DAY 1: Phnom Penh to Kep via Takeo We leave Phnom Penh and travel south on National Highway 3 towards the south coast. We stop at Tonle Bati to visit the beautiful 12th century temple of Ta Prohm. Built by King Jayavarman VII, this temple is surrounded by tropical plants and is a tranquil sanctuary.
We continue to Takeo where we enjoy a local lunch overlooking the water. We then travel by speedboat along an ancient canal to Phnom Da, a beautiful 8th century temple atop a small mount. An island in the wet season, when this area is inundated with water, it is surrounded by a sea of green ricefields in the dry season. We explore the brick temple on top of the hill and take in the magnificent views. We then follow a forest path to Asram Moha Russei, a curious hermit's shelter carved from sandstone.
Later we return by speedboat to Takeo and transfer to our vehicle for our onward journey to the old French-era seaside resort of Kep. We check into a comfortable hotel for the night.
DAY 2: Cave Pagodas around Kep and Kampot
We leave Kep and travel to the little town of Kompong Trach. For a long time this place was forgotten, as the civil war kept it off the map, but the new border crossing with Vietnam has seen a bit of a boom. We stop to visit the interesting cave temple of Wat Kirisan, built into the base of Phnom Sor. We travel through a small cave to a hidden chamber open to the elements, the sheer walls dripping with foliage. There are several hidden shrines here, as well as the Cave of a Thousand Ricefields, where locals claim the limestone looks like terraces.
We return to Kep to enjoy a freshly prepared lunch of seafood and some time for a swim. In the afternoon, we stop at the cave complex of Phnom Sorsia, a holy mountain peppered with shrines and grottoes. We visit White Elephant Cave and the 100 Ricefields Cave. We then journey to Phnom Chhnork, a large cave that contains a 7th century brick temple in remarkable condition. This hidden temple is a very sacred place for local Khmers. Later we return to Kep, our base for the night.
DAY 3: Beach Safari on Koh Tonsay
We travel to the boat pier to board a local boat for the journey to Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island. We journey across calm waters to this beautiful palm-fringed island, home to a small community of fisherfolk and farmers. Tonight we will enjoy a comfortable African-style bush camp on the beach here, offering a romantic and private tropical island experience. We leave some time free to enjoy the white-sand beaches that ring the island. After a lunch of fresh seafood, there is more time to enjoy the sun, sea and sand before we light the torches around the camp for a memorable night under the stars.
DAY 4: Onward travel to the next destination
After a private breakfast on the island, we board our boat to return to the mainland. Once in Kep, there are several options for guests depending on the full itinerary. One option is to travel to Sihanoukville by road to spend more time on the beach or board a flight to Siem Reap to visit the temples of Angkor. Another option is to board a fast hydrofoil to the island of Phu Quoc to indulge in a relaxing end to the trip in a luxury resort. Finally, it is possible to return to the capital of Phnom Penh.
Hanuman is a member of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents and the Cambodian Community-based Ecotourism Network. Hanuman was cited in ‘The Guide to Responsible Tourism in Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam'.
