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Khmer Family (9 days)

Welcome to Cambodia, no matter where your journey of discovery takes you in Cambodia, the sights and sounds of the country will never cease to captivate you. From the visually, architecturally, and artistically breathtaking World Heritage Site of the Angkor temple complex, the glistening rice paddies, unspoiled rural villages, splendor of the Mekong River, the great lake Tonle Sap and its fishing – floating communities to expansive cityscapes, the Kingdom of Cambodia provides a true feast for the eyes. This 9 days adventure tour ensures that you will be able to stay with truly happy and friendly Khmer families that will engrave within you an absolutely unforgettable real life experience. Journey from the cultural and historical capital city of the country, Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham and Siem Reap where you will discover the tragedies of Cambodia, the land of Ancient Gods and the Charm and the colonial movement through the French inspired houses. This trip will offer you enough to time experience, observe, learn and understand the traditional lifestyle and culture. You will be immersed in the love and respect of Cambodians for their families, the wisdom of the elder people and Buddhist Monks and the playfulness of children. How will you change their lives, and them yours?

Day 1

 

  • Arrival in Phnom Penh, at any time

  • Welcome dinner at Mr. Ran’s family house whare you will try Cambodia's specialty “Spider Wines”, the local rice wine spirit infused with spiders and left for fermentation several months before drinking.

Day 2

 

  • Guided tour of the Genocidal Museum and Killing Fields. An emotional morning that will help you understand the tragedy that happened and scarred Cambodia
  • Explore at will Phnom Penh’ cultural attractions including the Russian Market, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
  • Learn how to cook traditional Cambodian food with your host. After savoring the dinner you have prepared, try yourself at Khmer Folk dancing. Have a few glasses of rice wines, it may improve your dancing.

Day 3

 

  • Travel through Skuon town’s spider village to Kampong Cham province, the largest French Colonial city in Cambodia that sits quietly along the Mekong River

  • Cycle around in the afternoon with your local tour guide through ruin of Wat Nokor temples and by along the river where locals practicing their Tai Chi or Folk dances

  • Return home after exploring Koh Pen Island, and snacking on the local fruits, for a bit of relaxation time before dinner with your Mr Thol’s family, your host 

Day 4

 

  • Journey to the home of the Khmer Empire, Siem Reap. Walk through the slum village of one of the poorest cities in Cambodia, despite the millions of international visitors which come each year

  • Try some home-made herbal wines at our family-cooked meal before heading out to explore the Siem Reap nightlife

Day 5

 

  • Over the course of two days, we will explore some of the highlights of this stunning ancient capital city of the Khmer empire including; the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, the enigmatic Bayon temple decorated by 54 sculpted smiling faces.The Bayon became certainly the most impressive for early French explorers and curators in 1916 who stated” We stand before it stunned. There is nothing else in the world that compares”. 
  • After a rest, learn to cook your newly favourite Khmer specialties with your hosts. Enjoy the fruits of your labour with delicate local rice wines, "Sra Thnam", produced by your devouted guide. Share your first impressions before an early night's sleep to prepare for the early adventure that awaits.

Day 6

 

  • Rise before dawn to watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat and then continue on exploring the jungle temple called Taprohm where Tomb Raider was shot in 2001 starring Angelina Jolie. This early visit is a special opportunity to enjoy the peaceful and undisturbed atmosphere making you feel like the first explorer came to Angkor about 100 years ago.
  • Return to accommodation for an authentic breakfast. You can have a little rest or explore the Siem Reap downtown and daytime market.
  • At noon visit the Great Lake Tonle Sap, Fishing – floating community. Enjoy the delicious lunch cooked by Mei Chrey and his local family. Explore this untouched community of wooden houses and canal streets by boat and kayak. The village’s 500 families are among the thousands who have settled on the surface of the freshwater Tonlé Sap, Cambodia’s ‘Great Lake’, where, not surprisingly, life revolves around the water.

Day 7

 

  • Visit Ben Melea Temple, hidden and lost in the Cambodian jungle, away from the crowds of Siem Reap. Beng Mealea was built in the early 12th century by great Khmer emperor, Suryavarman II, the founder of Angkor Wat. Throughout the years Beng Mealea was abandoned, nature took its course and the whole site has been overrun by plants. Exploring the site is an adventure in itself. To access the best parts, you need to climb over piles or stones, scramble up walls and swing around trees. This is not Tomb raider – this is the real deal.  If you intend to visit the temples of Angkor and happen to fall in love with the magical and mystical temple of Ta Prohm (A temple embraced by the roots and trees of the jungle), then you will gaze in amazement at the sights, tranquility, sounds and the devouring jungle as it slowly swallows Beng Mealea.

  • Take some time to practice meditation in this utmost peaceful setting. Your guide will teach you how to gain control on your mind and freeing yourself to enjoy the present moment.

  • On the way back to Siem Reap, we will have our tasty lunch at Samrong Village cooked by a local family that takes you deep inside the Cambodian family culture.

Day 8

 

  • Say goodbye to our host and drive one hour to Kralanh where we will meet our new family before heading to a Buddhist Monastery, "Wat Thmey", to learn the ways of the Monks and practice meditation. Our lunch will be prepared be Buddhist nuns.

  • Visit Killing Fields which were discovered on the 21st March 2012 by a bulldozer driver as he was digging up land.We also visit Wat Phnom Monastery where we can climb up to the top of the Phnom Trong Batt hill to view the most stunning landscape of rice paddies.  We will also spend some time to teach English to local children eager to learn and improve their listening and writing skills.

  • Entertaining evening full of jokes and laughter with our local family who will serve you their specialties and locally produced herbal wines.

Day 9

 

  • Our local tour leader and bus driver will transfer you to Siem Reap Int airport which takes only 45 minutes then we will say good bye at airport.

Included Activities:

 

  • Phnom Penh City tour, Killing Fields & Genocide Museum

  • Cycling Tour & Wat Nokor Guided visit

  • 3 days guided tour of Angkor & Beng Melea temples

  • Tonle Sap Lake and Mei Chrey fishing – floating community

  • Guided tour to Kiling Fields & Wat Phnom

  • 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners and 2 cooking classes 

 

Optional Activities:

 

  • National Museum, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda

  • Boat Trip on Mekong River

  • Weaving Village

  • Elephant Ride in Angkor

  • Hot air balloon over Angkor Thom

  • Angkor National Museum

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