Women only holidays to Cambodia, join Venus Adventures for the trip of a lifetime

Cambodia

Cambodia's spirit is embodied in the stunning, ancient temples of the Angkor Empire, a civilisation which once presided over most of present day Southeast Asia. The Cambodian people, for all that they've endured, are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere, with a remarkable ability to put the past behind them and enjoy life.

Cambodia is one of our favourite countries - it really gets under your skin and we've made some fantastic friends here. Not only are the people here wonderful, but the rural landscapes are gorgeous and its cities are Asia at its bustling best.

Cambodia is a fascinating and safe country to visit, and traveling here will be a pivotal and heart-warming experience that you are not likely to forget.

Date & Duration:	19th October - 2nd November 2011 - 15 Days
Cost:	£2,200 /NZ$4,500 / US$3,150 / AUS$3,800 - What's included?
Arrival & Departure points:	Phnom Penh / Siem Reap
Group size:	Min 6 / Max 12
Accommodation:	10 nights boutique hotels; 4 nights homestays
Adventures:	Riverboat, bamboo train, jungle walk, shopping (it's amazing in Cambodia!)

Cambodia Tour Highlights

• Staying with local families and seeing how they really live
• "Giving back" by eating delicious local food at restaurants that train and support local street kids
• Learning about the dark history of this fascinating country by visiting the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum
• Trawling the local markets for fabulous bargains
• Seeing the well-preserved French-era architecture of Battambang
• Boat trip out to Koh Tonsay Island in the South China Sea
• Boat trip to Prek Kanteal, a bird sanctuary in the heart of the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve
• And of course, no trip to Cambodia is complete without a visit to Angkor Wat temples

Cambodia Itinerary

Day 1 Phnom Penh

You will be met on arrival in Phnom Penh and transferred to our hotel near the riverside, a short walk from the Royal Palace and the banks of the mighty Tonle Sap – the river that flows backwards. After a welcome briefing, we’ll leap into some history with a visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the Royal Palace, and enjoy dinner at Friends Restaurant, an inspiring vocational training NGO supporting some of Phnom Penh's 20,000 street kids.

Meals - D

Day 2 Phnom Penh

Exploring Cambodia's historical and cultural landscape, we start with an early morning visit to the Killing Fields. On the outskirts of Phnom Penh, the Killing Fields were used as a mass grave during the Khmer Rouge era. Many of the graves have been left untouched, a memorial has been erected and today, they are surprisingly peaceful.

We return to the city for lunch at Lotus Blanc, another inspiring NGO that provides vocational training and support for young people. Lightening up this afternoon, we visit the incredible Russian Market (bargains galore!) and enjoy a Seeing Hands Massage.

Meals - B,L,D

Day 3 Phnom Penh - Kampot

Free time this morning gives us the chance to wander along the riverfront or explore nearby sights and markets - there are wonderful textiles and crafts on offer.

After an early lunch we depart Phnom Penh and drive (4 hrs) by private van to Kampot, a quiet and beguiling provincial capital on the south coast, famed for its black pepper and colonial architecture.

After settling into our hotel, we'll have time for a stroll and sunset drink on the riverfront. BD

Meals - B,D

Day 4 Bokor National Park

A daytrip from Kampot takes us up into the cooler climes of Bokor National Park. The mountain is still impressively jungle clad, rich in endemic flora and home to many endangered species. In the 1920s the hilltop station was a thriving retreat for French colonialists, and a visit to the abandoned Bokor Palace is eerily breath-taking.

We'll take a walk in the jungle and hope for some panoramic vistas of the rainforest and ocean stretching below. We return to Kampot for an early dinner before watching a performance from children at the Kampot Traditional Music and Dance School.

Meals: B,L

Day 5 Kampot - Koh Tonsay and Takeo

We drive from Kampot to Kep (20 mins), and boat out to Koh Tonsay, an island in the South China Sea, to experience life on this small island. After a seafood lunch, swim and walk on the beach, we return to the mainland, and drive (2 hrs) to Takeo for a rural homestay with a wonderful Cambodian family, who work in education.

Meals - B,L,D

Day 6-7 Rural homestay

We have two full days with our homestay family and community, and will spend time visiting local sites and meeting students at the high school who are keen to practice their English. There will also be time to visit an interesting local market, the family's pagoda, and learn about rice production and Khmer cooking.

Meals - BLD,BLD

Day 8-9 Battambang

Farewell our wonderful hosts and drive (5 hrs) to Battambang, a riverside town in Western Cambodia with some of the best preserved French-era architecture. We have a full day in Battambang to explore this lovely city, and the surrounding countryside. We'll also take a ride on the infamous bamboo train, and visit a performing arts centre.

Meals - BLD, B

Days 10-11 Battambang - Ton Le Sap Biosphere/ Siem Reap

Departing Battambang, we embark on Cambodia's most spectacular boat journey, navigating narrow waterways and marshland, to arrive in the floating village of Prek Kanteal, in the heart of the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve, a bird sanctuary. We homestay in the very simple homes of families in the village. This provides a unique insight into the lives of people living on the lake. At sunrise the next day we boat into Prek Toal Core Area to observe some of Southeast Asia's rarest birdlife. The nesting area in a flooded forest is spectacular in itself. Continuing by boat we arrive in Siem Reap for a late lunch followed by sunset at Angkor Wat.

Meals - BLD, BD

Day 12-14 Siem Reap & the Temples of Angkor

From vibrant Siem Reap we explore the impressive remnants of the Angkor Empire, renowned for their superb temples and monuments. They are a UNESCO World Heritage site, the largest temple ruins on earth, and truly awe inspiring. See the restoration of some temples, and the disintegration of others, as the jungle reclaims them. The temples are best explored at dawn and dusk. In between, we'll be visiting the Landmine Museum, Artisans D'Angkor (silk weaving NGO), and the Angkor Children's Hospital. There's also plenty of time for indulging in a poolside massage, and doing your Christmas shopping at the wonderful night market.

Meals - B, B, BD

Day 15 Farewell Cambodia

There will be time for a foray into the markets for anyone who is keen, before most depart Siem Reap on a midday flight. Undoubtedly Cambodia will have left an indelible impression and we hope you will treasure your experiences and continue to nurture friendships made with the people and place. B

Meals - B

Join us on:
19th October - 2nd November 2011, 15 Days, Cost: £2,200 /NZ$4,500 / US$3,150 / AUS$3,800 - What's included?

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