Day 1: Veun Kham - Steung Treng – Rattanakiri [-/L/D]

After clearing customs and immigration formalities at Veun Kham – Dong Krolor (the only Laos-Cambodia border check point), meet and greet by our guide and driver. Take a short scenic drive toward the provincial town of Steung Treng, a Northern Cambodia town by the intersection of Mekong and Se San river. Cross a newly built bridge crossing the Se San and stop at Steung Treng town for lunch.

Lunch at local restaurant

Continue driving along the jungle-clad National Road 78 toward Ban Lung, provincial capital of Rattanakiri. Rattanakiri is a province of plateau area in northeastern Cambodia, bordering Vietnam and Laos. With distance of 636 kilometers from Phnom Penh, the majority of population is indigenous minorities while only 10-20% is Cambodians. The province shapes an impressive range including heaving hills and mountains, a level plateau, watershed plains, crater lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Most of the territory is covered with green tropical forests, where are the shelters of various Asian wild animals or creatures. The province is an admired destination—an important ecotourism attraction of Cambodia—for thousands of tourists every year.

Upon arrival in Ban Lung, check in the hotel. Some free time at leisure to self-discover this fascinating town.

Dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in Ban Lung

Day 2: Rattanakiri [B/L/D]

Breakfast at hotel

Begin the journey of today by traveling North of Ban Lung, cross the curious extent of volcanic rocks of Veyrum Plang:  a lava field in the forest with a small waterfall nearby (only in the wet season though) and what locals call tiger caves. Continuing to Taveng cross different types of landscapes such as primary forest, clear forest, bamboo forest and “African” bush. Stop at a few nice Kreung villages located quite far away in the forest. The Kreung people have the particularity of erecting bachelor houses standing on very long bamboo poles, these houses will remain so till the young man finds a wife, then, they are destroyed. The right time to see them is usually from February to August.

Lunch at a small waterfall lost in the forest and then further visits of villages.

Visit the volcanic lake of Yeak Laom, an impressive place surrounded by pristine rain forest. Take a dip in this crystal clear lake or take a walk along the two-and-a-half kilometer trail around the lake.

Then continue to the hill of Eisey Patamak, to see a marvelous reclining Buddha and have a nice view of Ban Lung from the hill.

Dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in Ban Lung

Day 3: Rattanakiri [B/L/D]

Breakfast at hotel

Traveling in the Northwest direction, passing by bamboo forest along the way before reaching the village of Voeun Sai located on the left bank of the Se San River. Cross the river by local ferry to visit Chinese village and Lao village on the other side of the river. These villages were found many centuries ago and the villagers still keep their customs and traditions very well. By slowly strolling around the villages; you will be notice their differences from Cambodian villages you’ve seen earlier.

Continue by boat upstream the Se San River. There are a certain number of Tumpuon villages which is the only ethnic group practice funeral statuary. Visit to the village of Ka Choan with its superb totems and explore the hidden culture of this ethnic group. Please notice that the trip by boat is available upon the river conditions otherwise this trip can be done by car.

Lunch will be provided in picnic style.

Visit one of the impressive waterfalls, Cha Ong for the afternoon dip.

Dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in Ban Lung

Day 4: Rattanakiri – Kratie [B/L/D]

Breakfast at hotel

Check out from hotel and leave Ban Lung in the direction of Kratie. Stop en route at a town called Sambor, a pre-history ancient capital of the country when it was known as Kingdom of Funan. Visit the fame “Hundred Pillars Pagoda” commonly known as Wat Sosor Muoy Roy in Khmer. Continue to visit Wat Vihear Kork then heading south on the abandon highway along the Mekong toward Kratie. Traveling this road provide scenic view of the river while you may not be notice that you arrived at Kampi, one of the pools along the Mekong where you can see the rare and endangered Mekong Dolphins (Irrawaddy Dolphin). Take the boat that own by former fishermen to see these fresh water dolphins.

Upon arrival at Kratie, check-in the hotel and lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, free time for leisurely walk to explore the town of Kratie. This sleepy yet beautiful town has remarkable architectures from the French colonial era while some are over a hundred year-old.

Dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in Kratie

Day 5: Kratie -  Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh [B/L/D]

Breakfast at hotel

After breakfast, check-out from hotel and heading toward Kampong Cham via Chhlong, a small town along the way, which you may want a short stop to stroll around to see some typical Khmer and colonial architecture.

