PHNOM PENH – SIHANOUK VILLE – KAMPOT – PHNOM PENH 5 DAYS

PHNOM PENH – SIHANOUK VILLE – KAMPOT – PHNOM PENH 5 DAYS

Activity Level:  Classic
Group size: Private Tour
Tour date: Daily

Brief Description

Coming to Cambodia, tourists will never have boring feel because there is no limits of things to do and see in this land, from historical and cultural sites to natural attractions and interesting outdoor activities. We design this 5-day tour to help you not only understand more about Cambodia’s culture and history but also enjoy the natural beauty through the visit to a lot of fascinating sites, from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Kampot and Kep.

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Phnom Penh – Sihanouk Ville (L)

This morning, transfer to Sihanoukville, one of Cambodia’s premier beach resorts. On the way, visit Kirirom National Park, the first to receive national park status in Cambodia. Drive to the top of Kirirom Hill, which is situated 675 meters above sea level and enjoy the views over the Cardamom Mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see. Take a stroll along some of the many trails. The pine forest is of particular interest and offers a relaxing walk and there are numerous streams and rapids in the park to be visited as well. Drive to Kirirom Resort where lunch will be served and continue to Sihanoukville afterwards. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy some free time to catch the sunset over the Gulf of Thailand from your resort.

Day 2: Sihanouk Ville Kbal Chhay (B,L)

Transfer to Kbal Chhay which is Sihanoukville’s most famous waterfall. The site is located about 16km north of the town and was discovered in 1960. When the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia’s governance, the site became a hide-out place for Khmer Rouge soldiers. Nowadays the falls are a tourist spot as well as a clean water resource for Sihanoukville. During the wet season an impressive amount of water flows from the mountain ranges surrounding Sihanoukville, where in the dry season the pools at the bottom are a great spot to swim. Enjoy this pristine environment before you head back to Sihanoukville where lunch can be enjoyed on your own. The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy the beach or the the hotel facilities.

Day 3: Sihanouk Ville Ream National Park (B,L)

Start the day with a transfer of around 30 minutes to Ream National Park. The park is home to a number of rarely seen endangered animals such as, macaques, sun bears, dolphins, mouse deer, pangolins and over a hundred species of birds. Pay a visit to the basic but informative park head quarters before you start to explore the park. Board a local boat with your guide and explore the mangroves. Climb up the watch tower for views over the area and observe several endangered bird species. Continue by boat over open waters and observe the tranquillity and beauty of this untouched area. Disembark at a white sand beach where lunch is served in the form of a picnic and enjoy snorkeling and swimming. Choose to stay on the island or head back to Ream National Park and do a short trek of about five kilometers with your guide through the forest. Return in the late afternoon to Sihanoukville.

Day 4: Sihanouk Ville – Kampot – Kep (B,L)

This morning, transfer towards Kampot, one of Cambodia’s most attractive towns. The route passes stunning scenery with the Damrei (Elephant) Mountains as a constant backdrop. Visit the Educultural Kampot Pepper Project and learn how Kampot pepper has been acknowledged by international chefs to be among the world’s best. During the Khmer Rouge time all plantations were abandoned and only recently this NGO has picked up on re-instating the plantations. You may wish to offer a donation to the project which supports the building of houses, water wells, infrastructure and alternative energy plants. Continue to Kampot and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant along the river overlooking the Elephant Mountains and the Kampot River. Stroll through Kampot and observe the beautiful French colonial architecture that is still present, and at times beautifully restored. Continue to Kep a mere 25km away where you check into your hotel. If time allows, hike up the nearby hill to witness sunset over the Gulf of Thailand from “Sunset rock”.

Day 5: Kep – Phnom Penh (B,L)

Enjoy the secluded white sand beaches at Koh Tonsai also called Rabbit Island, which is just a short boat transfer from Kep. Enjoy swimming or rest on the tranquil beach. A barbecue lunch is served at the beach before you return to your hotel. Freshen yourself up at the resort and transfer for approximately 2.5 hours back to Phnom Penh. On the way, visit Tonle Bati, which is a small lake that is popular with locals. The most noticeable feature is the 12th century temple named Ta Prohm. This beautifully conserved temple was built by King Jayavarman VII. Visit the temple upon arrival and walk through its hallways. Flowers and little shrines can be found around every corner. Continue to Phnom Penh. End of services