SMALL GROUP JOURNEYOFFERS

The Mekong Capitals & Coastal Palaces

2026▾
10
Days
1
Mekong Sunset Yacht
1
Bokor Ghost Buildings
1
Solo

Silver Pagoda emerald Buddhas, a Mekong River sunset yacht, ghost buildings on Bokor Mountain, and Kampot pepper plantations

See Pricing & Inclusions ↓
10 Days
Small Group
from $7,750 pp
Home  ›  Journeys  ›  Cambodia  ›  The Mekong Capitals & Coastal Palaces

OverviewThis southern circuit drops traditional jungle safaris to focus entirely on historic mid-century modernist villas, French colonial architecture walks, and elite coastal fine dining along the Gulf of Thailand. From the diamond-encrusted emerald deities at the Silver Pagoda and a private Mekong yacht at sunset, to the ghost buildings of Bokor Mountain's abandoned French hill station and a hands-on Kampot pepper culinary masterclass.

Best ForDiscerning travelers seeking historic French colonial architecture, royal palaces, coastal fine dining, and the wild southern Cambodian coast
Duration10 Days / 10 Nights (approx)
RouteNairobi → Phnom Penh (PNH) → Royal Palace → Kep → Phnom Chhnork → Kampot → Bokor Mountain → Phnom Penh → Nairobi
Group SizePrivate or small group — your party, or join a small departure
Price From$8,800 per person sharing
✦

Rosewood Phnom Penh — Mekong Suite directly overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers

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Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda — floors inlaid with over 5,000 solid silver tiles, an emerald Buddha encrusted with diamonds

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Private yacht down the Mekong River at sunset, watching the golden spires of Phnom Penh's capital skyline light up

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French colonial architecture walk through downtown Phnom Penh's elegant yellow-facade buildings

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Samanea Wellness Resort — beachfront villas and a mangrove spa on a private stretch of the Gulf of Thailand

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Phnom Chhnork cave temple — a complete 7th-century brick temple standing intact inside a limestone mountain cavern, lit by natural light through the rock ceiling

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Kampot Pepper plantation champagne brunch on an elevated wooden platform — and a hands-on culinary masterclass with fresh green peppercorns

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Bokor Mountain — the misty, abandoned 1920s French colonial casino hotel and church standing like ghosts on a high mountain ridge

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Elite wellness experience with local organic herbal body scrubs, followed by a beachside bonfire seafood dinner

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Exclusive Khmer basketry and krama fabric weaving cultural immersion in a coastal village cooperative

The Mekong Capitals & Coastal Palaces
Route Map

Interactive Route Map

Nairobi → Phnom Penh (PNH) → Royal Palace → Kep → Phnom Chhnork → Kampot → Bokor Mountain → Phnom Penh → Nairobi. Day-by-day scrollspy markers to follow.

Itinerary

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Day 1 | Nairobi → Phnom Penh — Arrival at the Mekong Suite

VIP handling at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport, flight to Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH). VIP tarmac greeting, private guide to the Rosewood Phnom Penh — Mekong Suite.

A modern skyscraper suite directly overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Private guided tour of Phnom Penh if arriving before 4:00 PM. Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 1 | Nairobi → Phnom Penh — Arrival at the Mekong Suite
Phnom Penh

Day 2 | Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda & Mekong Sunset

The magnificent Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda — floors inlaid with over 5,000 solid silver tiles, an emerald Buddha encrusted with diamonds. The nearby National Museum with its impressive Angkorian art collection.

Handcrafted cocktails from a private yacht cruising down the Mekong River, watching the sunset light up the golden spires of Phnom Penh's skyline. Return for gourmet dinner.

Day 2 | Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda & Mekong Sunset
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 | French Colonial Architecture Walk

A private architectural walk past the elegant yellow-facade French colonial buildings of downtown Phnom Penh — the distinctive colonial style and its historical significance explained by a private historian.

The historic Central Market with its vibrant spices, textiles, and local crafts. Return for a relaxed evening.

Breakfast, Dinner
Kep, Gulf of Thailand

Day 4 | Chauffeur to the Riviera Coast — Kep

A comfortable luxury SUV drive south through Cambodian countryside — rice paddies, sugar palms, and traditional villages.

Check into Samanea Wellness Resort — a beachfront wellness retreat with villas set within a botanical park on the edge of the Gulf of Thailand. Afternoon at leisure. Gourmet dinner.

