KRATIE 4 NIGHTS POST TOUR

Disembark RV Mekong Pandaw and transfer to Beng Mealea, which was built between the late 11th and the first half of the 12th century. It is assumed that King Suryavarman II ordered the construction of Beng Mealea, maybe even as a prototype of its larger brother; Angkor Wat, but no actual prove can be found in its depictions. The ruins of Beng Mealea are overgrown with vegetation, allowing a real “wilderness experience.” In recent years a wooden pathway has been constructed throughout the temple to allow people to observe the beauty of the temple at ease. However, most people venture off the beaten track and find their own way through the temple allowing them to experience the feeling the first ex-plorers must have felt when they uncovered this magnificent structure. Continue to Koh Ker, the Capital of the Khmer Empire for a very brief period between 928 and 944AD. In this short time, some very spectacular buildings and immense sculptures were construct-ed. Left to the jungle for nearly a millennium and mostly un-restored, this great archaeolog-ical site has been rarely visited until very recently. The ancient Khmer city is in a distant jungle location with up to a hundred ruined temples including a huge stepped pyramid, the largest in the region. More ancient temples are being found in the jungle allowing for a true sense of discovery. Koh Ker is a paradise for those who want to witness how forceful the elements of nature can reclaim manmade structures. A relaxing picnic lunch can be en-joyed in the shade of the trees. Continue to Sa Em.

After breakfast, depart for the majestically located Preah Vihear Temple. Purged on the cliffs of the Dangrek Mountains that border Thailand, Preah Vihear is by far Cambodia’s most dramatically located temple. Arrive in the morning at the foot of the mountain and climb aboard a pickup truck for the steep climb up to the temple. Enjoy the serene envi-ronment and majestic sights of the temple. Continue to explore the temple and be amazed with the size of the complex. Started by King Suryavarman I and finished by King Surya-varman II, the temple was listed as a UNESCO site on 7 July 2008. Return to ground level transfer to Stung Treng with several stops on the way to take in the countryside and stretch the legs.

Stung Treng is pretty located on the junction of the Sekong and Mekong rivers. New bridg-es have made travels here very easy. Where prior people had to wait for hours at times to cross the river with ferries. The town itself is typical Khmer and a walk around will teach you quickly what the source of income is among its people. There a few nice places to visit such as the Mekong Quilt workshop where Silk Weaving is finely explained and displayed but something not to miss would be sunset over the rivers. Find yourself a nice and quiet spot and buy yourself a cold drink for a very enjoyable view!

Leave Stung Treng after breakfast and drive south towards Kratie. Before you reach Kratie, visit Kampi, the place famous for the Mekong Dolphins. The Mekong is home to a number of deep pools in which fresh water dolphins live. Kampi is home to the largest amount of dolphins, which are critically endangered. Board a local boat and float around the waters of the Mekong. Sightings are almost a guarantee but limit itself to the dolphins only coming up to catch a breath. The scenery that surrounds the area is just as spectacu-lar as the dolphins. Continue to nearby Kratie and take the ferry to Koh Trong Island.

Enjoy a morning at leisure on this beautiful island. In the afternoon enjoy a bicycle ride of about 7km around the island. The island is famous for its fresh fruits, traditional architecture and beautiful location. Meet with local villagers and visit them at home to try local fruits such as coconut and pomelo. Visit the Khmer pagoda on the north side of the island and the Vietnamese style pa-goda on the south side. During the rainy season when the water levels are high, a small floating village also appears on the south side. Return afterwards to the bungalows for dinner with an un-beatable sunset experience.

Leave Koh Trong in the morning and take a ferry back to the mainland. Your driver will pick you up at the pier and transfer you back to your hotel or the airport of Phnom Penh.