Smiling Albino

Intro

Total Trip - 6 days

Cambodia is a land of dramatic contrasts. From magnificent ancient temples reflecting one of the greatest cultural forces in history, to the charming former French colonial capital and its conflicted past, this trip explores multiple corners. Starting at Angkor Wat you'll marvel at the glory of the Khmer Kingdom then attempt to understand the turmoil of its recent history and youthful promise of its future. This six-day adventure brings you up close and personal with Cambodia's essentials.

Starting in Siem Reap you'll explore Angkor Wat, one of the Great Wonders of the World. As the world's largest temple complex its magnitude and artistic significance are unparalleled. This vast city was once the most important and powerful in the region, serving as the Khmer capital for more than 600 years. Here you'll use van, bicycles or both to explore temples, visit floating villages and see lots of other neat insider favorites.

After delving deep into Angkor you'll board a flight and be whisked to the capital Phnom Penh, to explore its inner workings. From the Grand Palace and fine restaurants to the sobering Killing Fields and S21 Prison, in a short time you'll gain a quick appreciation for this unique and evolving kingdom.

Complimented with the country's best guides/hosts, a focus on cuisine, and a funky hotel and you've got the best Cambodia adventure out there. Visitors never forget exploring this enchanting corner of the globe.

ACCOMODATION: Located a couple kilometers from the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap, Pavillon Indochine is the closest accommodation to Angkor Wat. The quaint resort blends traditional Khmer style with colonial French influences and offers stylish rooms with soft wood interiors. A swimming pool, nice restaurant and reading room surrounded by tropical gardens make it a lovely hidden getaway. An ideal property to experience Angkor. See Upgrades section for other hotel options.

Note: should you require return airfare from Bangkok to Siem Riep we can arrange it for about $350US. Please contact us for current prices on this flight.

Itinerary

This trip includes 5 nights of quality accommodations, 1 internal airline ticket from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, most meals, bicycle, all transport, 3-day Angkor Wat Pass, boat trip, champagne sunset, a personalized Smiling Albino Adventure Kit, snacks, little extras like sunscreen, bug spray, hand cleaner and the finest Cambodian adventure leaders - we've got you covered. Prepare to be hosted!

Day 1 - To Cambodia

Fly to Siem Reap at your leisure (we can help arrange air tickets if you wish) arriving early in the morning if possible to get the most out of your day.

Upon arrival you'll enjoy exclusive VIP express service to get you through Cambodia Immigration quickly then you're met by your Smiling Albino host who will transfer you to your hotel. Settle-in and get oriented before an amazing afternoon. Upon check-in you'll also receive a personalized Adventure Kit containing lots of handy area info, maps and more.

Start out by either mounting a bicycle or boarding a private car to explore Angkor's temples at your own pace. Over lunch we'll introduce you to the amazing history of the area and these temples. As the sun sets we'll crack some champagne and marvel at it all. Tonight we'll treat you to dinner at the city's most famous Khmer restaurant (Mick Jagger eats here).

Meals: L,D

Day 2 - Big Sites

Today is an amazing one. Either jump on a bike or into our private car then we'll head to Angkor's main sites, Angkor Thom, Bayon and the rooty, overgrown Tha Phrom. Finish things off with a visit to the sobering Land Mine Museum and you've had one incredible day.

Enjoy tonight at your leisure (we'll give you lots of tips/suggestions).

Meals: B,L

Day 3 - Thonle Sap Lake

After breakfast we'll cycle through quaint villages (or take the private car if you wish), rice fields and temple to Tonle Sap Lake. As Southeast Asia's largest lake, Tonle Sap is a must see and great way to avoid temple-overload. We'll board a charming boat for an interesting look at floating villages where locals literally live right on the lake, relying on it for everything. In the afternoon it's up to you, visit the Old Market, head back to Angkor for more temples or chill out by the pool.

There are lots of great dining choices in Siem Reap and we'll prepare a short list of great places for you to dine tonight.

Meals: B,L

Day 4 - To Phnom Penh

After breakfast a quick morning flight takes us to Phnom Penh where we'll check-in to the capital's most famous hotel Raffles le Royal. Featured in films and novels, this grandiose colonial-era property is the essential address in Phnom Penh.

