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Cultural Tours
Tonle Sap Rriver
AXT - 18PST
18D/17N: Phnom Penh - Kg. Tralach - Kg. Chhnang ---

 


HIGHLIGHTS

  • Visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum & Wat Phnom
  • Wat Ounalom, Toul Sleng, Russian Market & Cheung Ek
  • Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Loung/ Chnok Tru
  • Siem Reap Heritage Site
  • Phnom Penh Capital City, Takeo & Laos Border
 
ITINERARY
DAY 01: ARRIVE - PHNOM PENH
Arrival in Phnom Penh’s port or Intl’ Airport, welcomed by your tour guide then transfer to check-in hotel. In the afternoon, we commerce tours with visiting the splendid Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, as well as the National Museum and Wat Phnom, the symbol of city. Accommodation and overnight at hotel, Phnom Penh.
 
DAY 02: PHNOM PENH
Breakfast, we head to visit the Wat Ounalom Manastery, is the most important Wat of Phnom Penh, and the centre of Cambodian Buddhism. We then continue to the Independence Monument, then head to visit the Toul Sleng Museum, the former primary school converted by the Khmer Rouge into a prison, we visit Russian Market, most popular for its range of artefacts, cheap CDs and very cheap western-branded clothes. In the afternoon, we visit Cheung Ek, A site a few kilometers outside town where mass graves were uncovered, post Khmer Rouge departure and Central Market. Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh (B)
 
DAY 03: BOAT PHNOM PENH - KOH CHEN - OUDONG - KAMPONG TRALACH
After breakfast we transfer you to the port for join boat cruise tour. 7:45 a.m. - Ship is open for embarking 8:00 a.m. - Departure of the ship for Kôh Chen (Chinese Island). Security briefing. Arrival Kôh Chen, small village of whose inhabitants specialize in silver and copper smiting. They make ornamental items, including delicately engraved tropical fruits, used in traditional ceremonies at the pagoda or for marriages. The distant hills of Cambodia's old capital, Oudong, and its royal stupas can be seen a few kilometers away from the ferry. At the top of the hill, the ruins of Anthareu temple.

In the afternoon,
Passengers re-embark the ship. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Tralach. Arrival at Kampong Tralach to visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind. The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the latérite foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. These, however, are starting to suffer from weathering. They remain one of the last survivors of cultural destruction that continues unabated due to widespread indifference. Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few visitors. Its isolation may well be its undoing, as was the case for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot. Passengers re-embark. The ship drops anchor few miles away.  Welcome drink and info meeting about cruise, crew introduction. Welcome dinner. Overnight on board (B,L,D)
 
DAY 04: KAMPONG TRALACH - KAMPONG CHHNANG - KAMPONG LOUNG/CHNOK THRU

Departure of the ship early in the morning. Sail to Kampong Chnang. Breakfast during navigation. Arrival to Kampong Chnang.  Located some 56 miles from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient quantities to supply the entire country. And not to be overlooked are the products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.

In the afternoon,
High water Passengers re-embark the ship. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Luong. Arrival at Kampong Luong, Local boats are coming along the ship and picking passengers for the visit. Almost totally overlooked by tourists because of its remoteness and difficult access, the village is completely self-sufficient. A floating school, factories to make ice for fish preservation, church, pagoda, service stations, pigsty, stores, boat or television repair shops, video club, karaoke bar, police station... everything is on the water. All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents goes by boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.


Passengers re-embark. The ship stays overnight under the protection of the flooded forest.
Farewell cocktail (1 glass of local liquor or juice) with Master of Ship and Cruise Manager.
Captain’s farewell dinner (Enriched menu + 1 glass of wine). Overnight on board (B,L,D)
Low water Passengers re-embark the ship. Lunch on board on the way to [Chnok Tru]. Arrival at Chnok Tru. Local boats are coming along the boat and picking passengers for the visit of the biggest floating village on the Tonlé Sap River. Passengers re-embark. The boat stays overnight in the proximity of Chnok Tru.  Farewell cocktail (1 glass of local liquor or juice) with Master of Ship and Cruise Manager Captain’s farewell dinner (Enriched menu + 1 glass of wine). Overnight on board (B,L,D)

 
DAY 05: KAMPONG LOUNG/CHNOK THRU - SIEM REAP
High water Departure of the ship early in the morning. Time to pack and relax half a day by crossing the Tonlé Sap Lake. *
1:00 p.m. - Passengers disembark, local tour agent pick up passengers and transfer to hotel after a last lunch on board.

Low water Breakfast and relaxing morning on the boat. Daily speedboat is coming along the boat and picks up passengers for crossing the Lake. Arrival at Phnom Krom pier.
1:30 p.m. - Local tour agent picks up passengers and transfers (5 miles) to restaurant in Siem Reap for a last lunch. After lunch, we transfer you to check-in hotel. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap (B,L)
 
DAY 06: SIEM REAP
Breakfast at the hote, In the morning, we visit Tanei, Ta Keo, King Suryavarman I commissioned this temple in the 10th Century but it was never completed. It is a pyramid on 5 levels and is dedicated to Shiva. Continue to visit Thomanon and Chau Say Tevoda. In the afternoon, we visit jungle-clad Ta Prohm. This temple was a monastery built by Jayavarman VII as a residence for his mother. Ta Prohm looks as many of the monuments did when European explorers first laid eyes on them, then visit Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang, Accommodation at hotel in Siem Reap (B)
 
