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CAMBODIA 21st – 30th November 2008
ANGKOR & KULEN MOUNTAIN TREK
Join us on a sponsored event to raise funds for Hope for a Child projects in Uganda.
To Register online, click here
Download a registration form here….
Registration Form.pdf
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10 days / 9 nights
Depart: London – Siem Reap
Return: Siem Reap – London
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INTRODUCTION
Lying in the heart of old Indochina, the small country of Cambodia is home to dazzling green rice-paddies and jungle dotted with temples and ruins, villages of thatched stilted houses, and small towns where Buddhist temples nestle amongst graceful French colonial buildings.
Our adventure starts in Siem Reap, ideally situated to explore the ancient capital of the mighty Khmer Empire. We trek the hills, valleys and dense forests of the surrounding area, ascending to the upper plain of Kulen Mountain. This region is rich not only in history, but in beautiful landscapes and the rural way of life, little changed for centuries.
Our trek will be a hot and dusty challenge, but the famous smiles of this remarkably friendly country will carry us on to our finish point at Angkor Wat, one of the most renowned and impressive sights in Southeast Asia.
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ITINERARY
Day 1
: Depart London for Siem Reap.
Day 2
: Arrive Siem Reap
We arrive in Siem Reap and settle into our hotel, where we can relax, or take time to explore this busy, fascinating town and enjoy our first glimpse of the local culture.
(Lunch and dinner not included)
Day 3
: Siem Reap – Wat Lor
After breakfast and a detailed trip briefing, we take a short transfer out of town and begin our trek. Heading out south-east across dazzling green rice-paddies and farmland, we pass through several small villages. Cambodia is one of the friendliest countries in South-East Asia and we will get plenty of smiles and waves as we pass! We’re never far from a temple or pagoda, and we make time to stop at a couple for a closer look. After a lunch-break in one of the villages, we continue our trek through rice fields and green pastures, now heading north to the pagoda at Chao Srey Vibol. The final part of today’s trek is along a quiet road to Wat Lor, where we camp in the temple grounds.
Trek approx 27km; 6-7 hours
Day 4
: Wat Lor – Beoung Mealea – Svay Leu
After a delicious breakfast at camp, we start our day’s trek on a flat road which takes us through villages and harvested forests. There are fabulous views of green plantations and distant Phnom Kulen ahead. We eventually come to a newly-built tarmac road; here we meet our bus for a short transfer (approx 25km) to Beoung Mealea Temple. We have time to look around this atmospheric, little-visited temple ruin, which is covered in vegetation and creepers where the jungle has almost totally reclaimed it. After lunch we venture eastwards on narrow dirt paths through dense, lush forest. Apart from a few small collections of stilted houses that we pass, we feel as though we are the only people for miles around. We finally reach a smoothly gravelled track where we turn towards our campsite at Svay Leu Pagoda. There is often a lively local market near the pagoda which we should have time to explore – a real insight into the way of life in this remote area. Overnight at campsite.
Trek approx 24km; 5-6 hrs
Day 5
: Svay Leu – Kulen Mountain
After an energising breakfast we set off on a challenging haul to the top of Kulen Mountain (487m), Cambodia’s sacred mountain. Deeply revered, the local people make pilgrimages to the pagodas and ruins on the mountain top. The mountain forms a high plateau, from where there are fabulous views across the forests and fields below. We head west across the mountain, taking undulating tracks through the forests and villages. We stop for lunch in Anlong Thom, a small village of stilted thatched houses. Our trek continues to the ‘Big Buddha’, which overlooks the central plain; a short distance on is a very picturesque waterfall. We camp overnight near the falls.
Distance: Approx 27km; 7-8 hrs
Day 6
: Kulen Mountain – Banteay Srei Temple – Wat Trach
We set off after a hearty breakfast on an old trail, now little-used since the recent construction of a road. We may meet a few local people who still use the path for hunting, cutting lianas and to work on the farms higher in the hills. We should have time to look at the ‘River of 1000 Lingas’, where there are elaborate carvings in the riverbed itself. Our trek continues south-east on a small jungly trail which follows the contours of the mountain until we start our descent. Our route passes a temple before meeting the main road. Here we transfer by bus (approx 15km) to Banteay Srei Temple, renowned for the quality of its construction and decoration. Its pink sandstone walls are decorated with what some consider the best carvings of all the Angkor temples, and it remains in an amazing state of preservation. After lunch we continue our trek on sandy, sometimes muddy tracks, passing a few villages and a school. We will be hot and tired by the time we reach Wat Trach, where we camp for the night.
