Unmissable Cambodia

Welcome to Thailand! Our Southeast Asian adventure begins in Bangkok with an important welcome meeting at 18:00 where we will meet the group leader and fellow travelers. If you arrive early, you can take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the bustling streets, discover the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, stroll along the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, or indulge in a Thai massage. After the briefing, why not go out with the group to try some of Bangkok's famous street food?

Our journey through Southeast Asia continues with a long trip from Thailand taking us to Cambodia in a private minibus for a 10-hour ride with destination Siem Reap. This travel time includes time spent at border crossings and a stop for lunch. Keep in mind that if you plan to get your visa at the border, you will need cash in US dollars and a passport photo. Upon arrival, enjoy a free evening to explore this small but lively city. You might want to head to Pub Street to grab a bite and experience the city's nightlife, or else rest up in preparation for tomorrow's visit to Angkor Wat.

Today we will visit the incredible complex of Angkor with the guide. The ruins are spread over an area of about 160 square kilometers, the largest religious monument in the world. Fortunately, the main group of temples is close to Siem Reap, so you will have plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites like Angkor Wat - the incredible main temple, Bayon - a marvel of many carved decorations, and Ta Prohm - a series of smaller temples covered with tree roots and jungle.

Let's enjoy a free day to explore Siem Reap and its surroundings. If you're up for an adventure, you can take the optional Angkor zip-line course, which offers a thrilling bird's-eye view of the rainforest. Other options here include a visit to the thought-provoking Landmine Museum: it's a bit further away but worth the trip. If you've decided to purchase a longer Angkor Pass, you might choose to go back to visit more incredible temples within the complex, or get up early and experience an unforgettable sunrise at Angkor Wat.

Today we will have the chance to spend a free morning in Siem Reap, perhaps waking up at dawn to admire the sun rising over Angkor, before heading to Battambang, the second largest city in Cambodia. Battambang, known for its French charm, Khmer heritage, and beautifully preserved architecture, offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh and the crowds of Siem Reap, allowing us to enjoy an authentic slice of Cambodian life. Upon our arrival, we will join our leader for an orientation walk to discover the city, followed by some free time to explore at our leisure. This evening, we might consider taking a walk along the river to watch the locals engaged in yoga and folk dances, and enjoy the sunset, fully immersing ourselves in the local atmosphere.

Today we will have multiple optional activities to choose from: we will simply ask our guide for advice. If we're feeling adventurous, we might hop on a bicycle or take a tuk-tuk ride through the countryside to immerse ourselves in rural life. Another interesting option could be to participate in a cooking class to learn the secrets of Khmer cuisine. Alternatively, we could decide to visit the Wat Banan temple, located on top of a hill, which will offer us breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views over the Sang Ke River.

We travel by private bus directly to Kampot (about 3 hours), one of the most charming ancient cities of Cambodia. Renowned for its pepper, Kampot supplied most French restaurants with this vital spice for many years during colonial rule. Today the region is famous for its durian plantations, a spiky fruit with a pungent aroma that has its lovers and haters! In your free time this afternoon, you might choose to stroll along the river and observe the French colonial architecture, or have a cup of coffee on the veranda of one of the riverside restaurants and enjoy the view of the Bokor mountain range.

Enjoy a day off in this peaceful town. For a unique photo opportunity, head to the roundabout in the city center, where a gigantic durian statue stands right in the middle, and perhaps look for delicacies at the covered market. The nearby countryside is also a pleasure to explore: among the pepper and rice fields of Kampot, there's also a salt field and a limestone cave with a small 7th-century brick temple inside called Phnom Chhnork. Otherwise, why not spend a relaxing day and enjoy one of the highly recommended traditional massages.

We leave Kampot and travel with a private vehicle to the capital Phnom Penh (about 4 hours). The capital of Cambodia is situated at a major crossroads of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some excellent examples of French-inspired architecture. Perhaps spend your free afternoon visiting the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Wat Phnom, shrouded in myth, is equally worth a visit, as is the National Museum with its outstanding Khmer collection. Bicycle tours of the city are a great alternative to walking and usually include the art deco Psar Thmei (central market), the US embassy, Wat Phnom, the Mekong riverfront, the Independence Monument, and the royal palace.

Today you will have the opportunity to learn more about the tragic past of Cambodia during a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, two sites that tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. After this, the afternoon is free for further exploration. If you're looking to relax, the Seeing Hands massage parlors are among the best in the city and all visits support staff with visual impairments. Their years of experience might be just what you need today after a couple of busy days.

We travel by local bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh (about 10 hours including border crossings and lunch). The tour leader will assist us again with the border crossing procedures. Get out and discover the mix of old and new, East and West in Ho Chi Minh City, upon arrival. Be sure to try a baguette or some of the excellent coffee on offer, both signs of the city's strong French influence.

With no scheduled activities for today, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time, provided that you follow the internal check-out procedures. This does not mean that your adventure in Southeast Asia has to end! If you wish to spend more time braving the traffic in the chaotic Ho Chi Minh, we would be happy to arrange additional accommodations (subject to availability). Otherwise, our journey ends here. Until the next tour!