Full Circle Cambodia Tour: Feb 12-25, 2012
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Cost: $3,500 per person (dbl occupancy)
Group Size: Limited to 10 participants
Service Level: First Class
Tour Leader/Concierge: Keith Hajovsky
This is an exclusive, small group (limited to 10 participants), 14 day exploration of Cambodia with accommodations in luxurious, four and five star hotels and resorts, except for in two of the overnight rural locations that are much more off the beaten path yet still have clean, high quality, three star lodgings. Your tour leader/concierge can assist you with everything before, during and after the tour. There will also be an English speaking Cambodian guide who can provide novel insights to life in the country as well as another Western tour leader who lives in Cambodia and can provide excellent photo advice given his vast experience photographing the country. On this tour you will travel in comfort, and with such a small group you will have access to as much, or as little, professional guidance as you want along the way.
Sightseeing Highlights
• Phnom Penh – Tuol Sleng Museum, Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, and Royal Palace complex with National Museum
• Mekong River – boat cruise, Irrawaddy dolphins, and temple Nokor Bachey
• Siem Reap – temples of Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohn, Banteay Srei, and Beng Mealea, Terrace of the Elephants and Valley of 1,000 Lingas
• Lake Tonle Sap – floating village of Kompong Khleang
• Battambang – French colonial architecture and temple of Phnom Banan
Inclusions
• Travel concierge service from US-based tour guide before, during and after tour
• Expert, English-speaking local guides during the tour
• All 13 nights accommodations at 4 and 5-star hotels and resorts, except for two nights in rural locations that have 3-star lodgings available
• 13 breakfasts and 12 lunches
• All land transportation throughout in A/C vans or buses including airport transfers and boat rides
Call (813) 645-2255 for more information or to book today! Mention code 10216441
- Tour Operator
- Travel Sherpa Keith
- Duration
- 14 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
- Difficulty Level
- Difficulty Level - Moderate
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Phnom Penh | (Sun, Feb 12): Arrive Phnom Penh Arrive at the Phnom Penh International Airport where you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to our luxury hotel (either the Sunway or the Sofitel, depending on availability) in the heart of this French colonial city once know as the ‘Pearl of Asia'. |
| Day 2 | Phnom Penh | Phnom Penh city tour Begin with an optional tour of one of the most infamous sites for Khmer Rouge atrocities called S-21, now known as the Tuol Sleng Museum. Next take a half hour drive to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek where thousands of Khmer Rouge victims were buried. After lunch along the Mekong River back in the city we visit the beautiful and striking Royal Palace complex, the graceful National Museum which houses the world's finest collection of Khmer art, and Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple built in the 14th century and the tallest religious structure in the city. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 3 | Kratie | Phnom Penh to Kratie Drive to the Mekong city of Kompong Cham where we see the temple Nokor Bachey, also known as Wat Nakor, which is a fusion of a modern Theravada Buddhist pagoda with an 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine. Back in Kompong Cham admire interesting 1930's French architecture and scenic views of the Mekong River. If you are comfortable with heights, climb to the top of the old French lighthouse for great views of the city and the river. We then drive a few hours on comfortable roads to the town of Kratie where we check into our hotel (TBD, three star). (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 4 | Kratie | Mekong and dolphins After seeing the sun rise over the Mekong River we take a ferry to villages on a small island in the Mekong. After lunch we drive 20 miles to Kampi to view the Pagoda of 100 Columns. We then take a boat cruise on the river to see the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. The best time to observe them is in the afternoon towards sunset. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 5 | Kompong Thom | Kompong Thom and Santuk Mountain Drive from Kratie along the Mekong to Kompong Cham. After lunch we continue to the town of Kompong Thom where we take a beautiful walk to Phnom Santuk, a charming temple complex with numerous Buddha images and shrines making it a great place to see the sunset over the flood plain of the Tonle Sap Lake. Overnight at the Sambor Village Hotel. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 6 | Siem Reap | Sambor Prei Kuk Drive 20 miles to Sambor Prei Kuk which has over 100 temples set in an atmospheric forest north of Kompong Thom. These 7th century brick temples are some of the oldest of the pre-Angkorian sites. During the remaining drive to Siem Reap see the arched bridge of Kampong Kdei, the largest remaining bridge structure of the Khmer Empire. Check into the luxurious Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 7 | Siem Reap | Orientation tour of Angkor We start off at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the most important capital city of the Khmer empire, enjoying viewpoints that most visitors never experience. Next we visit the multi-faced, otherworldly Bayon that is at the center of this ancient city.From there we walk to the magnificent Baphuon. Continuing through the Royal Palace complex, we see the pyramid temple of Phiminakas and the 385 yard-long Terrace of Elephants that was used as a giant viewing stand for public ceremonies. After lunch we visit the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, which was built as a funerary temple for King Suryavaraman II. Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious building, represents the pinnacle of achievement in Khmer temple construction. We traverse this monument from west to east while looking at some of the bas-reliefs that depict the great Hindu religious themes and the most important battles of ancient Khmer history. We finish off with Ta Prohm, the famous jungle temple with immense trees enveloping the ancient wall in a stranglehold. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 8 | Siem Reap | Grand Circuit Tour of Angkor Begin with a peaceful sunrise at Phnom Bakheng that gives you a glorious view over Angkor Wat. We continue on to the brick temple of Pre Rup and then on to East Mebon that used to be located on an artificial island in the vast Eastern Baray (reservoir). From there we go to Ta Som, a small Bayon style temple with a tree-clad tower on its east side. The highlight of the day is Preah Khan, built in the 12th century and dedicated to the father of King Jayavarman VII. The temple complex within this massive enclosure has even more atmosphere than Ta Prohm. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 9 | Siem Reap | Lake Tonle Sap and Beng Mealea Morning trip to the lake of Tonle Sap where we visit the floating village of Kompong Khleang. Most of the houses are built on tall stilts for when the waters rise drastically during the rainy season. Visit fish markets and have lunch in a typical stilt home via a local wholesale market that gets few tourists. We then go to the temple of Beng Mealea which was built in the same architectural style as Angkor Wat. Still heavily covered in dense jungle and largely un-restored, it gives you a true Indiana Jones experience, much like what the French explorers found in the 1860's when they first rediscovered the ancient ruins of Angkor. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 10 | Siem Reap | Banteay Srei and Phnom Kulen Early morning drive to Banteay Srei, the pink sandstone jewel of Angkor, containing the finest carvings of all the Khmer temples. Then a short drive to the hills of Phnom Kulen (Kulen Mountain) and the Hindu site of Kbal Spean, known as the ‘Valley of 1,000 Lingas' whose carvings in the riverbed represent phallic symbols for the sake of fertilizing the waters of the Stung Kbal Spean River. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 11 | Battambang | Battambang Situated on the Sangker River the French colonial city of Battambang retains much of its old world charm and character. The area is the leader in rice production for the country and has a landscape punctuated by steep, tree-clad hills. We visit the temple of Phnom Banan as well as Phnom Sampeau which has the Killing Caves where hundreds of Khmer Rouge victims were thrown to their deaths. Towards the end of the afternoon we visit another nearby cave to watch millions of bats emerge at sundown. Check into the Sanctuary Villa Hotel. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 12 | Battambang | Countryside tour of Battambang On a morning countryside tour of Battambang we see the home of local crafts such as paper and incense stick making. We likewise visit Prasat Phnom Banon Winery, the only vineyard in Cambodia. In the afternoon back in Battambang you can relax by the hotel pool or wander around the city at will, perhaps visiting the Psar Nath Market, strolling along the river front, or getting a massage. The old train station is worth a visit as well as the Pepsi Cola factory that remains derelict with dusty bottles and all from its closure in 1975. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 13 | Phnom Penh | Drive via Kampong Chhnang to Phnom Penh We take the main road south through the pottery and stone quarrying town of Pursat, then on to the riverside community of Kampong Chhnang. From there we continue on to the hill temples of Udon which include a massive new golden Buddha, the largest in Cambodia. We arrive in Phnom Penh early in the evening and have a nice meal together as a group at a waterfront restaurant to celebrate the end of a great tour. Overnight at the Sunway or the Sofitel in Phnom Penh. (breakfast and lunch included) |
| Day 14 | Phnom Penh | Depart Phnom Penh A transfer to the airport is included for those flying from Phnom Penh. (breakfast included) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging Type
- Spas
- Resorts
- Hotels
- Dining
- Total meals - 25
- Breakfasts - 13
- Lunches - 12
- Transportation
- Motor Coach
- Boat
- Cultural/Educational
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Art
- History
- Photography
- Shopping
- Disclaimer
- COSTS
Cost of trip for double occupancy: $3500
Cost of trip for single-room occupancy: $4470 ($3500 + $970)
Cost includes: All land transportation throughout (A/C van for group of 6-8pax & 25 seat bus for group of 9 or more), boat rides, all 13 nights hotel accommodations at four and five star hotels (except in Kratie & Kampong Thom which is limited to three star accommodations), airport transfers, all breakfasts and lunches, two Western tour leaders and one local tour guide for the duration of tour, bottled mineral water during tour activities, all admission fees except Angkor passes ($40 per person for 3 days)
Cost does not include: international flights to/from Phnom Penh, departure airport tax, passport and visa fees, travel insurance, vaccinations and medical coverage/treatment, personal expenses such as beverages and snacks, meals not mentioned as included, souvenirs, internet access fees, laundry fees, tips etc..
For full terms and conditions please refer to our Registration Form.
