Mekong Dolphin Kayaking Adventures

Overview:

Experience Cambodia like never before on this 5-day, 4-night journey combining kayaking, camping, and cultural discovery. Camp beside hidden jungle temples of the ancient Khmer Empire, kayak on the Mekong River to spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins, and explore the mystical flooded forest. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Koh Ker. A perfect adventure blending nature, history, and off-the-beaten-path exploration.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Siem Reap – Preah Khan Kampong Svay
Around 8:00 AM, our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Siem Reap to begin the journey. After a short tour briefing covering the program and important travel tips, we drive for about an hour to visit the Ancient Bridge of Kampong Kdei, a remarkable 12th-century structure built under King Jayavarman VII.

From there, we continue toward Preah Khan Kampong Svay, stopping along the way to explore local villages and enjoy a relaxing lunch break. We expect to arrive around 3:00 PM, where you’ll be welcomed at a local house to freshen up with a shower and share a traditional dinner with the family before visiting the Preah Khan Kampong Svay Temple.

Built by King Jayavarman VII during the Champa occupation (1177–1181), this vast temple complex once served as a training base for soldiers in both combat and boating as part of the king’s campaign to reclaim Cambodia.

In the evening, settle into our campsite beside the temple, where you can relax with drinks and snacks under candlelight. Camping next to this ancient site offers a truly unique experience, immersing you in the atmosphere of Khmer history from 900 years ago.

Inclusions of the day:
Guide: English-speaking
Vehicle: Private car and a driver
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping

Day 2: Preah Khan Kampong Svay – Hanchey
Start your day with breakfast at a local house before driving approximately 100 km to Sambor Prei Kuk, the ancient capital of Cambodia from the 6th to 9th centuries. Located in Kampong Thom province, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its early Khmer temples from the Chenla Kingdom. Explore the intricate carvings, early Khmer architecture, and gain fascinating insights into pre-Angkorian culture.

Enjoy an authentic lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your journey to Hanchey in Kampong Cham Province. Along the way, admire picturesque villages, rice paddies, local farms, and rubber plantations. Upon arrival at Hanchey Bamboo Resort, check in and enjoy free time to relax, whether swimming, practicing yoga, or simply unwinding in the tranquil surroundings.

Inclusions of the day:
Guide: English-speaking
Vehicle: Private car and a driver
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hanchey Bamboo Resort (Bungalow room)

Day 3: Hanchey – Stung Treng
Start the day with breakfast at the resort before driving along the Mekong River to Kratie, passing through scenic farmlands in Kampong Cham and Kratie provinces. Upon arrival, enjoy a kayaking adventure on the Mekong River, where you can observe the rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphins—freshwater dolphins known for their playful behavior and gentle nature. Glide quietly along the river to watch them surface, breathe, and interact in their natural habitat, a truly once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience. After kayaking, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue the drive to Stung Treng for an overnight stay at a comfortable eco-lodge, surrounded by the peaceful riverside scenery.

Inclusions of the day:
Activities: Kayaking
Guide: English-speaking
Vehicle: Private car and a driver
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Mekong Bird Resort (standard room) or a similar standard hotel

Day 4: Stung Treng – Preah Romkel – Preah Vihear City
Early morning, we embark on a boat ride upstream along the Mekong River to Koh Han, where a picnic breakfast awaits you on this secluded island, allowing you to enjoy the serene natural surroundings. After breakfast, experience kayaking through small islands and flooded forests, immersing yourself in the peaceful river landscape. Following this, we transfer by car to visit the Preah Nimit Waterfall near the Laos border, a stunning natural site along the Mekong. After lunch, we continue our journey and overnight at a hotel in Preah Vihear City.

Inclusions of the day:
Activities: Kayaking and boat ride
Guide: English-speaking
Vehicle: Private car and a driver
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Lyhout Hotel (deluxe room) or a similar standard hotel

Day 5: Preah Vihear City – Koh Ker – Siem Reap
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before driving to Koh Ker Temples, a remote and fascinating archaeological site that served as the capital of the Khmer Empire in the 10th century. Koh Ker is renowned for its unique pyramid-shaped Prasat Thom temple, massive stone carvings, and less-visited ruins that offer a sense of discovery away from the crowds. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing toward Siem Reap.

En route, stop at Beng Mealea Temple, an enormous 12th-century temple engulfed by jungle, where towering trees and sprawling roots intertwine with crumbling stone walls. Its wild, overgrown appearance evokes adventure and mystery, giving visitors a glimpse of how Angkor temples may have originally appeared centuries ago. The tour concludes upon arrival in Siem Reap at approximately 4:30 PM.

Inclusions of the day:
Guide: English-speaking
Vehicle: Private car and a driver
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Inclusions
✓ Private tour with English-speaking guide
✓ Private vehicle and a driver
✓ Mineral water and snacks during the tours
✓ All entrance fees as per itinerary
✓ Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
✓ Temple camping experience
✓ Kayaking and boat ride
✓ Accommodation in twin/double sharing room