Nature and Adventure in Cambodia

Arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city and home to two million people. Cafés, restaurants and hotels line the riverfront of this vibrant economic hub, while boutiques and art galleries can be found along smaller side streets. While Phnom Penh has developed significantly over the last decade, it still retains much of its “Pearl of Asia” charm from the former Indochina-era days. A legacy is evident through artfully-faded, French colonial-era buildings.  

After leisurely exploring Phnom Penh’s key attractions, we travel northeast and take a local boat across the mighty Mekong River. Disembark at Koh Dach Island, home to a vibrant community of silk weavers and explore the bucolic countryside and rice paddies by bicycle. Make a stop at a local family home to observe how villager’s hand-weave silk on traditional looms. Continue to Kampong Cham, a peaceful town on the banks of the Mekong.

Spend a full-day cycling along the Mekong Trail, taking-in scenes of rich flora and fauna along the riverbanks, invariably shaded by sugar palm trees. Enjoy spellbinding views across  the Mekong River from Phnom Hanchey, an ancient hilltop temple and a picnic lunch near the town of Steung Treng. Continue on with a cycling tour through Cambodia’s largest Cham Muslim community. From here, we head to Trong Island, just beyond the small riverside town of Kratie, famous for sightings of the rare, freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins – nowadays, a highly endangered species.

Explore Trong Island by traditional horse-drawn cart and make time to plant a tree, benefitting the local community. Board a ferry boat to Kratie and cycle to the bustling market for an up-close experience of local life and rural trading traditions. From Prey Kampy, we take a  leisurely cruise along the scenic Mekong River towards Steung Treng. Absorb enthralling scenes of quintessential Cambodian countryside, picturesque with endless emerald-hued rice paddies and traditional Khmer stilt houses. While here, we take a boat ride and try and spot the elusive freshwater dolphins in their natural habitat.  

Head north along the Mekong River to the village of O’Svay, near the Lao border, the starting point for our full-day of kayaking. Leisurely paddle through the remote, flooded forests of Cambodia’s amazing Ramsar Wetlands, a conservation area important for its biological diversity. These wetlands are home to a broad range of birdlife, some endangered. In the early afternoon, we continue on to Ratanakiri, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Depart for Tonle San and board a private boat bound for Koh Piek. Spend the morning trekking along tranquil jungle trails through dense bamboo and secondary forests, crossing streams and passing the occasional isolated Khmer farmhouse. Make your way uphill for expansive views of the primary jungle canopy. Return to Tonle San River, bordered by dense jungle and majestic mountains and experience a thrilling white-water ride over the rapids.

Take a full-day scenic drive to Siem Reap, via Steung Treng, with an early morning stop  at a local market in Banlung. The next day, explore some of the most iconic temples – along with a few lesser-known, but equally atmospheric varieties – in  Angkor Archaeological Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the stupendous remains of an ancient  Khmer civilisation, dating from the 9^th to the 15^th centuries. Head pre-dawn to the West Gate of Angkor Wat Temple Complex, to observe a stunning sunrise over this early 12^th century architectural masterpiece. Continue exploring Angkor Wat, one of the world’s greatest ancient wonders and largest religious monument. Other highlights include Ta Prohm Temple, distinguishable by overgrown fig tree roots bursting through its massive stone blocks, evoking a ‘forgotten city’ feel. 

Late afternoon, board a private boat out to Prasat Chrung Temple, to watch the sunset over this magnificent complex.

Explore Siem Reap and the surrounding area hiking and cycling. We make our way to Kulen Mountain, part of the Phnom Kulen National Park, bicycling along tranquil, off-the-beaten track dirt roads. En-route, we pass some lesser-visited but still fascinating ancient temple sites, including Kravanh, Phnom Bok and Bantey Kdei, a peaceful compound and home to a rare, ancient Buddha statue. Ascend the near-on 200 steps to the summit of Kulen Mountain, with a brief stop at Pres Ang Chup. Continue cycling to Preah Ang Thom, passing the so-called, “River of a Thousand Lingas,” where a delicious picnic lunch awaits near a waterfall.

Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your onward flight.