Cambodia Tour (Passports with Purpose group)
Sorry you missed the 2010 Cambodia tour!
Why not plan for another small-group tour to Cambodia?
Please see this and all tours at the new WanderTours site — featuring both women-only and co-ed tours!
Itinerary dates: July 24 – August 2, 2010
Tour leader: Beth Whitman
This 10-day tour through Cambodia is an opportunity to see the Passport School built through donations made to the Passports with Purpose fundraiser and the chance to explore this Southeast Asian country including its history, culture, ethnic communities, landscape and food.
A local guide, knowledgeable in the culture, history, food and religion, will accompany the group throughout the tour.
Consider arriving in Siem Reap, where the adventure begins, at least one day early in case of delays.
The Passports with Purpose founders would LOVE to have you join us on this journey. The tour has been priced low in order to encourage your participation. As such, we must have at least 8 people sign up in order for this tour to proceed.
July 24, 2010
Day 1 — Angkor Complex – Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom (B, L, D)
After breakfast, the group will meet our local guide to begin touring the area.
We’ll begin with Angkor Thom City where we’ll explore the centerpiece of the ancient city, The Bayon. This contains 54 towers decorated with more than 200 enigmatic smiling faces. Also included in the morning’s tour is the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper Kings, as well as The Ta Prohm Temple.
We will enjoy lunch before visiting Angkor Wat, easily the most famous and best-preserved of all temples within the Angkor complex. We’ll spend the afternoon here before heading to Pre Rup for sunset.
July 25, 2010
Day 2 — Angkor Complex – Banteay Srey and Banteay Samre, Tonle Sap Lake (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will head to the exquisite Banteay Srey, also known as the Citadel of the Women. The temple displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art.
In addition, we’ll also visit Tonle Sap Lake which is one of the world’s most productive bodies of fresh water. In the wet season, the Tonle Sap Lake swells to 12,000 square kilometers.
We will then be driven 15 km from Siem Reap where we will take a small boat to discover a floating village as well as the wildlife of the lake.
July 26, 2010
Day 3 — Siem Reap — Anglong Veng — Preah Vihear (B, L, D)
Today after breakfast, we’ll make our way to Preah Vihear via Anlong Veng. Along the way, we will visit the home of a former Khmer Rouge leader.
July 27, 2010
Day 4 — Preah Vihear — AAfC (B, L, D)
Today after breakfast we make our way to the school in the Preah Vihear area. This day is dedicate to school activities including the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Passport School!
July 28, 2010
Day 5 — Preah Vihear Temple — Kampong Thom (B, L, D)
Today we depart early to Preah Vihear temple which is a Khmer temple situated atop a cliff (1,720 feet) in the Dângrêk Mountains near the Thai border.
HIGHLIGHT! Affording a view for many kilometers across a plain, Prasat Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-centuries-long Khmer Empire. We will spend most of the day here then head back to Kampong Thom Province where we will overnight.
July 29, 2010
Day 6 — Kampong Thom — Phnom Penh (B, L)
This morning, we visit the former Khmer capital Sambor Prei Kuk. This temple complex is dedicated to Shiva and is made if solid brick and laterite stone. Built in the 7th century, it was rediscovered in 1980. After lunch we will head to Phnom Penh.
July 30, 2010
Day 7 — Phnom Penh — Sihanoukville (B, L)
On this day, we’ll head to the beach town of Sihanoukville. (approximagely 4 to 5 hours by car). The afternoon will be free time.
July 31, 2010
Day 8 – Sihanoukville (B)
This is a free day to enjoy the lovely beach area of Sihanoukville.
August 1, 2010
Day 9 — Sihanoukville — Phnom Penh (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will transfer back to Phnom Penh and be guided through this bustling city to explore the main sights including the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. We will also visit the sobering Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and then visit the Central Market. It will be a day of looking into both the past and the future of Khmer people.
August 2, 2010
Day 10 — Phnom Penh — Departure (B)
Today free at leisure until transfer to airport for flight back home.
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Price: $1,585
Single Supplement: $300 (Why a single supplement charge? See this about page for an explanation.)
The Passports with Purpose founders would LOVE to have you join us on this journey. The tour has been priced low in order to encourage your participation. As such, we must have at least 8 people sign up in order for this tour to proceed.
Price includes: 9 nights accommodation in 3-star hotels; all ground transportation; transportation within Cambodia; sightseeing entrance fees, English-speaking guide; and 24 meals.
Price does not include: flights to/from Cambodia; evacuation insurance (highly recommended); some meals; souvenirs; personal purchases (such as books and snacks); beverages; and tips (suggested for all guides and drivers).
This trip is limited to 15 people and requires a $500 deposit on a first come, first served basis. Final payment is due June 1, 2010.
For questions, please contact Beth at: 206-937-6789
About Beth Whitman
Beth is the author of the Wanderlust and Lipstick guides for women travelers and the editor of www.WanderlustAndLipstick.com.
With more than 22 years of travel experience, Beth has a deep appreciation for cultures around the globe and has a particular affinity for developing countries. She has been traveling to Cambodia since 1992, before the country was “open” to tourism.
She believes that we should all tread lightly so as to leave the smallest possible footprint at our destination, whether that be carbon- or culture-related.
Codes:
B – breakfast
L – lunch
D – Dinner
Photo Credits:
Monks at Angkor Wat: Beth Whitman
Ta Prahm tree roots: victoriapeckham
Bayon faces: mckaysavage
Tonle Sap: Dawvon
Bicycles in countryside: kennel
Preah Vihear: Chris Weigold
Royal Palace rooftop: hulivili