Adventure in Cambodia, temples of Angkor, jungles and history

Today, experience the ruins of the Angkor complex in a different way as you leave the bustling streets of Siem Reap behind and cycle along quieter, tree-lined roads. You'll visit Angkor Wat , originally built in the first half of the 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a spiritual home for the Hindu god Vishnu. Continue to the pagoda where you 'll receive a blessing from the monks. In keeping with tradition, sit on mats while the monks chant blessings and sprinkle you with holy water and flowers—a traditional practice believed to bring good fortune from the gods. Afterward, a sacred thread will be tied around your wrist, said to protect you from evil spirits and accidents.

Continue your visit to the Bayon Temple , unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara. You cycle towards Ta Prohm , perhaps better known as "Tomb Raider." This magnificent jungle temple is considered one of the jewels of Angkor, with its giant tree roots intertwined among the temple's enormous stone blocks, giving us the impression of "the forgotten city."

Return to your hotel and the rest of your time is free to enjoy the hotel's surroundings.

Early in the morning, you depart from Siem Reap for Phnom Kulen , the largest forested area in Siem Reap province. After a short briefing, you venture into the jungle, starting at the River of a Thousand Lingas . Here, it's hard not to be awestruck by the sculptures in the riverbed dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, not to mention the reclining golden Buddha at Preah Ang Thom. You then follow a trail leading into the forest. Your hike ends at the beautiful Kulen Waterfall , where you can cool off and take a refreshing dip.

Meet your car and head to an authentic village near Siem Reap. Stroll through the village , passing lush rice paddies, orchards, and vegetable farms. Continue a short walk to a local farmer's home surrounded by gardens and farmland, where you can chat with him and his family to discover the true Khmer way of life in the countryside. Be prepared to cook some traditional Khmer dishes with your host . You'll have the opportunity to experience every step, from selecting and seasoning ingredients to preparing a typical Khmer meal. Dinner at the homestay.

Level: 2

Altitude of starting point / of arrival point: +322 meters / +372 meters

Terrain: Mainly the forest

In the morning, head to the outskirts of Siem Reap to visit one of the largest floating villages on Tonlé Sap Lake. Located about 60 kilometers from Siem Reap city center, Kampong Kleang is home to over 20,000 people, many of whom have lived here for generations. Embark on a memorable cruise to discover this massive floating community. Admire the stunning views and colors of the floating houses and the flooded forest. You'll learn how the floating villagers earn their living by fishing in Tonlé Sap. There's an opportunity to stop along the waterway to chat with local villagers and learn more about how this floating community lives, works, and trades. One thing is for sure: life on land is very different from life on the water!

You will travel towards Kompong Thom and discover the splendid temple ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk . This isolated site was recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in central Cambodia and covering 25 square kilometers, it includes a fortified city and numerous temples dating from the 6th to the 9th centuries. Ten of these temples have an octagonal shape, a unique feature in Southeast Asia.

Departure for Chloung through the verdant landscapes of the Cambodian countryside. Located on the east bank of the Mekong River, Chloung is a small French colonial town with picturesque and romantic scenery, covered in lush vegetable gardens, green rice paddies, and local villages that have preserved the beauty of Khmer tradition before the rapid development of modern society. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a bicycle ride through the old quarter, admiring the traditional houses. Visit to the 100-column pagoda.

Koh Trong is a small island on the Mekong River, surrounded by pristine sandy beaches (during the dry season) and accessible only by local ferry from Kratie. On this tour, you'll experience local life and the lush landscape up close while cycling around the island. The 9-kilometer path around Koh Trong was created by the islanders themselves and will allow you to discover all that this charming island has to offer. Stop at a local home to sample seasonal tropical fruits and chat with the host to gain insight into farming life on this remote island. Visit the community ecotourism site where you can plant a tree , demonstrating your commitment to keeping the island green and vibrant.

In the afternoon, you will travel to Kampi where you will board a local boat for a leisurely cruise on the Mekong River to see freshwater dolphins . This species is endangered, and according to some studies, only about sixty remain in the entire country. On the return journey, you will visit the Phnom Sambok Pagoda , which offers a commanding view of the surrounding area.

Visit to the market in the morning. Departure for Phnom Penh. En route, a stop at Koh Treng Island to discover authentic rural life . Then, a stroll through the colonial quarter and the local market of Kampong Cham . Continue to Phnom Penh and a stop in Skun, a picturesque village whose culinary specialty is fried spiders.

Begin your day with a visit to the Royal Palace , originally built in 1866 by the grandfather of the current King of Cambodia. The palace is a complex of splendid royal buildings with classic Khmer roofs, ornate gilding, and an intricate layout of defensive walls, showcasing a rich blend of Khmer architecture with a subtle French influence. Head to the nearby Silver Pagoda, home to numerous national treasures, including many gold and jeweled Buddha statues.

Take the time to learn more about the turbulent Khmer Rouge years with a visit to Tuol Sleng , a former high school turned interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era and now a genocide museum dedicated to presenting the tragic story of the thousands of innocent Cambodians who were tortured within its walls. Afterwards, stroll through the Art Deco-style Central Market , a listed architectural landmark of the city. among the very well-stocked stalls.

At the end of the day, you have a drink on the terrace overlooking the Mekong at sunset .

Road to Tatai, ideally located in the heart of the Cardamom Mountains, a few kilometers from the Thai border.

Arrival and continuation to the Tatai village pier. 30-minute boat transfer to the floating eco-lodge "Canvas and Orchid Resort".

This resort is situated within a preserved natural environment, offering a kaleidoscope of colors and images.

Indeed, the restful coolness of your terrace at sunset, the multicolored blaze of the sky left by the birds flying above the canopy, the sound of cymbals - bells - musical notes of a traditional roneat ek (xylophone) are lost in the wind and leave you dreaming!

For a more peaceful experience, you can relax with a dip in the river or simply unwind on the restaurant terrace with its breathtaking view.

Depending on the tide, you'll depart at 10:00 AM for a 45-minute boat trip to the falls. As you follow a tributary, you'll head into the heart of the Cardamom rainforest, accompanied by the distant sounds of exotic birds and its hidden wildlife. In just a few minutes, you'll reach the end of the journey, gazing at the cascading waters.

It's almost lunchtime. Perhaps take a few moments for a natural hydromassage and a refreshing drink while you find some shade for a picnic and open your senses to the sights and sounds of the jungle. We'll also have kayaks available for you to try out for added fun and adventure. After leaving the falls, depending on the season, we might stop at the mouth of a small river where you can kayak to a traditional Cambodian farm, where you'll see rice paddies and tropical fruit trees.

Note: It would be difficult to access the waterfalls during the rainy season (June-September).

Good physical fitness is necessary to fully enjoy this visit.

Depart by private car towards the Cambodian coastal region of Kep. Upon arrival , hike through the pristine Kep National Park amidst the park's trees, rocks, and peaks. The trails offer opportunities to discover this species-rich habitat, where you can listen to the songs of rare birds, smell the distinctive scent of rainforest mist, and encounter wildlife.

This morning, visit the bustling local crab market that has breathed new life into this town. Stroll through the market to experience the traditional way of doing business and socializing, and soak up the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of a truly Cambodian market. You can buy fresh crab, shrimp, and fish and ask a local vendor to cook and serve them in the traditional style. Explore Kep and the Kampot countryside on a full-day cycling excursion. Discover the beautiful Kampot fields, ionic pepper farms, natural caves, a hidden lake, and a significant mangrove plantation extending into the sea!

Free time by the pool or exploring Kep on your own. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Phnom Penh airport for your flight back to France.

Meals are not included. The room is available until noon only.