Thailand & Cambodia : Ruined Cities & Tropical Islands

Mysterious ruined cities enveloped by steamy jungle, massive stone carvings amidst flocks of parrots and squabbling monkeys – Angkor is definitely one of the world’s great destinations, but on this trip you’ll also discover Cambodia’s charming villages, friendly people, serene landscapes and fascinating, if sometimes tragic history. Overland and up-river through S. E. Asia from Phnom Penh and the ancient Khmer city of Angkor to the tropical island of Koh Mak. Relaxing in a Thai hill-resort, jungle trekking, snorkelling on coral reefs or elephant riding through the island’s pristine rainforest are some of the activities on offer .

Please note that for the Thai island section of this itinerary (days 10 to 12),there are 2 seasonal variants; a May to October rainy season version and a November to April dry season version.

Day 1
Departure from London.

Day 2
Morning arrival in Phnom Penh via Bangkok & check-in to a downtown hotel near the City’s historic riverbank quarter. Time to relax before an afternoon walk taking in the spectacular Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda and lively waterfront area.

Day 3
Day tour of some of the sites of Cambodia's fascinating capital city; the infamous Killing Fields site and highly moving Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum, Tuol Sleng, the Russian Market and finishing perhaps with sundowners at the famous Foreign Correspondents Club?

Day 4
Up country through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to the small provincial town of Siem Reap in Western Cambodia – our base for the next few days and jumping off point for the nearby Angkor Temple complex. Stops on the way at the famous ‘spider village’ of Skuon, (tasting not compulsory), the rarely visited but well preserved 10th century temple of Kuhananokor and lunch by the Tonle Sap Lake. A dusk visit to the atmospheric ruins of Banteay Kdei completes our day.

Days 5 & 6
Angkor – an unforgettable two-day tour of this fabulous site – its ruined palaces and vast jungle clad temples. A comprehensive tour of all the major sites plus some less well known ones, including sunrise and sunset visits. (A detailed itinerary for our Angkor visit is available upon request.)

Day 7
Free morning in Siem Reap: explore the market, relax by the pool or visit the unusual landmines museum before an afternoon trip to some of the remoter temple Angkor sites such as Banteay Samre or sunset at the little visited Bakong Temple.

Day 8
Spectacular boat journey across the Tonle Sap Lake, past the ‘flooded forest’ and Prek Toal bird sanctuary and on down the Sangker River and its floating and stilt-house fishing villages to the town of Battambang. Stop off on the way to visit the Prek Toal community water hyacinth weaving project. Time of arrival will depend upon water levels.

Day 9
Morning ride through the paddy-fields on Battambang’s famous ‘bamboo train’, (we’ll explain later!), before continuing through this little visited region of Cambodia to the Thai border at Pailin - famed for its gemstones and as the Khmer Rouge’s last stronghold. Afternoon arrival in Thailand’s Chantaburi Province for our night’s accommodation in the beautiful setting of a small Thai hill resort. A hike to nearby scenic Soi Dao Waterfall is the afternoon’s activity.

November to April version:

Day 10
Continue south to a beachside resort on the tropical island of Koh Mak with a stop-off on the way to visit Chantaburi’s truly amazing ‘Buddha Park’!

Day 11
A boat tour through the surrounding archipelago of Koh Chang National Marine Park including swimming and snorkelling on some of the area’s vibrant coral reefs.

Day 12
Day at leisure on the island; make the most of the turquoise waters and coconut-palm lined beaches, try out a beach massage or explore the island?

Day 13
Morning relaxing on the island before returning to Bangkok for evening flight to London.

May to October version:

Day 10
Continue south to a beachside resort on the tropical island of Koh Chang with a stop-off on the way to visit Chantaburi’s truly amazing ‘Buddha Park’!

Day 11
Day at leisure on the island; make the most of the turquoise waters and coconut-palm lined beaches, try out a beach massage or explore the island?

Day 12
A morning visit to one of the island's elephant camps to meet the pachyderms and go on an elephant ride through the jungle.

Day 13
Morning relaxing on the island before returning to Bangkok for evening flight to London.

Day 14
Morning arrival in London.

Please note:
An elephant riding option can be organized in Siem Reap for the dry season variant when we do not visit Koh Chang and in case of clement sea conditions snorkelling may also be an option on Koh Chang during the rainy season at certain times.

Notes:

Note: this tour is offered with or without return flights from the UK. The flight from Bangkok to Phnom Penh is included so persons not taking up the flight option should join the tour on day 2 at Bangkok airport and leave in Bangkok on day 13.

Suggestions: extend your trip with a stay at a spa resort, scuba diving trip or a few extra days in Bangkok?

Thailand & Cambodia : Ruined Cities & Tropical Islands

Give us a call Call us on Skype with any further questions. What to bring Item Is it required? Comments Bags etc Day pack/small pack Required 15 -20 litres is fine. Rucksack/Backpack Required Any smallish bag that can be easily carried over short distances. Suitcases are not really suitable Sheet sleeping-bag/sleeping-bag liner Not required Sleeping bag Not required Waterproof bag Up to you Useful for canoeing, rafting etc if you want to carry cameras and so on. Clothing Hat Required Cheaply available in S.E. Asia Light hiking boots or sandals Up to you Suitable for scrambling over roaks etc during temple visits. Light waterproofs Up to you Necessary for rainy season. Lightweight cotton clothes Required Long sleeves for evenings are useful. Nights may get cool during Dec/Jan time Sandals or flip flops for the beach Up to you Useful in avoiding cuts from coral, shells, sea-urchins etc. Sarong Up to you Useful multi-functional item - widely available in S.E.Asia Swimming costume Required Towel Up to you Provided by all hotels and guesthouses on the itinerary. Beach towels optional. Umbrella Up to you A small umbrella is useful for the rainy season. Warm clothes (e.g. Fleece) Up to you Necessary on rare occasions during winter in the hills - Nov to Jan. Medicines etc Anti malaria drugs Up to you If you are considering taking them or wish for further information consult a specialist. Basic medical kit Up to you Tour leaders will carry one and you will never be far away from a pharmacy so basic is the operative word. Mosquito repellent Required Containing DEET. Sun-block Required Water purification tablets Not required Miscellaneous Film/Camera equipment Up to you Most common film types and brands are widely available as are batteries, digital camera cards etc. Guide book Up to you Please bear in mind that even the most recent copy is still a minimum of 1 year out of date. Mosquito net Not required Torch/flashlight Up to you Papers and Money ATM/cash card Up to you ATM/cash machines are now available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap as well as in Thailand. Cambodian currency Required Unavailable outside of Cambodia. Passport Required Valid for at least 6 months after date of arrival Passport photos (For visas) Required 2 photos are required on arrival in Phnom Penh in order to obtain your Cambodian visa. Thai currency Up to you generally available at vbetter rates upon arrival in Thailand. Travellers cheques Up to you Larger Cambodian banks will do cash advances with Visa or cash travellers cheques US $ (For Cambodian visa only) Required US dollars are also widely accepted in Cambodia. $20 is needed for your Cambodian visa on arrival in Phnom Penh. US$ (cash) Required US$ are accepted throughout Cambodia. Note, Cambodian ATM machines dispense US dollars. Visas (Cambodia and Laos) Not required Issued upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport. $20 payable in US only. Visas Thailand Not required For all EC, US, Canadian & Aus/NZ citizens a 30 day tourist visa is automatically issued free of charge upon arrival at BKK Int. Airport. For other nationalities please check with your Thai embassy.

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