3-Week Journey in Cambodia: Tracing the Land of Angkor Temples

Day 1 – Tuesday, 11/12/2024: Arrival in Phnom Penh

Arrived at 3:25 PM at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, blends colonial heritage with Khmer traditions. Bordering the Mekong River, it reveals magnificent temples and bustling markets.
"We arrived on time in Phnom Penh. The weather is great (as usual when we travel with Kampá Tour...). See, we bring the sun in our bags, hihihi...

Day 2 – Wednesday: Phnom Penh

A hectic Phnom Penh day! Take a walk to Wat Phnom, a tiny temple atop the hill, before continuing on to the old quarter and the central market, a veritable maze where you can find anything. Before continuing on to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, which are striking with their gilding and spotless grounds, take a moment to stroll down Sisowat Quay.
Visit an Apsara organization and an art center where you may learn about traditional dance, music, and painting after making a quick detour to the Independence Monument.
>>> Read more:  What to Do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia?

“Passage through the Apsara Association of an art center (dance, music, painting) and the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum with an icy atmosphere and spine-chilling photos. Day tour by Tuk-tuk, the best means of transport in this teeming city.”

Day 3–Thursday: Boat Racing Festival in Phnom Penh

During the Boat Race Festival, a significant occasion in Cambodia, our traveler had the good fortune to be in Phnom Penh.
Among the activities planned are the Tonlé Sap pirogue races, the illuminated boat parade, and a fireworks-filled evening finale. In Phnom Penh, spend the night. "Today we received an explanation. The three-day festival commemorates both the anniversary of the king's coronation and the conclusion of the rainy season. Thus, today was unique.

Day 4 – Friday: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham

• Travel via Prey Veng with a stop at Skun market (known for its insect specialty).
• Kampong Cham, a peaceful town on the banks of the Mekong, preserves superb colonial mansions and a unique bamboo bridge, rebuilt every year.
• Visit Wat Moha Leap and the village of Prey Chung Kran. Discover Kampong Cham: old colonial residences and the bamboo bridge of Koh Paen.
• Visit the temples of Wat Nokor Bachey, Phnom Pros, and Phnom Srey. Overnight in Kampong Cham.

>>>> You Won’t Believe What’s Waiting in Kampong Cham Along the Mekong!

Day 5 – Saturday: Kampong Cham – Kratie

After traveling through rubber fields and along the Mekong, we pause at Chhlong, a town with stunning colonial homes.
With its historic buildings, bustling market, and Wat Roka Kandal, a reminder of the past, Kratie has a serene environment. Irrawaddy dolphins, a rare species that can be seen along the sea, are the city's most well-known attraction. Following a tour of an artisanal rice whisky factory, we ascend to Phnom Sambok, which offers a breathtaking sunset perspective of the Mekong.

Day 6 – Sunday: Kratie – Sen Monorom

On the island of Kaoh Trong, a peaceful retreat in the middle of the Mekong, we begin the day with a bike ride. This island, which is reachable by ferry from Kratie, provides a genuine environment with its rice fields, stilt-built villages, and orchards where the locals cultivate grapefruits and mangoes.

Following this picturesque break, we travel by road to Sen Monorom, Mondolkiri's capital. The plains soon give way to forested hills and expansive meadows, which are what give this untamed area its allure. There are a few breaks along the route where you may take in the breathtaking views.
We ascend Dos Krormom hill, which provides one of the most breathtaking views of Mondulkiri, in the late afternoon. From here, the green hills as far as the eye can see are sublimated by the golden light of the sunset.

>>>>>>> Learn more about: Discovery of Kratie Cambodia: Place of the Mekong River Dolphins

Day 7 – Monday: Sen Monorom – Banlung

• A trip to the waterfall at Bou Sra.
• The capital of Ratanakiri, Banlung, is renowned for its deep blue volcanic lakes, ethnic diversity, and jungle scenery.
• Travel to Banlung and stop at Cha Ong Falls and Yeak Lom Lake. Spend the night at Banlung.

Day 8 – Tuesday: Banlung – Kroeungs Territory

We began the trips to the villages of Kroeung and Taveng. Then hiking through the forest of bamboo.
I had requested to observe this ethnic group's "waterless" highland rice farm. We reached this rice field after walking two kilometers down the mountain, where we experienced harvesting rice the old-fashioned way—without the use of machinery or cutting. The fact that we were interested in their crops pleased the entire family. The days are constantly packed with a driver and guide who are delighted to share our amazing experience. It's trekking day tomorrow.

Day 9 – Wednesday: Banlung – Kroeungs and Tampouns Villages

• Banlung Market, then departure for Voeun Sai.
• The Tampoun and Kroeung villages preserve their ancestral traditions, notably the art of weaving and funeral rites marked by strange sculpted totems.
• Boat trip on the Tonlé Sé San to visit the village of Kachaun and its funeral totems.

Once more, you will leave at 8 am and arrive at the hotel at approximately 6 pm. We went shopping at the market and then departed in a private canoe to explore the island. An entire day of classes that enhance our understanding of Southeast Asia (from our earlier travels with Kampá Tour).

