Cardamom Mountains Trails

Day 1 - Depart London for Phnom Penh.

There are no direct flights from the UK to Cambodia, so you will fly via a hub such as Bangkok and then on to Phnom Penh.

Overnight: In flight

Day 2 - Arrive Phnom Penh.

You arrive in Phnom Penh today and will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Time permitting you will pay a late afternoon visit to Wat Phnom and experience the amazing confusion of Phnom Penh's streets. Traffic of all sorts moves in every direction, generally very slowly and quietly and most drivers display astonishing patience. Wat Phnom, which lies in the north of the city, is today a meeting place for many of the city's inhabitants and on top of the hill resides a lovely temple and stupa.

Overnight: La Rose Suites Or Similar, Phnom Penh

Day 3 - Sightseeing in Phnom Penh.

Today you will enjoy a fully guided tour of Phnom Penh including, this morning, the National Museum of Arts. This museum holds many of the country's rarest art works. Much of the country's art was either destroyed by the Khmer Rouge, or sold by unscrupulous dealers over the Thai border, and these impressive exhibits offer only a glimpse of what once was. Then, before lunch, you will see the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda. The Royal Palace (home to Cambodia's current King - Norodom Sihamoni) is a striking example of Thai-influenced Cambodian architecture. The Silver Palace (so called because of the 5,000 silver tiles which make up its floor) again contains many rare relics of the country's history.

After lunch you will visit the Toul Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. The Toul Sleng Museum (better known as the Genocide Museum) provided the base for the Khmer Rouge security force, prison and interrogation centre, S21. The building, formerly a primary school with the photographs of many of its victims displayed on the walls, now stands testament to the brutality and murderous actions of the Pol Pot regime. After the prisoners were interrogated here they were taken to Choeung Ek to be executed. Many of the country's intellectuals along with some Westerners were labelled 'enemies of the revolution' and killed in this complex. There now stands a stupa filled with human skulls as a memorial to the victims. The Killing Fields, situated just outside Phnom Penh now has a memorial Stupa and small museum dedicated to the memory of the 17,000 people killed in the extermination camp set up by the Khmer Rouge in the mid-1970s.

Overnight: La Rose Suites Or Similar, Phnom Penh

Day 4 - Drive to Steung Areng - 5-6 hours.

Today you will leave the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh and travel south towards the south coast. As you leave behind the suburbs of Phnom Penh, the scenery becomes more interesting and diverse, passing through the Pich Nil Pass where the road cuts through Bokor and Kirirom National Parks. You’ll then swing west on National Highway 48 towards Koh Kong, going through the small port of Sre Ambel. The road soon passes through some beautiful stretches of Cambodian jungle, offering some expansive views over the Cardamom Mountains. You will stop for a lunch break before continuing on to the Steung Areng Community Based Eco-Tourism Project in the heart of the Cardamom Rainforest. This is your base for the night.

Overnight: Simple Guesthouse, Community Based Ecotourism Project

Day 5 - Mountain bike (20km) and walk (8km) to Chhay Tapang Waterfall.

After an early morning breakfast at your guethouse you saddle up and make your way by mountain bike towards the Chhay Tapang waterfall. The cycle ride is 20km and should take around an hour or so. Alternative transportation will be available for those who do not wish to cycle.

At Chomnar village, close to the Steung Areng River, you will disembark from your bikes and set off on foot. You will stop for a lunch break under the shade of the trees before you delve further into the forest to reach Chhay Tapang waterfall. At 150 meters tall the waterfall is the largest in the Areng area. Here you will have plenty of time to relax, take photos or even go for a dip! Your cook in the meantime will be preparing your dinner which you will enjoy by the falls before retiring to your tent for a good night’s rest.

Overnight: Camp

Day 6 - Walk to Chomnar Village - 8km. Cycle to Chrok Ruessey Village - 13km. Walk to Mrech Kongkep Mountain - 4km, 850m ascent.

After a peaceful nights sleep close to the waterfall you will have your breakfast before retracing your steps back to Chomnar Village. An early lunch will be had before saddling up again and riding to Chrok Ruessey. If you do not wish to cycle the 13km ride then alternative transport can again be provided.

Before reaching Chrok Ruessey you will leave your bike start and begin the uphill walk to the top of Mrech Kongkep Mountain - this will take around 2 hours. Mrech Kongkep Mountain is known as ‘Areng’s Paradise’ it is a wonderful place to relax taking in the blanket of mist that covers the valley below in the early morning. You may also see hornbills and other birds. The viewpoint is popular with local people so you may find yourself sharing the summit tonight.

Dinner will be had watching the sunset around the campfire - a fabulous way to end a great day.

