Cambodia Overland Experience 11 Days

Upon arrival, you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your guide who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route. Your guide will be holding a welcome signboard with the ASIA TOUR ADVISOR LOGO & your name. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Phnom Penh.

The riverside capital of Phnom Penh, once known as “The Pearl of Asia” and long considered the most beautiful French-built city of the Orient, is a charming and captivating city. The old French ochre-coloured colonial buildings are now being filled with trendy cafes, boutiques and art galleries and many traditional ornate temples still remain. The bustling squares and frangipani-lined boulevards create an atmosphere that is unlike any other city in South East Asia. Rich in history, Phnom Penh has a number of cultural and historical sites including the National Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and offers an insight into its darker past with the haunting Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum.

The peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek may not indicate what kinds of horrors have taken place there. Situated 17km from Phnom Penh town, Cheung Ek was made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia’s past will provide you with a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

The capital city of Phnom Penh was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerable charm. A city tour acquaints us with some major sights of Phnom Penh. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are now home to the royal family and are therefore very close to the public. At the northern area of the palace grounds is Silver Pagoda, the most sacred temple in the country. And visit the National Museum, which is dedicated exclusively to Khmer art and sculpture.

This afternoon travel from Phnom Penh to Kep. On arrival in Kep you'll meet your guide for introductions and check-in to your hotel. Your guide will provide you with a quick introduction to Kep and provide you with restaurant recommendations. Enjoy free time for the remainder of the day either exploring the area or lying on the beach.

The fishing village of Kep is located on a small headland on the Gulf of Thailand and is a former retreat for the French elite living in Phnom Penh during the colonial days. Abandoned villas dot the area and a former palace of King Sihanouk sits on a hill near the beach as testament to Kep's former glory. Slowly Kep is re-emerging and now offers resort accommodation and recreational activities.

Breakfast at your hotel, free time in Kep. There are an abundance of short walks in Kep that wind through the hills with views across the Gulf of Thailand, or simply enjoy swimming or relaxing at the beach.

This morning depart from Kep to Sihanoukville stopping en route at Kampot. Kampot is regarded as one of Cambodia’s most beautiful provincial towns. Stroll along the riverfront, which is lined with frangipani trees that blend harmoniously with the well preserved French colonial buildings. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the river, and then continue the journey to Sihanoukville. Enjoy the picturesque backdrop of the Damrei (Elephant) Mountains on the way.

Located on the south west peninsula facing the Gulf of Thailand, Sihanoukville was founded as a port town half a century ago, and today is Cambodia’s premier beach destination. Sihanoukville is surrounded by palm fringed white sand beaches, picturesque islands and warm tropical waters. Nearby islands and coral reefs teem with colourful fish and offer excellent snorkelling opportunities. Close by is Ream National Park with secluded beaches, mangrove forests, rivers, tropical jungles and varied wildlife ranging from sun bears to the endangered elongated tortoise. For seafood lovers the local specialities are crab and shrimp.

On arrival in Sihanoukville you'll meet your guide for introductions and check-in to your hotel. Your guide will provide you with a quick introduction to Sihanoukville and make plans for your trip tomorrow. Your guide can also provide you with restaurant recommendations. Enjoy free time for the remainder of the day either exploring the area or lying on the beach or besides your pool.

Spend a relaxing day in Ream National Park. Ream National Park offers secluded beaches, mangrove forests, rivers, tropical jungles and varied wildlife ranging from sun bears to the endangered elongated tortoise. The park is home to a number of other animals including macaques, dolphins, mouse deer, pangolins (scaly anteaters) and over a hundred species of birds. Visit the basic but informative park head quarters before setting out to explore the park with your guide.

Board a local boat to explore the mangrove forests and then climb up to the top of the watch tower for spectacular views over the National Park. Continue by boat over open water to experience the beauty and tranquillity of this untouched area. Disembark on a sandy island beach to enjoy a picnic lunch. Relax on the beach, spend time snorkelling or head back for a short 5 kilometres (3 miles) trek through the forest with your guide. Return in the late afternoon to Sihanoukville.

Breakfast at your hotel. Free time for relaxing on beach

After breakfast at your hotel, take a flight to Siem Reap. Arrive in Siem Reap, the guide pick you up and transfer for visiting Artisans d’Angkor focuses on training unschooled rural youth in traditional handicraft skills. Here you can discover traditional Cambodian handicraft skills and observe the artisans at work. Ancient techniques are still practiced here such as wood and stone carving, lacquering, gilding and silk painting. A guided tour will provide you with more insight into this organization and you may direct any questions to one of the artisans through your guide. And continue to visit to Angkor National Museum, in November 2007, the Angkor National Museum opened its doors, offering a comprehensive collection of Cambodian artifacts showcasing the origins of Khmer art, culture, and architecture. With eight galleries in total, it covers in depth the history of Cambodia and the Khmer Empire as well as a fascinating collection of Buddhist artifacts. Apart from the antiques and historical relics, they have successfully integrated state-of-the-art multimedia technology to help bring the exhibitions to life.

Have an early breakfast at hotel. At 07h30, depart hotel for visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art. And continue exploring the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. City & Bayon Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lipper King Terrace and Royal Palace Enclosure area and visit one more ruin in Angkor Area of Preah Khan temple, built in 12th century by King Jayavarman VII and it is the same style to Ta Prom Temple.

This morning we visit the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group (Lo Lei, Preah Koh, and Bakhong Temples). Lunch with the local family and then we will continue to drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back to Siem Reap we will visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishnu as well as Krishna legends.

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive to southern party of Siem Reap to embark on a short cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia’s biggest natural water body. The experience is wonderful as we pass by floating village, friendly children in small boats and fishermen at work and sunset at Phnom Krom. Then free time until pick you up and take you to the airport for your flight to next destination. Asia Tour Advisor can arrange additional customized trips for you should you require it.

Finish unforgettable Cambodia Tour with Asia Tour Advisor Co.,. Good bye & see you in the next time! AsiaTourAdvisor can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.