The guide, who takes great pride in his craft, goes into great detail. He finished the day by climbing a hill in the city of Banlung (where a huge Buddha is being built) to witness the breathtaking sunset today and visiting a new park that is currently under development and will have a zip line and other entertainment (scheduled for 2025).

Day 10 – Thursday: Banlung – Stung Treng

Departure for Stung Treng with a visit to the Preah Ko temple. Take a boat trip to Koh Han and discover the island. Overnight in Stung Treng.

Day 11 – Friday: Stung Treng – Preah Vihear

• Drive to Preah Vihear with stops at agricultural plantations. Visit the Preah Vihear temple and descend by the forest trail. Overnight in Sra Em.
• Perched atop a cliff, Preah Vihear Temple offers spectacular views of the Cambodian plain. Its Khmer architecture is strikingly beautiful.
• "We had seen this temple from Thailand in 2017. Seeing it again today was a special moment."

Day 12: Saturday: Beng Mealea, Koh Ker, Siem Reap, and Preah Vihear

• Discover the majestic temples tucked away in the wilderness of Koh Ker, the former Khmer capital.
• See the enigmatic Prasat Beng Mealea temple, which is completely covered in foliage and has a resemblance to Angkor but significantly less tourists.
• Take a car to Siem Reap and register at the hotel.
• Be in Siem Reap for the night.

Day 13 – Sunday: Siem Reap

• Visit the Samatoa lotus farm, where lotus is transformed into fine fabric.
• Discover the Angkor National Museum, an essential visit to better understand Khmer history and architecture.
• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14 – Monday: Siem Reap – Tonlé Sap and Roluos

• Excursion to the lake village of Kompong Khleang, with its houses on stilts and its way of life punctuated by the waters of Tonlé Sap.
• Visit the temples of the Roluos group, among the oldest remains of Angkor, witnesses of the first great Khmer constructions.
• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15 – Tuesday: Temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom

A day devoted to exploring Angkor's splendors, a famous UNESCO World Heritage site. We begin at Angkor Wat, a massive Hindu temple with intricate bas-reliefs and thin spires that has come to represent Cambodia.

Passing through the southern gate, which is flanked by magnificent statues, we go to the ancient royal capital, Angkor Thom. With its towers adorned with placid faces, the Bayon, located in the center of the city, captivates. Amazing sculptures can be seen nearby at the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Climb Phnom Bakheng in the late afternoon to see the Angkor plain at sunset. It is amazing to see the temples submerged in the bush. Spend the night back in Siem Reap.

>>>>> Read more: Bayon Temple: The Mysteries of Angkor with Enigmatic Faces

Day 16 – Wednesday: Small and Large Circuit of Angkor

Visit Banteay Srei, famous for its fine sculptures on pink sandstone. Continue with Ta Som, Neak Poan and Preah Khan, temples less frequented but rich in history. At Ta Prohm, nature reclaims its rights, the roots of the cheese trees enveloping the ruins. End of the day at Pre Rup for a superb sunset before returning to Siem Reap.

Day 17 – Thursday: Siem Reap – Prek Toal

Excursion to the Prek Toal bird sanctuary, home to many rare bird species.

Dinner and overnight stay with locals.

"We were very disappointed by the guide, who didn't really accompany us and gave few explanations."

Day 18 – Friday: Prek Toal – Kampong Pluk – Siem Reap

In Kampong Pluk, everything floats or rises on stilts, suspended between water and sky. Houses, schools, entire lives follow the breath of the Tonlé Sap, sometimes a refuge, sometimes a threat. In the flooded forest, trunks emerge from the liquid silence, while children paddle between the roots. The balance is fragile, but life goes on.

Back to Siem Reap, leaving behind this floating world, still at the mercy of the water.

Day 19 – Saturday: Siem Reap – Battambang

Route to Battambang , a city with colonial and artistic charm.

Show by the Phare circus, where talented young artists combine acrobatics, music and traditional tales.

Night in Battambang.

"Today, a real moment of sharing with our driver and our guide. Magnificent end to the trip."

Day 20 – Sunday: Battambang – Phnom Penh

Visit to Kampong Luong and Phnom Oudong.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

"Today in Battambang, we had lunch with the driver and the guide. It was a real moment of conviviality and sharing. We were able to find a real atmosphere as we like to share them in our travels. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the whole team. The atmosphere is very good. We eat together, we have smiles..."

Day 21 – Monday: Return to Nice

This end of the trip is magnificent.

After three weeks of discoveries, encounters and emotions, it is time to close this travel diary. From the tumult of Phnom Penh to the majestic temples of Angkor, through the wild landscapes of Mondolkiri and the floating villages of Tonlé Sap, each stage has left a unique mark.

Beyond the sites visited, it was the exchanges with the guides, drivers and locals that gave all its flavor to this adventure. These moments of sharing, laughter and complicity will remain engraved long after the return.

Cambodia is not just a destination, it is an intense human experience, a journey that leaves its mark and makes you want to return.

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