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HIGHLIGHTS
- Discover the temples of Angkor and the countryside.
- Explore Siem Reap by tuk-tuk, on foot or by bike.
- Visit the Cambodian coastline, from Koh Rong to Kep.
- Relax on the beaches and sample the seafood.
- Finish in Phnom Penh before your flight home.
Day 1: A smooth arrival in Siem Reap
Stops: Siem Reap
You will be met by your guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will begin your Cambodian adventure by discovering the Panorama Museum, where you can relive the construction of the temples with its 360° panorama and miniatures of the main Angkor temples.
Guided day, meals on your own.
Accommodation: Night at La Niche d’Angkor hotel (Angkor)
Day 2: Temples and villages of Angkor, the birth of a myth
Before sunrise, you will climb the hill of Phnom Bakheng to admire a moment of tranquillity above the hundred-year-old trees of the Angkorian forest. You will then have breakfast in a traditional village where you will be able to chat with the locals. Nearby, you will visit the famous Angkor Wat, an architectural feat known the world over. In the afternoon, drive to the ‘citadel of women’, Banteay Srei, built of pink sandstone. Along the way, you’ll discover palm sugar production and beautiful rice paddies lined with coconut palms and sugar palms. On the way back, visit Banteay Samré, the citadel of the Samré ethnic group.
Guided day on half-board basis, dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Night at La Niche d’Angkor hotel (Angkor)
Day 3: Mountain biking among Angkor’s most famous temples
Set off for a day on dirt and sand tracks in the middle of Angkor’s most famous temples: Ta Prohm, the temple where nature has reclaimed its space, Preah Khan and the maze of its perpendicular alleys and you finish with the great hydraulic city of Angkor Thom with the discovery of the grandiose stone heads of the Bayon… This mountain bike tour ends on the ramparts of the royal city as the sun sets.
Guided day with half-board, dinner on your own.
Accommodation: Night at La Niche d’Angkor hotel (Angkor)
Day 4: Discovery of the Cambodian countryside and the Tonlé Sap
Stops: Siem Reap
You will set off by electric bicycle through the countryside, on laterite tracks lined with coconut palms, bamboo and traditional houses on stilts, while following the irrigation canals dating from the Angkorian era. You will then discover a pagoda and its Angkorian temple, where modernity is gradually fading into the background. You will then reach a village in the middle of rice fields, where the local speciality is basketry. You will begin a Cambodian cookery course, preparing typical dishes such as Amok and its typical Cambodian spices. Enjoy a break on the mattresses provided after lunch before setting off to discover the Tonlé Sap and its lakeside villages. Aboard a traditional wooden boat, you will sail among the floating houses and discover the fishing techniques and crocodile farms. On your return to Siem Reap, you will end the day with a Cirque Phare dinner and show.
Full-board guided tour.
Accommodation: Night at La Niche d’Angkor hotel (Angkor)
Day 5: Destination Koh Rong Samloem Island
In the morning, you will join Siem Reap airport for a flight to Sihanoukville. On arrival at the seaside town, you will take the ferry to the island of Koh Rong Samloem. A small island full of charm, still unspoilt by mass tourism. Situated in the Gulf of Siam, you can enjoy its turquoise waters and fine sandy beaches.
Day without guide, meals on your own.
Accommodation: Overnight at Sweet Dreams Hotel (Koh Rong)
Day 6 to 7: Lazy days
Enjoy a free day on the island, where you can snorkel or sample the delicious grilled seafood.
Day without guide, meals on your own.
Accommodation: Overnight at Moon Light Resort (Koh Rong Samloem)
Day 8: Drive to Kep
Stops: Sihanoukville, Kep
In the morning, you will take the ferry back to Sihanoukville. You will then take the road to the Kep and Kampot region. After settling into your hotel, your guide will take you on a tour of the town with its seafront avenues, beach and colonial remains.
Accommodation: Overnight at the Tara Lodge hotel.
Day 9: KEP – KAMPOT, discovery of a pepper plantation and its river.
Stops: Kampot, Kep
Discover the provinces of Kampot and Kep. You begin with a visit to a pepper plantation, recognised as a protected label by the European Union because of the specificity of the terroir. You will also see the famous durian fruit, ‘the fruit that stinks and kills’…
After lunch, you’ll make your way to the salt pans on Kampot’s rocky coastline, which you can see in operation depending on the time of year.
You continue with a visit to the old colonial city of Kampot, with the architectural remains of its town centre and its colourful market.
In the afternoon, take a boat trip on the Kampot River, going upstream along areas protected by the river. The banks are lined with Cham villages, an ethnic Muslim group. Sail back up the river to the rhythm of the tides.
Guided day, half-board, dinner at your own expense.
Accommodation: Night at the Tara Lodge hotel (Kep)
Day 10: Rabbit Island
Stops: Kep
You will discover Kep’s famous crab market, with its culinary specialities, before heading to Rabbit Island aboard a fisherman’s boat. You can relax and swim on the island while enjoying a picnic of seafood bought that morning at the market. The island is still untouched by development projects, giving it its heavenly image.
Guided day, half-board, dinner at your own expense.
Accommodation: Overnight at the Tara Lodge Bungalow (Kep)
Day 11: Road to Phnom Penh
Stops: Phnom Penh, Kep
In the morning you will drive to Phnom Penh, the country’s capital. Your afternoon will be devoted to visiting the city’s must-see monuments and sites, such as the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, whose floor is paved with 500 blocks of silver. You will then visit the National Museum, a Khmer-style building designed by a French architect in the early 20th century. It displays a rich collection of Khmer art, many of which comes from Angkor.