After settling in we'll explore the dark sides of the city, Tuol Sleng (S21 Prison) and Boeung Cheung Ek, usually referred to as The Killing Fields, which was the largest cemetery in the country during the frightful reign of the Khmer Rouge from 1975-1979.

Tonight is best spent reflecting and your host will be happy to escort you to dinner or make arrangements as you wish.

Meals: B,L

Day 5 - Top Sites

Using chariots pulled by motorcycles we'll delve deep into the city visiting the bustling Russian Market, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, lunch at a restaurant which helps train disadvantaged persons, Wat Phnom and a few other secret places we don't want to let out of the bag.

Tonight - our last in Cambodia - we'll host you at a cool place to dine in the energetic capital.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6 - Onwards

Take the morning to hit that final site of interest or relax. You'll be remembering Cambodia for years to come. Until next time...

Meals: B

See some photos from this trip

 

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FAQs

What kind of clothing should I bring?

Travel in clothing you feel comfortable wearing in hot weather for an entire day. Quick-dry, wick-away fabric is ideal for active days. For a more on this subject, check out What to Pack.

Are mosquito nets provided during the trip?

Generally they are not necessary for our trips in South East Asia. Lodgings we use have sealed doors and windows. Should you wish to enjoy the extra peace-of-mind of a mosquito net, feel free to bring one along and we're always happy to help you put it up.

Our group includes a variety of ages, interests and abilities - will we enjoy the same trip?

Yes, our adventures are flexible. If one member of your group doesn't want to ride a bike, we'll have a van waiting while you enjoy a good pedal. You may not want to ride a motorscooter, so you can enjoy the comfort of our van or even try riding on the back of your guide's bike for a while. We are experienced in ensuring everyone has their own perfect holiday while traveling together.

Read our Testimonials to learn more about how flexible our trips are.

How do I get a Visa?

It's easy to obtain a visa upon arrival in Asia for Cambodia and Laos. Prior to your trip we'll send you a comprehensive pre-trip kit with all the information you'll need to touch down fully prepared.The visa costs about $20US and you will need one passport-sized photograph. Wait about 10 minutes and your visa is in hand!

Have more questions?

We have lots more information in our Travel Tips section that will give you an idea of what it's like to travel with Smiling Albino. You can read more on food, weather, language, history and culture, see where you'll be travelling, and maybe find a book or two that you can read before your adventure.

Visit the Travel Tips area.

 

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Upgrade Options

Want to do your 5 nights 5-star?

Hotel de la Paix is without a doubt one of the coolest hotels in SE Asia. An almost spiritual transformation of traditional Khmer and modern design, Hotel de la Paix is art deco, ultra-sleek and luxurious. Pools of water, wide open spaces and white everything. For anyone seeking the latest in chic, this is the place. The lobby bar doubles as a contemporary Khmer art gallery in this concept hotel in downtown Siem Reap.

Total Trip Price: $1,675US/pp
Single Supp.: $695US
Extra nights: $215-250US/room depending on season

Raffles Hotel le Royal is the capital's most famous hotel, a gorgeous colonial-era property you'll want to make the most of during your visit to Phnom Penh.

Extra nights: about $260US/room depending on season

Need extra nights in Siem Reap at Heritage Suites?

Let us book you in at Heritage Suites for $150US/room.

Need time on the beach when you're done? Our Thailand beach escapes are second to none.

Smiling Albino has an extensive selection of amazing beach resorts and destinations. Check out our options and let us know if we can add a beach escape to your trip.

Flights to & from Bangkok can be arranged.

Need a flight to Bangkok before or after your Cambodia adventure?

Should you require return airfare from Bangkok we'll arrange it to fit your schedule, for about $350US depending on the season. Contact us for current prices on this flight.

Need a hotel in Bangkok before or after the trip?

Either downtown or at the airport we can accomodate you.

Downtown: Majestic Grande $115US/night or the Four Seasons $300US/pp/night (double) or $600US/pp/night (single).
Airport: Novotel Suvarnabhumi $220US/night.

Like to customize this adventure as a private trip?

Any of our trips can be changed up and moved around to give you the perfect experience. Take a look at one of our custom trip examples and let us know what we can do for you.

 

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