DAY 07: SIEM REAP
Breakfast, we visit the earliest temples of the Angkor period at Roluos, including Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei for a useful chronological perspective on Angkor’s development. In the afternoon, we Visit the grand circuit, including Neak Poan, Eastern Mebon, PreRup, Preah Khan. Overnight at hotel
 
DAY 08: SIEM REAP
Breakfast, today we visit the Angkor Thom, this Royal city was first built under the reign of UdayadityavarmanII in the 11th Century. Drive through the South Gate and visit Bayon Temple, this temple mountain, built by Jayavarman VII, is situated in the center of the city of Angkor Thom. Continue to visit Elephant terrace & Terrace of Leper King, at the North of the Baphuon lies the Royal city, of which very little remains.  In the afternoon, we visit the Takeo, Taphrohm, magnificent of Angkor Wat temples and join sunset view from the top of Phnom Bakheng hill. Overnight at hotel, Siem Reap (B)
 
DAY 09: SIEM REAP (BANTEAY SREY & KBAL SPEAN)
Breakfast. We begin today to the north with visiting the elegant temple of Banteay Srei built by a Brahman in the 10th century; this temple was dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. These it is said must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. And other well-preserved Banteay Samre temple, we take a picnic lunch in the countryside before walking through the lush jungle to visit the riverbed carvings and scenic waterfall at Kbal Spean and the river of Thousand Linga.. . Return to hotel. Overnight at hotel, Siem Reap (B)
 
DAY 10: SIEM REAP - BOENG MELEA - KOH KER - SIEM REAP
We journey northeast from Siem Reap to the massive jungle temple of Beng Mealea, the size and scale of Angkor Wat but utterly swallowed by the jungle. We clamber about this titanic of temples that feels just like it would have when discovered by the first explorers. We continue to Koh Ker, a 10th century capital abandoned in the remote north of Cambodia for more than a thousand years. We enjoy a visit to the pyramid temple of Prasat Thom. Later return to Siem Reap town. Overnight at hotel, Siem Reap (B)
 
DAY 11: SIEM REAP
Breakfast at the hotel, we do excursion by boat on Tonle Sap lake for visiting the floating villages and markets, visit old market, the Les Artisans d’Angkor, a workshop to redevelop traditional Cambodian artisan skills and have free time to stroll around the local markets. In the afternoon, free day at leisure, enjoy your day at the swimming pool and hotel’s facilities. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap (B)
 
DAY 12: SIEM REAP
Breakfast at the hotel, This morning we continue visiting the Silk farm at Pouk commune, and Western Barray and later continue to the market for shopping. In the afternoon, free day at leisure, enjoy your day at the swimming pool and hotel’s facilities. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap (B)
 
DAY 13: SIEM REAP - PHNOM PENH
After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport for departure flight back to Phnom Penh. Arrive in Phnom Penh, meet and great with your tour guide then transfer to check-in hotel, free day at leisure. Overnight at hotel (B)
 
DAY 14: PHNOM PENH - TAKEO - PHNOM DA - PHNOM PENH
This morning, drive to Takeo stopping at the Angkor-era temple of Tonle Bati and the sacred mountain of Phnom Chisor along the route. Visit Prasat Ta Phrom. Though there was a shrine on this site as early as the 6th century, the temple itself is attributed to the great Angkor god-king, Jayavarman VII, who ruled in Angkor from 1181. The temple has been altered and renovated several times since its construction though its oldest parts date back to the 12th century. We continue to the pre-Angkorian Chenla sites of Angkor Borei and Phnom Da, one of the earliest civilisations to flourish in Cambodia during the 6th century. Late afternoon, we return to Phnom Penh. Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh (B)
 
DAY 15: PHNOM PENH - KAMPONG CHAM
Today we transfer to Kampong Cham province, about 126 Km from Phnom Penh. On the way, some interesting village with a open air market and the village of Skun, small village with a market, known for a culinary specialist, the fried spiders (many people buy these "soil spiders" that you can see also alive). Arrived, check-in hotel, we visit Toek Chha located on a lake, Visit Phnom Bros, Phnom Srei Mountain and visit of Vat Nokor temple of 12th centuary, inside there is a Bouddhist temple and located just near of a monastery with many young monks. Overnight at hotel in Kampong Cham (B)
 
DAY 16: KAMPONG CHAM
Today we will discover the beautiful Pepper, Rubber plantation of Chhup's region (some trees date of 1920) and the latex factory ancient style but still in important production,.Night in Kompong Cham. Visit the colonial house, building and villages of French colonial, where some are still remain. Overnight at hotel (B)
 
DAY 17: KAMPONG CHAM - KRATIE
Today, we reach to Kratie province, arrive in Kratie transfer to check-in hotel, later we commerce city tours sightseeing then visit 100 columns pagoda in Phnom Sambok district. On the way back we visit the rare freshwater dolphins of Cambodia at Kampi, about 15km north of Kratie. We enjoy a sunset over the Mekong from Phnom Sombok. Overnight at hotel, Kratie (B)
 
DAY 18: KRATIE - STEUNG TRENG - LAOS BORDER
Breakfast, we transfer by road to Steung Treng province and continue to Domkralor border for crossing to Laos (B)
 
 
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