Pick up at your hotel or Phnom Penh International Airport and transfer with a guide to Kep.

About 30km south of Phnom Penh, a small lake is situated; Tonle Bati. This resort is popular with Khmers over the weekend but remains deserted during weekdays. Its prominent attraction is the small Angkorian temple called Ta Prohm, not to be confused with the illustrious Ta Prohm at Angkor Wat. The small temple of Ta Prohm remains in great shape and its beautiful garden and hidden location gives the temple a unique and photogenic appearance. It was built in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII, but the location seems odd, some 320km away from Siem Reap. Small shrines inside the temple are guarded by elderly monks who help you light incense and pray for good luck and wealth. Further down the road to Takeo, Phnom Chisor is located 20km from Tonle Bati. This hillside temple requires a climb up of 461 steps. From atop the views are astonishing. The temple ruin of Chisor was built in laterite bricks in the 11th century by King Suryavarman I. A small Buddhist worship place can be found on ground level at the foot of the hill.

Continue to Kep, which used to be the main beach retreat for the French and Khmer elite between the 1920’s and 60’s. The town quickly fell in despair after the Khmer Rouge took over power in the mid 1970’s and it was only until very recently that Kep started to attract investors and tourists again, making it a quiet and very peaceful retreat for people seeking a haven away from the crowds.

Today, travel by tuk tuk from your hotel to Kampot. This laidback provincial capital is a perfect place to absorb the real local life style and take in the beauty of the country. Kampot is famous for its colonial style buildings, the relaxing atmosphere and the beautiful riverside that provides a stunning view of the Elephant Mountains. Visit Bokor Mountain. This plateau is located on top of the Elephant Mountain Range and provides a stunning view over the Gulf of Thailand. The French colonial rulers build their own retreat on the plateau with villa’s, a church and a casino. The Casino these days has been renovated and is back in business where the church, retreat villa’s and other structures remain untouched, standing mysteriously on the plateau overlooking the forest and sea below. Drive back to Kampot and have lunch at the waterfall. Explore the river side and finish the tour with a wonderful boat ride on the Kampot river.

Enjoy a day at leisure at your wonderful resort. Optional tours can be booked directly with the hotel.

Be picked up from your hotel and transfer to Phnom Penh to board RV Mekong Pandaw. Extra nights available on request.