Day 4 | Chauffeur to the Riviera Coast — Kep
Breakfast, Dinner
Phnom Chhnork

Day 5 | Phnom Chhnork Cave Temple — The Hidden Gem

Hike to Phnom Chhnork — walking down into a massive limestone mountain cavern to view a complete 7th-century brick temple standing perfectly intact inside the cave floor, lit by natural beams of light filtering through the rock ceiling. Dedicated to Shiva.

The surrounding cave system and hidden chambers. Return for a relaxed evening.

Day 5 | Phnom Chhnork Cave Temple — The Hidden Gem
Breakfast, Dinner
Kampot

Day 6 | Kampot Pepper Plantation & Culinary Masterclass

A private organic plantation of world-famous Kampot Pepper vines. A lavish champagne brunch prepared by a private chef on an elevated wooden platform overlooking the green fields and the sea.

A hands-on culinary masterclass using fresh green peppercorns — the secrets of cooking with Kampot pepper, considered among the world's finest. Return for gourmet dinner.

Day 6 | Kampot Pepper Plantation & Culinary Masterclass
Breakfast, Dinner
Bokor Mountain

Day 7 | Bokor Mountain — The Ghost Buildings

Drive up the winding mountain passes to the summit of Bokor Mountain National Park — walking through the misty abandoned ruins of a 1920s French colonial casino hotel and church, standing like ghosts on a high mountain ridge.

The history of the French hill station and its extraordinary atmosphere. Stunning views of the coastline and surrounding jungle. Return for a relaxed evening.

Day 7 | Bokor Mountain — The Ghost Buildings
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 | Coastal Wellness & Beachside Bonfire Dinner

A relaxed day at the resort. Afternoon treatments at the Mangrove Spa & Wellness, with local organic herbal body scrubs and essential oil treatments.

A celebratory multi-course seafood bonfire dinner on the sand under a brilliant blanket of stars.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 | Exclusive Khmer Basketry & Krama Weaving Heritage Tour

An isolated village cooperative with indigenous Khmer weavers — the deep history of hand-weaving traditional krama fabrics and complex bamboo storage baskets.

A private performance of oral storytelling and traditional string music inside a private coastal courtyard. Celebratory farewell dinner at Samanea Wellness Resort paired with vintage wines.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 | Return to Phnom Penh — Departure

A relaxed luxury breakfast watching the Gulf waves. Smooth chauffeur transfer along the national highway to Phnom Penh. Complementary spa session and optional city tour. International flight back to Nairobi.

Want to adjust the pace, swap a lodge, or extend this journey?

We are here for that. Every Finders & Keepers Safaris itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed departure — the pace, the lodges, the length, the dates and the party travelling can all be reshaped around you. Tell us what you would change and a specialist will rebuild the journey and price it honestly, before you commit to anything.

Tailor This Journey →
The Mekong Capitals & Coastal Palaces
Your Accommodation

Two Exceptional Properties

Rosewood Phnom Penh — Mekong Suite
NIGHTS 1–3
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Rosewood Phnom Penh — Mekong Suite

View
Samanea Wellness Resort
NIGHTS 4–9
Kep, Gulf of Thailand

Samanea Wellness Resort

View
Why This Journey

What sets this journey apart

Phnom Penh’s palaces from a Mekong suite, then Cambodia’s southern coast: Kep, Kampot pepper and a 7th-century temple inside a cave.

01

A river-view capital

A Mekong Suite at Rosewood overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda with its 5,000 silver floor tiles, and a private yacht on the Mekong at sunset.

02

A temple inside a mountain

Phnom Chhnork’s complete 7th-century brick temple standing intact in a limestone cavern.

03

Coast, pepper and a ghost town

A Kampot pepper plantation and culinary masterclass, the abandoned buildings of Bokor Mountain, and beachfront villas and a mangrove spa at Samanea Wellness Resort.

Shoulder SeasonJan – MayDry season, comfortable temple-touring weather
Best ValueMay – SepMonsoon season — lush temples, fewer visitors
Peak SeasonSep – DecDry season returns, ideal touring conditions
Best forCulture loversFood loversWellness seekers
Plan this journey with us →

Inclusions & Price

Deposit Offer

Hold 2027 for half the usual deposit

Confirm any 2027 departure with a 15% deposit instead of the usual 30%, booked before 31 December 2026.

