STRAY Buspass - KHMER

The Khmer pass takes you further off the beaten track in Cambodia as well as all the "must-see" locations!

Explore the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Wat and temple ruins from the set of Tomb Raider. Experience village life and stay the night with friendly locals in a unique homestay. Enjoy traditional khmer food, beachside BBQs and sample a crunchy Cambodian delicacy: fried spider! Relax on pristine beaches, try your hand at kayaking, jetskiing, scuba diving and fishing. Learn more about Cambodia's history at the infamous Khmer Rouge S21 Prison and Killing Fields. Get lost in vibrant markets, stunning palaces or learn the art of Cambodian kickboxing!


REISEROUTE

ARRIVAL DAY: Bangkok
Welcome to Stray! Your adventure kicks off in the buzzing Asian metropolis of Bangkok, Thailand. If you arrive early in the day feel free to check out the vibrant markets and ancient temples that make up only a small side of this multifaceted city.

By 4pm, head to our Khao San Road Stray Shop to meet with a Stray staff member, who will give you your bus ticket and a briefing on what to expect on tomorrow’s express trip to Siem Reap. You will also have the chance to sign up for Siem Reap’s highlight activities so you’re ready to dive right into the Cambodian scene. Make the most of your first night in Asia by exploring the exhilarating and intense Bangkok nightlife, snagging a bargain at a night market or dining out on some delicious Thai cuisine!

Accomodation:
It's best to stay close to Khao San Road. For accommodation and airport transfers add on a Bangkok Arrival Pack

TRAVEL DAY: Bangkok to Siem Reap (Express Day)
You’ll leave Bangkok at 9am on an unguided public connection heading across the border to Cambodia. Today your destination is the small, but vibrant city of Siem Reap, best known as home to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Angkor temple complex.

After your early evening arrival, your Cambodia Tour Leader will meet you at the Living Quarters Hostel 543 at 7.30pm to welcome you and explain more about how Stray works. Afterwards you are invited to join your Stray group for a walk along the iconic Pub Street where you will get to know your new travel mates over a tasty dinner and cold drinks.

Accomodation:
Hostel with dorm beds

Included activity:
Welcome Night with Stray Tour Leader and group

FREE DAY: Siem Reap
Today is a free day and we highly recommend you use it to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor temples. Ranked at the top of many ultimate travel bucket lists (including Lonely Planet’s), the awe-inspiring ancient city of Angkor is the largest temple complex in the world. You can easily spend a full day at the site and still only see a small portion of this dramatic architectural wonder, but make sure you check out the famous Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, which most people recognise from Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider movie.

In the evening you have the option to attend the unforgettably unique Phare Circus, a locally run non-profit troupe that provides disadvantaged young people from the community with a place to learn the skills needed to earn their livings as professional performing artists. Prepare to be amazed by how these talented young artists share authentic modern and folk Cambodian stories through an energetic display of acrobatic feats, music and dance.

Accomodation:
Hostel with dorm beds

Optional activities:
- Cycle or take a guided tour of the Angkor temple complex
- Khmer circus

TRAVEL DAY: Siem Reap to Battambang (Homestay)
Today you depart Siem Reap early enough to arrive in Battambang for a late lunch. After lunch we’ll take a ride on the Bamboo Train, a rail system that was built by the French and destroyed by the Khmer Rouge, but the locals still use it as simple form of transport. Then we make our way to tonight’s village stay, located in the picturesque countryside. You’ll stay in a Cambodian family’s home, experience local community life, visit the school and join in a friendly local game or help the kids with their English. You can wander through the rice paddies, explore the local market, and enjoy a traditional meal with your host family.

