Day 1: Siem Reap – Battambang by boat
Breakfast by your own account.
Early in the morning, you will drive to the shores of the immense Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater reserve in Southeast Asia, declared a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO. The Tonle Sap is extremely rich in fish and is also home to the largest colony of waterbirds in Southeast Asia. The life of the fishermen here is truly unique: installed on floating houses or with very high stilts, they depend on fluctuations in the water level and use a wide variety of fishing tools. The lake has also been a means of communication for people and goods for centuries. You will embark on a traditional wooden boat for a day cruise to Battambang (depending on the water level, it takes around 6 to 7 hours of navigation). You will discover several floating villages where traditional fishing techniques are still used and will make a stop to visit the pagoda on stilts “Wat Chheu Khmao”.
Picnic lunch on board.
Note: From February to June, the level of water in the Tonle Sap Lake and in the Sangker River is not high enough, the cruise between Siem Reap and Battambang is not recommended. The itinerary will be as per below:
In the morning, discover the Tonlé Sap through a countryside with very varied landscapes and many small villages. Embark on a wooden boat for a walk on Tonle Sap Lake to discover the floating fishing villages and the traditional and daily life of Cambodians. Many families live permanently on their boats.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
***Note: vegan/vegetarian menu is available – menu to be advice.
In the afternoon, departure by road from Siem Reap to Battambang (173km/around 3 hours).
On arrival in Battambang in the afternoon transfer to check in at hotel.
Dinner at local restaurant (set menu included)
***Note: vegan/vegetarian menu is available – menu to be advice.
Overnight in Battambang.
Day 2: Battambang – visit
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the Bamboo Train station. The Bamboo Train has been set up by the villagers in order to facilitate the transportation of goods and persons. The “train” in itself is very basic: one bamboo platform on 4-wheels is activated by a small motor. Sitting on the platform you will travel the 8 km to the next station through beautiful landscape and rice paddies (depending on season of visit). On arrival, visit the village and discover the daily life in the Cambodian countryside.
Then continue by Bus to the south of Battambang to take the Biking tour along Sangke River to see the life style living of local people with the beautiful landscape along the river. The starting point is closed to Wat Cheu Teal where you’ll bike approx. 12 Km back to the town or hotel.
Lunch at local restaurant.
***Note: vegan/vegetarian menu is available – menu to be advice.
In the afternoon, visit Phare Ponleu Selpak. Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) is a Cambodian nongovernmental organization (NGO) aiming to support community development through providing social, educative and cultural services to children and their families.
** The school will be closed every weekend and public holiday.
Continue to visit of Phnom Sampov (Phnom means “Mountain” in Khmer. “Sampov” means ship). It is the natural resort located along the National Road No 57 (the former National Road No 10) at Sampov commune (the high land having more than 100-metre (330 ft) height) in 12-kilometre (7 mi) distance from the provincial town of Battambang. On the top of Sampov, there are three main natural caves: Phka Sla, Lkhorn, and Sthany – the three are bound to the most popular Khmer folktale about Preah Chao Reachkol and Neang Romsay Sork.)
Dinner at local restaurant (set menu included)
***Note: vegan/vegetarian menu is available – menu to be advice.
Overnight in Battambang.
Day 3: Battambang – Siem Reap
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, pick up at your hotel and transfer by Tuk-Tuk to visit “The Well of Shadows” which located at Wat Somrong Knong area and also some of the many cultural villages around Battambang, where you will learn how the locals produce rice paper, prahoc (typical Cambodian fish paste), grolan (sticky rice stuffed in bamboo).
Continue by bus to visit Wat Ek Phnom, a nice 11th century temple that offers a very peaceful atmosphere in the countryside, surrounded by trees and lily ponds. Strolling around the quiet temple can be a very relaxing and spiritual experience. Next to the temple you can see the Wat Ek Phnom Pagoda that has one of the most complete collections of Buddhist wall and ceiling paintings in all Cambodia.
Lunch at local restaurant.
***Note: vegan/vegetarian menu is available – menu to be advice.
Transfer to Siem Reap (173km/around 3 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to hotel to check-in.
***End of services***
