Cambodia Basix - 13 days

Drifters Price: £261.25

RRP: £275.00

Trip Code: INTCB

Local Payment: USD$200.00

Day 1 Bangkok

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 followed by an optional group dinner. Look for a welcome note at reception in the joining-point hotel explaining where to meet.

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

For those who arrive early, there is sightseeing information on the noticeboard in reception. Note that hotel check-in time is 12 noon.

On the morning of Day 2 we will depart early on the overland trip to Siem Reap. It is approximately 4 hours to the Thai-Cambodia border at Poipet. After customs we will change buses and continue on our journey. The road between Poipet and Siem Reap varies in condition according to the season and travel time should be between 6 and 8 hours. We anticipate few problems during the dry season (approximately October to the end of April) but during the wet season this road may flood and become impassable. If this occurs (your leader will notify you in Bangkok) we will need to fly. This flight will be an extra trip cost.

Days 2-4 Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor and we have 2 full days to enjoy the town and its surrounds. You may choose to spend the days out at the world-famous Angkor complex. Entry fees are USD20 for a 1-day pass. A tuk tuk for a day around the ruins should be around USD10 per vehicle (you can bargain the price with the driver). On the way out to the temples, include a visit to the Land Mine Museum (free admission but donations are appreciated) to see the wonderful work this organisation does towards the elimination of land mines in this area.

You may also wish to visit the floating village of Tonle Sap, including a visit to the Gecko Environment Centre, which has been designed to help manage and sustain this fragile area - your tour lader can assist you in these arrangements. The local market in Siem Reap is a great place to shop or to try some delicious, cheap street food. In the evening several restaurants offer traditional Khmer cultural performances. These shows usually include a buffet dinner and cost around USD12 per person.

Day 5 Kompong Cham

Four hours travelling takes us to Kompong Thom, a bustling commercial centre on the banks of the Stung Sen river. Here we have the option to travel out to the impressive pre-Angkorian complex of Sambor Prei Kuk. There are more than 100 temples scattered through the forest and these are some of the oldest structures in the country.

A further 2 hours' travel takes us by public bus to the riverside town of Kompong Cham. This peaceful town was once an important trading hub and is now a great opportunity to experience life in small-town Cambodia. You can explore the 11th Century Wat Nokor. Hire a bike and explore the rural island of Koh Paen, where you can see many local cottage industries in action. A little further afield (around 7kms) are the twin 'mountain temples' of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. It is also possible to hire a motor boat (around USD10 for a boat) to travel up the river and enjoy some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia from the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey.

Day 6 Kratie

This morning we take a fast boat to Kratie (around 3 hours). Please note this boat is seasonal - during those times when it doesn't run we will take the public bus to Kratie. Kratie is a charming river town with some lovely examples of French-Khmer architecture and some great riverside restaurants to enjoy the Melong views, and the best place in Cambodia to try to catch a glimpse of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin. There are only 4 freshwater dolphin species in the world, in Brazil, India (though how they survive in the Ganges is a miracle!), here in Cambodia and in China.

Excursions can be arranged at a cost of around USD5 per person.

Day 7 Phnom Penh

We travel from Kratie to Phnom Penh, a journey of around 5 hours.

Day 8 Takeo

This morning is free for further exploration the city of Phnom Penh. After lunch, we drive to our family homestay near the rural town of Takeo. Facilities are very basic. This evening we will join the family for a local dinner.

Days 9-10 Sihanoukville

A 2-hour drive takes us to the beaches of Sihanoukville. Here we have a full day to unwind and enjoy the relaxed tropical environment. Boat trips are available - a day trip including a barbecue lunch is approximately USD12 per person. Nature lovers may wish to make the trip out to Ream National Park which has a variety of animal and bird species.You may also like to venture out to the riverside French colonial town of Kampot (around 2 hours each way, costing USD2 per person in a share taxi). There are many restaurants and bars waiting to be explored for those wanting a bit of nightlife.

On Day 10 we travel by public bus from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh (around 4 hours).

Day 11 Phnom Pehn

Today is a free day in Phnom Penh. For a graphic reminder of this country's tragic recent history, you may like to visit the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.Tuol Sleng, a former school which was taken by the Khmer Rouge and transformed into a torture and detention centre, Security Prison 21, or S-21. (Admission USD2, open 8am-11.30am and 2pm-5.30pm daily.) Between 1975 and 1978 Choeung Ek was the site where about 17,000 people who had been detained at Tuol Sleng were transported and killed. (Admission USD2, open 7am-5.30 daily.)

There is also the beautiful Silver Pagoda. Part of the Royal Palace complex, this stunning temple gains its name from the 5000 silver tiles covering the floor. (Admission USD3, open 8am-11am and 2pm-5pm daily.) A visit to the National Museum is also worthwhile. Housed in a beautiful traditional building it contains many outstanding examples of Khmer craftsmanship. (Admission USD2, open 8am-11.30am and 2pm-5.30pm daily.) Set on top of Phnom Penh, the mountain from which the city is named, is Wat Phnom. This peaceful temple is a good place to rest from the hustle and bustle of the city. (Admission USD1, open 7am-5.30pm daily.) Or if you are in the mood for shopping, stop in at the art deco-designed Psar Thmei (Central Market) which is a great place for browsing, or travel out to Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best range of local souvenirs.

Days 12-13 Ho Chi Minh City

Day 12 is a long day of driving, as we travel between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The journey should take approximately 6-8 hours, depending on road conditions.

You are free to depart any time on Day 13. Hotel check-out is at 12 noon.

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