ON THE SECRET PATHS OF CAMBODIA 12 DAYS

Meet your guide and driver at Siem Reap airport and transfer to the city center to check-in at your hotel. Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor temples, is considered as the “tourist capital" of Cambodia, travelers staying there for the millennial temples, a must-see. The rest of the day will be free for you to discover Siem Reap at your leisure.

After breakfast, drive to Beng Mealea Temple. Along the way, discover villages, lively local markets and wooden houses on stilts. It will take two hours to explore this beautiful forgotten temple, a miniature Angkor Wat. It's time to start an unprecedented treasure hunt in the maze of Suryavarman, among arcades, galleries and gopura, engulfed by the roots of cheese trees.  After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer via the foot of Mount Phnom Kulen (lychee tree mountain). There, like Khmer pilgrims, climb the staircase and follow a lush path to reach the summit of this sacred mountain. At the top, explore the River of a Thousand Lingas, the main pagoda and its huge stone statue. Seize the opportunity to swim in the river next to a beautiful waterfall. Check-in at your homestay for the night.

Early morning, leave your host for a long day of walking. You will quickly venture deep into a rainforest as the path becomes narrower. Cross rivers and cashew gardens, and explore several ancient temples on the way: Sras Preah Ko, Sras Dam Rey ... before taking a well-deserved break and a delicious picnic. Arrival at Anlong Thum, a pretty village lost in the wilderness, at the end of the day.

Visit Along Thum pagoda before walking to reach Phnom Kulen, a sacred mass for all Cambodians. You will make a few stops in remote villages in the forest, inhabited by smiling but shy locals. Next stop in the village of Sangke Lak, to immerse yourself a little more in the daily life of the locals, and to have a lunch break in the form of a picnic. Let yourself be tempted by the possibility of savoring fresh coconuts picked on the spot by yourself, under the guidance of a villager of course! A short climb on a track will take you to the village of Ta Ping then the Vat Chas pagoda. Magnificent view of the valley. Your walk will continue in the middle of cashew and coconut forests. The walk will continue under the shade of the trees to the Svei Leu. Transfer by car to Siem Reap. Overnight at the hotel. 

Today, venture into the three main most emblematic temples of Angkor Complex: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Banteay Srei. In the morning, In the morning, visit the Banteay Srei temple known as the "Citadel of Women" built entirely in pink sandstone and laterite. Then head to the temple of Angkor Thom (Great City). Entering the southern gate, admire the famous Bayon dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, and the 11th century Baphuon, dedicated to Brahmanism (ancient Hinduism). Continue your visit with the Elephant Terrace or the Leper King Terrace. Your journey goes on through the great hours of the Cambodian Empire with the marvelous temple of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and will come to a breathtaking end with Phnom Bakheng (the mountain temple) where you shouldn’t miss out on the beautiful sunset. Return and overnight at the hotel.

Today is dedicated to an in-depth discovery of the countryside and the temples unknown to travelers of the large circuit of the temples of Angkor. A short transfer by bus or tuk tuk (motorized tricycle, carry up to 4 passengers) will take you to Preah Khan Temple, starting point of your hike. Have a picnic lunch in the wilderness after visiting Ta Nei Temple. Your hike then continues and will lead you to the temple of Ta Keo, before reaching the highlight of the day, the famous temple of Ta Prohm. Return to downtown Siem Reap by motorized vehicle.

This cycling day is about meeting locals and discovering rural life around Siem Reap. Ride through many rice paddies, fruit gardens, sugar palm plantations and Khmer villages. Take it slow for a few miles, before taking it to the next level and cycling for about an hour on a sandy track, an ancient royal road linking the lost temple of Chau Srei Vibol and its pagoda. Continue your pleasant journey towards the temple of Banteay Samre then the Roluos temples to finally arrive at Bakong. Embrace this stroll out of time, far from the city frenzy, and the hearty welcome given by the family who will host you for the night. Dinner and overnight at a homestay in a traditional Khmer house.

After thanking your hosts, cycle for an hour along a beautiful country road. Venture into Roulos, the oldest temple complex in Angkor, called "Roluos Group", located 12km east of Siem Reap. These temples are the remains of Hariharalaya, which was for 70 years (and under four successive kings) the first Khmer capital.

●    The Preah Kô is dedicated to Jayavarman II, first king and founder of the kingdom of Angkor
●    Bakong is by far the largest temple of the Roluos group and the first "state temple" supposed to mark the center of the capital
●    The remains of Lolei, four dilapidated brick towers laid on a two-level basement
Continue your cycling trip to Kampong Khleang, a lakeside village. After lunch at a local’s home, hop on a traditional wooden boat. Cruise gently on the river and the great Tonle Sap Lake, discover the lakeside Khmer life: everybody’s fishing, 70-year-old women and 6-year-olds included! Return and overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

This morning, head to Kampong Thom, a pleasant stage on one’s journey, not yet touristy but still welcoming a steady number of visitors. There, hundreds of hectares stretch as far as the eye can see, covered by deep green rubber trees, pepper crops and several kinds of vegetables. This extremely fertile region holds an important place for agriculture and for the country's economy. Take a break for lunch in the city center, then continue your journey. Transfer by car for about one hour to reach Sambo Preikuk, former capital of the ChenLa Empire. This city has a rich architectural heritage, thanks to its shrines from different eras. At the late afternoon, have dinner and spend the night at your homestay.

After breakfast, start your day visiting Nokor Kuhak Temple and the complex of Sambo Prei Kuk (former capital of Chenla) which was erected in the 7th century. Then continue your journey to Kampong Cham. In the afternoon, explore two hills: the man's (Phnom Pros) and the woman's (Phnom Srei), and visit the Vat Nokor pagoda before transferring to your hotel.

This morning, take the road towards Phnom Penh, the national road 7 running along the Vietnamese border. Along the way, take a look at the Skun Market, better known as the Insect Market, where the adventurous ones will dare taste unusual specialties much appreciated by Cambodians: cicadas, spiders, grasshoppers, grilled crickets…  Arrival in the capital is scheduled for noon, take the time to check-in at your hotel. We’ll spend the afternoon visiting the Royal Palace of typical Khmer architecture. Several buildings and pagodas are painted in royal yellow. This palace is the current residence of the King of Cambodia, but also serves for religious and royal ceremonies. Then the visit continues with the Silver Pagoda, located on the south side of the Royal Palace, housing gold and stone Buddha statues among precious national treasures. Your day of sightseeing in the capital will come to an end with the Tong Sleng Prison tour, where you’ll be able to grasp the intensity of the genocide committed by the Khmer Rouge regime. Night at the hotel.

Depending on your flight, free time then transfer to the airport. End of our services.