Self-drive tour through luscious Cambodia

Siem Reap

Day 1: Welcome to Cambodia!

Welcome to the magical land of Cambodia – the Kingdom of Wonder. Our team will meet you at the airport and transfer you directly to your hotel. Here, you can check in and enjoy the hotels facilities as you get used to your new environment before starting what will be a truly memorable journey.

In the afternoon, you will have an orientation briefing (traffic rules, staff introduction, road explanation book, Jeep instruction, etc.) followed by a drive around Siem Reap to get familiar with the conditions. You will be taken on different types of roads and in varying degrees of traffic in order for you to get completely comfortable.

In the evening we will take you out for a delicious local meal.

Siem Reap - Angkor Wat - Siem Reap

Day 2: Witness the Majesty of Angkor Wat

This morning, depart by jeep for the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. We have found some back roads to the temples which still exist, taking you away from the tuk-tuks and buses, giving you a more beautiful and relaxing trip to the temples.

With a little imagination, today’s journey will allow you to truly picture the lost temples, the way they have lain for thousands of years. An English speaking guide will take you through the historical park where you'll visit majestic structures, most originating from the 12th century and housing beautiful bas reliefs and sculptures such as garudas and apsara dancers.

Siem Reap - Kampong Thom

Day 3: Delve into the Villages of Cambodia

Driving through the countryside, your first stop is the largest stilted village in Cambodia where we will enjoy a boat tour of a floating village. Observe fascinating scenes of daily life on the lake, before continuing onto the mighty Tonle Sap, the largest lake in South East Asia.

On your way to Kampong Thom you will stop in Kampong Kdei, where you will visit an ancient bridge, the best preserved laterite-built bridge of the Angkor era. On the fascinating drive you will experience the way of life in the Cambodian villages and have time to visit a local market and have a have refreshing drink.

During your drive you will amazed by the roads and sights in Cambodia, so don’t forget to take pictures!

Kampong Thom - Phnom Penh

Day 4: Drive By Rice Fields and Rubber Plantations

Traveling by serene rice fields, you will make your way towards to the country’s capital, Phnom Penh. After a while the surroundings will change from paddies to rubber trees.

This morning we will visit a rubber plantation before driving your jeep to a beautiful pagoda next to the Mekong River to enjoy an excellent view of the delta.

After driving through villages next to the river, you will enter Kampong Cham where you will have a lunch at a local NGO and by following the river you will enter the capital of Cambodia, the bustling heartbeat of the country.

Phnom Penh

Day 5: Encounter the Wonders of the Capital

Phnom Penh, located at the intersection of three rivers, the Bassac, Tonle Sap and the mighty Mekong, is the heartbeat of the nation.

Its French colonial past is evident throughout the city, no more so than in the old French quarter. This morning, in a tuk-tuk equipped with a digital tablet & headphones for each passenger, you will step back in time on a Phnom Penh Heritage Tour, discovering the fascinating colonial heritage of the city.

After lunch, you can choose how to continue. One choice is to visit the architecturally stunning Royal Palace, including the famous Silver Pagoda, where you can marvel at the sheer beauty of the buildings and murals.

Later, you will enjoy a sunset boat cruise watching the sun go down over the Phnom Penh skyline from the middle of the Mekong River. 

Phnom Penh - Kep

Day 6: Make Your Way to the Cambodian Coast

Leaving the hustle and bustle of the capital behind and drive through a mix of dirt and paved roads towards Cambodia’s southern coast.

Continue through small villages to the town of Takeo where lunch will be served. As we get closer to the southern coast, pepper plantations appear and the paddy fields are a deeper green and even more lush. From your jeep you have plenty of opportunities to observe the authentic Cambodian countryside lifestyle as farmers work in the fields while oxen and water buffalo rest in the shade. After about 3 hours you will arrive at the coastal village of Kep.

This is where Asia meets France by the seaside. After a long day you will be able to relax in the comfort of your hotel to re-energize yourself.

Kep

Day 7: Have a Go at Conservation in Kampot

Today you will visit the local Trapeang Sankea community, which is involved in a project to bring mangroves back to the coast.

A boat will take you into the mangroves where you can help keep this project going! You will have the chance to plant a baby mangrove on the Kampot coastline, helping to return this vital ecosystem to the area.

