Cambodia by Private Train

This morning after breakfast, we’ll explore Phnom Penh’s city centre by bicycle rickshaw (Cyclo) with your expert local guide. You’ll visit the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, and do some sightseeing along the riverside before lunch at a local restaurant showcasing Khmer fusion cuisine.

The Royal Palace of Cambodia is a complex of buildings, even though it is generally understood to be the royal abode of the King of Cambodia. The compound was the citadel of King Ponhea Yat (1393-1463) and rebuilt to its present state in 1886, when King Norodom (1834-1904) relocated the royal capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh. The buildings with beautiful towering spires are a great example of classic Khmer architecture found in Cambodia today.

The Silver Pagoda, also known as the Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morokat (the Emerald Pagoda) to Cambodians, lies within the grounds of the Royal Palace, which is situated near the banks of the Mighty Mekong. Originally a wooden structure, the palace was initially constructed in 1892 during the reign of King Norodom, but rebuilt to its present grandeur by King Norodom Sihanouk in 1962. The king spared no effort to make this a true embodiment of brilliant Khmer art. More than 5300 pcs of 1.125 kilo silver tiles are used to cover the floor of the Silver Pagoda, and the silver pieces collectively weigh over six tons.

The National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh is the country’s leading historical and archaeological museum, officially inaugurated by King Sisowat in 1920.

After lunch your time is your own to either return to the hotel to relax or explore more of this vibrant city at your own pace.

Dinner will be served at the famed Malis Restaurant (Khmer cuisine by Master Chef Luu Meng)

Overnight: Rosewood Hotel, Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we’ll check out, hand our luggage over to travel separately, and take the short walk to the old French colonial train station to meet our special train, where our welcoming crew will be standing by to greet you and show you around our unique transport.

Our journey south takes us through the suburbs of Phnom Penh and into surprisingly fertile countryside. About halfway along the line, as limestone hills come into view, we’ll enjoy a sit-down lunch in our dining car as we travel through various French-era stations peppering the route toward the weird and wacky city of Sihanoukville on the coast. There’ll be stops for photo opportunities along the way.

Upon arrival, we’ll have a brief tour of the city, acquainting you with both the almost dystopian cityscape and the contrastingly vibrant beach area, with a short stop at the iconic Lion statues, the official Landmark of the town. It’s then on to the wharf for a speedboat transfer  to another world across the water to Ko Rong Island.

Koh Rong is the second largest island of Cambodia, having an area of approximately 78 square kilometres and is home to four village communities, sustained mostly by fishing and small scale crop cultivation. Over the next day and two nights you can lie back and unwind in style at our luxury resort, admire the magnificent views, swim in the warm refreshing ocean, explore the exotic wildlife, and learn more about the historic Khmer culture.

Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner in the waterside restaurant of the hotel. If you’re lucky you might see the phosphorescent plankton that comes alive in the waves –  a magical evening experience.

Overnight: The Royal Sands Hotel and Resort, Ko Rong (B, L, D)

Today is yours to spend however you want – the hotel’s facilities are at your disposal and the beach is nothing short of wonderful. If you’re keen to get out and about your tour leaders will have something active happening, such as a half day island tour visiting the villages of  Sok San and Daem Thkov for a first hand look at local Khmer life, a stop at Dog Island for a spot of snorkelling, an up-close look at a floating village and a picnic lunch at Lonely Beach.

Dinner tonight is at leisure in the resort.

Overnight:  The Royal Sands Hotel and Resort, Ko Rong  (B)

This morning after breakfast we bid farewell to our resort and board the ferry for the trip back to Sihanoukville where our private train will be waiting to take us on the next leg of the journey. Over the next few hours our train will meander back through southern Cambodia, giving us a chance to  view the route of this railway line from a different angle and time of day. Lunch will be served in our dining car as we roll along past the town of Phumi and onto the charming regional capital of Kampot.

Nestled along the banks of the Kampot River, the charming town of Kampot is known for its colonial-era architecture, offering a real glimpse into Cambodia’s past with its well-preserved French buildings lining the streets; and for its world-famous pepper plantations, where the distinctive and world-class Kampot pepper is cultivated.

Upon arrival, we’ll go directly to our hotel and check in before heading out to explore the area on an afternoon tour. Heading down to Kep, we’ll explore the remnants of this beachfront town’s former glory, where the ruins of elegant villas from the French colonial era tell stories of a bygone era. These weathered structures evoke a sense of mystery, offering glimpses into the town’s captivating past.

Dinner tonight is hosted at a local restaurant before settling into your riverside resort for the evening.

