CLASSIC CAMBODIA

Arrive

Day 1 Arrive in Siem Reap

On arrival in Siem Reap you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Sala Lodges

Day 2 Explore the Angkor Temples

Rising at the crack of dawn, you will be driven out to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, where you will witness the sun rise before enjoying a picnic breakfast as the crowds disperse. You will then be taken into the temple to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Afterwards, get the adrenalin levels fired up as you zipline through the canopy jungle above the temples. The adventure includes ziplines, rope bridges, a treehouse and a 15m abseil descent to navigate. Gibbons watch from their natural habitat and can be seen from the nature trail of high level walkways. Jump into a tuk-tuk and watch the sunset with cocktails from the grounds of Sala Kdei, a traditional wooden house opposite the royal bathing pool of Sra Srang.

Overnight: Sala Lodges

Day 3 Temples & Street Food in Siem Reap

Rise early to witness dawn at the "Tomb Raider" temple of Ta Prohm. This temple has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was "discovered" by French explorer Henri Mouhot in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones. From Ta Prohm you will jump on to quad bikes and enjoy two hours of riding along dirt tracks, through villages and on to the Rolous Group of temples - the original capital of the Khmer empire. This evening your highlight will be a street food tour with Scottish Chef, Steve Halcrow (of Andrew Fairlie fame). Visit food markets and street food stalls sampling such delicacies as grilled fish paste pancakes, steamed rice flour dumplings oozing coconut cream, jujube fruit stewed in palm sugar and pumpkin-soy milk shakes. Finish off with some delicious Angkor beers before heading back to your hotel.

Overnight: Sala Lodges

Day 4 Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

Fly south to Cambodia's capital, Phom Penh, this morning. You will be met and privately transferred to your central boutique hotel with its lush garden and refreshing pool. This afternoon, accompanied by your guide visit the Royal Palace, home to the Kings of Cambodia, before cocktails at the infamous FCC (Foreign Correspondents' Club).

Overnight: iRoha Garden Resort

Day 5 Phnom Penh - Koh Kong Province

This morning, visit Tuol Sleng, also known as S21, the notorious high school which became a place of torture for the Khmer Rouge during their 'reign' from 1975 - 1979. After meeting a survivor, head out of the city tracing the journey made by around 17,000 of those incarcerated in S21 to Choeung Ek, also known as the Killing Fields. Now a Buddhist memorial and museum created to honour those who died during these brutal years, the site is a mass grave where tens of thousands were slaughtered and buried. Continue your journey southwest to Koh Kong Province and the beautiful 4 Rivers Floating Lodge. As you leave the cityscape behind, the scenery changes to Cambodian jungle and the Cardamom Mountains. At Ta Tai bridge your speedboat awaits to take you the short distance to your floating home.

Overnight: 4 Rivers Floating Lodge

Day 6 - 7 Exploring the Cardamom Mountains

Enjoy two days at leisure to read your book on your private floating deck, or you may prefer kayaking, river swimming and walks through the rainforest and up into the Cardamom Mountains - home to indigenous creatures such as rare Javan Rhinoceros, Indochinese Tigers, as well as Asian Elephant, Gibbons and 553 species of birdlife. Kayak down river with an experienced local guide who will lead you through the mangrove waterways that reach back into the jungle. Indulge with a hydro massage courtesy of the majestic Tatai Waterfalls, team up with some locals and try your hand at fishing for your supper or simply enjoy a Sunset Cruise. The river is all things to all people, from trailblazers to romantics. In the evenings you can enjoy the majestic colours of the setting sun as you lounge by the restaurant and bar.

Overnight: 4 Rivers Floating Lodge

Day 8 Koh Kong - Kep

This morning, join your private vehicle for your journey east along the southern coast of Cambodia to Kampot province and the small coastal village of Kep. Stay at Knai Bang Chatt with its contemporary design and water front facilities.  An ideal place to spend a few nights relaxing and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Overnight: Knai Bang Chatt

Day 9 Exploring Kep

Sit by the huge infinity pool under the shade of a mango treet and gaze over the Bay of Kampot, or visit the spa just metres from the sea.  Explore the fishing village of Kep and its environs with local beaches dotted along the coast. This area of the coast saw its heyday during the 1950's and early 1960's when Cambodia's elite took second homes here, building beautiful Le Corbusier style properties overlooking the sea and the Queen had a palace here. Kep and nearby villages were abandoned during the Khmer Rouge years - you can still see bullet marks on the Queen's Palace - but it is now seeing a renaissance with many of the fine properties being restored or redeveloped. It is still beautifully tranquil with beach shacks offering excellent, though simple, Cambodian meals. Gordon Ramsay and Rick Stein have both visited to explore the region's culinary delights.

Overnight: Knai Bang Chatt

Day 10 Kep - Phnom Penh

Today, make a leisurely journey up to Phnom Penh, stopping en route to take an exhilarating motorboat journey through ancient waterways beside paddy fields to the remote temple of Phnom Da. Caves in the hillside were originally built as Hindu shrines and later used as hideouts by the Viet Cong. Enjoy one final evening in Phnom Penh. Mark the end of your holiday with a leisurely walk around Wat Phnom, the city's only hill, on top of which stands a beautiful vihara (Buddhist temple) before dinner at Malis or one of the excellent 'training restaurants', Romdeng or Friends.

Overnight: iRoha Garden Resort

Day 11 Depart

Today you will be privately transferred to the airport for your departure flight home.

Depart