Forgotten South Coast of Cambodia

Day 1  Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Cambodia 

Day 2  Phnom Penh

You will be met by your guide when you arrive at the airport. Transfer to your hotel and explore or rest after your flight.

Day 3  Phnom Penh

Enjoy a full-day tour of Phnom Penh, starting at Security Prison 21 (Tuol Sleng), the former high school infamously used as an execution centre during the Khmer Rouge regime. A visit to Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields is a disconcerting experience for many; the content is graphic and the subject matter very heavy. You will then continue to the Killing Fields and, if desired, you can take an audio guide of the area with fascinating facts, personal accounts and true stories about the Cambodian genocide. Our guides give you the flexibility to do less or more depending on your mood. We always finish with a visit to a fantastic restaurant run by former street-children - an uplifting experience after a difficult morning.

After lunch, there is much to explore if you are in the mood. As well as the Russian market, there is the National Museum, the Royal Palace and Norodom Boulevard. Finish the day with a cyclo and a drink on a stylish river-front rooftop.

Day 4  Cardamom Mountains

You will be collected from your hotel and transferred into the Cardamom Mountains. You will then board a small boat and head to the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge, your base for the next three nights.

Day 5  Cardamom Mountains

Spend two full days at leisure at 4 Rivers Floating Lodge. It's delightful to relax by or in the river but when you're ready to explore the beautiful wildlife and scenery of the surrounding rainforest, the hotel provides a wide range of daily activities and experiences. These include a boat trip to nearby waterfalls, a trek through the forest, a visit to local villages and various local nature trails.

Day 6  Cardamom Mountains

Today you might opt to cruise deep into the mangroves to experience a rare glimpse of life among the fishing communities that live off the natural bounty of this watery paradise.  While the men tend their boats, the womenfolk patiently mend their nets and children play tag and football between the stilt houses. After lunch, make a short but comfortable climb to get an excellent panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and the ocean.

Day 7  Kep

After breakfast, take a small boat to the jetty, where your guide will meet you and take you to the seaside town of Kep. The journey will take about five hours in total. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

 Day 8  Kep

This morning you will jump into your private tuk-tuk for a tour of the seaside town of Kep. Drive past abandoned colonial villas, the crab market, Kep's sandy beach and local pepper plantations, for which Kep has now become quite internationally renowned. Your guide will take you to the crab market for a fresh and delicious lunch, and then the rest of the afternoon is at leisure for you to relax at your hotel or continue to explore this quaint town.

Day 9 Kep

Visit Kep National Park where you can gently hike along easy trails to see the plethora of flora and fauna, as well as sweeping coastal views and out to the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc. After lunch, visit Rabbit island, a beautiful little oasis off the coast of Cambodia with sandy white beaches and cool waters for swimming, with plenty of coral and sea life. Relax on the beach, try fresh seafood from one of the local fish shacks, swim in the calm blue ocean or rest in the shade; enjoying the beautiful views of the island all the while.

Day 10  Kampot

Transfer by road to Kampot. En route, stop at a Hindu cave temple with stalactites and stalagmites growing through the roof. After lunch at a local NGO café, explore Kampot town on foot with its lovely colonial architecture, temples and boatyards.

Day 11  Champa Lodge

Take a boat transfer to Champa Lodge, passing under bridges and through gorgeous rural countryside with the Bokor mountain range in the distance. After about 30-40 minutes cruising you will arrive at the unique and authentic Khmer Champa Lodge, a beautiful rural retreat with traditional stilted lodges on a bend of the Kampot River. Once you've settled in, the rest of the day is yours to try your hand at one of the many exciting excursions on offer at Champa Lodge. These include cycling, kayaking on the river or through shaded mangroves, swimming, walking, boat trips, or visiting any of the local sites of interest.

Day 12  Champa Lodge

Enjoy a full day at leisure, either relaxing in the lovely rural Cambodian countryside or taking advantage of some of the fantastic activities on offer.

Day 13  Koh Russey

Transfer to Sihanoukville where you will catch the boat over to Koh Russey. Here you'll check-in to your beachfront hotel. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the delights of the beach!

Day 14, 15 & 16  Koh Russey

Enjoy three full days at leisure making the most of the pool or donning a mask to explore the underwater work just off the beautiful beach.

Day 17 – Fly home

Transfer to Phnom Penh airport to catch your flight home.

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
• 24-hour in-country backup while away
• Your dedicated travel expert in the UK