Overnight: Good Time Relax Resort, Kampot (B, L D)

This morning after breakfast and checking out, we’ll make a private visit to a local Pepper Plantation to see first-hand how this global delicacy is grown, harvested and processed before transferring to the railway station to rejoin our private train for the journey back to Phnom Penh.

Heading north past the mountains, across fields and farms and through quaint villages, we’ll enjoy morning tea and lunch on board as you experience the joy of rolling along through this interesting part of Cambodia.

Upon our early afternoon arrival in Phnom Penh and returning to our luxury hotel, you’ll have plenty of time for a stroll, massage, swim or shopping before we regroup for dinner.

Dinner tonight is at Kravanh Restaurant. Kravanh has a simple yet elegant approach to classic Cambodian cuisine. The restaurant’s founder Toan Ek Sophie alongside having her own organic gardens travels the Kingdom extensively to source sustainable and traditionally made produce, she works directly with passionate small batch producers, fishermen and growers to ensure only the best Cambodian produce reaches the kitchens to create Kravanh’s classical menus.

Overnight: Rosewood Hotel, Phnom Penh  (B, L, D)

Today is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel, shop at the Russian Market a short distance away or the designer labels in the up-market shopping centre next door. For those who are keen to get out and about, your tour leaders, local guide and the Hotel Concierge will have suggestions and options for things to do, including a personal visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and/or the Killing Fields for those who wish to learn about Cambodia’s tragic past at the hands of their own people.

Overnight: Rosewood Hotel, Phnom Penh (B)

After breakfast and check out, it’s off to the station with our luggage for a fully immersive journey on our private train all the way to charming Battambang, Cambodia’s third-largest city. As we travel northwest, the railway route unveils the spectacular scenery between the Cardamom Mountains and the expansive Tonle Sap Lake. The Cardamom Mountains boast Southeast Asia’s largest remaining rainforest, housing endangered wildlife and home to about 25,000 people, many of whom are ethnic minorities. The Tonle Sap Lake is a haven of freshwater biodiversity, and it’s one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world. There’ll be morning and afternoon tea and lunch on the train, as well as plenty of stops along the way to explore some of the local life at some of the old French era stations on the route.

Upon arrival in Battambang around 6pm, we’ll say a fond farewell to this train and its friendly crew and go directly to our hotel to check in. Nestled along a picturesque river, Battambang exudes old-world charm with its plentiful old French era architecture and ancient pagodas.

Dinner tonight is at the evocative oasis that is Maisons Watkor, a favourite of all our past travellers.

Overnight: Classy Hotel, Battambang (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll head out for a village tour in a convoy of Remork TUK-TUKs, exploring the picturesque countryside surrounding Battambang. Immerse yourself in the rural communities that constitute over 70% of Cambodia’s population, and interact up close and personal with Cambodian families who proudly produce traditional goods like rice paper, dried bananas, bamboo sticky rice, fish paste, and rice wine, following age-old methods. Our last stops this morning are a visit to a memorial site honouring the victims of the Khmer Rouge, and a visit to the Wat Ek Phnom Temple, a Hindu temple built in the 11th century under the rule of King Suryavarman I. Although partly collapsed and looted it is famous for its well-carved lintels and pediments.

Lunch today is at the Ja-an Bai Restaurant, a social enterprise initiative of Cambodian Children’s Trust (CCT). The restaurant provides employment for Cambodian youth, who benefit from a profit-share arrangement, with 51% of profits going towards supporting CCT’s ongoing and vital work. The menu, featuring  seasonal produce sourced from local farmers and the neighbouring markets, showcases the simplicity of well-crafted and nourishing traditional Khmer cuisine.

After lunch, we’ll ride the famous Bamboo Train, locally referred to as ‘Norry’. This unique mode of transport features a basic bamboo platform placed on two sets of wheels, propelled by a small engine.  It’s then on to Sompov Hill, a historically significant area that once marked the front line during the Khmer Rouge era. Here, you’ll encounter the haunting Killing Caves, serving as a grim testament to Cambodia’s tumultuous past, and stay until sunset to witness the incredible flight of hundreds of thousands of bats, leaving their cave in absolute synchronisity to hunt their dinner.  It is truly a sight to behold and the carnival atmosphere of the viewing area is vibrant and joyful, making it a really memorable experience.

We’ll return to our hotel where your evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Classy Hotel, Battambang (B, L)

This morning after breakfast and check out, we’ll board our private coach for the overland journey to Siem Reap, the gateway to the mythical realm of Angkor Wat and our very comfortable home until the tour ends.

