The Essence of The Khmer Kingdom

- A Secret Retreats journey -
14 days / 13 nights
from 3,400 USD /person

 

ITINERARY BOOK
 


This journey has been personally designed by Kim Nou (host at Maisons Wat Kor).
Has been in the travel business for over 25 years, is in love with his country and passionate about sharing his deep knowledge of Khmer culture and unique places with guests and give them memorable experience to bring back home.

All our itineraries have generally been constructed on the basis of the rooms that have the most charm or best view, and not necessarily the first prices, nor the most expensive suites.
We can of course adjust according to your request.

Highlights of the Journey:

  • Angkor Archeological Site
  • Lake Tonle Sap and Battambang
  • Phnom Penh
  • Beaches of Koh Rong
  • Pepper plantation in Kampot

«Je crois parfois que toute mon écriture naît de là, entre les rizières, les forêts, la solitude.» Marguerite Duras.

An unforgettable journey through Cambodia, where ancient temples, lush landscapes, and vibrant culture await. Your adventure begins in Siem Reap, where you’ll explore the majestic ruins of Angkor, from the iconic Angkor Wat to the mystical Ta Prohm, engulfed by jungle. Cruise through the floating villages of Tonlé Sap, trek to sacred river carvings at Kbal Spean, and unwind in luxurious boutique hotels. Continue to Battambang, where you’ll delve into local craftsmanship and witness the breathtaking spectacle of bats emerging from Phnom Sampouv. In Phnom Penh, uncover Cambodia’s rich history at the Royal Palace and National Museum before venturing to the tranquil riverside town of Kampot, famed for its pepper plantations. Escape to the pristine beaches of Koh Rong, where turquoise waters and white sands offer the perfect finale to your Cambodian odyssey. With a blend of guided excursions, cultural encounters, and leisure time, this itinerary promises an immersive and enriching travel experience.


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Your Journey Day by Day

from 3,400 USD /person for 14 days / 13 nights

based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room

 

 
Day 1 : Siem Reap (-/-/-)
After welcoming you on arrival at Siem Reap International Airport with a cool refreshing lemongrass towel we will drive you to the hotel and let you settle down at your hotel, Heritage Suites or Anjali by Syphon. If you land early enough in Siem Reap a visit of the National Museum will be proposed. The museum gives the visitor a great introduction to the history of the Angkor complex, perfect before visiting the temples. Later in the afternoon, a tuk-tuk will take you for a drive to give you a general overview of the location the main temple of Angkor. At night you can enjoy dinner at your own pace then return back to the holtel.
HOTEL: Heritage Suites, Le Chanthou or Vellita
Day 2 : Siem Reap (B/-/-)
After an early breakfast at hotel, you will meet your guide at eight in the morning, in the lobby and transfer to the pier of Roluos. Discover the village of Kompong Phluk, one of the beautiful stilted villages, located 16 kilometers from Siem Reap. Visit the village and take a boat trip in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the great Lake of Cambodia, one of the wonders of Asia. At noon, we return to Siem Reap city center for lunch (we will suggest some restaurants for you to pick) After lunch, return to your hotel and time for a cooling dip in the pool before returning to the temple complex to visit the most dramatic temples of the site.
At 15:00, you will continue your temple visits to Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake, and visit Ta Prohm until the sunset, one of the most beautiful temples in the area, as it has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been left to be swallowed by the jungle, and looks very much the ways most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorer first stumbled upon them. Sunset at Pre Rup temple and return back to your.
For dinner, we will recommend you, some nice Secret Tables for you to pick.
HOTEL: Heritage Suites, Le Chanthou or Vellita
Day 3 : Siem Reap (B/L/-)
After an early breakfast at hotel, you will depart at 8:00 am to the Kulen Mountain range. Walk 45 minutes through the forest to the top of the hill to reach Kbal Spean, the Thousand Linga River: discover the 10th-12th century sculptures chiseled from the rocky riverbed, the Royal Bath and the waterfall. Then, continuation to the enchanting temple of Banteay Srei, the nearly everyone's favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, small size and excellence of decoration. Lunch at Khmer House located 7 kilometers from Banteay Srei temple. After lunch, return to the hotel and a relaxing afternoon by the pool or a relaxing massage. No arrangement for dinner
HOTEL: Heritage Suites, Le Chanthou or Vellita
Day 4 : Siem Reap (B/-/D)
After breakfast, you will leave at 8:30 am by tuk tuk to visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosing wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Enjoy the sunset on Angkor Wat.
We will have a break around 12:30 for lunch (own account). In the afternoon, visit the South Gate by tuk tuk with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Baphoun temple. Enjoy the sunset on Angkor Wat!
Return to your hotel to refresh.

