Temples, trekking and hiking in Ratanakiri and Siem Reap

Let's start by visiting the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, true jewels of Khmer architecture built in the mid-19th century. The dress code there is strict: shoulders and knees must be covered.

Let's continue with the National Museum, which houses one of the most important collections of Khmer art: more than 14,000 sculptures and ethnographic objects, mostly from the temples of Angkor.

Finally, let's visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former detention and torture center under the regime of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, which reveals one of the most painful chapters in Cambodian history.

At the end of the day, we can visit the Central Market and/or the Russian Market if time permits.

In the morning, depart by road with your driver for Ratanakiri, one of Cambodia's most natural and remote provinces, home to numerous ethnic minorities. Upon arrival in Banlung, the provincial capital, check into your hotel and relax.

Transfer by car to the Sesan River. You then board a boat to reach a small village of a local minority, where your hike in Virachey National Park begins with your guide.

You follow a path to a small wooden shelter where you'll have your lunch break. Then you resume your walk for about an hour to the Lalai River, which you'll cross on foot (approximately 30 meters). The trek then continues to a small waterfall , ideal for a swim.

This is where you will set up camp for the night. Dinner will be an opportunity to sample the traditional cuisine of the local minority.

For those who are more motivated, a short night hike is possible after the meal.

Accessible day hike : approximately 6.5 km walk and 100 m elevation gain.

After breakfast prepared by your guides and a delicious coffee served in a bamboo cup, you'll resume your trek through the pristine primary forest of Virachey National Park. The hike will take approximately 5 to 6 hours, including a lunch break by a small stream. You'll then travel by bamboo raft to your second night's campsite in the forest, setting up camp on the banks of the Ohnangkry River, where the gentle current allows for swimming and/or a quick shower.

A day of hiking without major difficulties

After breakfast, a 4-5 hour hike back to an indigenous village where you will also have lunch. From there, you will take a small boat back to the starting point. Arrival in Banlung is expected around 4-5 pm.

In the morning, after checking out of the hotel, we set off with our driver. Our first stop is the volcanic lake of Yeak Loam, nestled in the heart of a dense jungle. This magnificent lake with its blue waters is said to have been formed by a meteorite impact and is a sacred site for the local ethnic groups. The crystal-clear water offers perfect visibility and is ideal for swimming.

We then continue to Steung Treng, a small, peaceful town situated on a sandy bank overlooking the Mekong River, at its confluence with the Se Kong River. Check-in at the hotel.

From the resort, you'll embark on a boat trip to explore the Mekong River and its trees with impressive aerial roots. With a bit of luck, you might spot various water birds: the lapwing, the river tern, the greater stone-curlew, or even the Mekong wagtail, a species discovered in 2001.

To end this beautiful day, you will kayak along the Mekong (if you wish) to return to the hotel: a unique and delightful experience!

This morning, we are heading towards the province of Preah Vihear.

Located in the province of Kampong Thom , the Preah Khan Kompong Svay site is a vast, still preserved Khmer archaeological complex, in the heart of a dense forest conducive to an immersion off the beaten track.

The visit allows you to explore its walls, towers and remains overgrown with vegetation, which bear witness to its historical and spiritual importance.

Transfer by road to Siem Reap with 2 detours that are really worth it:

Along the way, discover Koh Ker, the capital of Cambodia for a short period in the 10th century. You will visit Prasat Thom , a 30-meter-high temple-mountain, and Prasat Pram , known for its brick towers and elegant sculptures. You will also visit the Linga Temple on the same site, a fascinating sanctuary dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, famous for its impressive sculptures and stone lingas that symbolize fertility.

Next, visit the Beng Mealea temple, a spectacular ruin overgrown with the roots of strangler figs. This mysterious site served as a backdrop for the film "Two Brothers," directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud in 2004.

Once we arrive at our destination, we check into the hotel; the rest of the day is free.

A day exploring the main temples of Angkor by tuk-tuk. The tour begins with the unmissable Angkor Wat, symbol of the height of the Khmer Empire. We then continue within the Angkor Thom complex, home to the Bayon with its towers adorned with faces, the Baphuon with its reclining Buddha statue, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King. We conclude our visits at Ta Prohm, famous for its trees with sprawling roots that embrace the ruins.

At the end of the day, it is possible to admire the sunset at Srah Srang, Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng (limited access and prohibited for children under 12).

This dense program deliberately leaves out some secondary temples of the small circuit, but these can be added upon request.

A few guidelines should be followed: dress appropriately (shoulders covered, trousers or long skirts), respect silence in sacred spaces, and refrain from touching sculptures or climbing on structures. It is strongly advised against buying from child vendors so as not to encourage begging. To photograph monks, you must ask their permission and never touch them.

It is also possible to organize the route in reverse to avoid the crowds.

After a 45-minute drive, the day begins at the Angkor Biodiversity Protection Centre, where you'll discover the remarkable work being done to preserve endangered local species: tortoises, reptiles, rare birds, and small mammals. A visit that will appeal to both children and nature lovers.

We continue with a short hike to the site of Kbal Spean, nicknamed "the underwater temple." Located 49 km from Angkor, this sacred site features 9th-century ruins bordering a river whose bed is strewn with carved lingas. Long ago, its blessed waters irrigated the rice paddies of the ancient Angkorian city. Discovered in 1968 by the ethnologist Jean Boulbet, the site is explored through a lush jungle. A small nearby waterfall offers a place to cool off or swim.

The hike is very accessible: approximately 1.5 km (3 km round trip), with a slight incline towards the end. Hiking boots are recommended.

After lunch, we set off to visit Banteay Srey, a small pink sandstone temple nicknamed "the Citadel of Women," famous for the exceptional finesse of its bas-reliefs. The day continues with the discovery of the temple of Banteay Samre, less well-known but just as remarkable.

In the morning, we transfer by road to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Our first stop is Kampong Thom, located halfway between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. En route, we make a detour to the village of Kampong Kleang, situated on the shores of Tonlé Sap Lake. There, we board a private boat to explore this vast floating village, whose life revolves primarily around fishing and the fluctuating water levels of the lake.

After hitting the road again, an unusual stop awaits you in Skun, a small town renowned for its insect tastings and its famous grilled spiders. A local culinary experience for the more adventurous!

Upon arriving in Phnom Penh, we then proceed to the embarkation point to cross the Mekong River by ferry and reach Silk Island, Koh Dach. This peaceful island of over 20,000 inhabitants is renowned for its traditional silk weaving craft, which can be discovered through workshops and encounters with artisans.

This morning, you will discover this pleasant and authentic island on foot or by bike in the heart of nature, between fruit trees, fields and the banks of the Mekong, with even a small beach equipped for swimming.

First, you will visit the Chamka Sne silk factory, where you can observe the different stages of silk production, from raising the silkworm to weaving the threads.

Along the way, you will also be able to see a large number of pagodas.

Return to Phnom Penh in the early afternoon.

Free time before our transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport.

We will need to vacate our room before noon. If our flight is in the evening, we can leave our luggage at the hotel reception for one last stroll around town.

Optional: if the flight is after 4:30-5:00 PM, it is possible to save a last night in the capital by going directly to Phnom Penh International Airport from Sihanoukville.