit families who are producing palm sugar. Later this afternoon you ll drive to visit Beng Mealea, Lotus Pond Temple from the early 11th Century built by Suryavarman II asa Hindu Temple; about 2 hours drive from Siem Reap. If there is one temple to explore resplendent with jungle engulfing it, it is Beng Mealea. Clambering over large sandstone blocks to reach the inner sanctuary and eerie worship corridor is an exploration to remember. Situated 60 km east of Angkor Wat, through traditional countryside life, over bumpy laterite roads, Beng Mealea is a temple hidden in a maze of jungle. Architecturally, Beng Mealea is noted for its innovative, in its time, construction of hallways, it was a very large temple with wide galleries foreshadowing Angkor Wat. Garudas, hold up an outer platform, finer in detail than those to be found out in the elements of the Elephant Terrace at Angkor Thom. Surprises of fallen lintels with intricate carvings lay amongst the fallen wall and roofs. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. Day 11: Siem Reap /L Early this morning, at 06:30, meet your guide and transfer to the shore of Tonle Sap Lake. Your guide will explain the biodiversity in this area, and discuss the importance of the lake for the livelihood of thousands of locals. Tonle Sap, meaning Great Lake is in fact a combined lake and river system. Learn about how its flow changes direction twice a year, depending upon the season. It has been declared a UNESCO biosphere, recognizing its great importance to the surrounding eco-system. Arriving at Tonle Sap, board a small boat and cruise for about an hour across the lake to the village of Prek Toal, situated on the Sangke River. Spend the morning bird watching from your boat as well as watch towers in the flooded forest. Your local guide is from the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve and is very knowledgeable about the area and the birdlife. Prek Toal has one of the largest concentrations of water birds in South-East Asia including Spot-billed Pelican, Painted and Milky storks, Asian Open bill, and Greater and Lesser adjutants. Later afternoon, you'll be returned to your hotel for free to relax or explore independently.

4 Day 12: Siem Reap / Koh Kong / Tatai This morning you catch a flight to Phnom Penh. Our driver take you to Tatai on a scenic 290km journey through the Cardamon Mountains (5 hours). Arrive at the Tatai Bridge and take a 30 minute boat ride to the 4Rivers Floating Lodge, your home for the next two nights, built on the river with gorgeous surroundings and peaceful seclusion, privacy and luxury far away from the beaten trail - the Four Rivers Floating Loadge must be one of the most unique and unusual properties we have come across. Situated on the curve of a river in the little explore Cardamom Mountains, close to the border with Thailand, it offers an unforgettable and magical escape. Spend time at leisure in the afternoon to fully enjoy the peace and quiet at the floating Resort. Go for a swim in the fresh river or take a kayak to discover the mangroves near the Resort. This late afternoon enjoy the Paradise Regained - Sunset Cruise, departure at 4.30pm, 2-3 hours or as long as you are enjoying yourselves. Leave your worries behind and cruise off into the Cardamoms superb sunset aboard our boat. Snuggle up with that special someone as the sun paints the sky with colors that change from brilliant blues to deep yellows, oranges, pinks and reds. Its spectacular lights add a whole new dimension to your 4 Rivers experience. As your boat cruises the waters of Tatai River with a warm ocean breeze, the descending darkness embraces you in the lush green of the forest and brings the misty mountains closer as the tropical sun dips to the horizon and transforms the skies into a spectacle showing off magnificent shades Before the sun sets, with the calm waters and the natural sounds of the surrounding forest to complement the romantic mood, you can sit back, relax and indulge your senses, with a glass of wine, on an unforgettable 4 Rivers Sunset Cruise. Toast the end of a perfect day in paradise as the sun s flare dies down and the velvet darkness of the night descends a prelude to a magical evening at 4 Rivers. Dinner at the Resort. After 9pm take a short boat trip (or kayak) under a sky full of stars and see the hundreds of fire flies up in the trees at the river, a truly magnificent view. Overnight at 4 River Floating Lodge (Deluxe Tented Lodge) Tatai Day 13: Tatai /L This morning, take a boat trip to Tatai Waterfall. Nature s Spa Tatai Waterfall by boat. One of the must-sees of the region, departure at 10am, 5-6 hours or as long as you are enjoying yourselves. Some degree of fitness is necessary for enjoying this trip to the full. Away from the tranquility of 4 Rivers Floating Lodge, the thunder of the majestic Tatai Falls reveals the river s true power as it drops 6 meters to the rocks below. Your day, depending on the tide, starts at around 10am for the 45-minute boat ride past Tatai village to the falls. Turning on to a tributary you head into the heart of the Cardamom jungle to the far-off sounds of exotic birds and its secretive wildlife. Within minutes you are at journey s end, gazing down into the turbulent waters of the falls. Soon it s time for lunch, maybe a few moments hydro-massage and a refreshing drink as you find some shade for a picnic and open your senses to the sights and sounds of the jungle. We will also arrange to transport some kayaks for your added fun and adventure. After leaving the falls, we stop at the mouth of a small river where you can paddle your kayak to a traditional Cambodian farm; you will see rice fields and some fruit trees depending of the season. Later this afternoon we return to the lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening. Overnight at 4 River Floating Lodge (Deluxe Tented Lodge) Tatai Day 14: Tatai / Kep You leave the floating lodge today and head over to Kep. This quiet fishing village is the ideal place to relax at the end of your holiday. On arrival in Kep check in to your beachside accommodations and enjoy the remainder of the day and evening at leisure. Settle in and enjoy the evening at your leisure. Day 15: Kep Enjoy full day at leisure to relax at your resort. Thoroughly recommended is a day trip to nearby Rabbit Island, where you can relax on the beautiful beach and enjoy dining on freshly caught crab.

5 Day 16: Kep A day trip to the limestone caves at Kampong Trach with their pagodas and shrines. The afternoon is free to spend at your leisure. Day 17: Kep / Phnom Penh You return to the capital today in plenty of time for your flight to next destination. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey. 2013/2014 Price December 2013 March 2014 Price: $ 3,110/ Per Person, based on double occupancy Price April 2014 September 2014 Price: $ 2,850/ Per Person, based on double occupancy. 2014/2015 Price October 2014 March 2015 Price: $ 3,230/ Per Person, based on double occupancy. WHAT S INCLUDED (PRIVATE TOUR): _ Hotel accommodation base on sharing a twin or double room with daily buffet breakfast. _ Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above. _ Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver. _ Private sightseeing with local, English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary. _ Meals included as indicated as in program: B: breakfast, L: lunch & D: dinner. _ Domestic flight tickets: Siem Reap Phnom Penh on Economy Class. _ Entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programmed. _ Boat cruise as specified in the programmed. _ VAT and all taxes and service charge. _ Cool drinking water on board. WHAT S NOT INCLUDED: _ International flight tickets and airport taxes. _ Visas, meals lunch and dinner. _ Travel insurance. _ Personal items and alcoholic beverages. _ Gratuities to your guides and drivers. Note: We can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations. Elephant Valley Mondulkiri