Overnight: Camp

Day 7 - Walk and cycle back to Community Based Eco Tourism Project. Transfer to Areng Camping Eco Resort.

This morning you will have an early start to see the spectacular sunrise from your mountain-top campsite. You will then retrace your footsteps back to Chrok Ruessey. This should only take an hour or so as it's downhill all the way. From here it is a 7km cycle back to the CBET centre where you stop and enjoy some lunch. Afterwards you will be transferred to the Areng Camping Eco-resort for some relaxation and time at leisure.

Overnight: Areng Camping Eco-Resort

Day 8 - Drive to Kampot – 6 hours. Sunset boat trip.

Leaving Areng you will be driven to the charming town of Kampot. It's a long drive but there are interesting things to see along the way and your guide will ensure you have comfort stops. When you arrive in Kampot you will check into your hotel and then be free to explore the old town.

Kampot is a sleepy old French town, slightly crumbling, on the banks of the river. Once a bustling port before Sihanoukville was built, it is now known for its pepper plantations and salt fields. Many buildings date from the French colonial period, including the Governor's Mansion.

In the late afternoon, there will be a sunset boat trip down-steam to the river mouth. Most fishermen live in wooden houses on stilts set along the river banks and life is lived outside, on or around, the river. The fishing fleet sets off in the afternoon for the evening catch and the combination of the river, sea and Bokor Mountain in the background makes for a spectacular sunset.

Overnight: Rikitikitavi Hotel, Kampot

Day 9 - Walk to Phnom Chnork - 3 hours. Afternoon boat trip to Rabbit Island. Return to Kampot.

It is a short drive to the start of the walk at the village of Kbal Romeas. The small community is strung out along the dirt road and consists mainly of small farms. There is a small, bustling market set below a limestone outcrop and you can see your destination of Phnom Chnork in the distance. The farmers grow rice and vegetables in neat plots and all own cows and pigs. There are numerous photo opportunities and the villagers are extremely friendly. After arriving at Wat Ang Sdok, you cross some paddy fields to reach the foot of a limestone outcrop. Steps have been built to reach the cavern which houses the 7th century brick temple dedicated to Shiva. There are fabulous views of the surrounding rice paddies and farmland from outside the cavern.

You will be met by your vehicle and driven to the tiny seaside resort of Kep-Sur-Mer. Originally built by the French 100 years ago, it was a favourite spot for the Cambodian elite in the 1960's and the ruins of many pre-war villas dot the landscape. There is now some rebuilding, but it remains a slightly eerie place. The boat trip to Rabbit Island takes 20 minutes and after lunch on the beach there will be time to explore or simply swim in the warm sea. The island is home to about 20 fishing families and there is a small path around part of it. After a relaxing afternoon you will return to Kampot for the night.

Overnight: Rikitikitavi Hotel, Kampot

Day 10 - Drive to Phnom Penh - 3½ hours. Time at leisure.

Today you drive to Phnom Penh and after lunch in the hotel the afternoon is free. It is well worth visiting the Russian and Central markets. The Russian market is the best place for souvenir or clothes shopping, whilst the huge domed Central market is excellent for browsing, especially the food section.

Overnight: La Rose Suites Or Similar, Phnom Penh

Day 11 - Drive to Siem Reap - 5 hours. Visit Kompong Khleang village on way.

The drive north to Siem Reap initially takes you across the Tonle Sap on the huge Chruoy Changvar Bridge - rebuilt after being destroyed during fighting in 1975. The drive is full of interest and on route you will visit a floating village. Kompong Khleang is the most beautiful of these villages, typically being built on stilts to accommodate the differing water levels as the mighty Mekong river floods and recedes. There will also be a chance to visit Spean Praptos, one of the spectacular Angkorian era bridges built by Jayavarman VII.

Overnight: Montra Nivesha Or Similar, Siem Reap

Day 12 - Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat and visit Preah Khan. Afternoon at leisure.

This morning you will visit the legendary Angkor Wat for sunrise. It is a magical experience to enter the grounds of Angkor Wat in the dark, and gradually see the giant structure of the main temple emerging as the sun rises. It is a popular activity, but as most tourists return to their hotels for breakfast, you will eat a picnic breakfast next to the small lake and then be able to enjoy the temple in comparative peace and you will also be able to view the detailed bas-reliefs unhindered.

Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th century by King Suryavarman II. There has been debate as to whether Angkor Wat was built as a temple, or a tomb, but it is now generally accepted that it was both; a temple of worship when the King was alive and a mausoleum after his death. It is surrounded by a wide moat and its architectural plan was designed to be symbolic. It was built to represent the universe with the five central towers symbolising the mythical Mount Meru, the outer wall the mountains on the edge of the world and the surrounding moat either the oceans beyond, or the universe. The first causeway is flanked by Naga - seven-headed snakes and the causeway represents the bridge between Earth and Heaven.