Accomodation:
Village stay includes accommodation in a Cambodian family’s home, local activities, dinner, breakfast, and contribution to the village fund/project US$18

Included activities:
Ride on the Bamboo Train

TRAVEL DAY: Battambang to Sihanoukville
A full day today takes us to the popular seaside town Sihanoukville on the Cambodian coast. En route we pass through the bustling riverside Khmer town Kompong Chhnang (pronounced kompong-ch-nang), which its local market and floating village. Arriving in Sihanoukville by late afternoon, settle in at your guesthouse and then you are free to wander down to the beach for a refreshing dip or kick back at one of the many beachfront restaurants and bars. tonight join one of the beach parties or have a seafood BBQ on the beach.

Accomodation:
Guesthouse with private rooms

FREE DAY: Sihanoukville
Today is yours to relax in Cambodia’s premier beach location. Catch some rays on the beach and go for a swim, or do one of the many water sports including, diving, fishing, snorkelling, kayaking or hire a jet ski. Learn to cook Khmer classics like Fish Amok or deep fried bananas at the Traditional Khmer cooking school, take a trip out to the surrounding islands, or hire a bicycle and explore the nearby beaches. Tonight you can head to Ochheuteal Beach for some partying with the rest of the backpacker crowd, or watch the sun go down at Serendipity Beach.

Accomodation:
Guesthouse with private rooms

Optional activities:
Island tour, jet skis, massage, sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving, party boat, windsurfing, kayaking

TRAVEL DAY: Sihanoukville to Kampot
A 3 hour drive brings us to the little riverside town of Kampot where you will have a free afternoon to visit the salt and pepper farms, go cycling or trek in the Bokor National Park. There is an option to take a leisurely boat cruise on the Kampot River: a relaxing boat trip where you’ll just sit back, enjoy a cool beverage and absorb the spectacular views of Bokor National Park and Elephant Mountain as the sun sets over the river. Tonight we recommend sampling the exceptional seafood at one of the many restaurants on the riverfront – try the fried shrimp with green pepper corns, it’s delish!

Accomodation:
Guesthouse with dorm beds or private rooms

Optional activities:
Sunset River Cruise, tour of the pepper & salt farms.

TRAVEL DAY: Kampot to Koh Tunsay
A short drive this morning brings us to the old French resort town of Kep where we board a traditional Khmer wooden fishing boat and travel for 30 minutes to our sanctuary, Koh Tunsay Island. Once on shore you can explore the mountainous terrain, relax on the beach, swim in the warm sea waters and just watch the sun go down.

Accomodation:
Shared bungalows on the beach

TRAVEL DAY: Koh Tunsay to Phnom Penh
Tearing ourselves away from the beach we take the boat back to the mainland. From here we head for the bustling Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, stopping for lunch before we take an afternoon tour of the infamous Khmer Rouge S21 Prison and Killing Fields. This evening you are free to explore the city with a visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom, and the Russian Market. See a living art performance at the National Museum, or learn a Cambodian craft, dance or kick boxing at the Backstreet Academy.

Accomodation:
Guesthouse near the main tourist area

Optional activities:
Learn a Cambodian art at Backstreet Academy, half day cycling trip, river boat cruise, city tour, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda tour, Russian Market, National Museum.

Included activities:
S21 Prison and Killing Fields entrance and tour

TRAVEL DAY: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
This morning we leave bustling Phnom Penh, and make an express return to Siem Reap with your Tour Leader on a public bus. Why not take this opportunity to visit some of the minor sites or visit nearby villages in and around Siem Reap, relax and grab a massage in a local spa, do some shopping or just spend time chilling at your guesthouse.

Accomodation:
Hostel with dorm beds

TRAVEL / ARRIVAL DAY: Siem Reap to Bangkok (Express Day)
It’s time to say good-bye to Cambodia - the trip from Siem Reap to Bangkok is an unguided public bus connection which your Tour Leader will organise for you. To return to Bangkok you will be driven to the border town of Poipet to process through Thai immigration before the last drive on to Bangkok. Expect to arrive at the bus station in the evening. Your journey finishes when you arrive in Bangkok. We hope you had a blast on your Stray adventure!