After this exciting activity you will drive to the beautiful Secret Lake where we'll serve lunch here surrounded by a stunning mountain view.

Later, visit the famous Kampot Pepper plantation, home to a unique geography and climate which works in harmony to provide the perfect environment to grow the best pepper in the world. You’ll learn everything about red, white and black peppers.

There is also a school on the farm where you will get an explanation about how the country's school system works.

Kep - Koh Kong

Day 8: Spend the Night on Crystal Clear River Waters

Today you will start your jeep drive along the highway before turning into the wild Cardamom Mountains.

Driving through the undulating hills, you will enjoy the beautiful national park. Your journey will end at the coastal province of Koh Kong where will take a boat ride to your floating bed for tonight.

Enjoy your stay in this natural, peaceful area where you can swim in the river next to your floating accommodation, where the water is so clear that you can even see . the bottom.

Koh Kong

Day 9: Explore the Magnificent River and Waterfall

Depending on the tide, your day will begin around 10 am with a 45-minute boat ride past Tatai village. Turning onto a tributary, you will head into the heart of the Cardamom jungle toward the far-off sounds of exotic birds and mysterious wildlife.

As you travel further down the river, you will begin to hear the rush of powerful waters and within minutes you are gazing down into the turbulent waters of the falls. Take your time enjoying this invigorating setting before taking a break for a picnic lunch. There will also be kayaks available for the more adventurous travelers. 

Koh Kong - Veal Veng

Day 10: Journey Through Lush Jungle Terrain

Today will provide you with some of the most adventurous, small road jeep driving of this tour.

Early in the morning you will begin the journey to Veal Veng, taking you on a scenic and adventurous drive into the enchanting Cardamom Mountains. We've got special permission to drive on this military road, which means we will have a ride with virtually no traffic.

The Cardamon Mountain is home to one of Southeast Asia’s largest remaining rainforests and a number of endangered species reside here along with several ethnic minority populations.

Frequent rain makes it one of the wettest areas of Cambodia, producing luxurious vegetation that gives the whole area a fresh and vibrant feeling. Its sheer seclusion means you will take one of the few roads that penetrate into this beautiful mountain range.

Veal Veng - Battambang

Day 11: Journey Towards Battambang

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before setting off again for another day's journey. 

From the Cardamom Mountains you will drive through rough terrain to Battambang today. On the way you will recognize the real Cambodia and its difficult way of life.

Depending on the state of the road (it can be especially challenging during rainy season) we will either drive over Pursat or Sam Lot towards Battambang.

Battambang

Day 12: Immerse Yourself in the Serenity of Ancient Temples

Today's tour begins at 8am with a ride on the famous bamboo train. The bamboo train is a 2.5m x 4m raft-like device that is made from bamboo for local villagers to transport their goods. 

After this unique experience, you will explore the north of Battambang and drive up to the historic 11th century Ek Phnom temple. On the way we will stop to visit the villagers and see how they produce local products such as fish paste, sticky rice, rice wine, rice papers, noodles, and clay pots which are commonly used in the countryside to collect rainwater.

You will also get a chance to learn more about the Khmer Rouge when you visit the Well of Shadows, taking a moment to honor the people killed during the war. 

Later, you will ascend a 140-meter high mountain, partly by motorbike, to visit the temples, shrines, and killing caves used during the Khmer Rouge period.

Battambang - Siem Reap

Day 13: Experience the Trade of Silk Production

From Battambang, our ride continues through the Cambodian nature for a visit to the lovely Khmer Temple, Ek Phnom.

After a break for lunch, you will visit the local silk farm, where you'll learn everything about the process of making world renowned Cambodian silk.

Before entering the city, we will take a drive off the beaten path, and marvel at the countryside of Cambodia for one last time.

Tonight you will have a delicious farewell dinner, indulging in the local cuisine.

Siem Reap

Day 14: Goodbye, Cambodia!

Sadly, all good things come to an end. Today is time to say goodbye to Cambodia. Enjoy the taxi ride to the airport, and take one final good look at the wonderful country you have explored over these last 14 days.

We hope you have had an amazing adventure here, which will live long in your memory. We hope that you will come back very soon, and allow us to show you more of what Cambodia has to offer.

Bon voyage!