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Exploring Cambodia Holidays

The Holistic Holiday: A Wellness Journey

This is more than just a yoga retreat in Cambodia; it is a completely unique journey into this beautiful country of smiles. Working with some of our favourite resorts and retreats, we have devised a tour that takes you into the heart of Cambodian culture whilst also offering a peaceful journey of yoga, mediation and relaxation every step of the way. From working with a local family in a rural village to enjoying a sunset river boat ride and spending entire days relaxing and enjoying yoga, we think this is a very special journey indeed.

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Cambodia

You will be met at Siem Reeap Airport by your private driver and English-speaking guide who will take you to one of our favourite hotels just outside the town. Navutu Dreams is the ultimate place to relax, unwind and feel the stresses of life drop away, we can’t think of a more perfect place to begin your holistic journey. If you want to head into the centre it is a short tuk-tuk ride away. (Explorer Room, B&B)

Day 2 - Explore the temples of Angkor

Rise early this morning to catch sunrise over the largest and most breathtaking temple; Angkor Wat. Spend the morning exploring one of man’s most magnificent creations before returning to the hotel for a late breakfast. Later, explore the fortified city of Angkor Thom as well as Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and the Terraces of the Elephants and Leper King. Finish your day tour with the sunset at Pre Rup Temple – its red bricks are accentuated by the sinking sun and there are fewer crowds here than elsewhere.

Day 3 - Experience life in a Cambodian village

Today you will spend the day with a local Cambodian family. You will take a guided walk of the village and enjoy an ox-cart ride before meeting the family and working with them on village activities, which could include planting rice, weaving thatch, weaving wall panels, planting vegetable crops or even making rice wine. Your host family receives a small payment from us and a larger contribution goes to the village fund (ask us more about this.) Later if there is time, visit majestic Ta Phrom Temple, which has been left to the elements. Lunch – included.

Day 4 - Visit a floating village & see a local performance

This morning enjoy a private excursion to Mechrey Village on Tonle Sap Lake (about one hour’s drive), where you will board a local-style boat and explore the floating village and flooded forests. This is a fascinating lake that has been declared a Unesco listed biosphere. Round the day off with a fantastic performance by the Phare Cambodian Circus – this is not a circus as we know it – this non-profit organisation trains young Cambodians in the arts and it really is the rebirth of Cambodian dance and culture.

Days 5 - 7 - Enjoy a 3-day yoga and wellness programme

Now you have had a tremendous insight into Cambodian culture, it is time to step back, relax and focus on yourself. For the next three days you will relax at Navutu Dreams and enjoy a daily yoga class and daily spa treatment. There is also a detox programme you can sign up to if you wish. Should you wish to venture out, a tuk-tuk is on hand to take you around.

Day 8 - Head to South Cambodia for your jungle retreat

This morning is free to enjoy at your own leisure and soak up the beautiful surroundings around you. Your guide and driver will be waiting for you if you’d like to visit anywhere else in Siem Reap before you leave. Later this afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Sihanoukville, in South Cambodia. Here we will drive you about two hours to your new home – the Vine Retreat, which is a lovely rural retreat, near the colonial town of Kampot. (Superior Room, B&B)

Day 9 - Explore Kampot and the local area

This morning your driver and guide will take you for a drive through the countryside to Kampot town. You’ll see Phnom Kampong Trach cave at the base of a rocky mountain, as well as a pepper plantation and salt fields. In Kampot we’ll stop for a local Khmer coffee at a restaurant with a lovely river views before taking a sunset cruise along Stung Kampong Bay in a local-style boat to see local people’s daily lives. Lunch – included.

Day 10 - Enjoy the natural beauty of South Cambodia

This morning you can take an invigorating trek into the local jungle surrounding the Vine Retreat and learn more about the natural life around you. Later, your guide will take you out on the bikes to visit a local pepper plantation, which has made this area so famous, and talk to the people for whom pepper is their livelihood. You will also cycle to a fantastic sustainable handicraft village, where the ladies weave scarves at a remarkable pace! Lunch – included.

