Cambodia Nature & Heritage Tour - 14 Days

This journey takes you beyond Cambodia's famous temples, revealing the country's remarkable diversity of landscapes, wildlife, indigenous cultures, and ancient heritage. From the vibrant capital of Phnom Penh and the peaceful Mekong town of Kratie to the lush highlands of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri, continue through the forgotten temples of Koh Ker before concluding among the legendary wonders of Angkor. Combining cultural discovery, nature, soft adventure, and authentic local experiences, this private journey offers an immersive exploration of Cambodia tours rarely found on conventional itineraries.

Overview of 14-Day Cambodia Tour

Duration: 14 Days
Start/ End: Phnom Penh / Siem Reap
Tour Route: Phnom Penh – Kratie – Mondulkiri – Banlung (Ratanakiri) – Koh Ker – Siem Reap
Tour Type: Private Nature, Culture & Adventure Journey
Tour Categories: Classic Cambodia Tours
Tour Customizable: Definitely!
Guide: Local Engish Speaking Guide (other languages upon your Request)
Transportation: Private air-conditioned vehicle, boat, tuk-tuk, ferry, and other local transportation as required by the itinerary.

Tour Highlight

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Phnom Penh

After completing the arrival formalities at the airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 2: Phnom Penh City Tour (B)

Breakfast at the hotel  - Visit Royal Palace is a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. it is like a small town of royal dynasties.

Continue to Silver Pagoda, serves less as a functioning temple than a repository for cultural treasures such as 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds and followed by visit Wat Phnom Temple is one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. Built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh.

In the afternoon, visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed.  Next to the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to extermination camp of Choeng Ek.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Kratie (B)

After breakfast, get picked up and transfer to Kratie, a little town at the edge of Mekong, famous for its Dolphins Irrawaddy, whose about sixty specimens there is. The road which follows the river is lined with traditional Khmers houses rather old, and to walk is there very pleasant.

En route, we will stop to visit Pagoda Norkor Bachey, with its ancient temple and modern style pagoda 12th century.

Next visit to Koh Paen (or Koh Pen) Island sits in the middle of the Mekong River and was once very famous for its 1km long bamboo bridge linking the island to the mainland. The Bamboo Bridge was replaced some time ago by a modern bridge whilst ferries still service the island mostly from the eastern side connecting to Koh Sotin nowadays.

Proceed your way to Kratie. Upon arrival, check in the hotel.

Overnight in Kratie.

Day 4: Kratie – Irrawaddy Dolphins & Koh Trong Island (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Start the tour with Sorya Kayaking to see the dolphin. From there you paddle across the river toward the west bank of the Mekong, before heading downstream past the many sand islands dotting the river.

Your guide will lead you onto one of the islands for a break from paddling, and so that you can have a swim in the Mekong and enjoy some local snacks, while he talks to you about the dolphins, the local area and life in Cambodia.

It will then be back onto the water to continue on and paddle through the flooded forest, before crossing back across the river and enjoying the unique perspective of seeing the rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphins from your kayaking.

Our half day Dolphin trip offers a great opportunity that few travelers have had, to not only see the dolphins, but also to paddle through a picturesque and rarely visited section of the Mekong river.

In the afternoon, we take a ferry to Koh Trong Island, which is a small island in the middle of the Mekong just opposite Kratie town to enjoy cycling around the island from the local community for our easy and peaceful 9km ride.

You will pass many traditional Khmer houses built on stilts. Keep an eye open for traditional rooftop decorations. The numbers on the top of the roof indicate the year the house was built.

The narrow roads are perfectly designed for cycling with plenty of shade while simultaneously allowing you to pass close to people's homes without intruding too much on their privacy. This allows you a more in-depth look into the lives of the local people of Koh Trong.

Although some villagers are shy, plenty of children and even adults will offer friendly smiles and "hellos", welcoming tourists to their island home.

Overnight in Kratie.

Day 5: Kratie → Mondulkiri (B)

After breakfast, this morning we drive to Mondulkiri province.

En route, we stop at the old Wat Rokakandal temple, originally built in the late 18th / early 19th century. Hand-woven wicker crafts are sold in the restored Vihear. Look for the traditional decorations on the wooden pillars inside, the old timber monks' residence opposite, and a beautiful old stone carving on the river side of the Wat.

Upon arrival, check in the hotel.

In the afternoon, depart for 37 km on the bumpy road along two rivers to Bu Sra. Pass through several ethnic Phnong villages on the way to Bu Sra. The road to Bu Sra leads past Bu Sra Waterfall, one of the largest in Cambodia.

Explore the countryside surrounding Bu Sra. Enjoy the beautiful scenery with its rice fields. Visit traditional Phnong villages, a coffee plantation and a paper plantation.

Overnight in Mondulkiri.

Day 6: Mondulkiri – Elephant Sanctuary Experience (B/L)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the meeting point to join a day trip with Mondukiiri Project:

Pick-up from selected guesthouses in Sen Monorom, or meet at our office for guests staying elsewhere.

Drive to the sanctuary entrance, with views across the protected forest valley that the Mondulkiri Project has helped preserve from logging.

