Pedro lc11d single

Pedro Bastos and Family Cambodia (11 Days)

We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, for example.

On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much…

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Itinerary Map …where you will travel…

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Yes, it is possible…

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Journey of Discovery…

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Itinerary Map

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Day1 Siem Reap Arrive in Siem Reap Day2 Siem Reap A day in and around Siem Reap Day3 Siem Reap to Kampong Thom From fishing villages and a local hotel Day4 Kampong Thom to Chhlong Onto a small community along the Mekong Day5 Chhlong to Phnom Penh To the outskirts of Phnom Penh

Day7 Kep to Koh Rong A coastal drive to your island paradise Day8 In and around Koh Rong A day at the beach Day9 Koh Rong to Tatai Further into the jungle Day10 In and around Tatai A day in the jungle Day11 Tatai Farewell and fly back home

Day6 Phnom Penh to Kep Onto Cambodia’s beautiful coast

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Yes, it is possible...

A driving holiday in this part of the world is indeed possible. We take care of everything. All you need to do is come, drive and enjoy a rare adventure!

Start your journey with an exploration of Siem Reap and the iconic Angkor temples before you visit a fishing village and start to drive to Central Cambodia, where you will experience local life and schools of Khmer and Muslim communities. On the way South you pass the capital Phnom Penh and reach the beautiful coast of the gulf of Thailand. Spending the days relaxing at the beach and kayaking in the jungle.

On the Road Experiences has paved the way for you to cross borders in your own properly insured SUV, so that you can enjoy the romance of a classic overland journey without any of the logistical headaches that typically accompany such journeys...

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A day in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Be AMAZED by the KHMER heritage...”

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Phare, the Cambodia Circus, Cambodia

Modern Cambodian tales are EMBODIED by a new generation of TALENTED ARTISTS...�

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Kampong Khleang, Cambodia

Stilt houses at a FISHERMAN village...�

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Kampong Thom, Cambodia

STUNNING TROPICAL SUNSET… near your hotel...”

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Sambor Village

A local boutique hotel in a NON touristy PLACE...�

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Phnom Santuk, Kampong Thom, Cambodia

Phnom Santuk..�

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Near Chhlong, Cambodia

Rubber tree’s as FAR as you can SEE...”

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Le Relais de Chhlong

A hidden gem in the middle of nowhere...�

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Near Kratie, Cambodia

ONE of the many SIDESTREAMS of the MEKONG...”

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Along the Mekong through small villages, Cambodia

MUSLIM and KHMER communities sharing villages along the MEKONG...�

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Near Kratie, Cambodia

Farmer KHMER women...”

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The Bale, Phnom Penh

A sanctury OVERLOOKING the Mekong...”

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Road from Phnom Penh to Kep

LONELY Road towards the COAST...”

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Visit a pepper farm

Taste one of the best peppers in the world...�

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Kampot Pepper Farm

Kampot PEPPER comes in four varieties - GREEN, BLACK, RED & WHITE...”

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Knai Bang Chatt, Kep

View from the KNAI BANG CHATT Sailing club...”

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Kep’s speciality

KAMPOT pepper crab...”

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Song Saa Private Island Resort

The Royal Sand Hotel

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Koh Andet Eco Resort

4 Rivers Floating Tents

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Day 1 Welcome to Siem Reap Arrive in Siem Reap per your own arrangements. We will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time we might have already a full day exploring Siem Reap, where we could do a very nice

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bike ride around some villages.

In the evening we will visit a very special circus.

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: NA Duration: NA Elevation Highest Daytime: 18m Overnight: 18m Hotel Anantara Angkor Resort, Siem Reap (*****)

Day 2 In and around Siem Reap Today we will spend the day exploring the Angkor archaeological site. One of the most important sites in South-East Asia, the ruins sprawl across a huge area.

We recommend either cycling or taking a tuk tuk, in order to save your energy for the temples themselves.

In the evening we can join a fantastic initiative based in Siem Reap, the New Cambodian Artists, a contemporary dance group.

