Battambang Encounter
from $???*
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4 days / 3 nights
Ref: BE-4D |
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• Fascinating Cruise • Floating Villages • Laid-back Battambang • Angkorian Temples •
• French Colonial Architecture • Traditional Village Life • Beautiful Silk Weaving •
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DAY 1: Siem Reap to Battambang Cruise
- / L / D
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An early start as your encounter with Battambang begins with what is possibly the most fascinating journey in Cambodia, a cruise across the Tonle Sap (South East Asia’s largest lake) and along the beautiful winding Sangker River. This journey takes 6 to 10+ hours and the range of sights experienced is incredible. Throughout the journey you pass through intriguing floating villages and are surrounded by timeless scenes. As you enter the Sangker River you pass the protected wetland of Prek Toal, which is home to over 120 species of water and forest birds, some endangered. After a delightful journey you will arrive in the laidback and charming ‘city’ of Battambang, famed for its fading French colonial architecture, where you will follow the banks of the Sangker River to the ancient remains of Wat Ek Phnom. Back in Battambang you will be taken to a local restaurant for dinner. |
DAY 2: Battambang Temples & Traditional Village Life
B / L / -
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This morning you visit the striking hilltop pagoda of Phnom Sampeau. This massive limestone outcrop is dissected by a number of caves some more accessible than others, with some containing unexpected reminders of Cambodia’s history. During the Khmer Rouge era, some of the pagoda buildings were used as a prison and interrogation centre – victims were then pushed through a hole in the roof of a cave to fall to their deaths. Afterwards you will drive to the village of Ksach Puoy on the banks of the Sangker River. This area grows a variety of tropical fruits and after the rainy season farmers plant all kinds of vegetables along the fertile river banks, here you can learn about traditional agriculture – also a great opportunity to taste juicy oranges, sweet pineapples, and many other fruit… Not far from Ksach Puoy is Cambodia’s first vineyard – Prasat Phnom Banan Vineyard – you will stop here for a tasty lunch comprising organic vegetables and a spot of wine tasting!  After lunch you will be shown around the vineyard and the process of producing wine in the tropics will be explained. After this enjoyable rest you will continue a few kilometers further south to the well preserved 11th century mountaintop Angkorian temple of Phnom Banan. After climbing the 350+ steps you are treated to a wonderfully peaceful setting with superb views across the surrounding countryside, with small villages dotting the endless rice paddies, punctuated with the characteristic sugar palm trees – a wonderful sunset location. |
DAY 3: Banteay Chhmar & Sisophon
B / L / -
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After breakfast you will visit Battambang Museum, it is then time to bid farewell to Battambang as you head 120km north, passing through Sisophon, on route to the massive and remote temple complex of Banteay Chhmar (Narrow Fortress), which was a large strategic city and the base for the Khmer Empire’s political management of its western and northwestern provinces, now provinces of Thailand. Today, as you approach the jungle surrounded Banteay Chhmar you catch glimpses of the temple’s lotus filled moat and enter via an eastern causeway. As you make your way to the inner enclosure you clamber over piles of stones, the remains of fallen towers and walls. The western enclosing wall still has the remains of intricate carvings including scenes of daily life during the Angkorian period, and the spectacular 32 armed god Avalokiteshvara. This is a peaceful temple and the sun filtering through the jungle canopy creates a cooling, dappled effect, perfect for enjoying the provided picnic lunch. You will return to the town of Sisophon where you will overnight in a local hotel. |
DAY 4: The Silk Trail
B / - / -
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In the past Cambodia was world renowned for its exquisite silk, much of which was traditionally hand-woven and dyed using natural colours from plants and minerals. However, the sericulture industry almost disappeared during the Khmer Rouge period and many of the essential mulberry trees were destroyed. To counter this there are now various concerted efforts by numerous organisations throughout the country to reintroduce mulberry trees so that the all important silkworm can be cultivated locally. Today on your way back to Siem Reap you will visit two such sites. The first centre is the traditional silk weaving village of Phnom Srok famed for producing the exquisite Khmer 'Golden' silk. As you walk around the village you will hear weaving looms clack away under the stilt-houses and see mulberry tree branches flecked with furry silkworm cocoons. Close to Siem Reap you reach the village of Puok which is home to the Artisans d’Angkor Silk Farm. Artisan’s d’Angkor creates the opportunity for young Cambodians to find gainful employment in their home villages by teaching traditional Khmer handicraft techniques, such as stone & wood carving, lacquering & gilding, and silk weaving. There is an on-site boutique which allows a great opportunity for finding those last minute quality souvenirs. On the return journey to Siem Reap you will stop-off at the West Baray, a vast Angkor Empire man-made reservoir that still contains water today. |
| *The cost of the above tour is $??? (US dollars) per person based on 4 people travelling together and sharing 2 rooms in medium standard accommodation. |
| If there are more of less than 4 people travelling in your party, or if the above suggested itinerary does not fully meet your needs please email us as we will be happy to discuss alternative arrangements. |
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- All sightseeing tour and transfer services as detailed in the above itinerary
- English speaking local guides
- All accommodation based on 2 sharing a room
- All entrance fees for attractions included in the above itinerary
- Private air conditioned vehicles
- All boat trips
- Daily drinking water whilst sightseeing
- All meals as detailed in the above itinerary
(B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner)
- Services not detailed in the above itinerary
- International flights to and from Siem Reap
- Cambodian Visa fees (currently $20 per person)
- International airport departure tax (currently $25 per person)
- Expenditure of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Any payment / money transfer charges
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