Arrive at the Jungle Lodge — our base deep in the forest. Meet your Bunong guide and hear the stories of Happy, Comvine and Princess — three rescued elephants who now live freely in this valley.

Walk down into the valley to meet the elephants. Spend the morning alongside them in their natural habitat — hand-feeding them, walking with them through the forest, and watching them move freely through the trees. Your Bunong guide will share what he knows about each elephant's personality, history and daily life.

Return to the Jungle Lodge for a traditional Cambodian lunch, prepared fresh and eaten overlooking the forest canopy. Time to rest in the hammocks and let the jungle sounds sink in.

We walk back to the river and then the waterfall, where Happy, Comvine and Princess often come to feed and swim — always on their own terms, never on a schedule. After heavy rain, river and waterfall activities may not be possible, for your safety and the elephants' safety in fast-flowing water.

Say goodbye to Happy, Comvine and Princess and drive back to Sen Monorom.

Day 7: Mondulkiri → Banlung (Ratanakiri) (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Banlung town, the provincial capital of Ratanakiri Province in Cambodia's mountainous northeastern corner. Heavily jungled and home to 12 different 'Khmer Loeu' ethnic minority groups, Ratanakiri province has a real "edge-of-the-world" feel to it.

In the afternoon, visit the local market at Bar Kaev and continue sightseeing around Banlung, taking a trip to Andoung Meas (Golden Wells) District and continuing by boat to Taing Se Commune along the Sre San River.

Visit a Charay hill tribe, gem mines and digging wells at Bar Kaev. On the way back, you will visit rubber and coffee plantations.

Overnight at hotel in Banlung.

Day 8: Banlung Exploration - Jungle Trekking  - Virachey National Park (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel. We board motorbikes and ride for about two hours from Banlung City to the edge of Virachey National Park. Along the way, we cross a ferry, pass through a communal forest, and travel by the homes of indigenous communities who practice traditional agriculture. If you're interested, we can also search for a tarantula before the trek begins.

At the beginning, we trek across the river through dense jungle with several uphill and downhill sections. Giant trees and bamboo forests provide excellent photo opportunities, and with a little luck, we may even spot monkeys along the trail.

After around three hours of trekking, we reach a rapid stream where you can enjoy a refreshing swim and rinse off before lunch.

Following lunch and a short break, we continue another three-hour trek back to our motorbikes via a different loop trail before returning to Banlung.

Overnight at hotel in Banlung.

Day 9: Banlung → Koh Ker (B)

(Special note: Preah Vihrear Temple is currently not available for tourists due to the ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.)

Breakfast at the hotel. Say goodbye to Banlung and begin the scenic drive to Koh Ker in Preah Vihear Province, passing through Steung Treng Province.

En route, we stop at Thalaborivath to visit a pre-Angkorian temple before continuing to Koh Ker.

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Koh Ker.

Day 10: Koh Ker Temple (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning, we explore Koh Ker, the former capital of the Khmer Empire between 828 and 944 AD during a unique period of the Angkor era.

Visit remarkable temples throughout the archaeological complex, including Rahal Baray, Balang Temple, Thneng Temple, Linga Shrin, and Prasat Andong Kok, where enormous lingas remain in their original positions.

Climb to the top of Prasat Thom (the Great Temple) for panoramic views over the Dangrek Mountain range and the surrounding forests.

Continue discovering more impressive temples, including the jungle-covered Prasat Krahom and smaller sanctuaries such as Prasat Neang Khmau.

Have lunch en route. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Stay overnight in Koh Ker.

Day 11: Koh Ker – SieM Reap – TONLE SAP LAKE (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Siem Reap.

En route, stop to visit Beng Mealea Temple, an abandoned 11th-century temple gradually reclaimed by the surrounding jungle.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, check in to your hotel.

In the afternoon, continue to Kompong Phhluk Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake. Enjoy a boat trip through the village, gliding among the submerged forest while experiencing the unique lifestyle of local communities living on the water. The tranquil flooded forest makes this one of the lake's most memorable attractions.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 12: Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm (B) Tours by Tuk Tuk

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning, travel by tuk-tuk, Cambodia's iconic local transportation, to explore Angkor Thom. Visit the South Gate, Bayon Temple with its famous stone faces, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

In the afternoon, continue to Ta Prohm, the atmospheric temple embraced by enormous fig trees and giant roots. Nature has slowly reclaimed the ancient stone structures, creating one of Angkor's most iconic and photogenic sites.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13: Angkor Wat Sunrise & Banteay Srei (B)

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat and witness the temple gradually illuminated by the morning light. Stroll through the magnificent temple complex while learning about its fascinating history and extraordinary architecture.

Return to the hotel for breakfast before enjoying a relaxing morning at leisure.

In the afternoon, visit the beautifully preserved temple of Banteay Srei, renowned for its intricate pink sandstone carvings.

Along the way, stop at Preah Dark Village to discover traditional palm sugar production and other local products before continuing to Banteay Samre Temple, admired for its impressive reliefs depicting stories from Hindu mythology.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Departure from Siem Reap (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will have free time until the scheduled airport transfer for your flight departure.