TRAILING INTO THE  WILD

After arriving in Siem Reap, transfer to hotel and check in.
In the afternoon boat trip to Kampong Khleang, one of the least visited villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, that is quite unique in all its charms. With 10,000 people inhabiting this village, all of whom make a living from the fishing industry. Explore the canals by boat (wet season) or streets (dry season) of this incredible town.

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Overnight in SIEM REAP

Full day Angkor Tour by TukTuk (Remork): Visit Angkor Wat by TukTuk, Cambodia’s unique transportation. The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples. As you enter the main building, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside.

On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology.

Next is to see Angkor Thom: the fortified city covering an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. 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.

In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle. Ta Prohm is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

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Overnight in SIEM REAP

oday we start early to travel to Prek Toal, a pristine biosphere on Tonle Sap Lake. The immense Tonle Sap Lake is one of the most productive bodies of water in the world and millions of fish spawn here in the flooded forest. Prek Toal is a vast area of natural flooded forest that draws thousands of birds annually to breed during the dry season. This is one of the premier places in Southeast Asia to see rare birds such as storks, adjutants, pelicans and ibis. You will also get a glance into the local daily life at Prek Toal floating village.

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Overnight in SIEM REAP

Picking up at 5.30am from your Siem Reap hotel, we head off to the Northeast in our A/C 4×4 towards the outlying forest temple complex of Koh Ker. Traveling out through villages and fields we take the opportunity to stop along the way for a packed breakfast and to spot some of the area’s unique birds –including many woodpeckers and the beautiful White-Rumped Pygmy Falcon. Koh Ker is a stunning and unique pyramidal temple built in 931AD, reminiscent of the structures built by the Central American Maya. This was the location that became the capital of the Khmer Empire away from the Angkor area for the only time in an otherwise uninterrupted 500 years.

We start our explorations in the remote dry and semi evergreen forest and rarely-visited outlying temples to discover the nature, wildlife, birds and incredible butterflies that live there, whilst exploring little known temples before heading to the main Koh Ker temple –Prasat hom, where we have lunch at a local restaurant right in front of the temple site.
We then travel on to Prey Veng, our flagship community Ecolodge, on the banks of a 12C baray deep in the Kulen Prum Tep Wildlife sanctuary. Spend the late afternoon exploring the nearby lost temple ruins, cycling or trekking round the baray, or just relax with sundowners on the platform over the reservoir watching the evening wildlife.

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Overnight in SIEM REAP, wildlife station (basic accommodation)

How you spend today is up to you. Explore the Baray trails spotting critically-endangered birds and wildlife, hike the 12 k to the mountain temples, or take a boat out with local fisherman to learn their skills. There is also the chance to visit the local village, community forest, monitoring or forest patrols whilst learning about traditional rubber tapping and other forest natural product harvesting; or learn about growing of our wildlife friendly Ibis Rice.

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Overnight in SIEM REAP, wildlife station (basic accommodation)

After early-morning wildlife spotting and breakfast we return to Siem Reap, stopping at Beng Melea, a spectacular deserted jungle-temple ruin. This site has only recently been de-mined and it has a very authentic feel –it is said to be the template for Angkor Wat. Return to Siem Reap around 5pm.

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Overnight in SIEM REAP

Early departure to Kratie, a small colonial style town. During arrival we transfer by ferry to Trong Island, and then take an excursion by horse-cart around this island, a 9 km loop around the islands provides opportunities to leisurely explore through traditional Khmer villages, fruits orchards and rice fields while observing the daily rituals and routines of the traditional village life.

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Overnight in KRATIE

In the morning transfer to Kampi, one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. We board a local boat and cruise out into the mighty Mekong for a chance encounter with these gentle creatures. After arriving check in the jungle lodge at the Elephant Valley Project. Overnight at the lodge (if possible else overnight at local guest house in town).

