BIRDING & CULTURE

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL SIEM REAP

After arriving in Siem Reap, transfer to hotel and check in.

In the afternoon, you will be picked up by TukTuk (Remork), Cambodias truly unique public transportation. We travel to the earliest capitals in the Angkor area, the Roluos Temples. We begin with a visit to the brick temple of Lolei, originally set on an island in the center of the Indratataka Baray (reservoir). We continue to Preah Ko (sacred cow), named in honor of Shiva’s mount, Nandin.

Originally coated in stucco and painted, there is still some of the ancient plaster visible on the rear towers. Finally, we encounter Bakong, the earliest of the Temple Mountains, which later became the signature of Khmer kings. It is a giant pyramid, its cardinal points marked by giant elephants.

For those that are interested, we can offer a short diversion to the small country town of Roluos, a world away from Siem Reap

Overnight in SIEM REAP

DAY 2 : SIEM REAP (B / - / -) 

Full day Angkor Tour by Tuk Tuk: Visit Angkor Wat by Tuk Tuk.

The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat, is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main building ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside.

On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Angkor Thom: the fortified city of Angkor Thom covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga.

Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.

Ta Prohm is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

Overnight in SIEM REAP

DAY 3 : SIEM REAP (B / L / -) 

Pick up at 5.30am. We travel out to the origin of the Siem Reap River in the sacred mountain of Phnom Kulen, 50 km northeast of Siem Reap. Passing through timeless rural Cambodian villages and countryside we have the chance to visit a preserved area of ironwood forest on the slopes of the mountain. This area has a good variety of birds and excellent views of species such as Hainan Blue Fly catcher, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Black Baza, Red-breasted and maybe Blossomheaded and Alexandrine Parakeets. From here we will visit Kbal Spean, walking through protected forest to see the famous carved lingas in the streambed.

These were carved in the 11th and 12th Centuries and stretch over several hundred meters of river, sanctifying it for the river’s journey into the fertile lowlands and the Tonle Sap. There is also the opportunity to visit ACCB, the first nature conservation and endangered wildlife rescue and breeding center in Cambodia. The center aims to promote the rescue and rehabilitation of native Cambodian wildlife and a conservation breeding program to enable reintroduction of native species. SVC works closely with ACCB wherever we can.

A tour around the facility allows visitors the rare opportunity to see some exceptionally rare, shy and seldom seen Cambodian mammals, birds and reptiles up close and personal, all rescued after having been taken from the wild. At present, captive birds include a Giant Ibis, Greater and breeding Lesser Adjutants and Green Peafowl, plus four species of raptor. On our return to Siem Reap we take the time to visit the stunning Banteay Srei before returning you to the hotel around 5 pm.

Overnight in SIEM REAP

DAY 4 : SIEM REAP – PREK TOAL (B / L / D) 

Morning at leisure, you will have time to discover Siem Reap down town area by your own or enjoy the facilities of the hotel.

You will be picked up at your hotel at 1330, then depart from Hotel to Me Chrey Village, during arrival at Me Chrey Village at 1400 move to a boat and travel to Prek Toal, a pristine biosphere on Tonle Sap Lake, and home to some of the most endangered birdlife on the planet. The immense Tonle Sap Lake is one of the most productive bodies of water in the world and millions of fish spawn here in the flooded forest. Prek Toal is a vast area of natural flooded forest that draws thousands of birds annually to breed during the dry season. This is one of the premier places in Southeast Asia to see rare birds such as storks, adjutants, pelicans and ibis.

During arrival Prek Toal Community, transfer to check in at Environmental Research Station.

Then, visit the Prek Toal Information Center. Afterwards, we experience local life in the floating village and learning about different fishing techniques and traditional water hyacinth weaving and get a glance into daily life at the floating village, then goes to visit Saray - hyacinth platform. Dinner at the village while watching sunset on the lake. Overnight at a local homestay in Prek Toal. Important note: Basic accommodation

Overnight in Prek Toal, Home stay

DAY 5 : PREK TOAL – SIEM REAP (B / L / D) 

In the morning we spent time for bird watching on a small traditional wooden boat, gliding through flooded forest, after lunch transfer back to Siem Reap.

Free at leisure until we pick you up for the cultural Apsara show, followed by dinner. Enjoy the traditional Apsara Dance Show during a nice dinner served in a cozy welcoming atmosphere.

DAY 6 : Stoung Bengal Florican Conservation area and Tmatboey (B / L / D) 

The stunning Tonle Sap grasslands support over half of the world’s Bengal Floricans, and our guides have an exceptional track record of finding these Critically-Endangered, shy birds. Other birds we typically see include Sarus Crane, numerous stork species, Manchurian Reed Warbler, Pied and Eastern Marsh Harrier, Small Buttonquail, Blue throat and Red Avadavat.

From here we travel to the Tmatboey eco-lodge, birding in dry forest along the way. We may get a chance at our second Critically-Endangered species this evening, as we try to see White-shouldered Ibisat a roosting site. The night is spent in Tmatboey community run Eco- lodge with home-cooked Khmer cuisine or BBQ and a chance to relax deep in the Cambodian Countryside.

Overnight in Siem Reap

DAY 7 : Tmat boey Project (B / L / D) 

Tmatboey is a world-famous and award-winning site for some of the rarest bird species: Cambodia’s national bird –the pre-historic Giant Ibis, as well as the White-shouldered Ibis. We have a 100% record of finding these unique species at this site where we’ve been partnering with the community and WCS Cambodia for 11 years on bird conservation!

The birding is varied and excellent and our guides, with the help of the SVC-trained local guides, will also find day roosts of nocturnal species such as Spotted Wood Owl and Brown Fish Owl so you won’t lose sleep over seeing them There are also 16 species of woodpecker including the Black-headed Woodpecker, the huge Great Slaty Wood pecker and the scarce Rufous-bellied Woodpecker. Plus the recently recognized Indian Spotted Eagle, White-rumped Pygmy Falcon, Collared Falconet, Rufouswinged Buzzard, Indochinese Bushlark, and many more…

Overnight in Siem Reap

DAY 8 : Tmat boey Project – Siem Reap (B / - / -) 

The morning is spent birding or just relaxing at the onsite hide spotting forest gems, before returning to Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap

DAY 9 : Siem Reap – Departure (B / - / -) 

Free time at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight to next destination.

NOTE: the roundtrip program is subject to change at any time if necessary due to weather or other unforeseeable conditions.

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