Discovery
& Mystery Holidays Dreams
Tour
ARRIVAL IN PHNOM PENH, THE « PEARL OF ASIA »
DAY # 1
Upon your arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide who will accompany you in a private car to your hotel for check in. You have a free day at leisure to relax.
Indulge yourself in a one hour session of Khmer massage to relax and reset your body clock.
DISCOVERY OF PHNOM PENH, THE CAPITAL CITY
DAY # 2
In the morning, we invite you to visit the Throne Hall and the Silver Pagoda, located within the compound of the manucured gardens of Royal Palace where are kept all the Treasures of the Crown: admire its floor paved with tiles in pure silver and the Emerald Buddha.
Note: Visitors to the Royal Palace should cover the shoulders and wear appropriate clothing such as long pants or long skirt as to cover the knees.
Then, admire the thousand-year old artifacts from the pre-Angkor and Angkor periods at the National Museum, one of the richest museums in the region in term of ancient sculptures, and relive the Glorious Age of the Khmer Empire through the contemplation of these artifacts.
After your lunch break, continue your City Tour for the visit of Wat Phnom, the City landmark and a man-made hill. Let your accompanying guide tell you the Legend of Dame Daun Penh whom the capital City took its name from! It is here that, according to legend, Lady Penh recovered four bronze Buddha images along with a statue of Preah Noreay (Vishnu), found in a tree trunk floating on the water, following a severe flooding. Then, continue your Phnom Penh tour passing by the Independence Monument and the French colonial quarter.
We will then suggest a romantic evening with an hour sunset cruise on the Tonlé Chatomuk with the upper and lower Mekong River to Tonlé Sap and Tonlé Bassac to have another perspective of the capital Phnom Penh, also known as “The Pearl of Asia” and contemplate the magnificent sunset if time permits.
A DAY DEDICATED TO RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL AND IMMERSION INTO THE RECENT HISTORY
DAY # 3
Your morning is dedicated to the solidarity visit of the Apsara Arts Association School which supports the Art Activity foe disadvantage children. Then meet with the French association «For a Smile of a Child (PSE / Pour un Sourire d’Enfant)», founded 15 years ago to help and educate street kids who used to once collect the Garbage at the City Garbage dumping site, to visit classes and engage in activities (on weekdays and class days only). These two associations whose activities are to offer a moral and material support to disadvantaged children, are also aiming to overcome poverty and raise awareness of a proper education. As a contribution to support PSE working for a better future of the children, you will have lunch at the association’s Training restaurant.
After lunch, we suggest you to delve into the recent history of Cambodia. This is the time of the regime of the Khmer Rouge (1975-1979) where the Khmer people lived an inhumane tragedy that somehow still takes its toll on today’s generation. Your visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school that served as a prison during this “Dark Years” and also known under the codename S-21, will help you witness the suffering of the Cambodian people, and also to understand their very resilience and spirit of survival of the Khmer people.
ROAD TO KRATIE VIA KOMPONG CHAM
DAY # 4
Departure by road to Kampong Cham (124 km and approx. a 2-hour drive), and on the way, enjoy a short stop at the picturesque crossroad town of Skun to discover a local culinary “delicatessen” for those adventurous enough to venture into new tastes: the “Deep-fried Spiders”!
Then, visit the temple of Nokor Bachey built under King Jayavarman VII, the Great Khmer Builder King at the end of the 12th century. Pass over the Kizuna Bridge and stop at Chup rubber plantation.
Arrival in Kratie, continuation to Kampi Village and enjoy a boat trip on the Mekong River to Prek Kampi where it is still possible to see some freshwater river dolphins. After the boat trip, have a taste of the local specialty of this city – the sticky rice “Krolane”, the glutinous rice and grated coconut, cooked in bamboo tubes.
Then, crossing of the Mekong River on a local ferry to spend a night at Koh Trong, a small island in front of the town of Kratie.g small island in front of the town of Kratie
OX CART OR BIKE RIDE ON THE SHADY TRAILS OF KOH TRONG ISLAND
DAY # 5
In the morning, take a bike ride or horse cart ride (about 2hr30 visit) on a relaxing and shaded track (9km circuit) to discover the local rural life. Afterwards, you may join the Reforestation project activities in Wat Ty Pram Kbal Koh Trong Pagoda. Plant a tree there and put your name on a wooden plaque next to your planting. In the future, you will be able to return to the island to see the progress of your tree!