Trek approx 20km; 5-6 hrs
Day 7
: Wat Trach – Angkor Thom – Angkor Wat
After our last camp breakfast, we transfer approx 10km by bus to our start point. We trek past many temples and ruins as we near our goal and the ultimate reward for efforts this week – Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. After trekking approx 9km through farmland, plantations and jungle we enter Angkor Thom, the ancient city, via its West Gate and visit some of its many sites – such as the fabulous Terrace of Elephants and the famous Bayon, standing in the exact heart of the city. Adorned with fabulous wall carvings and mysterious giant faces, this is a real highlight of our challenge. We then continue to the South Gate and after a lunch-break our legs feel revitalised enough to explore the magnificent 12th Century Angkor Wat. It is worth climbing the remarkably steep and narrow steps of the central spire for the unparalleled view over the whole temple, surrounded by jungle. We are free to explore the temple complex until sunset, when we transfer to our hotel by bus. After a long shower we celebrate our achievement with a celebration dinner at a local restaurant, where we’ll be able to enjoy a traditional dance show.
Overnight in hotel.
(Celebration meal not included)
Trek approx 12km; 2-3 hrs
Day 8
: Siem Reap
Free day to explore Siem Reap and haggle for last-minute souvenirs. Overnight in hotel.
(Lunch and dinner not included)
Day 9
: Depart Siem Reap for UK
Day 10
: Arrive in the UK
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Passport, Visa and Vaccinations
A valid ten-year passport is required. Visas are required for British passport-holders (and most other nationalities) to enter Cambodia and can be obtained in advance or on arrival with two passport-sized photos and US$20 (at current time of writing.) Other nationalities should check with the Embassy.
We recommend vaccinations against Typhoid, Polio, and Hepatitis A. A Yellow Fever certificate is required only if coming from an infected area. An up-to-date tetanus injection is essential. We recommend malaria prophylactics, but always consult your local GP for the latest changes in travel health advice.
Weather
Average daily min / max temperatures (°C) and rainfall (mm) for Phnom Penh:
Nov: 24 - 30°C; 120mm
Dec: 22 - 30°C; 40mm
Jan – Feb: 22 - 32°C; 5mm
It can be very hot & humid, even at higher elevations, and the sun is very strong. This will add to the challenge of the event!
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TREKKING INFORMATION
The terrain varies from narrow dusty or sandy trails to wide gravel tracks and small roads. Some paths may be muddy and slippery after rainfall. Some days are hillier than others; there are some predominantly flat days with long distances in hot, dusty conditions. We trek through farmland, rice paddies, and dense forests. Much of the area we trek through is remote, with very few good roads, though we are never far from small villages.
Because of Cambodia’s recent past, much of the countryside was heavily land-mined. The areas we trek through have been cleared, but caution should still be exercised when walking through dense undergrowth – stay on the paths!
Our luggage is carried in vehicles which meet us at camp each night; please carry items needed during the day in a small day-pack.
SPONSORSHIP and FUND-RAISING
To qualify for this trek you will need to raise a minimum of £3,000, in sponsorship and fund-raising, in addition to your non-returnable registration fee of £300.
All of the money raised will be used for Hope for a Child projects, less about £1,500 which is the cost of the trek.
This will include:
- all transport from London to Siem Reap return
- all food other than three meals & accommodation
- Discover Adventure leaders & Doctors & local guides, cooks etc
- all support of local guides, ground crew and entrance to Angkor Wat
It does not include:
- three meals one of which is the celebration meal at the end of the tour (allow $50)
- sleeping bag & sleeping mat.
- travel insurance at £70 per person
- $25 departure tax
Sponsorship can be from businesses, employers, your workplace, friends and relatives. We can help by giving you lots of ideas for gaining sponsorship, and fund-raising activities!
If you raise over the minimum £3,000 sponsorship, the following applies:
If you raise between £5,000 and £10,000 your registration fee of £300 will be repaid to you.
If you raise over £10,000, you will qualify for a free trip to Uganda to see a Hope for a Child project in action.
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