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Overnight in MONDULKIRI

Important Notice: Only possible from Monday to Friday

Get up with the Elephant and get the first information about the project. We enjoy a day with the elephants, shadowing the two families of elephants in the jungle, with the support of the Bunong villagers, which rescues and treats domestic elephants who have suffered injury and abuse. You will be introduced to the herd of elephants and get to know more about their history, character, behavior and body language while walking alongside them in their natural environment. After lunch you will undertake a walking trek with the elephants through the stunning Mondulkiri countryside to a waterfall for a refreshing swim and elephant bath. Then return to the camp for overnight.

Important note: This is a description of an average day. Due to the nature of this project and also to protect the welfare of the elephants (without forcing them what to do), some days may vary.

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Overnight in MONDULKIRI

Picking up in Sen Monorom at 6.30am, we drive 45 minutes to our rainforest safari camp for breakfast. The Jahoo Gibbon Camp is a responsible tourism and conservation project, giving you a completely unique opportunity to trek deep into the core of Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. The area is part of key conservation and species monitoring by WCS and the indigenous Bunong community.

We will spend the whole day trekking through this stunning rainforest habitat, tracking endangered Black-shanked Doucs, Gibbons, Elephants, Bantaengand other endangered species. We can chose routes based on fitness and interests –stopping at butterfly filled waterfalls where you can swim at some times of the year, discovering Bunong Spirit Trees, farms and stories.

Lunch is in the forest on traditional Bunong ‘Bamboo Soup’, made in bamboo over the fire before heading back to the camp by 4.30 to relax over sundowners and watch the wildlife from our Bamboo Lounge. In the evening, feast on traditional Bunong and Khmer food, whilst learning traditional culture and games.

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Overnight in MONDULKIRI, CAMPSITE

Before dawn we rise and head out to the key Gibbon Area with the WCS Bunong Gibbon Researcher son the in search of these elusive, critically-endangered primates and other rare wildlife. This is a relatively short trek, close to the camp, moving quickly and quietly. We breakfast in the forest, returning to the Camp for lunch. In the afternoon we head back out for a short trek into the forest and Bunong farms for wildlife and bird watching for rare species such as Bar-Bellied Pitta and Germain’s Peacock Pheasant. We return you to your Sen Monorom hotel around 17: 00

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Overnight in MUNDOLKIRI

After breakfast overland transfer back to Phnom Penh. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at Phnom Penh
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Overnight in PHNOM PENH

Full day city tour in Phnom Penh: Today you will discover Phnom Penh. The National Museum is the country’s leading historical and archaeological museum. The buildings are inspired by Khmer temple architecture and house more than 14,000 items. The Royal Palace is a complex of buildings, with beautiful towering spires showing examples of classic Khmer architecture. Tourists cannot enter the area of the royal abode however, visitors can gain entry to the Throne Hall (Preah Tineang Tevea Vinichhay) where coronations and official ceremonies take place, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Preah Keo Morakot), Stupas (Chedei), a Royal Dining Hall, the Chan Chhaya Pavilion and a French-style building that was a gift from Napoleon III.

Visit the Silver Pagoda, lying within the grounds of the Royal Palace, situated near the banks of the Mekong River. More than 5300 pcs of 1.125 kilo silver tiles are used to cover the floor of the Silver Pagoda, and the silver pieces collectively weigh over six tons.

The see the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21): Learn about a chapter from Cambodia’s more recent, tragic, past at the TUOL SLENG MUSEUM (Museum of Genocide). Formerly the TuolSvay Prey High School, in 1975, this became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime at that time known as Security Prison 21, or simply S-21. Kept largely unchanged, this prison now showcases photographs and exhibits about the thousands of victims that passed through these doors only seven of whom came out alive.

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Overnight in PHNOM PENH

Spend a day as a Bear-keeper at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, south of the capital Phnom Penh. Join the bear-keepers in preparing food and toys which keep the bears happy and healthy in their forest sanctuary. Take a look at the other endangered species at the centre. With this trip you contribute directly towards caring for the bears that have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.

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Overnight in PHNOM PENH

Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight to next destination.
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