The temple consists of three rectangular or square platforms, each of which is progressively smaller and higher than the one below. The lower platform contains amazingly-detailed bas-reliefs, which depict battle scenes as well as scenes derived from Hindu epics such as the 'Churning of the Ocean of Milk'. At the heart of the temple is a tower, which rises 65m/213ft, surrounded by four other towers at each corner. It is estimated that the temple took 30-40 years to construct. It is believed that King Suryavarman II died before the temple's completion with some carving being unfinished. The name 'Suryavarman' also has symbolic meaning with Surya meaning sun and Varman meaning power, so in effect meaning 'the power of the sun'.

You will also visit Preah Khan. Preah Khan means 'Sacred Sword'. The temple was built by Jayavarman VII and was dedicated to his father. The afternoon is left free for you to relax, shop, or enjoy having a walk around the cosmopolitan town of Siem Reap.

Overnight: Montra Nivesha Or Similar, Siem Reap

Day 13 - Morning visit to Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. Afternoon walking tour of Angkor Thom.

Today's morning walk is a great way to experience the impressive temples of the small Circuit, including everyone's favourite, Ta Prohm. You start the walk at the old French dam and take a short walk through the forest to Ta Nei, Ta Prohm, but without the tourists as we like to think of it. After exploring this charming temple, you continue to walk through the forest to emerge on the imposing temple of Ta Keo. After enjoying the views from on high, you wind your way around the old dykes of the Eastern Baray to the romantic northern entrance to Ta Prohm, free of other visitors. The four faces of the Bodhisattva are smothered by a large tree. Taking your time to soak up the atmosphere in Ta Prohm, you emerge from the East Gate and enter Banteay Kdei through the West Gate. You leave Banteay Kdei from the South Gate and make your way to the royal bathing pond of Sras Srang where there is the opportunity to enjoy a well-earned drink.

Trekking through the jungle provides a fantastic way to experience the best of Angkor Thom and offers a real insight into the size and scale of this ancient city. You begin your walk at the impressive South Gate of the walled city of Angkor Thom. You walk on the immense ancient walls towards the southwest corner where there is a small temple. You also discover the irrigation and drainage system that enabled the waters of the Siem Reap River to flow through the city from the northeast to southwest. You continue walking around to the West Gate, where the causeway has collapsed leaving a muddle of stone bodies looking like victims of some terrible historic accident. From the West Gate you weave your way towards the principal temples, exploring the Baphuon, the Royal Palace complex and Phimean Akas before arriving at atmospheric Preah Palilay. You then emerge on the central square of Angkor Thom, winding your way along the Terrace of the Leper King and Terrace of Elephants on the way to the enigmatic Bayon.

Overnight: Montra Nivesha Or Similar, Siem Reap

Day 14 - Visit Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei, and Beng Mealea.

After breakfast you drive north to visit Kbal Spean. 50kms north of Siem Reap and commonly known as 'the River of a Thousand Lingas', it is an area of riverbed carvings and lush jungle. After about an hour's walk up through the forest you reach the small river. It is well worth spending an hour, or more wandering up and down the streambed where you will see the rich colours of the brown and green lichens. All the gods and goddesses depicted here are Hindu - Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, and Krishna. Hermits once occupied the area's many caves and it is still a place of meditation with people coming here to achieve enlightenment. It is thought that the temple was built and the Lingas carved in and around 900AD. This site was only 'rediscovered' in 1969 and is a tranquil place with an attractive waterfall.

By the time you reach the elegant temple of Banteay Srei, about 10kms from Kbal Spean, the main early morning crowds should have left. Built by a Brahman in the 10th Century, the temple was dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. These it is said must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. This gives us the origin of the Khmer name, 'Fortress of the Women'. After lunch you drive through an area of small villages to the remote temple of Beng Melea. Built on the same plan as Angkor Wat, this massive temple was enclosed by a giant moat, part of which survives. The central tower of the temple has completely collapsed and the jungle has encroached on the remaining structures. Clambering around the giant blocks is a fantastic experience.

You will make a visit to Srah Srang, the "Royal Bathing Pool", for stunning sunset views.

Overnight: Montra Nivesha Or Similar, Siem Reap

Day 15 - Fly to London.

After breakfast there will be a group transfer to the airport for your flight back to London.

Overnight: In flight

Day 16 - Arrive London.

Today you will arrive in the UK.