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Kampot from Phnom Penh

Highlights

  • Glide along the perfumed waters of the Kompong Bay River at sunset
  • Discover hidden caves and reminders of the Khmer Rouge regime in the countryside
  • Get the local insight for the best places to eat incredible, fresh seafood
From £159 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

Get under the skin of the sleepy backwater town of Kampot, setting off on beautiful river cruises, eating at the best local spots, discovering otherworldly hidden caves, and truly understanding this understated little corner of Cambodia, and the dark history behind the picturesque beauty.

Your trip begins with you being picked up from your accommodation in Phnom Penh and driven to your delightful homestay in the sleepy town of Kampot. Kampot has a deliciously laid back lifestyle, and a day wandering the streets of peeling French colonial houses and meandering cyclists by the lazily winding Kompong Bay River, is a day well-spent in itself.

During your first evening, you’ll explore the area by water, on a river cruise that glides past fishing villages and stunning mountain views. Take a refreshing swim and enjoy a cold beer as the sun sets and clouds of fireflies light up the shadowy mangrove forests, before heading to one of the local restaurants for the local delicacy, soft shell crab.

You’ll be staying in a top-quality four-star lodge, Rikitikitavi Kampot.

On your second day, you’ll cycle the stunning countryside and the glimmering rice paddies, discovering what is fast becoming a world hub for the production of salt and pepper, and getting to see a little of this process in action.

You’ll discover hidden caves in the lush hillsides, and residences that were abandoned during the devastating reign of the Khmer Rouge. This is the part of the experience that uncovers the dark past lying just underneath the beautiful exterior of this tranquil corner of South-East Asia.

The ruins are an eerie reminder of the horrors still fresh in the minds of some of the residents, and exploring them represents a chance to commemorate the victims of the brutal regime, and develop a new appreciation for the peace and calm that now settles over the region.

After dinner and drinks on your final night, get a good night’s rest before being transferred to the bus station, where you can head back to Phnom Penh, or south to Sihanoukville.

Journey to Kampot and Savour the Atmosphere

At 7:30 am, you will be transferred to the bus station for a two and a half hour journey to the sleepy town of Kampot. Upon arrival in Kampot, you will be transferred to your guesthouse where you can either rest up from your early start, or stroll the atmospheric streets and make your own discoveries amongst the old French colonial houses.

At 4:30 pm, Your Tuk Tuk driver will pick you up for a sunset cruise along Kampot River (one local beer per person included). The cruise will last 2 hours and the boat will stop so that you can jump off and swim. You will watch fireflies, see stunning mountain views as the sun goes down, and pass tall mangroves and local fishing villages. The cruise lasts from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and is public.

Afterwards, we recommend going to one of Kampot’s excellent restaurants along the waterfront. Kampot and Kep are famous for local seafood (especially the soft-shell crab) so don’t be afraid to get stuck in!

Accommodation

You will be staying at the four-star guesthouse Rikitikitavi Kampot, a converted rice barn from the 1920s, offering luxurious rooms with modern amenities, a restaurant and bar, and a terrace overlooking the rivers and mountains.

Amenities:

Air conditioning Wifi Safe TV Fridge Bathroom Patio Bed and Bedding Fan Room Service

Cycle the Paddies and Uncover Kampot's Secrets

Today is your full Kampot adventure, where you’re going to really get under the skin of this gorgeous little corner of Cambodia and understand what makes it tick with the help of your local guides.

Choose a time to meet your guides for the day, we recommend 10 am or earlier as it is a full day of activity, and then set out on your bikes for a day of exploring the beautiful, lush countryside surrounding Kampot.

The region is gaining a reputation for it’s locally produced artisan pepper, and you’ll be able to visit a plantation to get a feel for the process and try some of the produce. You’ll also cycle some of the vast salt fields, where much of Cambodia’s sea salt is produced.

Then, visit some secluded caves dotted around the countryside, places you would never imagine you would stumble across without the expert knowledge of a local.

You’ll also get off the beaten track by heading for abandoned, colonial holiday residences, which were completely swept aside by the brutal Khmer regime. These opulent villas of wealthy foreigners represented everything the Khmer stood against, so were quickly destroyed.

The shells that remain act as reminders of the regime, and exploring the ruins is a chance to reflect upon past horrors still in the minds of many residents.

After a full day of exploring, head back to town to chill by the pool, or head out for dinner and a few beers to celebrate truly immersing yourself in Kampot’s culture.

Accommodation

Rikitikitavi Kampot

Farewell to Kampot

This morning at 8:00 am, your tuk-tuk driver will transfer you to the bus station to catch your bus that departs to Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville. If you have other travel plans, we can help to accommodate them.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation
  • Transport
  • Activities as noted in the itinerary
  • All entrance tickets and permits as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Friendly, English speaking local guides
Your local host

Anh

Quynh Anh (QA) graduated in tourism from Hanoi university and is super passionate about travel. She has exceptional people and communication skills and always finds a way to create the best holiday experience for her customers. QA is a very experienced tourism professional and knows all the hidden gems in Vietnam. She is based in Hanoi but spends a large part of her time in the local communities in North Vietnam developing IMPACT projects in the local communities. QA’s colleagues and customers all value her kindness and friendship. She will ensure you have the best time in her home country.

Quynh Anh (QA) graduated in tourism from Hanoi university and is super passionate about travel. She has exceptional people and communication skills and always finds a way to create the best holiday experience for her customers. QA is a very experienced tourism professional and knows all the hidden gems in Vietnam. She is based in Hanoi but spends a large part of her time in the local communities in North Vietnam developing IMPACT projects in the local communities. QA’s colleagues and customers all value her kindness and friendship. She will ensure you have the best time in her home country.

Anh image
Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

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Location

Your pick up point will be confirmed upon booking, but the tour generally runs with pickups from Phnom Penh. However, we can organise other pickups within reason.

The experience takes place in Kampot, a town on the coast of Cambodia around 3 hours drive from Phnom Penh.

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