En route, visit Chup rubber plantation which was established by the French tire maker – Michelin. Continue crossing the Mekong by the newly built bridge heading to the Western bank of the Mekong. Stop at Kampong Cham, the most populated province of Cambodia famous for its rich soil excellent for rubber, cotton, cassava…etc. The town itself has its unique beauty, elegantly situated along the mighty Mekong; Kampong Cham also has noticeable colonial architectures, including local residents, the shop-houses, central market, provincial hall, etc.

Lunch at local restaurant in town

Visit Wat Nokor, an Angkorian era temple which has identical layout and carving to the famous Angkor Wat. This province was no doubt a very important hub of commercial trading routes of the Khmer Empire. Continue heading in the direction of Phnom Penh, stop en route at a town called Skun which also known as the “Spider ville” where you can enjoy the special delicacy of Cambodian, the deep-fried tarantula.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, check-in hotel.

Dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 6: Phnom Penh [B/L/D] 

Breakfast at hotel

Begin touring the charming capital of Phnom Penh by visiting the magnificent Royal Palace which still serve as resident to the highly respected Royal family and His Majesty the King Norodom Sihakmony, continue to visit the famous and sacred Silver Pagoda, and visit the National Museum which is the biggest collection of Khmer arts in the world.

Lunch at local restaurant

After lunch, travel 16km to the outskirt of Phnom Penh to the notorious Killing Fields of Choeung Ek where a memorial stupa stands in front of the mass killing site. Now the site serves as the museum and memorial center for the victims of Pol Pot regime from 1975-1979. www.cekillingfield.com

Drive back to the city and visit the Russian Market, which made famed for its variety of handicrafts.

Dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 7: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap [B/L/D]

Breakfast at hotel

Transfer to Phnom Penh airport for morning flight to Siem Reap.
Arrive Siem Reap airport, meet and greet by our guide and driver. Continue straight to explore the temples.
We go back in time to the beginning of Angkorian era by visiting the Roluos Group (Hariharalaya), which served as the capital in 9th century. Visit Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei.

Lunch at local restaurant

In the afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, the temple which most part has been relatively untouched and slowly swallows by the jungle. The tentacle-like roots of giant fig trees are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to build, nature later conquering man to destroy and it is the war that is not measured by days but by centuries.

Continue to the temple of Takeo, one of the tallest temples of the Angkor complex. Visit the ancient bridge built across Siem Reap River, the Chau Say Tevoda and the Thommanon.

Dinner with Khmer Traditional Dance Show

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Siem Reap [B/L/D]

Breakfast at hotel

Explore the hidden treasure of Angkor by visiting the holy capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom, via the South Gate, the giant stone faces temple of Bayon, a center temple with its 54 four-faces-towers represent the 54 states of the Empire, visit Baphuon known as “The giant stone jigsaw puzzles” to the French school of the Far East which was in charge of the restoration, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of Leper King.

Lunch at local restaurant

Visit the masterpiece of the Khmers, Angkor Wat, with its extraordinary architecture and bas-reliefs. Spend the whole afternoon in this mother-of-temples, not only known as the Khmer pride and symbol, as you can see in the flag of Cambodia, but also known to the world as World’s Largest Religious Monument.

End of the day, enjoy the breathtaking sunset view over Angkor Wat from the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill.

Dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 9: Siem Reap [B/L/D]

Breakfast at hotel

We explore the most dedicated beauty of the Khmer temple carvings of Bantey Srei in the 11th century. Continue to visit Banteay Samre, stop at the famous Preah Dak village famed for its skillful handicraft. Visit the three-tiered mountain-temple of Pre Rup and Sras Srang, “The Royal Bath”.

Lunch at local restaurant

Visit the Silk Farm of Puok, where you can witness the silk production from beginning with Silkworm to finished product of fine silk clothes. Visit Artisans D’Angkor, the center for fine handicraft productions.

Dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 10: Ox Cart Riding - Tonle Sap Lake    - Departure [B/-/-] 

Breakfast at hotel

Begin the day by traveling South of Siem Reap town, stop at a local village where we board traditional ox-cart for a 2 kilometers ride through typical countryside village with beautiful Khmer wooden houses and rice paddy field. Stop at Wat Athvea to visit this ancient temple constructed in late 11th century by King Suryavarman II. Continue by driving further South along the river heading toward Tonle Sap Lake (the Great Lake), Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake, with annual flow from the mighty Mekong the lake may quadruples the size in the wet season. This unique lake-river system bringing large amount of fresh water fish make it one of the world's richest fisheries lake. Visit the Floating village of Chong Kneas by boat to witness the daily life of inhabitants on this great lake.

Getting back to town for hotel check out and transfer to airport for departure flight.

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