Cambodia by Private Train (Ground Only)

DAY 1

Wednesday 12th November
After making your own flight arrangements to Cambodia, you will meet the Tour Leader at Phnom Penh Airport and transfer to the Rosewood Hotel, our hotel for the next two nights. After check-in, we will enjoy time at leisure to explore our new surroundings before meeting for drinks on the rooftop and enjoying a welcome dinner together.

DAY 2

Thursday 13th November
After breakfast this morning, we will discover Phnom Penh aboard a bicycle rickshaw riding through the city's cultural landmarks including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and National Museum and we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant serving Khmer fusion cuisine. The afternoon is spent at leisure to explore further or relax at the hotel before our evening meal together at the famed Malis Restaurant.

DAY 3

Friday 14th November
This morning, we board our private train journeying south through countryside, limestone cliffs, and French-era stations to Sihanoukville, enjoying photo opportunities and our lunch in the dining car along the way. On arrival, we stroll through this vibrant city to the beach for our speedboat transfer across the water to Koh Rong Island, the second largest island of Cambodia, and home to four fishing communities. We check-in to the luxury Royal Sands Hotel and prepare for our evening meal in the beautiful waterside restaurant where we might even see the phosphorescent plankton in the waves.

DAY 4

Saturday 15th November
Today, we enjoy a full day at leisure to relax and unwind in style at the hotel or explore this magnificent island, admire the views, swim in the refreshing ocean, discover the exotic wildlife, and learn of the historic Khmer culture.

DAY 5

Sunday 16th November
After breakfast, we retrace our steps back to Sihanoukville and our private train for the next leg of our journey meandering through rural Cambodia to the charming town of Kampot, enjoying lunch on board. Nestled on the banks of the Kampot River, we make our way to the Good Time Relax Resort to check-in before exploring this historic town on a guided tour. We will learn of the town's captivating past and discover the ruins of elegant French colonial villas in the coastal town of Kep before enjoying our evening meal together at a local restaurant.

DAY 6

Monday 17th November
This morning, we make a private visit to a local Pepper Plantation to see first-hand how this staple ingredient is grown, harvested, and processed before rejoining our private train for the return journey past the mountains and through quaint villages to Phnom Penh. On arrival, we return to the Rosewood Hotel and check-in for the next two nights enjoying free time to stroll, swim, or shop before reconvening for our evening meal at the Kravanh Restaurant.

DAY 7

Tuesday 18th November
Today is a full day at leisure to spend how you please in Phnom Penh. You can make use of the hotel facilities, explore the city centre, shop at the Russian Market, or ask your Tour Leader for recommendations of local excursions and attractions.

DAY 8

Wednesday 19th November
After breakfast, we board our private train and journey through spectacular scenery between the remarkable Cardamom Mountains and the expansive Tonle Sap Lake to Battambang, Cambodia's third-largest city. We enjoy a morning and afternoon tea served on board plus plenty of stops along the way to explore local life and, on arrival in Battambang, we make our way to the Classy Hotel for our two-night stay enjoying our evening meal together at Maisons Watkor.

DAY 9

Thursday 20th November
After breakfast this morning, we head out for a village tour in a convoy of traditional Tuk-Tuks exploring the picturesque countryside, discovering the rural communities, and visiting the Khmer Rouge memorial site and the Wat Ek Phnom Temple. After our lunch at the Ja-an Bai Restaurant, we ride the famous Bamboo Train, a unique mode of transport featuring a bamboo platform placed on two sets of wheels and propelled by a small engine. Our day concludes at Sompov Hill, once the front line of the civil war, where we stay until sunset to witness the incredible flight of thousands of bats leaving their cave in absolute synchronicity amidst the carnival atmosphere of the viewing area - this is a truly memorable experience.

DAY 10

Friday 21st November
Today, we board our private coach to Siem Reap, the gateway to the mythical realm of Angkor Wat, travelling directly to the Treeline Urban Resort, our boutique, riverside hotel for the next four nights. Our afternoon is free to relax by the pool, explore our new surroundings, or walk along the river before we reconvene for our evening meal at the renowned Olive Cuisine de Saison, an authentic French restaurant.

DAY 11

Saturday 22nd November
This morning, we receive our 3-day pass to the Angkor Archaeological Park and our private coach takes us to Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of Cambodia's architectural and cultural heritage. Constructed in the 12th-century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as the largest religious monument in the world! With our expert local guide, we will explore the awe-inspiring Angkor Thom featuring 75-foot carved stone faces, the temple of Bayon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the Twelve Towers of Prasat Suor Prat. After a relaxing lunch, we will discover the intricate temple of the jungle, Ta Prohm, before returning to our hotel for an evening at leisure.

DAY 12

Sunday 23rd November
Today, our local guide takes us on a unique journey aboard a traditional Tuk-Tuk to immerse ourselves in the vibrant daily life of Cambodia. We will explore the villages surrounding the majestic Bakong temple, stroll a local fish market, and discover local delicacies continuing to a pagoda where we will witness a traditional Monk Blessing ceremony before receiving our own blessing. Afterwards, we visit the majestic Bakong temple surrounded by a moat and lush vegetation and take our lunch at a local restaurant before returning to our hotel for an evening at leisure.

DAY 13

Monday 24th November
Today is free to spend how you wish in Siem Reap. You could use your 3-day pass to return to the Angkor Archaeological Park for further exploration or visit the marvellous Angkor National Museum close to the hotel. Discover the Fair Trade Village dedicated to authentic Cambodian arts and crafts or speak to your Tour Leader for recommendations of local excursions and attractions. This evening, we will regroup and transfer to the fantastic JOMNO Modern Khmer Restaurant for our celebratory farewell dinner.

DAY 14

Tuesday 25th November
After our fantastic Cambodian adventure, you will be transferred to Siem Reap Airport for your chosen flight home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner