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 3 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 Kbal Spean & Banteay Srei Temple Tour (B / L)

This will appeal to those who would like to explore a more natural setting with less formal temple viewing. This morning your private guide will take you out of Siem Reap for an hour’s easy walking up the wooded slopes of the Kulen Hills, past waterfalls and archaeological ruins to the carvings of Kbal Spean. The carvings start on a natural stone bridge and take the form of linga, the phallic representation of the Hindu God, Shiva. There is said to be 1000 of these lingam carved into the stone which gives the area its common name, River of 1000 Lingas. From the bridge the carvings spread out and take the form of various gods, mythological beasts and effigies. They finally end at a waterfall which is called Royal King’s Bath where you can take a dip. The religious and mythological symbols were carved to sanctify the water as it tumbled down the hill to the people below.

Lunch will be in a local restaurant back in Siem Reap, then head deeper 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 in Siem Reap late afternoon.

Day 5: Fly Siem Reap (B) / Phnom Penh

Morning airport transfer and short flight to Phnom Penh. 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 2 nights. The rest of the day is free.

Phnom Penh is a traditional Far East city, full of energy and still tatty around the edges. A great place to start in the early evening is to take a tuk tuk to the riverside promenade. As you walk along the Mekong look across to the French colonial buildings that are interspersed with the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum. Evening is the time everyone congregates along the wide promenade with impromptu aerobics, football matches and time to catch up with friends. There are plenty of restaurants and bars along the way.

Day 6: Phnom Penh - Private City Tour with Killing Field (B / L)

After breakfast your guide will pick you up for a half day city tour of the fascinating Khmer Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. After lunch in a local restaurant you visit the sobering and poignant Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a testament to Cambodia’s bloody past. Then you can explore the colourful stalls of the vast Central Market. The tour ends at the Choeung Ek Killing Fields just outside the city. This is now a Buddhist memorial park that has been constructed around the mass graves of the thousands of victims. Dozens of mass graves are visible above ground, several which have not yet been excavated. The field is marked by a Buddhist stupa that has glass walls and is filled with over 5,000 skulls. You’ll be back at the hotel by the late afternoon.

Day 7: Phnom Penh (B) - Cardamom Mountains & Tatai River 

This morning your private driver will pick you up for a fascinating 5 hour drive down to the Koh Kong Conservation Corridor. Slowly leave the Capital behind and enter an undeveloped world of rolling hills, rivers and farming villages.

On arrival at the Tatai River enjoy a short boat transfer to the Canvas & Orchids Retreat. Eco-tourism has come a long way and this is a luxury, 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 8: 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 9: 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 3 nights or more.

Day 10-11: Koh Chang Beach (B) - Free Days

2 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

Request a Quote

Powered by ChronoForms - ChronoEngine.com