Kampot is a charming riverside town, rich in French colonial-era architecture and a popular place for scenic riverboat trips. There are several pagodas hidden in caves we can explore throughout the area, including ancient, perfectly preserved brick temples from the pre-Angkorian period.

DESTINATIONS

• Kampot, the riverside town
• The region of Angkor Borei, one of the main sites of pre-Angkorian Cambodia

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take a short cruise to one of the major pre-Angkorian sites
• Overnight in the charming Veranda nature resort

[Day 1] Phnom Penh - Kampot
Meals: N/A | Accommodation: hotel

Our journey southwards begins as we depart the clamor of Phnom Penh and make our first stop at Phnom Chisor Temple which dates from the 11th century. A 500-step path leads up to the hilltop from where we can enjoy fabulous views over the surrounding countryside. We then get in our car to visit the quiet town of Takeo before taking a short cruise to Angkor Borei town, located just a few kilometers from the Vietnamese border. There is a small museum which displays reproductions of sculptures from the nearby ruins and some artifacts dating as far back as the 4th century. After seeing this pleasant place, we continue our boat trip to visit the pre-Angkorian temple of Phnom Da and the nearby basalt temple of Asram Maharosei which combines Khmer styles with influences from other Hindu kingdoms in Java. The steep but lovely path over boulders and ruins makes a Asram Maharosei visit different from many other Cambodian temples.

We then continue our trip to Kampot and check into the Veranda Nature Resort.

[Day 2] Kampot - Phnom Penh
Meals: N/A | Accommodation: N/A

We leave Kampot and travel to the little town of Kompong Trach. For a long time this place was forgotten, as the Cambodian civil war kept it off the map, but the peace of recent decades and the new border crossing with Vietnam have brought new prosperity to the area. We stop to visit the interesting cave temple of Wat Kirisan, built into the base of Phnom Sor. We travel through a small cave to a hidden chamber open to the elements, with shafts of sunlight shining down the sheer walls dripping with green foliage. There are several hidden shrines here, as well as the Cave of a Thousand Ricefields, where locals claim the limestone formations resemble rice terraces.

We leave Kampot and head north towards the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Our route on National Highway 3 passes through some beautiful rural areas and there are often good photo opportunities. We stop for a short break in Angk Tasaom before continuing on to the lively riverside capital.

Note: N/A

PRICE PER PERSON

Included

• Accommodation
• Drinking water during sightseeing
• Travel in an appropriate air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver
• Boat trip as specified
• The services of an experienced English-speaking guide
• All entrance fees

Not included

• International flight tickets and airport tax, currently $25 per person
• Cambodia entrance visa, currently $20 per person
• Meals
• Beverages, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Camera fees (if any)
• Personal expenses.
• Surcharge in peak season (Christmas & New Year)
• Insurance