Adventures in Cambodia

Welcome to Cambodia! Our adventure begins with a welcome meeting tonight at 18:00. If you have some free time in the afternoon, perhaps take a stroll through the streets of Phnom Penh and explore the city, admiring the interesting French colonial architecture. Phnom Penh is located at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, and life is centered around the bustling riverside area. This evening you might join the locals as they come out for some fresh air, grab a snack from a street vendor and enjoy some impromptu entertainment by the waterfront, or head to the rooftop bar of the Foreign Correspondent Club for a drink and some river views.

We begin our mountain biking adventure by crossing the river with a local boat and then cycling through the villages on an island in the Mekong River. The island is renowned for silk weaving, agriculture, and aquaculture. Stop to watch the local people at work in the village and enjoy riding on quiet roads through orchards and rice fields. Later, return to Phnom Penh for a free afternoon at your leisure. The tour leader can help you organize many optional activities or you are free to explore at your own pace. Phnom Penh remains a living relic of the country's past struggles, with the sobering Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek narrating the story of the bloody legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Alternatively, you might visit Wat Phnom – the temple that led to the city's founding in the 15th century.

This morning we leave early for Kratie (about 6 hours). Along the way, we pass through Skuon, a small town known for its unusual delicacy of tasty spiders. Continuing to the town of Kratie on the banks of the Mekong. Board a local boat from Kratie's waterfront to Koh Trong for your homestay: about 280 families call this 6-kilometer island home. The island is renowned for growing citrus pomelos, among the best in Cambodia, as well as rice and other agricultural products. Your host family provides a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in everyday Cambodian life, and tonight you will enjoy a traditional Khmer dinner. With hammocks hanging beneath the house, this is the perfect place to relax. Take a pleasant bike ride around the island's perimeter through traditional Khmer villages.

After breakfast, we'll take a guided 1-hour walk, where we'll have the chance to see how the locals live and learn more about the local culture in this part of Cambodia. During the days of the Khmer Rouge, much of the island's forest interior was cut down. The village inhabitants started a plantation project at Wat Ty Pram Kbal Koh Trong in response. You'll have the opportunity to contribute to the project by helping to plant a tree on the pagoda grounds. Afterwards, bid farewell to the island's hosts and return to the mainland. There's time to stroll along the river boulevard and explore the local market of Kratie before traveling for 2.5 hours to Stung Treng. Stop at Wat Phnom Sambok, an 18th-century Buddhist monastery, along the way. Perched on top of a hill, climb to the top to admire the surrounding lush forests. Also enjoy an optional lunch at Kampi Creek.

Our journey continues in a private minibus to the village of Voeun Kham (about 2 hours). From there, we take a local boat to sail on the Mekong River to the fierce Sopheakmit waterfall. Located on the border between Cambodia and Laos, the thunderous waterfalls crashing over limestone rocks and boulders are nothing short of spectacular. We dock the boat at a local family's home and take a hike through the jungle to a refreshment spot overlooking the waterfalls. The hike will last about 2 hours. We return to the boat and continue through a beautiful stretch of the Mekong River, which is home to many bird species and the village of Osvay (about 1 hour of navigation). We cross the Anlong Cheuteal Irrawaddy dolphin pool, where on rare occasions it is possible to spot freshwater dolphins. Next, it's kayaking to paddle through this spectacular scenery of flooded forests to the village of Vuen Sien (about 2 hours). After a full day exploring this glorious stretch of nature, we return to Stung Treng by private minibus for the night (about 1 hour).

This morning, we will depart for our journey to Siem Reap, traveling by private minibus through the countryside and small towns of Cambodia. We will arrive at the gates of the famous Angkor complex: with its cafes, bars, restaurants, food stalls, and drinks, Siem Reap caters to all tastes. A visit to the old market is a must, even if we're not looking for souvenirs. Wandering among the stalls and surrounding shops, we'll find silks, cotton, sarongs, silver, and statues that create a kaleidoscope of colors. After checking in at the hotel, we will be picked up by a tuk-tuk and then our leader will take us on an orientation walk to help us get to know this vibrant city.

We will mount our bicycles and visit the temple with our local guide today for a full-day bike tour to make the most of our visit to the famous Angkor complex, built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer empire had a predominant influence in Southeast Asia. These ruins include Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm shrouded by the jungle. After finishing the temple, we will return to Siem Reap for a free evening. We might enjoy checking out Phare, the Cambodian circus. Coming from disadvantaged families, the artists have gained international recognition through their art. Like a Cambodian Cirque Du Soleil, modern Khmer tales blend theater, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling, aerial acts, and contortions.

Since there are no activities planned for today, we can leave our accommodation at any time. If we have more time, we could schedule a zip-line adventure and a canopy walk at Angkor, a tasty Khmer cooking class, or simply relax by the pool. If we wish to spend more time in Siem Reap, please contact us.