Cambodia Couple Adventure

Start with a visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance. Your next stop is the Bayon, known for the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers. The bas reliefs are quite impressive and tell stories of daily life and the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais. Move on to Phimeanakas, shaped a bit like a pyramid with two ponds in the rear. The ponds were once used for religious rituals but today serve as swimming pools for Khmer kids. Walk to the top of the temple for impressive views of the Angkor complex.

See the rows of trunks that form the wall of the Terrace of the Elephants, a platform from which King Jayavarman surveyed his army. Close by is the Terrace of Leper Kings, which includes a statue depicting Yana, the Hindu god of death. Then it’s a short drive to one of the most loved temples of all – Ta Prohm. This small crumbling temple is held together by giant tree roots giving it a magical feel.

Return to Siem Reap for lunch and to escape the hot sun. Then later in the afternoon explore the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. This visually spectacular temple is a massive three-tiered pyramid, rising 65 metres from the ground and crowned by five lotus towers. It’s the national symbol of Cambodia and proudly appears on the country’s flag.

Enjoy an evening under the big top in downtown Siem Reap with an evening show at Phare, the Cambodian Circus. Run by the NGO of the same name which supports the futures of Khmer youth with art and performance training, Phare is a lively show combining elements of high flying, tight-rope walking, juggling, contortion, music and theatre circus arts in one energetic showcase of Cambodian culture. Enjoy an evening of cultural discovery for a good cause and pick up a few souvenirs on your way out.

Drive to the edge of the Tonle Sap Lake and embark on a cruise to Kompong Phluk (best time between Aug-Feb), an isolated Khmer community of three villages built on wooden stilts, rising from six to eight metres high. The community has about 3,000 inhabitants who farm fish and vegetables on floating platforms.

During your visit, your boat will take you through mangrove forests, a unique ecosystem that survives on flooded soil for months. Mangroves are also hosting for a variety of wildlife, keep an eye out for birds and especially the crab-eating macaques!

Then, continue to drive to a small village called Chansar and you’ll stop just outside the village and hop aboard an ox cart for a fun ride through the fields and to the home of a Khmer family who specializes in making brooms. Watch how they make brooms from natural materials, and if you like have a go! Then take a guided walking tour around the village where you have an opportunity to participate in fishing, farming or animal husbandry activities, depending on the time of year. 

Enjoy a simple Khmer lunch followed by more activities or just spend time chatting with the locals. Funds from your tour go directly to the community to improve the lives of the people. On the way back to Siem Reap, you will stop at a Buddhist temple to receive a blessing from the monks.

In the morning you will transfer to Battambang which will take time around 3hours. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a walking tour of Battambang, which will include visits to some of the old French Colonial buildings along the river and a visit to the former Governor’s residence. Just two kilometres away from Battambang on the Sangker River is the village of Wat Kor. Here you will gain a fascinating insight into the Cambodian way of life in the province. Many of the structures in the town were constructed in the early 20th century.

This morning, visit Homemade Rice Paper which is normally used to make spring roll. Understand the process of how they make it and of course, it’s your turn to try next! Afterward continue to Wat Phnom Banan, an 11th century temple built by King Jarvarman VII. Located on top of a 400-metre-high hill, the views from the temple are simply breath-taking and have fun with a bamboo train, before continuing on to  the next destination, Ek Phnom. It was built in the 11th century under the rule of Suryavarman. Although the temple is in poor condition compared to those in neighbouring Angkor, there are still some very beautiful Hindu carvings to be seen. Return to hotel to freshen up and have lunch.

This afternoon head to visit fishing village (fish paste market) out of town before moving forward to explore Phnom Sampeau, which is a natural rock formation which contains a series of caves. The area was a former stronghold of the Khmer Rouge and some of the caves were used as “killing caves”. Here you will also have opportunity to visit Bat Cave and see thousands of Bats flying around 5pm, leave the cave as dusk falls, a steady stream flying out for around 45minutes. Your guide will be able to give you a history of this area.

In evening, transfer to test and eat local street food that will give you a genuine experience of Khmer cuisine. Your guide will give more suggestions so please feel free to inform them of any allergens.

This morning you will be transferred to Phnom Penh by car, which takes 6 hours and in the evening you’re free to relax and enjoy the cuisine the hotel has to offer.

Set off from your hotel into the country’s capital, starting with a visit to the Royal Palace, a stone’s throw from the Tonle Sap River. Built in 1813, the palace contains several buildings which have been used for the coronation of kings and other ceremonies. Within the grounds is the Silver Pagoda, aptly named because of the 5000 silver tiles weighing 1kg each which cover the entire floor. Head on from here to the National Museum built during 1917-1920 and housed in an elegant terracotta building, in keeping with traditional design. After wandering around the museum, continue to Wat Phnom, the city’s main temple situated on top of a hill along with throngs of worshippers.

After lunch, you will then see the sobering and poignant Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which documents the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge against the Cambodian people.

In the evening, board a charming river boat and prepare to take in the sights of local life along the Mekong River. Watch village women carry out their household chores as children splash happily alongside them. Lookout for diminutive fishing boats and the sight of fishermen hauling in their nets after a long day on the river. Watch as the sun sets, and the sky lights up with vibrant colours making for a perfect backdrop for a spot of sightseeing. Purchase drinks and snacks on board and take in the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and Wat Ounalom as daylight grows scarce and the bright lights of the city come alive. This is the perfect way to see the sights of Phnom Penh away from the crowds.

This morning you will transfer to Kampot (approx. 4hrs). One of Cambodia’s most attractive old towns. Famous for its pepper, Kampot supplied most French restaurants with this vital spice for many years during colonial rule. Today, the region is more renowned for its plantations of durian, a spiky, pungent fruit that either incites adoration or sheer loathing. Upon arrival you will visit journey around the city and colonial buildings, salt fields and numerous fishing villages.

In the evening enjoy a sunset and fireflies cruise

You will be picked up from your hotel to La Plantation Kampot to visit around there to learn about the organic Kampot pepper plantation and have fun with a cooking class. In the afternoon enjoy kayaking along the Kampot river to challenge your adventurous side!

The evening is free to enjoy each others company.

This morning your driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Sihanouk Ville pier for check in for a speedboat excursion to the resort on Koh Rong island. The rest of day is free for spa treatments, lounging on the beach, journeying around the island or just relaxing.

Enjoy the day by relaxing on the beach, indulging yourself in spa treatments or hiring a car to drive round the island and see what spectacular vantage points you can find.

This morning you will transfer by boat back to Sihanouk Ville pier. Our driver will be waiting there to welcome you and transfer to Phnom Penh.

Note: Transfer from Sihanouk Ville to Phnom Penh take time around 6-7hours drive.