Day 11 - Relax and travel to the south coast

This morning take advantage of the retreat’s yoga platform, which looks out onto the surrounding jungle – we have not included yoga sessions during your stay at Vine Retreat but you can use this area and equipment as you please. Later today your private driver will drive you one hour to Kep on the south coast. Here you will check into one Knai Bang Chatt, which is one of the most beautiful and peaceful resorts in Cambodia. (Garden View Room, B&B)

Days 12 - 14 - Yoga & meditation on the South Coast

Spend the next three days relaxing on the south coast within the lush and private gardens of Knai Bang Chatt. Here you will enjoy a daily private yoga class and meditation session, to focus on balancing the mind and body. The best times are 6am or 6pm when the colours are amazing – this is the best sunset spot in all of Cambodia. Each day you will also enjoy a massage to help you unwind, including a 30-minute foot reflexology, a 45-minute stress release massage and a 60-minute traditional Khmer massage. (Please note these are only included on days 12 – 14).

Day 15 - Bon voyage!

The time has come to bid farewell to this beautiful country of smiles. You will by now, hopefully feel rested and peaceful and ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead. Your private driver will transfer you four hours back to Phnom Penh where you can catch your flight home. Bon voyage… we think you’ll be back!

DEAILS: -

This itinerary costs from £2,260 per person B&B based on 2 sharing and including all private transfers but not international flights.

You can get flights from as little as £500 per person return and do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.

What's included?

INCLUDED:
  • Prices start from £2,260 per person
  • Accommodation on B&B basis
  • Private transfers (air-conditioned vehicle)
  • All entrance fees with service of English speaking guide for excursions
  • Lunch on Days 3, 9 & 10
  • 6 yoga classes
  • 3 spa treatments at Navutu Dreams
  • 3 massages at Knai Bang Chatt
  • Internal flight (one)
  • Local taxes
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
Make a booking
Siem Reap
This lively, bustling town has the ancient kingdom of Angkor on its doorstep, making it the perfect place to base your temple adventures. A point of pilgrimage, pride and inspiration for Cambodians, the Hindu temples of Angkor should not be missed.
Phnom Penh
Although often by-passed by many tourists, Phnom Penh offers a fascinating insight into the past, present and future of Cambodia. Tuk-tuk across the busy streets, get to grips with the country's harrowing history of genocide at the Killing Fields or watch the sunset from a riverside bar; there's something for everyone. What's more, we've discovered a handful of fabulous little boutique hotels.
Kampot & Kep
Escape the crowds and enjoy the rural beauty of the south-west. Kampot is famed for its rich, spicy pepper, restful river and jungle terrain while Kep offers the best sunset spots over the ocean in all of Cambodia. Not to mention the delicious crab on offer. This is the place to relax in Cambodia and we've found the best places for you to do just that.
Battambang
Arguably the most charming of Cambodia's larger urban centres, Battambang has a small-town friendly vibe with the bustle of a city. It is home to some of the best preserved French architecture in Cambodia, glorious rice paddies and provincial villages that offer a real insight into Cambodian life.
Sihanoukville
Cambodia’s prime beach destination - Sihanoukville is surrounded by sandy beaches and tropical islands. We know how to steer you away from the crowds here and have discovered a handful of northern beaches with the perfect chill out vibe.
Koh Kong
If you are looking for a jungle escape with thundering waterfalls surrounded by luscious greenery then look no further than Koh Kong. It’s a gem of a find. Off the tourist trail enough to make you feel like you have discovered a slice of hidden Cambodia. We recommend staying on a floating tent or hut over the river (surprisingly more luxurious than it sounds). Trust us on this one...
Kratie
One of the nicest spots to enjoy the natural beauty of the mighty Mekong River is at Kratie, which offers stunning sunsets and is home to the rare fresh-water Irrawaddy dolphins that can be seen all year round. The nearby island of Koh Trong is an ideal place to relax for a day and north of Kratie you can find peaceful fishing communities and rural scenery that is ideal for cycling or trekking.
Ratanakiri Province
This diverse region of natural beauty in the north-east is harder to get to but all the more beautiful for it. Here you will find virtually untouched forested mountains, ethnic minority groups with their own languages and traditions, volcanic lakes and thundering waterfalls. The main activity on offer here is trekking and there is plenty of wildlife to be seen in their natural habitats, including gibbons and elephants.

Your adventure starts here!

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