Not yet established as a trekking destination like neighbouring Thailand, Cambodia has some spectacular opportunities for the more adventurous, active visitor. The mountainous northeast provinces of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri are still largely forested and home to a number of tribal minority peoples, while the Cardamom Mountains of the southeast are considered to host the 
largest remaining contiguous block of rainforest on mainland South East Asia.
Treks can include visits to some of the more remote Angkorian temples that have not yet been restored, looming out of the jungle, elephant safaris, overnights in tribal homes or village pagodas, sleeping on floating raft houses on the enormous Tonle Sap lake, camping in the forests, river boating, traditional fishing and mountain biking.
Amongst the wildlife that you could see are the rare, freshwater, Irrawaddy Dolphins that inhabit some stretches of the mighty Mekong River, one of the world's largest rivers that flows into Cambodia from Laos before exiting through the 9 branches of the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam.
Sample 2 week trek
Highlights
- Elephant trekking in the Mondolkiri mountains with overnight in a Phnong house, hilltribes of east Cambodia
- Discover the Phnom Kulen mountain with overnight in a pagoda
- Discover the floating villages, the fishing techniques and experience an overnight on the Tonle Sap lake
- Cruise on the Mekong to watch the rare Irrawaddy dolphins
- Temples of Angkor by bicycle
Day 1: Siem Reap
Arrival in Siem Reap. You are welcomed by your guide and driven to your hotel. You have the remainder of the day free to discover the town. Hotel in Siem Reap.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2: Siem Reap – Chao Srei Vibol
Today we go for a trek in the countryside following the Old Royal Route to discover the lost temple Chao Srei Vibol and its pagoda. Continue, passing rural villages, to the Roluos temple group and visit the Bakheng mountain temple. Sleep in a typical Khmer house in the local village. (3 to 4 hours trekking).
Accommodation: Homestay
Day 3: Beng Mealea – Phnom Kulen
Set off to Beng Mealea, a huge Angkorian temple on a similar scale to Angkor Wat, but which is still shrouded by jungle. Continue to Phnom Kulen, mountain and climb the pilgrims’ way to reach its summit (350m). Lunch and swimming at a waterfall. In the afternoon, walk through the forest and villages. Overnight in a traditional house or at the pagoda on top of the mountain. (4h trekking, level + 350m). (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Homestay or pagoda
Day 4: Phnom Kulen – Srah Dumrei – Bantey Srei – Siem Reap
Early in the morning we plunge into a colourful surrounding including high grass meadows, limestone clearings and deep jungle to discover the exceptional site of Srah Dumrei. These huge sandstone monoliths of elephants & lions hidden in the deep jungle are dated to the 10th century. From here we leave the mountains to visit Bantey Srei, the Citadel of the women, a beautiful Khmer edifice of the 10th century. Return to Siem Reap : night in hotel. (4h trekking, level -350/+150 m).
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5: Siem Reap – Angkor Historical Park by Mountain Bike
By bike, we head towards the South Gate of Angkor Thom to discover the old city walls, still covered by the jungle (6km). Our stroll leads us to the Bayon temple, with its 4-faces towers. After lunch, we visit the great royal city of Angkor Thom and Ta Phrom temple before Trekking along the Baray to get to Ta Nei and the famous Preah Khan. In the evening, you can relax with a one-hour massage at the Frangipani Spa. (3h walk in the temples and ½ day Cycling easy ride).
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat on Foot
The morning is dedicated to Angkor Wat. After lunch, we drive to the isolated temple Bantey Samre and walk along the dike of the Baray to discover the villages. We arrive at the Royal Basin of Srah Sang for sunset. Hotel in Siem Reap. (2h30 walk).
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 7: Siem Reap – Tonle Sap
Discover the town of Siem Reap, its handicraft industry and the Wat Bo pagoda. Walk along Siem Reap river towards the lake to observe the villagers’ daily life in a bucolic setting. On a wooden boat, explore the Tonle Sap, the vast lake in the middle of Cambodia, discovering the fishing techniques and the life on the lake (fishponds, private crocodile farming). Every year, the water level of the Great Lake varies from 4 to 8 m, overflowing the 
lands and forests in this region (from August to January) and growing to 3 times its dry season size. According to the season, we will discover the inundated forests by dugout canoe or, when the water level is low, we will discover the floating villages and travel up the Sangker River by boat. Night in a village. (1h walk).
*The program of this day can be adapted according to the hydrologic conditions.
Accommodation: Floating House homestay
Day 8: Tonle Sap – Kompong Thom – Kompong Cham
Return to Siem Reap by boat and set off by road for Kompong Cham, passing through Kompong Thom province. On arrival, we visit the city and Wat Nokor pagoda before going for a little stroll along the Mekong river. (7h driving).
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 9: Kompong Cham – Sen Monorom
Departure to the Mondulkiri province. On arrival. visit the provincial capital of Sen Monorom village and an NGO specialising in ethnic handicrafts. (6-hour drive)
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 10: Mondulkiri Highlands
Today we go for an elephant trek to explore this wild region and admire its tropical rain forests and many waterfalls. Stop at a waterfall deep in the jungle to have lunch and swim with the pachyderms. Continue to cross the jungle-covered hills to meet the Phnong, a minority ethnic population. Observe theirs techniques to grow the dry rice and their weavings. Overnight we stay with the villagers or in a bivouacking in the jungle if the conditions allow it. (3 to 4h trekking, 2h elephant riding)
Accommodation: Homestay/Camping
Day 11: Mondulkiri Highlands
Early in the morning, continue the trek crossing forests and mountains. Stop and relax at a waterfall and, in the afternoon, discover various Phnong villages and plantations. Return to Sen Monorom for the night in a guesthouse (4h walking). (4-hours walk)
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 12: Sen Monorom – Kratie
By minibus or pick-up, we leave for Kratie, the old French colonial town on the Mekong. On a traditional boat, discover the Kampi rapids and cruise the Mekong River looking out for the rare Irrawady dolphins that inhabit this stretch of the river. (5-hours drive)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 13: Kratie – Phnom Penh
Early visit to the old colonial town of Kratie, crossing the Mekong river by local ferry to reach an island. Explore its villages and discover the Cham community’s floating houses. Depart by public bus to Phnom Penh. On arrival in the evening, take a cruise on the Mekong River to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Hotel in Phnom Penh. (7-hours drive)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 14: Depart Phnom Penh
Depending on your flight departure, discover the capital and its monuments. Transfer to the airport.
During your stay in Siem Reap, you will have, of course, the opportunity to visit the main temples of Angkor through the “small” and “big” circuits of the archaeological park: Angkor Wat, Bayon, Terraces of Lepper King and Elephants etc.
For logistical reasons, this program can be adapted and the order of events can be modified to better suit you.