Guided day, lunch and dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: HM Grand Central (Phnom Penh)
Day 12: End of the trip
Stops: Phnom Penh
Depending on your flight time, you can visit the Russian market, renowned for the diversity of its wares. Then transfer to Phnom Penh airport, and your stay in Cambodia comes to an end.
Guided day, meals on your own.
| DAY | ITINERARY |
| Day 1 | SIEM REAP |
| Day 2 | TEMPLES & VILLAGES D’ANGKOR |
| Day 3 | VTT AU ANGKOR |
| Day 4 | SIEM REAP |
| Day 5 | KOH RONG SAMLOEN |
| Day 6 to 7 | Journées fartinente KOH RONG SAMLOEN |
| Day 8 | SIHANOUKVILLE – KEP |
| Day 9 | KAMPOT – KEP |
| Day 10 | KEP |
| Day 11 | KEP – PHNOM PENH |
| Day 12 | PHNOM PENH |
Q&A
Official Language: Khmer
Capital: Phnom Penh
Surface: 181 035 Km2
Population: 16 204 486
Currency: Riel (KHR)
Telephone code: +855
The RIEL is the national currency. But the US Dollar is also accepted throughout the country and prices are generally displayed in Dollars. The exchange rate is relatively stable: 1USD=4000 Riels. Warning: banknotes printed before 1990 are not accepted in Cambodia and their value decreases if the banknote is torn or scratched or graffitied or folded. In the case of a payment in Dollar, the change will be returned to you in Riel. The Euro and other foreign currencies are easily exchangeable in airports and markets.
Credit cards are now widely used in tourist cities (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville) and you can withdraw Dollars. Cash withdrawals are possible in major cities in Laos, with a credit card (Visa or American Express). Payments are also possible in some hotels, luxury shops, or restaurants. But the cost of the levies (variables) remains quite high (3% commission). We recommend that you carry cash to cover your personal expenses throughout the trip.
No vaccination is required. However, it is recommended to protect yourself against hepatitis A and B (ask your doctor for advice). We advise you to bring your own:
of a broad-spectrum antibiotic;
of your usual medications if you are undergoing treatment;
an anti-diarrheal and an intestinal antiseptic (Intetrix, Immodium…);
a protective cream against mosquitoes;
moisturizing sunscreen, lip stick;
a healing ointment and a local antiseptic.
The Khmer kingdom of Cambodia reached its peak in the 12th century when great temples were erected, but the struggles between Hindus and Buddhists, Khmers, Mon and Cham tore the kingdom apart. The Siamese gradually established their political control over the Khmers while the Vietnamese also sought to dominate and colonize Cambodia. In 1863, France offered its protection to Cambodia, once again threatened by the Siamese (Thais). King Norodom I accepted the protectorate and Cambodia became a French colony. It was only after the Second World War that King Norodom Sihanouk negotiated with France the independence of Cambodia, which was granted on 9 November 1953.
After 15 years of reign, the king could not prevent the Khmer Communist Party from starting the armed struggle in 1968. In 1970, a military coup d’état precipitated Cambodia into a civil war that ended in April 1975 when the Khmer Rouge seized Phnom Penh. The brutality of Pol Pot’s troops served as a pretext for the Vietnamese to invade the country in December 1978.
They left the country following international pressure in September 1989. In May 1993, multi-party parliamentary elections were held. A new constitution was ratified and Norodom Sihanouk was once again proclaimed king. In 2004, he abdicated in favour of his younger son Norodom Sihamoni, currently in charge of the kingdom.
Khmer (sometimes called “Cambodian”) is the official language, with a clear majority; it is estimated to have 11.2 million speakers, or 83.6% of the population, according to 2012 figures, far ahead of Vietnamese (1 million speakers), Cham (475,000 speakers) and Chinese (438,000 speakers). It is mainly spoken in Cambodia and the neighbour regions of Thailand by the Surin Khmer (northern) and in Vietnam by the Khmer Krom.
MINI GLOSSARY
Hello : Sour Seday
Goodbye : Ly hai
Thank You : Orkoun
Can I have the bill? : Som kotleuy
How much does it cost ? : Klei ponman
I don’t understand : Ort yol
My name is : Kyom tchmo
Where are the toilets ? : Bantop teuk neuy na ?
I don’t understand khmer : Kyom atché pissa khmer
Do you speak english ? : Tah nyek neeyay preesah ahng-lay tay ?
Hotel : Santa Khear
On your way, you will often have the opportunity to meet local people. Wherever you are, be discreet and humble. The multiplicity of cultures and traditions means that certain attitudes are perceived differently in different countries. To avoid being disrespectful, take the time to understand the people you meet, take the time to make connections.
There too, listen to the advice of your guide! He knows better than anyone the behaviors to avoid or adopt. For example, if you want to take a picture of someone, always ask them for permission. The best way for acceptance is to have established a prior contact. Similarly, do not distribute gifts at all … This often encourages children to beg, to avoid this kind of drift, it is better to refer to the local structures competent (donate to school, hospital, village chief etc.). Finally, be careful not to wear too light clothing (short shorts, cleavage …) and avoid exuberant behavior.