16-DAY TRIP TO KEP CAVE & KAMPOT ZOO,

En route we will visit the Salt fields, Bring a visit to the salt fields and gain respect for that bowl of rice you eat every now and then. Heavy work in the baking sun, then to visit the pepper plantation, Kampot is renowned for its' 1st quality pepper of the world. A local organisation is selling excellent quality pepper in beautiful raw silk bags to stimulate farmers to expand the pepper business. NEXT we continue until the cave of Phnom Chhnork, this cave, #1 Pre-Angkorian ruin set in a limestone cave amongst stalagmites and stalactites that are slowly growing back into the ruin. Small, 4th-5th century AD brick structure associated with the ancient state of Funan. A bit of carving is still visible. Look for the limestone formations near the entrance of the cave in the shapes of elephants. Cave #2 The entrance is about 300 meters from Cave #1 in the same limestone outcropping. Very little in the way of formations, but quite deep, requiring climbing over piles of rock and through small openings. Small shrine. Make sure to bring a torch and wear shoes suitable for climbing on rocks.

Picnic lunch seafood at Kep, Next we return to Kampot and continue to Teuk Chou Zoo about 7km from the Kampot town, Signposted as Save wildlife Center on the well paved road to Teuk Chou Rapids, this privately owned zoo houses animals saved mostly from the animal trade. This well managed and maintained zoo houses over 70 types of animals, such as lions (with cubs), tigers, elephants, Malaysian sun bears, crocodiles and various birds. The zoo covers a large area with gardens and fruit tree plantations (durian, rambutan, mangosteen) and is dotted with modern Khmer sculptures. At 05:00pm we transfer back to Sihanoukville.