Cambodian Odyssey

Cambodian Odyssey Overview

Cambodian Odyssey is an exhilarating holiday in Cambodia from pristine beaches in Sihanoukville to the colonial splendour of Phnom Penh and the unforgettable temples of Siem Reap to the wonderful sights of the mighty Mekong and Tonle Sap. This 15 day holiday starts from 1115 pp excluding flights and can be adapted in any way to suit you.

A journey through Sihanoukville - Kep - Phnom Penh - Kratie - Banlung - Kampong Cham - Siem Reap

Day 1: Koh Kong – Kampong Som (Sihanoukville)

From Koh Kong take a journey by vehicle across the east coastal provinces of Koh Kong to Kampong Som for overnight.

Day 2: Kampong Som (Sihanoukville)

Spend all day at leisure. Overnight in Kampong Som.

Day 3: Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) – Kep

Start the tour by vehicle from Kampong Som to Kampot. The caves and mountains of limestone around Kampot and Kep are riddled with cave formations.Travel by vehicle from Kampot to Kep. Overnight in Kep.

Day 4: Kep – Phnom Penh

Travel vehicle from Kep to Phnom Penh. Visit the TONLE BATI, a lake south of Phnom Penh, with a beach and the impressive laterite temple of Ta Prohm. Proceed to ANGKOR BOREI, a 6th century monument, built in laterite by King Rudravarman of Funan. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 5: Phnom Penh

Explore Phnom Penh, a chaotic energetic and always fascinating city. Start the tour into Cambodia’s cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE and the adjacent SILVER PAGODA also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Visit Phnom Penh’s two great markets, the CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building or the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewellery.

Day 6: Phnom Penh – Kratie

Start the day with a journey by vehicle from Phnom Penh to KRATIE. Sightseeing of the provincial capital which is a peasant, small riverside town on the banks of the Mekong River. Visit the Dolphin Observation Park located just north of town and enjoy an hour long boat trip past peaceful rural scenery as you watch out for a rare sighting of one of the 50 endangered Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins that inhabit this stretch of the river. Overnight in Kratie.

Day 7: Kratie – Banlung

Travel by vehicle from Kratie to BANLUNG. Enjoy an excursion to the YEAK LOAM LAKE. It is a beautiful crater lake lying in the remains of a volcano that erupted over 4000 years ago. Nearby is a display of local handicrafts and information on local tribal life. Overnight in Banlung.

Day 8: Banlung

Continue further with an excursion by vehicle from Banlung to TA VEANG and visit many of the different minority villages in the area. Groups include the Jarai, Tumpoun, Krueng, Kra Chok and Kavet. Overnight in Banlung.

Day 9: Banlung

Proceed further to VEUN SAI, a Toumpoun village with a particularly impressive cemetery. After exploring the village, continue by local ferry boat across the river to a nearby Lao and Chinese village. Time permitting visit a Kreung village before returning to Banlung. Overnight in Banlung.

Day 10: Banlung

After breakfast, enjoy the trip from Banlung to the village of ANDOUNG MEAS and embark on a boat to PHOUM DAL or another Jarai village. The Jarai are an ethnic minority who dwell in traditional stilt houses. Their beliefs are polytheistic and they follow elaborate funerary customs, carving fascinating funerary totems out of wood. After exploring the village, enjoy a picnic lunch on the riverbanks and return to Banlung by boat and vehicle. Overnight in Banlung.

Day 11: Banlung - Kampong Cham

Continue further by vehicle from Banlung to Kampong Cham. Overnight in Kampong Cham.

Day 12: Kampong Cham - Siem Reap

Enjoy the trip from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap. En route visit the SAMBOR PREI KUK, also known as Isanapure. It is an ancient Chenla capital dating from the 6th century and is one of the most impressive group of pre-9th century monuments in Cambodia. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13: Siem Reap

Begin the day with the crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. Continue sightseeing with a visit of TA PROHM. It is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor. Continue to visit BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE. Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples it is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Siem Reap

Continue further today and visit ANGKOR THOM. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public ceremonies both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. This temple is one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor. In the afternoon enjoy an excursion to the KAMPONG KLEANG on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15:Siem Reap

Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.