Heart of Cambodia - 15 days

Drifters Price: £456.00

RRP: £480.00

Trip Code: INTHC

Local Payment: USD$200.00

Days 1-2 Phnom Penh

You and your fellow travellers will be arriving at all times from around the world today, so there are no arranged activities.Your leader will organise a pre-trip meeting for the early evening. This will be followed by an optional group dinner. Look for a welcome note at reception in the joining-point hotel explaining where to meet. Note that hotel check-in time is 12 noon.

Note that your group leader will collect the local payment (USD200) at the group meeting on Day 1. Please bring new notes/bills in large denominations.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital city, is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture. We visit the chilling Toul Sleng torture centre and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. We will also have free time to explore the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace, the National Museum or the Russian Market. Sisowath Quay, along the riverside, boasts some beautiful old French architecture, a variety of cuisine and coffee shops and a great view of the bustling river and street traffic.

Day 3 Kompong Cham

A short bus ride takes us to Kampong Cham (approximately 2 hours) a little river town, where we stay overnight. We visit Wat Nokor, an 11th Century Buddhist shrine, and there are riverside walks to explore the area. In the afternoon we travel by boat on the Mekong to the charming Wat Hanchey.

Days 4-6 Siem Reap

This morning we travel to the village of Kampong Thom. On the way, we make a quick stop at the town of Skoun for an opportunity to sample the local delicacy of fried spiders. We then go on to Phom Suntok - a mountain temple full of carved reclining Buddhas - a mere 956 steps to the top but worth it for the great views over the surrounding countryside! (Approximately 3 hours' total travel time.) In the late afternoon we arrive at our destination -Siem Reap.

It's sunrise to sunset on Day 5 as we make the most of our visit to the world-famous Angkor complex with our local guide. These temples were built between the 9th and 13th Centuries when the Khmer Empire was the pre-eminent influence in South East Asia. They are believed to represent the cosmic world; set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The temples are scattered over an area of some 160sq km, the main cluster being close to Siem Reap, and we have plenty of time to explore the great archeological sites of Angkor Wat, the Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Phrom. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architecural design are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photographic opportunities at sunrise.

Days 7-8 Battambang

An early morning boat ride (4-5 hours) takes us along the river to Battambang. If water levels are too low, a public bus will be used to travel to Battambang. Cambodia's second-largest city is an attractive riverside town with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved colonial architecture. There is time to explore the town and to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Depending on group wishes there is the chance to take a cooking class, explore the surrounding countryside and even take a ride on the rather interesting 'bamboo' train.

Day 9 Kampot

Leaving Battambang, we travel by public bus to Phnom Penh where we transfer to a mini van for the 4-hour drive to Kampot. With it's faded colonial elegance and relaxed atmosphere, the riverside town of Kampot is a perfect place to break our journey.

Day 10 Bokor Hill Station

Today we drive up to Bokor National Park (approximately 2 hours). If the season is right we can stop for a refreshing dip in the waterfalls. Bokor is the fascinating remains of a French hill resort filled with atmospheric ruins including a massive casino, and offers some great views over Cambodia's southern coastline.

Days 11-13 Sihanoukville

On the morning of Day 11 we travel from Kampot to Sihanoukville, a journey of 3 hours. Miles of untouched beaches, and the welcome of friendly people await us in this new coastal resort, named for Cambodia's former king. Weather permitting, we take a boat to one of the nearby islands where we are free to relax among swaying palms, white sands and blue waters. There is also plenty of time to explore the town, the market, the pagodas and the view from Sihanoukville's surrounding hills.

Days 14-15 Phnom Penh

A bus ride returns us to Cambodia's capital city by midday (approximately 4 hours), leaving the afternoon free for further exploration or maybe some last minute shopping.

As no activities are planned for Day 15, you may leave at any time.

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