NATURE & WILDLIFE

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL SIEM REAP

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

In the afternoon boat trip to Kampong Khleang, one of the largest and least visited villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, situated around 55 km from Siem Reap. It has a population of about 10,000 people, all of whom make a living from the fishing industry. We explore the canals (wet season) or streets (dry season) of this incredible town. We cruise into the open water of the great lake to see a small floating village and learn some more about this incredible natural flood barrier.

Overnight in SIEM REAP

DAY 2 : SIEM REAP (B / - / -)

Full day Angkor Tour by TukTuk (Remork)

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 Wat impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. 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.

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 G ate 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 / -)

Today we start early to travel to Prek Toal, a pristine biosphere on Tonle Sap Lake. 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. You will also get a glance into the local daily life at Prek Toal floating village.

Overnight in SIEM REAP

DAY 4 : SIEM REAP_Kulen Prontemp Sanctuary (B / L / D)

Picking up at 5.30am from your Siem Reap hotel, we head off to the Northeast in our A/C 4x4 towards the outlying forest temple complex of Koh Ker. Traveling out through villages and fields we take the opportunity to stop along the way for a packed breakfast and to spot some of the area’s unique birds –including many woodpeckers and the beautiful White-Rumped Pygmy Falcon. Koh Ker is a stunning and unique pyramidal temple built in 931AD, reminiscent of the structures built by the Central American Maya. This was the location that became the capital of the Khmer Empire away from the Angkor area for the only time in an otherwise uninterrupted 500 years

We start our explorations in the remote dry and semi evergreen forest and rarely-visited outlying temples to discover the nature, wildlife, birds and incredible butterflies that live there, whilst exploring little known temples before heading to the main Koh Ker temple –Prasat Thom, where we have lunch at a local restaurant right in front of the temple site.

We then travel on to Prey Veng, our flagship community Ecolodge, on the banks of a 12C baray deep in the Kulen Promtep Wildlife sanctuary. Spend the late afternoon exploring the nearby lost temple ruins, cycling or trekking round the baray, or just relax with sundowners on the platform over the reservoir watching the evening wildlife.

Overnight in SIEM REAP, wildlife station (basic accommodation)

DAY 5 : Kulen Prontemp Sanctuary – Baray Trail (B / L / D)

How you spend today is up to you. Explore the Baray trails spotting critically-endangered birds and wildlife, hike the 12 k to the mountain temples, or take a boat out with local fisherman to learn their skills. There is also the chance to visit the local village, community forest, monitoring or forest patrols whilst learning about traditional rubber tapping and other forest natural product harvesting; or learn about growing of our wildlife friendly Ibis Rice.

Overnight in SIEM REAP, wildlife station (basic accommodation)

DAY 6 : Baray Trail – Boeng Mealea – Siem Reap (B / L / -)

After early-morning wildlife spotting and breakfast we return to Siem Reap, stopping at Beng Melea, a spectacular deserted jungle-temple ruin. This site has only recently been de-mined and it has a very authentic feel –it is said to be the template for Angkor Wat. Return to Siem Reap around 5pm.

Overnight in SIEM REAP

DAY 7 : SIEM REAP – KRATIE (B / - / -)

Early departure to Kratie, a small provicial town. After arrival we transfer by ferry to Trong Island, and then take an excursion by ox- or horse-cart around the island, a 9 km loop around the island, which provides opportunities to leisurely explore traditional Khmer villages, fruits orchards and rice fields, while observing the daily routines of the traditional village life.

Overnight in Kratie

DAY 8 : KRATIE – MUNDOLKIRI (B / - / -)

In the morning transfer to Kampi, 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 creatures. After arrival check in at a local hotel in town.

Overnight in Mundolkiri

DAY 9 : MUNDOLKIRI (B / L / -)

Important Notice: Only possible from Monday to Friday We enjoy a day with the elephants, shadowing the two families of elephants in the jungle, with the support of the Bunong villagers, which rescues and treats domestic elephants who have suffered injury and abuse. You will be introduced to the herd of elephants and get to know more about their history, character, behavior and body language while walking alongside them in their natural environment.

After lunch you will undertake a walking trek with the elephants through the stunning Mondulkiri countryside to a waterfall for a refreshing swim and elephant bath. Then return to the city for overnight.

