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Day 1 - Phnom Penh - Kampot
Morning transfer to the Cambodian coast, to the riverside town of Kampot (transfer 3h). This charming town with magnificent surroundings is still dominated by French colonial architecture and the countryside in this province is particularly scenic. Explore the laid-back town on a walking tour and absorb the pleasant atmosphere.
Kampot is located close to the sea, and late afternoon is the time when the local fishermen head out to sea. Take a boat for a scenic sunset cruise (1.5h) that will take you past riverside fishing villages, pagodas and mangrove forests and see the fishing boats getting ready for their daily catch.
This evening, stroll through town and choose one of the many local restaurants and have a drink at one of the charming riverside bars. Choose a venue and enjoy some fresh local food (at own expense) before returning to your hotel.
Overnight in Kampot.
Day 2 - Kampot (B,L)
Breakfast at your hotel.
Drive this morning to Bokor National Park, once an abandoned French hill station. Modern development is taking away from some of the historic parts of the park but a fine view can be seen over the ocean and towards Vietnam amongst a cooler climate. The park comprises 1581km² of protected land, most of it primary forest, that is particularly rich in endemic flora and provides a home to globally endangered fauna such as the tiger, chestnut-headed partridge and green peafowl. Accompanied by unceasing insect and bird calls, you make your way to the Popokvil Waterfalls. Enjoy a picnic lunch on arrival.
Early afternoon transfer back to Kampot and try a simple but effective ‘seeing hands’ massage at the hands of a talented blind masseur.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure in Kampot.
Overnight in Kampot.
Trekking distance: 7km
Day 3 - Kampot - Kep (B)
An optional (no additional cost) early start this morning as you take the 10 min walk from your hotel to the local fish market to arrive around 6am. The boats seen the day before would have just docked and the fish and seafood is sorted and quickly sold off to middlemen to take to the markets. The market is rarely visited by tourists as the day slowly becomes light.
After breakfast, discover beautiful Kampot Province on your drive to Kep. On the way, you visit a pepper farm. Kampot is known for its premium quality pepper that used to be essential for French chefs in the 1960s.You also visit a cave decorated with a Buddhist statue from which you have great views over the province.
Arrive in Kep around lunchtime. Cambodia’s prestigious beach resort of the 1960s is now awakening to its former glory. A fascinating mix of a small calm beach, reminders of the past and a beautiful National Park on its door step make Kep and interesting and very relaxing place.
Check into your resort and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to discover Kep on your own, or just relax and unwind. Make sure you don’t miss out on the popular crab market for some crabs with Kampot Pepper.
Overnight in Kep.
Day 4 - Kep (B,L)
This morning, embark on a short boat trip (25 mins) to the pretty island Koh Tonsai, also called Rabbit Island. Spend the morning at leisure exploring the island and relaxing on the island’s beautiful tropical beach. A seafood barbecue lunch will be prepared for you on the island. Mid-afternoon, return to Kep and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Enjoy the afternoon free at leisure.
Overnight in Kep.
Day 5 - Kep - Departure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy some time at leisure until your transfer back to Phnom Penh (3h) or your next destination on the Cambodian South Coast or onwards to Vietnam.
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