Return on the local ferry to the town of Kratie and continuation to Banlung (246 km/approx. 4 h), the capital of Rattanak Kiri province, nicknamed the “red city” because of the omnipresent laterite red soil.
We are going up north, in the direction of Laos and the village of Taveng. We will be experiencing the curious expanse of volcanic rocks of Veyrum Plâng: a clearing opening in the forest. It is made of lava blocks, and a few steps from this clearing is a small waterfall (in rainy season only) surrounded by the Tigers’ Caves.
We then stop in some very pretty “Kroeung” Hill tribes’ villages located in the forests along the road. Then, let’s take a look at a village of weavers followed by a walk at Yeak Laom Lake, a superb expanse of water and perfectly round shaped lake surrounded by forest, for a swim at the end of the day.
IMMERSION INTO THE TRIBES’ LIFESTYLE AND VISIT OF THE “CHINESE” KACHOK VILLAGE
DAY # 7
Direction north west we will cross the bamboo forests before arriving at Voeune Saï Village on the left bank of the Sé San River. The views across the river of this Chinese village are especially pretty. This place is almost a Chinese enclave in Cambodian territory, most of the villagers, who have been there for generations do indeed not even speak Khmer. Upstream of the Sé San River to Kaoh Peak lies the village Kachok which inhabitants are still practicing the funeral statuary rites.
ROAD TO PREAH VIHEAR
DAY # 8
Departure by road to Preah Vihear province (353 km/approx. 7 hours drive). This journey will allow you to contemplate the landscape of Cambodia and the vast expanse of the ricefields in the Cambodian countryside. Lunch will be taken en- route. You will reach the hotel and you will have a rewarding dinner awaiting you, prepared with the local products from the region.
VISIT OF PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
DAY # 9
Morning departure for the visit of the Preah Vihear temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the northern border of Cambodia with Thailand. The site consists of a series of sanctuaries linked by a series of pavements and staircases. The temple was erected in the first half of the 11th century but its history dates back to the 9th century. The site overlooks a cliff offering a stunning panorama over the plain. It is perfectly adapted to the natural topography, and is being considered as a divine guidance of the temple. Moreover, the halo of fog surrounding the temple, reinforces this impression of supernatural, and the local people in the area talk about a “would-be paradise”.
Then, you will continue the road journey to Beng Mealea (285 km/approx. 4 hours). Upon arrival, have a must-see visit of Beng Mealea, an abandoned temple since the 11th century, located some 60 km from Siem Reap through the bucolic landscapes of the Cambodian countryside. Built on the model of Angkor Wat and still buried in the jungle, you will experience in this temple, the very emotion of early explorers. This temple served as set venue for Jean-Jacques Arnaud’s film, “Les 2 Frères / Two Brothers”. You will afterwards continue the road to Siem Reap (60 km/approx. 1 hour) to get to your hotel for installation.
DISCOVERY OF THE ANGKOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE WITH THE ROLUOS GROUP OF TEMPLES
DAY # 10
Morning: visit of the pre-Angkorian site and the site of the ancient capital of Jayavarman II, Hariharalaya; the “Roluos” group is made up of three major temples: Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. Enjoy a stop at the centre of Krama YuYu weaving Centre to do some purchases of superb “Kramas” (traditional Khmer scarves and constituting the Khmer identity par-excellence)!
Afternoon: after lunch, you will now get into an in-depth tour of Angkor Wat, THE masterpiece of Khmer arts at its glory. It is the most famous temple and largest religious structure in the world, as well as the most impressive of all the Angkor monuments, which five towers, with a golden rosé color, became the emblem of all the successive regimes of Cambodia.
At the end of your day, in order to reflect on your today’s dicovery, we suggest a pleasant moment to admire and contemplate the sunset over the Angkor Thom moat with a gondola cruise (Kongkear Angkor – www.greenearth.com.kh) on the Tonlé Oum from the Western Gate of Angkor Thom back to the Southern Gate.
DISCOVERY OF THE “HEART OF ANGKOR” AND THE CAMBODIAN COUNTRYSIDE
DAY # 11
Your exploration starts in the morning with the visit of Angkor Thom (the Great Angkor/City) and to get started with the monumental Southern Gate lined on both sides with the Gods and the Giants; it is one of the five gates leading to the Bayon Temple and Center of the Khmer Empire, so you will understand the strategic structure of the first Angkorian King from the XIIth century who embraced Mahayana Buddhism as the State religion. Carry on your discovery to the recently restored Baphuon and its huge Reclining Buddha, then stroll within the compound of PhimeanAkas, the ancient Royal Palace to finally reach the Elephant Terrace and then end with the Leper King Terrace.
