Cambodia Family Holiday with Beach Relax 12 days

On arrival in Siem Reap, you will be welcomed by your local English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire.

Overnight in Siem Reap

8:00 AM : Pick up and welcome at your hotel by Our guide, then drive to the Angkor temple complex.

In the morning, Visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12th century): See the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Ta Prohm. The latter is a beautiful jungle temple that has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

In the Afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Your tour ends with a transfer back to your hotel

Guests will be picked up from their hotel early morning by the local guide and driven to Ta Brak Village, 25 minutes out of town. A western packed breakfast from the hotel will be taken and on arrival will meet and sit down with a local family and share this breakfast with them and to learn about local village life early in the morning when generally it is at its most active.

From here, take a 30-minute ox cart ride through the village to a local market. Take a short walk through this bustling center and be introduced to Cambodian vegetables, herbs, fruits and other local produce. Continue 1 km by foot through the picturesque countryside village, stopping to meet the local community along the way to observe whatever seasonal activity is happening at that time, such as rice planting, weaving thatch roofs, planting or harvesting vegetable crops, making fish traps etc. Each tour will be different and the activities will depend on the time of the year, the family, and the needs of the local village. The surrounding countryside with its paddy fields and sugar palm trees is very typical for Cambodia.

End the morning at the local pagoda where a special water blessing by Buddhist monks await.

From here make a stop at the 9th Century Bakong Temple, part of the Roluos group and a site of an ancient center of Khmer civilisation known as Hariharalaya, before continuing on an interesting boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake. Here there is an opportunity to learn about life on the lake. The Tonlé Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and officially designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, covering an area of roughly 2,500 km2, swelling to about 4 times its size during the wet season: 10,000 km2!

Travel out to Kampong Phluck, a village a bit further away but which receives very fewer tourists. Thus, this stilted village is the best place to see the authentic life of the local fisherman and their families who live amongst the flooded mangrove forest. At Kampong Phluck, board a local boat for a ride on the lake.  On the way, see houses on stilts that are submerged with the lake extends, pass by floating houses and impressive flooded forests and get a good feel for life on the water.

In one of the floating houses, a delicious lunch will be prepared for the family. Enjoy the beautiful scenery dominated by the tranquility of the lake.

(Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from June to March. However an alternative floating village at Chong Kneas can be arranged instead).

Enjoy your free day in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap – Battambang - 3 hrs by road

After breakfast, we departure to Battambang, the second largest city and the biggest rice producer in Cambodia. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon, visit Ek Phnom temple in the 11th century and the colonial-style houses along the Sangke River. On the way back, you can visit the traditional Cambodian houses and the artisan factory of rice flaky cake.

Evening try out for a ride on the Bamboo Train, a fun experience and also a great opportunity to see the sunset view at countryside. It’s like a childhood dream come true. Dinner at local restaurant, and Overnight at hotel in Batambang.

Morning: Local livelihoods cycling - half day

Going around by bicycle is a great way of connecting you with the local community. Just north of Battambang, there is an excellent opportunity to discover and experience many of the traditional cottage industries of the region. This will provide you with a real taste of authentic Cambodian village life. In addition, it will allow you to interact with rural families making a living farming in the countryside. The activities you can observe will include making banana chips, manufacturing rice paper, distilling rice wine and tasting tropical/seasonal fruits. Our enthusiastic guide will be on hand every step of the way to enhance your experience by explaining what you see in more depth.

A tuk tuk will pick you up from a hotel and drop at the battambang bike office before 8:00am; try out a bike fitted - ensure all the bikes work properly with a quick introduction about a guide and safety briefing.

Afternoon: Bat cave discovery – Half Day

About 15km away from town to the west of Battambang via the road 57; you will bump into a big hill on left side with a golden Wat (pagoda) on top, which is the Phnom Sampov (Bat cave). It is a natural and historical site.

The trip begins with a scenic ride through the Cambodian countryside along peaceful byways. Enjoy the views of people at work on their farms and in their fields. Breathe in the fresh air scented with the sweet sweet smell of rice. then, we will take back on the main asphalt, as there is no way straight there. after an hour and half ride, we will arrive a the mountain. here there is the option of taking a motorbike up to the caves at the top instead of walking. There are three cave to visit. Each one has its own characteristics and tragic tales. Monkeys are the other residents of the mountain and they are not shy! The views from the summit are terrific and a can be enjoyed with a cooling mountain breeze. However, the highlight of this tour awaits the visitor at the foot of the mountain, when the colony of bats streams out of the caves. Returning the city after all, the bats come out.

Battambang – Oudong (287km): 4hr Oudong - Phnom Penh: 3 hours

This morning, depart Battambang for Phnom Penh. Starting early travel first to Kampong Chhnang, known for its traditional pottery, with many kilns at work in this province. In a village near Kampong Chhnang, stop to see the different aspects of pottery-making and to also experience the production of traditional rice wine.

Continue to Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia. The drive passes through many rural villages and pagodas, admire the temple mountain with its dozens of stupas from afar. Upon arrival at Oudong enjoy a traditional Khmer lunch at a picnic hut at the foot of the hill.

Then, climb the stairs to the top of Oudong Mountain and enjoy magnificent views over the plains below. Listen to the guide explain the history of the area and its buildings as well as the religious culture of the Cambodian people. Take time to soak in the magnificent views over the plains below.

After a picnic lunch, continue to Phnom Penh. After about an hour, arrive in the Cambodian capital from where it is a short transfer to the hotel.

Phnom Penh was once considered as one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains a colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap. Wide tree-lined boulevards and many colonial-era buildings reflect the glorious days and add to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way.

Cycling the Mekong Islands/Koh Dach (0800 – 1230 hrs)

Enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the countryside around Phnom Penh, discovering the diversity of the rural landscapes, passing small villages, schools and silk weaving houses. Travel by ferry to river islands and pedal on small roads with no traffic stopping to meet friendly locals and taste local delicacies. This is a tour that will bring travelers closer to the real Cambodia! Return to Phnom Penh and lunch at local restaurant.

This afternoon you will visit the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple you will view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze. Continue a visit to the National Museum, built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony!

Evening at leisure with the option to take in a traditional performance from the Cambodia Living Arts:

After breakfast, private transfer with driver only (no guide) to Sihanouk Ville. Driving distance takes about 4-5 hours. Upon arrival at Sihanouk Ville, transfer direct to boat pier for boarding board about 1 hours to Koh Rong. Koh Rong Cambodia is the second largest island of Cambodia, located about 25 kilometers off the Sihanoukville’s coast in the Gulf of Thailand, the island has an area of approximately 78 km2 and 43 km of beautiful white beaches. Currently, there are some small villages and a lot of guesthouses and bungalows, resorts.

Upon arrival, welcome by resort staff and escort you to the resort.

Overnight at Resort at Koh Rong.

Enjoy your relaxing time at Koh Rong

Enjoy your relaxing time at Koh Rong

After breakfast, take speed boat back to mainland of Sihanouk Ville, where our driver is waiting and transfer you back and directly to Phnom Penh airport. Driving distance will take you about 5 hours to reach Phnom Penh airport where you connect your departure flight. Your tour ended when our driver drop you off at the airport.