Upon arrival, we’ll go directly to our riverside boutique hotel, the delicious Treeline Urban Resort, and check in. Your afternoon is at leisure to lie by the pool, have a massage, or go for a walk along the river to familiarise yourself with your surroundings in this enchanting town.

Dinner tonight will be at the Olive Cuisine de Saison, an authentic French restaurant, renowned for its excellent cuisine and unique setting in a colonial-era building dating back to the 1930’s.

Overnight: Tree Lined Urban Resort, Siem Reap (B, D)

After breakfast this morning, prepare to be transported to the mystical realm of Angkor, a world of ancient wonders and timeless beauty. Many say they are changed forever after spending time in this UNESCO World Heritage destination.

Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of Cambodia’s architectural and cultural heritage, stands as the largest religious monument in the world and a testament to the ingenuity of the Khmer Empire. Constructed in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this sprawling temple complex in Siem Reap was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, later transitioning to a Buddhist site of worship. This UNESCO World Heritage site is not just a marvel of ancient engineering but also a living testament to Cambodia’s enduring legacy and cultural identity.

We’ll meet our expert local guide at the hotel and board our private air-conditioned coach.  After securing our 3-day passes at the entrance to the park, you’ll begin with a visit to one of the jewels of Cambodia – the awe-inspiring Angkor Thom or ‘Great City’, including many of the finest Temples of King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1220. At the southern gate of Angkor Thom, you’ll marvel at the imposing 23m (75-foot) high stone faces of Avalokiteshvara, featured in the Tomb Raider movie. These astonishing carvings inspire awe and wonder in all who view them. At the centre of this citadel lies the state temple of Bayon, which we’ll also visit. This temple-mountain, built at the end of the 12th century, is adorned with hundreds of gigantic stone faces. You’ll also get to explore the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and the 12 identical towers of Prasat Suor Prat. Explore the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple, which literally means ‘City Temple’ is a Hindu temple complex built to replicate the heavens on earth. 

We’ll pause for a relaxing lunch before moving on to visit the temple of the jungle, Ta Prohm, where you’ll see up close the intricate dance between nature and ancient architecture as colossal roots intertwine with weathered stones, creating a hauntingly beautiful tableau.

We’ll return to our hotel in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Tree Lined Urban Resort, Siem Reap (B, L)

For those who want an unforgettable experience you may wish to take advantage of your 3-day pass to the Angkor Archaeological Park and take a Tuk Tuk out to experience the most magical of all things – sunrise over Angkor Wat returning to the hotel in time for breakfast.

This morning after breakfast, we’ll meet our guide and embark on a unique journey through the vibrant daily life of rural Cambodia, immersing yourself in the authentic experiences of the villages surrounding the majestic Bakong temple. Hop aboard a traditional Tuk-Tuk and set off along the red dirt roads, veering away from the beaten path to explore the lesser-known corners and villages of this captivating region, including a stop at a local fish market. Engage with the friendly vendors, discover local delicacies, and get a glimpse into the lives of the villagers.

We’ll continue our cultural immersion with a visit to a pagoda for a traditional Monk Blessing ceremony, where you’ll be an onlooker to the sacred rituals performed by the monks, before receiving your own blessing to bring cleansing and good fortune.  Next, we head to the awe-inspiring Bakong temple, a testament to the architectural brilliance of the Angkorian era and surrounded by a moat and lush vegetation.  Constructed by the third Angkorian-era king as his state-temple, Bakong represents the first application of the temple-mountain architectural formula on a grand scale and set the architectural tone for the next 400 years.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant  before returning to your hotel, where the rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.

Overnight: Tree Lined Urban Resort, Siem Reap (B, L)

Today is a day at leisure.

There are many activities in Siem Reap that might interest you today – use your 3-day pass and return to the Angkor Archaeological Park for further exploration; visit the marvellous Angkor National Museum not far from our hotel; learn about the amazing mine rats at APOPO, an organisation that trains rats to detect mines for clearing – A HeroRAT can search an area the size of a tennis court in 30 minutes – a human with a metal detector can take up to 4 days; or you might like to spend time at The Fair Trade Village, a handicraft centre dedicated to authentic Cambodian arts, crafts and traditional techniques dating back more than seven centuries.

We’ll regroup in the evening and transfer by remork to the renowned JOMNO  Modern Khmer Restaurant for our celebratory farewell dinner.

Overnight: Tree lined Urban Resort (B, D)

Our tour ends after breakfast today.  For those flying out, airport transfers will be provided to suit your flight departure times.