Depart from Siem Reap by road in your private vehicle, traveling through the beautiful Cambodian countryside and rural villages to Battambang (transfer time 3 hours). You will be taken directly to your hotel for check in.

In the afternoon head towards Phnom Sampeau, meaning “Ship Hill” in Khmer, due to its distinctive shape, and one of the few hills standing out in this otherwise pancake-flat plain. From the small temple on the top, you will have a fantastic view over the typical landscape of paddy fields and sugar palm trees. Phnom Sampeau is home to the notorious killing caves, which are cruel reminders of Cambodia’s troubled past. Serenity and inhumanity represented in one place make this an interesting visit…

Your visit will last until dusk – a time when millions of bats emerge from a cave and create patterns as they fly in tandem across the sky – a nightly spectacular show of nature!

Overnight in Battambang

Siem Reap – Battambang (174 km): 3 hours

Battambang’s countryside makes this pleasant town a real treat. It is situated along the Sangker River, a quiet body of water that winds its way through Battambang Province and connects the Cardamom Mountains with Tonle Sap Lake and feeds the paddy fields with water on the way, which results in Cambodia’s best rice that can be found here, in Battambang Province.

Spend the morning on a tour that combines walking, a boat ride and then cycling along and across the Sangke River to experience Battambang daily life. The tour includes prayers with monks as well as rich explanations of the city’s design and artistic heritage.

Begin the tour at 7.30 a.m. at the offices of Battambang Bike and get fitted for your bicycle (either a mountain bike or sturdy basket bike).

Watch a few minutes of film footage which will help you imagine how developed the town was in its heyday. Battambang has passed from Cambodia to Thailand and back again several times in its history and has an excellent collection of early 20th century French colonial architecture that is better preserved and respected than in many other parts of the country.

A tour of the main market, Psar Nath includes trying a local coffee. Then walk the few metres to the river and cross a couple of minutes on a local boat to the other side of the Sangke River. Visit Wat Povil temple and take the opportunity to pray with the monks (Note: the monks may observe different rituals according to their calendar though can be seen on a daily basis). It is usually possible to accompany the boats back across the river as they begin their morning alms collection.

Once back on the other side it is time to begin the bike tour. The historic 2.5 Street is visited along with a Thai temple before you arrive at a smaller market. Again time for a coffee or a sugar cane juice. Continue a short distance to Wat Kor Village, known for its many old Khmer heritage houses built around a century ago. Visit one of the best preserved homes.

Cycle along the river and cross a suspension bridge where only motorbikes and bicycles can pass. On the way back into town there is another short drinks stop before arriving back in the town at approximately 12:45 p.m.

The Battambang Bike

Set up by a Canadian national who is a lover of architecture and cycling know as Jam. The above tour was designed exclusively for Exotissimo though alternatives can be provided such as dedicated architecture or amateur photography rides. All their tours are pay-as-much-as-you-can for Cambodians in order to provoke interest about their history and the city. The long term goal of Battambang Bike is to pass ownership to a Cambodian to provide a substainable and well structured business.

Stop for lunch at the Fresh Eats Café, set up by a non-profit NGO operating with orphans and vulnerable children that live on the streets or have been trafficked. The organization helps them to reintegrate into society by giving them a safe family environment, access to education and vocational training as well as health treatment.

In the afternoon, you will visit  by car a few of the villages around Battambang, where you will learn how the locals produce rice paper, prahoc (typical Cambodian fish paste), grolan (sticky rice stuffed in bamboo), and other Cambodian treats.

From here, you can experience a short ride on the famous Bamboo Train, an original means of transportation on the old train tracks leading to Phnom Penh. A true rollercoaster ride without loops! (Note: the train tracks from Battambang to Phnom Penh are currently being rebuilt. The long term future of the bamboo train ride cannot be guaranteed. Should the service stop we will arrange alternative sightseeing).

This evening a special visit awaits you at Phare Ponleu Selpak. School of Music, Visual & Performing Arts - Phare Ponleu Selpak combines the Arts to provide education, support and entertainment to the poor communities.

This project is a success story of how humanitarian aid work can turn into a display of zest for life, genuine warmth and creativity, against all odds. A visit to one of their circus shows will leave you with a lasting memory of the wonderful Cambodian people and should not be missed when in Battambang! (Note: The circus performance is only performed regularly on each Monday & Thursday. On other days private performances are available on request and for a supplement).

Overnight in Battambang

Depart Battambang this morning for the drive to Banteay Chhmar (2 hrs), a place of exceptional atmosphere which gets very few visitors. Begin with the main temple itself which is on the list of possible, future UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Banteay Chhmar was constructed by Jayavarman VII and is probably the most stunning temple site outside of the Siem Reap area. Feel like a temple discoverer as you clamber amongst the ruins which are being reconstructed today. Almost every step within this vast ruin gives another fabulous picture of stone being consumed by nature. It is a spectacular sight with its Bayon Style towers, walls cloaked with vegetation. Your visit will be assisted by a local guide as part of a community tourism project.

Take a break for a simple, local lunch at the community center.

After take a local transport similar to a tractor called ‘kuyon’ part of the way to the Banteay Top temple. A fun way to travel Khmer style amongst some delightful rural scenery. Explore the small but atmospheric temple with its famous tower that looks ready to collapse at any time!

Now it is time to head to Siem Reap (3 hrs) where you can choose to overnight and continue a visit to Cambodia or depart on an evening flight to your next destination.

Battambang - Banteay Chhmar (141 km) 2 hrs

Banteay Chhmar - Siem Reap – (161 km): 2 hrs 20 mins