Important note: This is a description of an average day due to the nature of this project and the elephants; the program may vary.

Overnight in Mundolkiri

DAY 10 : MUNDOLKIRI – KEO SEIMA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (B / L / D)

Starting from Sen Monorom at 6.30 am, we drive ca. 45 minutes to the rainforest safari camp for breakfast. The Jahoo Gibbon Camp is a responsible tourism and conservation project, giving you a completely unique opportunity to trek deep into the core of Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. The area is part of key conservation and species monitoring by WCS and the indigenous Bunong community.

We will spend the whole day trekking through this stunning rainforest habitat, tracking endangered Black-shanked Doucs, Gibbons, Elephants, Bantaengand other endangered species. We can choose routes based on fitness and interests –stopping at butterfly filled waterfalls where you can swim at some times of the year, discovering Bunong Spirit Trees, farms and stories.

Lunch is in the forest on traditional Bunong ‘Bamboo Soup’, made in bamboo over the fire before heading back to the camp by 4.30 to relax over sundowners and watch the wildlife from our Bamboo Lounge. In the evening, feast on traditional Bunong and Khmer food, whilst learning traditional culture and games

Overnight in Mundolkiri, Campsite

DAY 11 : KEO SEIMA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY – MUNDOLKIRI (B / L / -)

Before dawn we rise and head out to the key Gibbon Area with the WCS Bunong Gibbon Researcher son the in search of these elusive, critically-endangered primates and other rare wildlife. This is a relatively short trek, close to the camp, moving quickly and quietly. We breakfast in the forest, returning to the Camp for lunch.

In the afternoon we head back out for a short trek into the forest and Bunong farms for wildlife and bird watching for rare species such as Bar-Bellied Pitta and Germain’s Peacock Pheasant. We return you to your Sen Monorom hotel around 5 pm.

Overnight in Mundolkiri

DAY 12 : MUNDOLKIRI – PHNOM PENH (B / - / -)

After breakfast overland transfer back to Phnom Penh. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at Phnom Penh

Overnight in Phnom Penh

DAY 13 : PHNOM PENH (B / - / -)

Full day city tour in Phnom Penh: Today you will discover Phnom Penh. The National Museum is the country’s leading historical and archaeological museum. It was officially inaugurated by King Sisowat in 1920. The buildings are inspired by Khmer temple architecture and house more than 14,000 items. The Royal Palace is a complex of buildings, even though it is generally understood to be the royal abode of the King of Cambodia.

The compound was the citadel of King Ponhea Yat (1393-1463) and rebuilt to its present state in 1886, when King Norodom (1834-1904) relocated the royal capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh. The buildings with beautiful towering spires are a great example of classic Khmer architecture found in Cambodia today. While tourists cannot enter the area of the royal abode, visitors can gain entry to the Throne Hall (Preah Tineang Tevea Vinichhay) where coronations and official ceremonies take place, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Preah Keo Morakot), Stupas (Chedei), a Royal Dining Hall, the Chan Chhaya Pavilion and a French-style building that was a gift from Napoleon III.

Silver Pagoda: lies within the grounds of the Royal Palace, which is situated near the banks of the Mighty Mekong. Originally a wooden structure, the palace was initially constructed in 1892 during the reign of King Norodom, but rebuilt to its present grandeur by King Norodom Sihanouk in 1962. The king spared no effort to make this a true embodiment of brilliant Khmer art. More than 5300 pcs of 1.125 kilo silver tiles are used to cover the floor of the Silver Pagoda, and the silver pieces collectively weigh over six tons. Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21): Learn about a chapter from Cambodia's more recent, tragic, past at the TUOL SLENG MUSEUM (Museum of Genocide). Formerly the TuolSvay Prey High School, in 1975, this became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime at that time known as Security Prison 21, or simply S-21. Kept largely unchanged, this prison now showcases photographs and exhibits about the thousands of victims that passed through these doors only seven of whom came out alive.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

DAY 14 : PHNOM PENH (B / - / -)

Spend a day as bear keeper at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, south of the capital Phnom Penh. We join the bear keepers in preparing food and enrichment toys which keep the bears happy and healthy in their forest sanctuary, as well as taking a look at the other endangered species at the Centre. With this trip you contribute directly towards helping care for bears that have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

DAY 15 : PHNOM PENH – DEPARTURE (B / - / -)

Free 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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