Nestled back in the calm residential streets of the city is the new dance studio of the New Cambodian Artists. The group is currently made up of five female dancers who train in both classical Cambodian dance, known as Apsara dance, and contemporary dance, inspired by modern dance methodologies of the Western cannon. They describe their style as “Apsara fusion”.

New Cambodian Artists presents a platform for expression, creativity and growth for young artists in Siem Reap.

Despite the negative stigma sometimes associated with pursuing dance outside of the classical tradition in Cambodia, there is power to be found in the diligence and discipline of working for a dream. The company also maintains a focus on education and learning with the dancers working with select visiting choreographers to explore new movement styles. “If

Driving Distance & Duration Depending on your chosen activity Elevation Highest Daytime: 18m Overnight: 18m Hotel Anantara Angkor Resort, Siem Reap (*****) they are strong, they can be role models. If they become role models, more people, especially young women, can look up to them”.

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Day 3 From fishing villages and a local hotel After breakfast we are On the Road in Cambodia. It takes around an hour to our first stop, the fishing village Kampong Khleang.

During the dry season you can see a forest of stilted houses rising up to 10 meters in the air. In wet season the waters rise up to one or two meters of the buildings.

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Kampong Khleang is a permanent community within the flood plain of the Lake, with an economy based in fishing and surrounded by flooded forest. We will explore the village by boat and enjoy a local lunch. Then we continue our drive to Kampong Thom. Please be prepared that the hotel for the night is basic‌ it has all facilities you need, but in this location the infrastructure is still developing.

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 170 km Duration: 3-4 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 20m Overnight: 20m Hotel Sambor Village Kampong Thom (***)

Day 4 An unique experience in a small Muslim community on the Mekong After a leisurely breakfast we depart to Chhlong. First we have to drive on a busy road, but later we drive along village roads and rubber tree plantages. Later we meet the Mekong, which we will cross by ferry to Chhlong. The town itself was once a bustling port for French and Chinese traders, and the beautiful, decaying colonial architecture lining the riverfront attests to this.

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 170 km Duration: 3-4 hours

Here we have found an oasis in the middle of nowhere for your stay overnight.

Elevation Highest Daytime: 20m Overnight: 20m Hotel Le Relais de Chhlong (***)

This region region is home to the Cham people, a Muslim community living alongside the Buddhist Khmers – you might spot village mosques on today’s drive. After arriving, you can enjoy the hotel grounds or explore Chhlong to get a feel for small-town life, Cambodian-style. p55

Day 5 To the outskirts of Phnom Penh Today we drive along the Mekong to Kampong Cham where we will have lunch. The afternoon drive will be busier but in order to get to the coast we have no other choice.

We will stay a bit outside of Phnom Penh at the Bale Phnom Penh hotel, an unique, elegant and very high-end collection of 18 large, private,

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sumptuous suites, showcasing the best of modern Asian architecture and design. The resort stands on the banks of the majestic Mekong River, with breathtaking views across the dazzling waters.

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 200 km Duration: 5-6 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 50m Overnight: 10m Hotel The Bale Phnom Penh (****)

Day 6 Onto Cambodia’s beautiful coast The first part on busy roads, we then have a very leisurely drive to Kampot, home of the well known Kampot Pepper.

Kampot Pepper takes its name from the province of Kampot, in south-west Cambodia, some 140 kilometres from the capital of Phnom Penh. The pepper growing area of Kampot covers six districts located in the province of Kampot and that of Kep (which was recently separated from Kampot).

Bordered by the sea, the Kampot pepper growing area has an exceptional climate as regards exposure to the sun, sea breezes, the quality of the land and rainfall during the rainy season.This region is renowned for the beauty of its agricultural landscapes, with palm trees reflecting in the rice fields at sunset, fruit trees (mangos, durian) heavy with fruit and majestic pepper trees rising towards the sun. It is also renowned for its quality of life and the smiling welcome of its inhabitants. We spent some

time here at a pepper farm to learn and taste pepper, can go on a ox cart drive trough villages and will also have lunch here. Then we continue to our place for the night to Kep. Known for its delicious seafood. We can enjoy a dinner at the local crab market if you are up for it. Other wise we eat at the sailing club, attached to our hotel the Knai Bang Chatt.