You’ll continue the tour to the Interpretation Centre of the Khmer Habitats located in the heart of the Angkor Archaeological Park built with the idea to share and promote the richness of Khmer architecture from the pre-Angkorian period.
After lunch, enjoy an ox-cart ride from the village of Srah Srang North where you can witness the still lively activities of woodcarving and Cambodian way of life – almost immutable – since the old days. Furthermore, upon entry of the village, before starting your hike, you can enjoy a real scene of the daily life of the Cambodian people in the countryside: the local market of Srah Srang. You can also contemplate (in season), the various shades of green rice fields during the trip, and you can even stop for “giving a hand at transplanting rice with «the people of ricefield»! A definite immersion in the daily life of the Khmer people! The oxen cart ride will take you to Ta Prohm Temple gate, then be amazed by the “temple in the jungle”! Your end of the afternoon will be devoted to admiring one of the most extraordinary works of nature, concentrated here in this temple where huge cheese makers extend their roots through stones lifting them, and gradually disrupting the original configuration of this temple.
Enjoy a late afternoon sunset contemplation over Srah Srang to reflect on your day!
FLIGHT FROM SIEM REAP TO SIHANOUKVILLE – ISLAND
DAY # 12
Enjoy the last moment at Siem Reap, then transfer for your flight to Sihanoukville and continue by boat transfer to the island of Cambodia.
A LEISURY DAY ON THE ISLAND!
DAY # 13
After your late morning wake up, spend your entire day at the beach. Do not miss to taste the fresh seafood during your meals at the restaurant, the feet in the water!
A LEISURY DAY ON THE ISLAND!
DAY # 14
Leisurely on the most beautiful island where you can go swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing or just spend a relaxing time on the white sandy beach: a true earthly paradise!
A LEISURY DAY ON THE ISLAND!
DAY # 15
Spend your last day of this “Dicovery Holidays Dreams on the island and take in the pure air and take with you the images of the much acclaimed Cambodian Beach, labeled one of “The Most Beautiful Bays of the World”!
Then, celebrate the end of your holiday by the sea and why not with a bottle of Champagne?
ROAD BACK TO THE REAL WORLD AND PHNOM PENH BY NIGHT
DAY # 16
Embark on the boat to return to SihanoukVille and then continue by car to Phnom Penh (230 km/approx. 4 hours). You will arrive at your hotel late in the afternoon. You may want to discover the Capital of Cambodia for its lively night life scene and or indulge in a shopping spree that will surely give you an entirely different vision of this Kingdom “with a heart”!
DEPARTURE FROM PHNOM PENH
DAY # 17
According to your departure time, you will then be transferred to Phnom Penh International Airport for your departure flight.
*** END OF OUR SERVICES***
Option:
Luxury Stay and Off-Island Adventures & Snorkeling at Song Saa Island Resort
(Contact us for more information)
We are saying “NO” to plastic !
- Introduced since November 1st, 2019, recyclable and reusable aluminum bottles are in line with our company’s policy of preventing and reducing single-use plastic and making Cambodia “plastic-free” (#makecambodiaplasticfree).
- By doing so, we contribute strongly and effectively to preserving the environment in Cambodia and in the oceans for future generations.
- It will be up to customers who wish to have plastic bottled water to get it personally at their own discretion.
- Thank you for your understanding and cooperation for “a world without plastic”.
BE NEUTRAL CARBON
In order to fight against climate change and to protect the environment, All Dreams Cambodia is committed to reducing carbon emissions.
In collaboration with EcoSol, an agency specializing in Circular Economy and Low Carbon Approach, we have set up a very sophisticated calculation tool, making it possible to measure the number of kg of CO2 inherent in the activity of the agency but also in each of our tourism programs, and the amount offsetting the carbon footprint at the current cost of carbon emitted.
To be carbon neutral, we have decided to support and donate these compensatory funds to an “Agrisud” project in Cambodia:
Link: Structuring and management of the “drain sludge” sector and production of organic fertilizers
Join us in reducing the carbon impact in Cambodia!
Learn about the carbon footprint of your clients’ program.
If you wish to support us in our more responsible and sustainable tourism approach, please inform us upon confirmation and we will add the compensatory amount to your invoice.
Your clients will receive upon arrival an additional information sheet.
We will take them to visit the Agrisud sites, this of course depending on their program and according to their wishes.
A year-end report will be sent to all of our generous contributors.
Itinerary Map
