Full Itinerary

Day 1: UK Airport / Siem Reap

Depart on a choice of overnight flights to Siem Reap

Day 2: Arrive Siem Reap

On arrival you’ll be met by your private guide and transferred to the city centre where you check in to your choice of hotel for 4 nights. This evening you might like to visit the circus that performs nightly in the centre of town. We can arrange tickets.

Day 3: Siem Reap - Private Guided Angkor Temples Highlights Tour (B / L)

This morning your private guide will pick you up for a guided tour of the iconic Angkor Archaeological Park. Start off at Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer Empire. Highlights include the magnificent Bayon, one of the most recognisable sites because of the 54 towers adorned with 216 enigmatically smiling stone faces, the Terrace of Elephants, a giant viewing stand for public ceremonies and the Terrace of Leper Kings, whose walls boast beautifully carved nagas, demons and other mythological beings. In the low morning sun the carvings really stand out and as you stand on the Terrace of Elephants you get a great view across a parkland scene interspersed with giant trees protected in the National Park.

Then move onto the temple of Ta Phrom, jungle covered and pretty much left as originally found by European explorers to create a mystical atmosphere.

Back to Siem Reap (15 minutes away) for lunch and a rest in the hot midday. This afternoon return to explore Angkor Wat, the most famous and best preserved of all the Angkor temples. You’ll have time for a thorough exploration before climbing to the top of Pre Rup temple to watch the sun set over the jungle. Back to the hotel by early evening.

Extra...The great thing about having your own specialist guide is that the itinerary can be tailored to you and be adapted on the ground to take advantage of local knowledge and keep ahead of the crowds. Angkor represents the universe in miniature and you could spend weeks touring round the thousand or so temples, so on this tour we focus on the highlights, but we can easily extend your stay.

Day 4: Siem Reap - Private guided Tonle Sap Lake & Angkor Temples Tour (B / L)

This morning join your guide for the 45 minute transfer through the Cambodia countryside to Tonle Sap Lake where you board a longtail boat to explore the lake and visit Kompong Phluk, an isolated community of three villages built on stilts. These scenic villages are flooded for around half the year and you will board a local boat, rowed by a villager, to explore the community. You will also be taken through the flooded mangrove forests that are the main building block of this valuable ecosystem that supports a variety of wildlife. Return to Siem Reap in time for a lunch in alocal restaurant.

This afternoon re-join your guide and head further into Angkor Archaeological Park to visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. These exquisite examples of Khmer history are a bit off the beaten track with fewer visitors and so all the more enjoyable to explore. Banteay Samre’s name is derived from the Samre people who live to the east of the baray and according to legend the temple was named after a farmer who killed the king and ascended to the throne. The half hour ride also offers an insight into everyday life as you pass through villages. Look out for sugar palm kilns, scarecrows that keep evil spirits at bay and paddy fields that carpet the land. Back at the hotel late afternoon.

Day 5: Siem Reap (B) - Free Day Or Add Tours

We've left this day free so that you can ralax by the pool, explore Siem Reap Town or perhaps add an extra tour to Angkor Archaeological Park. We can offer a selection of suggestions or you can wait and add locally.

Day 6: Siem Reap (B) - Cardamom Mountains & Tatai River Stay

This morning you'll be transferred to the airport for the short flight south to Sihanoukville on the Cambodia coast. From here you'll be transferred 3 hours into the rural heart of the country to Tatai where you board a boat for a short transfer to the Canvas & Orchids Retreat. Eco-tourism has come a long way and this is a luxurious boutique resort that just happens to be floating on a beautiful river in one of the most unspoilt corners of Cambodia. In tune with its natural surrounding it offers a wonderful window into a disappearing world.

This evening relax on the restaurant terrace, the prime position to watch the sun set over the river and sink into the mangrove forests. Dinner will be served at the wonderful restaurant that specialises in a fusion of Khmer and French cuisine.

Day 7: 4 Canvas & Orchids Retreat (B) - Relax on the River

A full day to relax and enjoy this part of Eden. Perhaps kayak down the river to explore the mangrove waterways that reach back into the jungle, try your hand at fishing for your supper, join a boat excursion to Tatai Waterfall, or visit local markets in nearby villages. Maybe just enjoy a refreshing swim in the river and lounge on the terrace soaking up the tropical sunshine before taking a long lunch.

After dinner one of the most popular excursions is the short kayak adventure to watch the fireflies’ night time show.

Day 8: Tatai River to Koh Chang Island Thailand - Beach

Morning free for final swim / kayak before boarding the resort's boat for the journey back to Ta Tai, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the Thai border (about 30 minutes). Complete the Thai Immigration formalities and walk across the border to meet your Thai driver who will take you on for 1.5-2 hours to Trat port and accompany you on the 30 minute ferry to Koh Chang. On arrival you will be driven on to your choice of hotel for 4 nights or more.

Day 09-11: Koh Chang Beach (B) - Free Days

3 free days (or longer) to relax on the beach and enjoy the hotel’s facilities. If you want to venture further afield perhaps take a snorkelling / diving trip or hiking excursion into the lush interior.

Day 12: Koh Chang (B) - Trat / Bangkok / UK Airport

You’ll be collected for the ferry back to the mainland and on to Trat airport for the flight to Bangkok and onward flight home. Arrive UK the following morning.

Inclusions

What's Included:

Each featured itinerary is really a starting point from which to create your ideal holiday.

We can include as much or as little as you like, mix and match hotels, excursions and experiences, add extra nights and change the destinations you'd like to visit.

The common thread is that each is a privately guided holiday, allowing you to travel where and when you want, with your own private transport and dedicated guide.

General Inclusions:

• Return scheduled international flights (optional if you would like to arrange your own)
• English speaking, local guide & driver
• Choice of hotel accommodation
• Transport in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Domestic flights detailed in itinerary
• Admission fees to all attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
• All meals as detailed (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)

General Exclusions:

• Entry visas International airport departure taxes if payable locally
• Optional Tours / Excursions
• Any meals not listed in the itinerary
• Drinks
• Personal expenses
• Tips for Guides / Drivers (discretionary)
• Travel insurance
• Any camera or video fees charged at sites

Where You'll Stay

 Hotels

The hotels below are there as examples, designed to act as a starting point from which to create your holiday. There are plenty of alternatives to choose from and when we quote we will include other suggestions so we get to understand your likes and dislikes. Quite often clients mix and match hotel categories throughout their holiday.

Cambodia

Thailand

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