In Khmer, Knai Bang Chatt means a rainbow encircling the sun and in Buddhism, this rainbow is the halo around Buddha’s head. Keeping this symbolism in mind, Knai Bang Chatt was developed as an exclusive retreat to protect and shelter its visitors and offer them a home away from

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 180 km Duration: 4-5 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 10m Overnight: 10m Hotel Knai Bang Chatt, Kep (****) home. The lush and private grounds house a collection of completely remodelled and expanded colonial villas, creating a unique seaside destination to discover the splendours of Cambodia and its beautiful and friendly people.

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Day 7 A coastal drive to your island paradise Today we drive along the coast to Sihanoukville. Here you will enjoy a boat ride to the hotel of your choice. As said I will inspect both hotels in June and will send you pictures. For families the Royal Sands might better.

- Song Saa private Island Welcome to a carefree paradise, an intimate escape in a farflung archipelago. Crafted with love, inspired by the surroundings, Song Saa Private Island offers luxury, serenity and a deep connection with the environment. is an evolved tropical getaway with a pristine private beach, spacious wooden villas, heavenly spa sanctuaries and a preserved coral reef, Song Saa Private Island lets you detach from the world and tune into simple luxuries - The Royal Sands Experience the beauty and calm of an island paradise in the most

elegant of fashions... Spanning a private 400 meter beach on the tropical island of Koh Rong, Cambodia, the Royal Sands is a new 5-star resort offering an intimate glimpse of island life as it was meant to be. Relax on the white sandy beaches, swim in the crystal- clear ocean waters, admire the exotic wildlife, gaze at the mesmerising sunsets, enjoy the freshest foods... the stunning Koh Rong Island will give you the memories for a lifetime...

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 120 km Duration: 3-4 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 10m Overnight: 10m Hotel TBD (*****)

Day 8 A day at the beach Today is a day to relax and unwind at the beach.

Whether you want to lie back, unwind, and admire the magnificent views, swim in the warm refreshing ocean, explore the exotic wildlife or learn the historic Khmer culture, the breathtaking island of Koh Rong is your perfect holiday destination.

Koh Rong (also romanized as Kaôh Rong or Kos Rong) is the second largest island of Cambodia, having an area of

approximately 78 km². 43km of Koh Rong’s 61km coastline are beaches (there are over 23 individual beaches that vary in length and colour, some of which have now been developed for tourism).

The terrain on Koh Rong is predominantly hilly, with a 316m mountain (1,037ft) in the north-west. Most of the island’s interior is covered in jungle forestry, with several waterfalls, bays, capes, and sandstone rock formations adding to the wonderful scenery.

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 0 km Duration: 0 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 5m Overnight: 5m Hotel Song Saa or The Royal Sands (*****)

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Day 9 Further into the jungle You depart from your resort and meet us at Sihanoukville.

From here traffic will be busy but the later part will be a beautiful drive towards Tatai.

In Tatai you will go onto a boat ride again to Koh Andet. Set in a beautiful and peaceful location Koh Andet Eco Resort is ideal place for those who want to get closer to nature.

Located on the northern coast of Koh Andet Island in the South-West of Cambodia it is considered the most pristine wilderness area in South-East Asia, getting there will all be worthwhile.

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 240 km Duration: 4 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 100m Overnight: 10m Hotel Koh Andet Eco Resort, TaTai (****)

Day 10 A day in the jungle Today you can enjoy tours of the surrounding jungle, mountains and rainforests; go kayaking down the beautiful Tatai River, or dip in the Tatai Waterfalls followed by a lunch at a local family house. In the evening we meet for dinner at the hotel.

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 0 km Duration: 0 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 5m Overnight: 5m Hotel Koh Andet Eco Resort, TaTai (****)

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Day 11 Farewell and fly back home In the morning we take the boat back to Tatai. A minivan will bring you to Phnom Penh airport (roughly 5 hours) so that you can take the evening flight back home to Hong Kong.

Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 240 km Duration: 5 hours

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Choice of Cars

We include in the package price an SUV we procure from Avis or Hertz or another reputable car rental company. Most of the SUVs are Toyotas, but on occasion Mitsubishis or other brands may also make an appearance. For some itineraries, we are able to offer you an option to upgrade your car to the new models from Audi.

We wish the car rental markets of Southeast Asia would be more developed and we could give you more choice, but this is not so: since we want to provide well-maintained and well-insured cars, the choice is rather limited.

But SUVs are in fact the right choice for driving journeys in this part of the world because they are spacious enough to accommodate a lot of luggage, photography equipment, and

good-and-bad-weather gear.

Also, they reinforce the feeling of adventure, exploration and discovery…which is, in the end, the mood of journeys in this region, no matter how comfortable or even luxurious the night’s hotel may be.

What’s more, they offer sufficient clearance when required and thus add a sense of safety and all-round ability.

(4-wheel drive capability is hardly needed in China these days since all roads are either very well-paved or, with good gravel, offer solid support.)

And so SUVs from reputable brands are our car of choice!

ANY car, as long as it is an SUV”

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Adventures and Discoveries in Local Cuisines

While this itinerary is not one of our ‘Foodie’-themed journeys, we do believe that each one of our journeys should introduce you not only to hidden gems of cultural and scenic beauty, but that sampling local cuisines is also a must.

Wherever you travel with us, we will order, with very few exceptions, dishes fresh and on location with an emphasis on local produce. It is not uncommon for our guides to venture into the kitchen to pick this, that or the other vegetable and to ask the cook to prepare them in the finest possible way. (On occasion we do preorder a meal: this will normally be the case only for special occasions!)

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Wine and beer is always included in our meals for you to enjoy. (When we travel into high-altitude, we suggest moderation!)

Finally, if you have special dietary requirements are particularly interested in the culinary aspect of one of our journeys, please let us know.

For private journeys, we can, of course, tailor the meal experience to your taste (and budget).

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What’s Included / Best Months to Go...

Generally speaking, our journey packages and prices are all-inclusive. Once you’ve paid and you arrive at the starting point, you really won’t have to take out your wallet again.

• Cars – a modern SUV is provided for all driving days, expertly maintained and serviced by Avis Laos, and covered by the best insurance available.

• International Journey Host, Guide and Support Vehicle – you will be accompanied by a registered Cambodian tour guide, an On the Road Experiences host and a fully equipped lead car with a local support driver.

In Cambodia we might also have 1 government minder in the lead car.

• Routes – A well-researched itinerary and carefully crafted journey experience. You will receive a detailed route book before your departure. We will also supply each car with a pre-programmed GPS and printed maps.

(The GPS maps are not yet ideal in Cambodia though.)

• Driving License – All arrangements, fees and permits for driving in Cambodia are included • Fuel & Tolls – we provide petrol for the car throughout the journey and pay all tolls

• Airport Transfers – all airport transfers are included • Permits and logistics –all entry, border crossing and road permits are included.

• Hotels – the best available or five-star accommodation is included in each overnight stop • Meals – breakfast (a choice of Western and

• Other Essentials – we provide each car with walky-talkies • Travel Insurance – including 24-hour medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation emergency service • Tips & Entrance Fees – basic tips and entrance fees for jointly attended activities are included • Activities, Meals, Transport during ‘free times’ as indicated in this Journey Dossier

What’s Not Included

Local is provided), and lunch and dinner are included on all driving days, as are drinks.

Meals on non-driving days as specified above.

Prepare for a culinary adventure!

The only items not included in our prices are flights to and back from Phnom Penh, your visas, and personal purchases (e.g., gifts, souvenirs).

• Goodies – you will enjoy an On the Road HomeAway-from-Home Kit containing wet towels, anti-bacterial gel and basic toiletries, and a daily picnic basket containing fresh fruit, fruit juice, water, and a mixture of sweets and nibbles p69