At 19h30, we will book a table for your dinner at Mie Café restaurant, a member of Secret Tables, where the very creative and dynamic Chef Pola will serve you a unique and exciting menu of Khmer ingredients with Western techniques.
HOTEL: Heritage Suites, Le Chanthou or Vellita
Day 5 : Siem Reap - Battambang (B/-/-)
After breakfast at hotel, check out, the driver will pick you up around 09:00 and drive you to Battambang (3hrs drive). We should reach Battambang around 12:30, for check-in at your hotel, the Maisons Wat Kor. Probably a good time for your to enjoy lunch at the property (own account). After lunch, a relaxing afternoon by the pool or a relaxing massage (optional). 16h30, an excursion by tuk-tuk will be arranged for a late afternoon visit to Phnom Sampauv, about 12 km from Battambang. This site is famous for the 1000 Bats Cave, an incredible natural wonder to witness at dusk as the bats leave the cave to hunt. We return to your hotel in evening There will be no dinner arrangement tonight.
HOTEL: Les Maisons Wat Kor
Day 6 : Battambang (B/L/-)
After a relaxing breakfast a tour by tuk-tuk to discover Battambang. Where you will meet the seamstresses of Kramas and learn to make traditional incenses. Meet a lady of Battambang to learn how they make traditional cigarettes. Then meet and learn the local wood carvers of the area, after discover an artisan kitchen where they specialize in making rice noodles and then head to a local rice wine factory. During the excursion, you will stop for lunch at local restaurant and then continue to tour further. You will then stop by a household famed for Battambang’s speciality, rice cakes and then stop by another house to enjoy some sticky rice cooked in bamboo. Followed by a visit to the local market to see the essential ingredients for “Prahoc”, fish paste being made. After the market stop by the to see the colonial old town, the Governor's House, the Provincial Museum and the Psar Natt market. After the activities head back and enjoy some dinner on your own account.
HOTEL: Les Maisons Wat Kor
Option: During your stay in Battambang you can attend a circus show organized by the NGO Phare. The show takes place every Monday and Thursday from 19:00 to 20:30. We recommend that you head there for arrival at 18:00, before the performance, to have time to visit a visual arts exhibition created by the students.
Day 7 : Battambang - Phnom Penh (B/L/-)
Departure by road to Phnom Penh after breakfast. We will stop on the road for a local style lunch and visit Kampong Chhnang, a village famed for its pottery. On arrival in Phnom Penh, check in at Iroha Garden Hotel (Deluxe Balcony) Free time at the pool to relax and dinner on your own
HOTEL: Iroha Garden
Day 8 : Phnom Penh (B/-/-)
After your breakfast, you will tour the Khmer capital starting with the National Museum (also known as the Museum of Fine Arts) followed by the Royal Palace, built in 1866 by King Norodom with its Silver Pagoda and then a trip to the Hill of Wat Phnom considered as the center of the city. Lunch by your own account. In the afternoon, visit to the Russian market and an option to visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. No arrangement for dinner, but we will be happy to make recommendations.
HOTEL: Iroha Garden
Day 9 : Phnom Penh - Kampot (B/L/-)
Breakfast at your hotel and check out, 09:00am meet the driver and depart to Kampot. Visit a pepper plantation and exotic trees, guided by the manager of the plantation. Relax and enjoy the serenity of the nature. Lunch with local dishes served in the garden. Continue the journey to the riverside city of Kampot and check-in at your lodge. Free time after check in.
HOTEL: Khla Lodge
Day 10 : Kampot (B/-/-)
No program arrangements today.
The team at the lodge can arrange some activities for you: They offer free bicycles and kayaks, and they can also organize some visit of Kampot town or to the salt fields of the Kampot Delta.
HOTEL: Khla Lodge
Day 11 : Kampot – Koh Rong (B/-/-)
Early breakfast and checkout and transfer to the new Kampot International Tourism Port to catch the 8:30am speedboat to Koh Road (2hrs ride). Upon arrival in Koh Rong, transfer to your Glamping Camp.
Check-in and free time for relaxation.
HOTEL: Tamu Koh Rong
Day 12 & 13 : Koh Rong (B/-/-)
No arrangement for the 2 full days. Enjoy the island, the hotel facilities, the beach and relax...
HOTEL: Tamu Koh Rong
Day 14 : Koh Rong – Phnom Penh Airport (B/-/-)
Leisure breakfast and check out, at 10:00am depart by boat to Sihanoukville port. Meet the driver and drive to Phnom Penh Airport for your departure flight.

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End of our services.

Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary


The Essence of The Khmer Kingdom

14 days / 13 nights
from 3,400 USD /person

based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room

 



The total price includes:
All Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis at suggested hotels, lodges and cruises.
All meals as mentioned in the program (B= Breakfast / L = Lunch / D= Dinner)
All transfers are by private, spacious, air-conditioned car, with water and refreshing towels provided. The vehicle services we use are vetted by us to ensure well-maintained, correctly licensed, good, and safe drivers. Or tuk-tuk for some of the tours
Entrance fees to all sites and museums mentioned in the program.
Professional Local English-speaking guide with license (other languages possible when required) for all tours in Siem Reap, Battambang and Phnom Penh.
Government taxes currently in force (VAT, etc....)

The total price does not include:
International and domestic flights to/from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh
Visa to Cambodia - Most countries do need a visa for Cambodia. Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond your departure date.
Beverages, personal expenses, and other services not clearly mentioned
Tipping guides and drivers, which are of course not mandatory, but always appreciated, are subject to your discretion.
Travel insurance of any kind (recommended)


This Secret Journey was designed in cooperation with Kim Nou and Selective Travel Cambodia Team (license #50004510)

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