8- Day Explorer Mekong Trail 

Details Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Phnom Penh City!
Welcome by your driver upon your arrival at the airport. Transfer and installation at your hotel. Rest of the day free.

Rooms available from 2 p.m. If you arrive a little early and your room isn’t ready yet, you can drop off your bags at reception before going for a walk-in town or relaxing at lobby.

Day 2:  in the morning pick up from your hotel at 8: 00 Am after breakfast in hotel transferred by car heading to Kratie Province Layover in Kampong Cham Province!
on the way, be bold to take full advantage of a “gastronomic” stop in the town of Skuon, famous for its spiders and his grilled insects. Affectionately known as nickname ‘Spiderville’, where it is possible to sample the local delicacy of the deep-fried tarantula.

Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei hills are located in Kampong Cham. Each separated by a kilometer away, the two highest points offer a magnificent view of the countryside and the Mekong. You can visit modern temples on these hills and take advantage of the place to relax pleasantly. Two places steeped in history not to be missed.

We pass through Kampong Cham where we visit the bamboo bridge built across the mighty Mekong River connecting the mainland to Koh Pen Island (possibility to visit dry season between Jan-May only).

Once arrived at destination at Kratie Province, we check in at the hotel in Kratie; The rest of the day is free.

[Guided Tour] 8:30 AM, Today customizes your itinerary, you will meet your English-speaking guide and learn about local lifestyles of the Kratie. Our visit includes a walk through the central Market of Kratie where you will see the local trades and see some of the old colonial building which remain from the French colony. Visit Wat Rokakandal which has a unique wooden carving about 400 years of age. And opportunities to learn about local productions including mushroom farm, rice wish key making, brick factory, bamboo sticky rice and rice noodle production. Lunch break in local restaurant at Kampi.

The highlight of our day is a visit to one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. We board a local boat and cruise out into the mighty Mekong for a chance encounter with these gentle mammals. Viewing is guaranteed.

Embark on the Mekong in search of the Irrawaddy dolphins, one of the rare species of freshwater dolphins, in danger of extinction. Possibility watching the dolphins by boat or Kayaking is available in (Nov-May)

Day 3: on the way to Mondulkiri and around Senmonorom

Transfer to Mondulkiri and installation at your hotel. Rest of the day free.

Day 4: One day jungle trekking with the Elephant Sanctuary Project
After breakfast at 8Am we go to the starting point of this day with the Mondulkiri Project. The day begins with a short information session on the work carried out by the association and the elephants that we will meet. Our hike then begins in the protected forest; the terrain is steep as we head towards the top of the hill where the jungle lodge is located, a kiosk set up in the middle of nature and offering an exceptional view of the valley. We then set off to meet the elephants with our hands full of bananas to gain their sympathy.

In the afternoon, we take the direction of the Bousra waterfalls, the largest and most beautiful in Cambodia. Pouring over 3 floors, they offer a magnificent spectacle and a natural swimming pool where you can swim.

We will then head south to drive 20 minutes reach the Elephant Sanctuary Forest 12km from Sen Monorom town. The drive offers lovely views over the Bunong community forests our project is helping protected, and support profits to Bunong sanctuary community forest.

9.00am – 12.00pm
Morning hike through the Sanctuary’s rainforest & elephant discovery walk. We begin with a short scenic to enjoy hike into the valley mountains. Before meeting the elephants, our guide, will explain the project goals & the importance of protecting Mondulkiri’s wildlife & habitats.

Next, we’ll meet, greet, feed and follow the elephants & their mahouts elephant man as they freely walk and eat in the jungle. We will follow them to observe the elephants’ natural behaviors for example the way in which they consume bamboo, grasses and different plant roots as natural medicine. This is an ideal opportunity to take lots of amazing photos of the elephants enjoying life in their natural environment.

12.00 – 2.00 pm Lunch at the visitor hut:

Time to hike to the Sanctuary’s visitor hut, which is located by the river to enjoy a local Khmer lunch. Following lunch, you can relax in a hammock awhile enjoying the jungle and mountains views. It may be possible to spot birds & other wildlife in this area.

2:00 – 3:00 PM Elephant bath & water fun:

In the afternoon, we hike back into the forest & make our way to the Sanctuary’s natural river pool. The mahouts will slowly walk, and washing, swim, feeding with the elephants into the waterfall for them. the end tour 4-5pm return hotel in Sen monorom town.

Day 5: Transfer to Siem Reap

In the morning departure at 7:30 Am after your breakfast at the Lodge.

Layover in Preah Vihear visit the temple of Preah Vihear. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, this remarkable masterpiece of Khmer architecture is located on the Thai border.

Once arrived at destination in Siem Reap: the rest of the day is free.

Day 6 The majestic Angkor temples
In the morning, we will pick up at 8:00Am by car the day visits small circuit of the marvelous temples of Angkor located around and grand circuit inside the Angkor Thom.

You will notably discover Angkor Wat, symbol of the apogee of the Khmer Empire under the Angkorian era. Inside Angkor Thom, discover Bayon and its many towers with gigantic faces, Baphuon and its gigantic 40m reclining Buddha statue, Phimeanakas, the Terrasse des Elephants and its wide variety of sculptures, but also the Terrasse du Roi Leper.

Continue by Ta Prohm famous for its huge trees with sprawling aerial roots and conclude with a sunset from the heights of Phnom Bakheng.

• Possibility of making the visits in the opposite direction to avoid the crowds. Just let your guide know at the start of the day.

Temples are sacred places, avoid short clothes, cover your shoulders and wear pants or a long skirt.

In order to preserve these fragile monuments, it is forbidden to touch the sculptures or to sit on elements of the temple.

In Cambodian culture, it is offensive to heckle inside a sacred place, calm and respect are key words.

It is not recommended to buy items or sweets from child sellers, this only encourages begging and the practice of skipping school, prefer a donation to an association if it is important to you.

Day 7 Banteay Srei & Mountain of Phnom Kulen from the sacred mountain to the pink sandstone citadel
The rivers that flow through Angkor have their sources in the mountain of Phnom Kulen. It is in this very extensive natural site that the Khmer kingdom was born in 802 proclaimed by King Jayavarman II who made his country independent from the tutelage of Java. We therefore suggest that you visit the cradle of the Khmer Kingdom.

Climb by car to the top of Phnom Kulen or “mount of lychees”, a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians thanks to the presence of a large statue of Reclining Buddha. A refreshing swim in the natural pool of a pretty waterfall rewards your effort. On weekdays, you will also have the opportunity to visit the bottled water factory “Kulen Water” (closed on Sundays and public holidays).

In the afternoon, continue with the visit of Banteay Srey temple, smaller than the gigantic Angkor Wat or Bayon. This pink sandstone temple nicknamed “The Citadel of Women” is known for the refinement of bas-reliefs and sculptures that adorn its walls and columns.

Then, discover the Banteay Samre temple.

• Day 8: Have a good flight and welcome back!
  Free program before your evening transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport (included we will organize the transfer according to your flight schedule).
  Contact us if you want to spend another night in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.

Note: you must leave your room before noon. If your flight is in the evening, you can leave your suitcases at the hotel reception for a last walk around town.

• Possibility of extension for your holiday. Contact us.