Treasure of The North

After arriving in Siem Reap, you will be picked up by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Time at leisure.

In the afternoon we will pick you up by Tuk Tuk, Cambodia’s truly unique form of local transportation and enjoy the ride through the picturesque countryside. Board a wooden boat and enjoy a cool and relaxing boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake. Here we will visit one of the floating villages with its houses standing on stilts and board a pirogue to discover the seasonally flooded forest.

Return to Siem Reap for overnight

Full day at the temple by Tuk Tuk. After breakfast, we begin the second day with a visit to the awe-inspiring Angkor Thom or ‘Great City’. This will include many of the finest Temples of King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181-1220. At the southern gate of Angkor Thom, you will marvel at the imposing 23-metre high stone faces of Avalokiteshvara, which featured in the Tomb Raider movie. These astonishing carvings inspire awe and wonder in the beholder. At the center of this citadel lies the state temple of Bayon, which we will also visit. This temple-mountain, built at the end of the 12th century, is adorned with hundreds of gigantic stone faces. This tour also includes the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and the 12 identical towers of Prasat Suor Prat.

Later in the day you will discover the most famous temples from the 11th century: Baphuon, Phimeanakas, North Khleang and South Khleang. In the afternoon we will begin our explorations of magnificent Angkor Wat, built under Suryavarman II, and the Ta Prohm complex, which dates back to Jayavarman VII’s reign (1181-1220). The second day concludes with panoramic views of the sunset and Angkor Wat from temple mountain Phnom Bakhaeng (900 AD).

We then head back to Siem Reap for your second night’s stay.(B) Overnight in Siem Reap

Full day at Kulen Mountain and Bantrey Srei

After breakfast enjoy an excursion to Kulen Mountain and Banteay Srei. Kulen Mountain is known for its carvings representing fertility and its waters, which hold special significance to Hindus. Just 5 cm under the water’s surface over 1000 small carvings are etched into the sandstone riverbed.

Proceed to Bantrey Srei, which dates back to 967 AD. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is famed for the intricate friezes carved into its red sandstone walls. On the way back, we will visit Banteay Samre, which was built during Suryarvaman II’s rule in the middle of the 12th century. Next on the itinerary are three impressive temples from the 10th century – Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup and Prasat Kravan. Explore the intricate and ingenious designs.

Back to Siem Reap for overnight.
(B)
Overnight in Siem Reap

After breakfast, drive to Kampong Thom to see the Sambor Prei Kuk Temples, founded by King Isanavarman I during the seventh century, Sambor Prei Kuk was once the capital of Chenla known as Isanapura, and was a religious center dedicated to the worship of Shiva. Collectively, the complex consists of more than a hundred temples built of solid bricks, laterite and sandstone and from the remains. It is understood that several successions of kings have maintained this site as their capital, each time adding more temples and monuments to the capital city. In the afternoon enjoy the daily life with the local people in the Isanborei Community.

Overnight in Homestay.

(B)
Overnight in Kampong Thom

Early departure to Kratie, a small colonial style town. Visit Wat Phnom Sambok to see the Buddhist monasteries and to enjoy the magnificent views of the surrounding countryside from the hilltop. On the way back to Kratie stop at the best riverside vantage point from which to view the rare fresh water Irrawaddy River Dolphins. Take a small ferry boat to the Island Koh Trong, situated in the middle of the Mekong River opposite Kratie town.

(B)
Overnight in Kratie

Horse Cart ride at the island and overland transfer to Ratanakiri. 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. Take a ferry ride back to Kratie and continue to Ratanakiri. Overnight in Banlung.

(B)
Overnight in Ratanakiri

Have breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards heading per 4WD car towards the Lao border to Veun Sai. After exploring the small village Veun Sai and its local market, continue per wooden boat upstream to Kopirk, a small local village on the Tonle San River with a particularly impressive cemetery. Have a glance into people’s local life and visit the impressive cemetery. (Donations are required in Kopork village and can be given directly to the chief of the village, supporting the local people in need.)On the way back, stop at the nearby Lao and Chinese village, to see people’s local lifestyle.

Back to Banlung for overnight.

(B/L)
Overnight in Ratanakiri

After Breakfast drive per 4WD north direction Lao border to Ta Veng District, home to many different minority groups. We then visit various pleasant Kroeung villages that line the road throughout the forest. (Donations are required in each village and can be given directly to the chief of the village, supporting the local people in need.)

Continue to visit the Yeak Loam Lake,a volcanic crater, situated 5 km southeast of Banlung town. It is the most beautiful, unspoilt lake of Ratanakiri, formed by a volcanic eruption almost thousands of years ago. The lake has up to 50 meters deep, clean water and has an 800 meter diameter. Around the lake is a very easy walking path of about 2,500 m that takes around 1 hour walk. Back to Banlung for overnight.

(B)
Overnight in Ratanakiri

This morning you will go bargain-hunting at the Banlung Market., where all manner of fruit, vegetables and forest products are sold, before driving back to Kampong Cham.

(B) Overnight in Kampong Cham

Continue to Phnom Penh. On the way, we will pass the famous rubber plantations of Kampong Cham province and visit the 11th century Wat Nokor temple near Kampong Cham city. Continuing on to Phnom Penh.

(B)
Overnight in Phnom Penh

Full day city tour in Phnom Penh. After breakfast your city explorations begin with a visit to the National Museum and see some of the wonderful antiquities from the Khmer civilization. This will be followed by trips to the remarkable Silver Pagoda, as well as a tour of the Royal Palace. Visit the Wat Phnom pagoda and the fascinating craft centre nearby, followed by shopping in the Central Market or the Russian Market. You will learn more of the painful suffering of the Khmer people during Pol Pot’s regime when you visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Back to the hotel for overnight.

(B)
Overnight in Phnom Penh

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure flight.