  • Your balance is not due until 60 days before departure.
  • The reduced deposit holds your camps, permits and internal flights at today’s rates, so a mid-year price movement does not reach you.
  • Applies to new 2027 bookings only and cannot be combined with a group discount on the same booking.
Solo Travellers

30% off the single supplement

Travelling on your own? We cut the single traveller supplement by 30% across selected 2027 departures.

  • The supplement covers the sole-occupancy cost a camp charges when a room sleeps one rather than two.
  • Available on selected camps and dates — your specialist will tell you which of your nights qualify before you commit.
  • Nothing changes about the journey itself: same guide, same vehicle, same rooms.
Group Offer

Bring three, the fourth travels free

Book four guests on a 2027 group departure and the fourth guest’s safari cost is on us.

  • The waiver covers the land portion — camps, meals, guiding and game drives.
  • International flights, visas, gorilla and chimpanzee permits and personal spending are excluded, as those are paid to third parties per head.
  • All four guests must travel on the same departure date and book together.
What's Included
  • VIP tarmac handling at all airports
  • All private luxury vehicle transfers
  • 9 nights luxury accommodation
  • All meals — Full Board throughout
  • International flights Nairobi–Phnom Penh–Nairobi
  • Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda private tour
  • Mekong River private sunset yacht
  • Colonial architecture walk, Phnom Penh
  • Phnom Chhnork cave temple hike
  • Kampot pepper plantation champagne brunch
  • Kampot culinary masterclass
  • Bokor Mountain ghost building tour
  • Coastal wellness experience
  • Khmer basketry cultural immersion
  • All park & site entry fees
  • ✓Travel insurance facilitated on your behalf (adjusted in your quote if you are already covered)
  • Visa processing assistance & fees
What's Not Included
  • International flights to/from Nairobi (confirm at booking)
  • Gratuities for guides & staff
  • Premium imported alcohol
  • Items of a personal nature

Per Person Pricing

Per Person Sharing$8,800
Single Traveller SupplementOn Request
ⓘ Pricing is an estimate subject to confirmation based on season, group size, and final accommodation selection.

2027 Season Pricing

The same unforgettable journey, priced by season.

Jan – May Shoulder SeasonDry season, comfortable temple-touring weather
$9,250
May – Sep Best ValueMonsoon season — lush temples, fewer visitors
$7,750
Sep – Dec Peak SeasonDry season returns, ideal touring conditions
$9,500

Flexible Payment Plan

1

Reserve today with a low early deposit to lock in your 2027 dates and pricing.

2

Spread the rest across convenient instalments, at a pace that suits you.

3

Final balance due one month before departure — nothing more to pay once you fly.

Speak To Us

Journey Details

Travel Kit

Duffel, sun hat, rain shell and day pack

  • Your duffel — A soft-sided Finders & Keepers Safaris duffel, sized for domestic flights and easier than a hard case on train platforms, ferry jetties and old-town lanes.
  • What is inside it — A wide-brim sun hat, a lightweight packable rain shell for tropical downpours, and a foldable day pack for temple mornings and market afternoons.
  • Yours to keep — The bag and everything in it is a gift, not a loan.
  • Packing around it — Slip-on shoes save time at temples, where you remove them repeatedly, and one set of clothing covering shoulders and knees is essential for religious sites.

Note

Temple visits are best planned around the heat

Angkor Archaeological Park is at its most comfortable in the early morning — most itineraries schedule temple visits for sunrise or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat.

  • Early starts — The best of this journey happens at dawn — before the heat, the crowds and the haze. Your guide will confirm what time you will be collected from your hotel.
  • Tailoring this journey — If you would like this package with more or fewer days, arranged for a group, a family or a solo traveller, or with add-ons, reach out and we will tailor it for you.
  • Route changes — Your guide or driver may alter the route in certain circumstances, but every destination set out in the itinerary will be covered.

Documents

Visa on arrival or e-Visa, from $30

  • Passport — Valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with at least one blank page.
  • Visa — The Type T tourist eVisa costs US$30 for a 30-day single entry; a visa on arrival is also available at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. ASEAN nationals enter free.
  • e-Arrival Card — Since January 2025 every air arrival must submit the Cambodia e-Arrival Card within the seven days before landing.
  • Your Angkor pass — Angkor passes carry your photograph, taken on site, cannot be transferred, and are checked at every temple gate. Your guide arranges this on your first morning.
  • Temple dress — Shoulders and knees must be covered to climb to Angkor Wat’s upper level. Visitors are turned away for this daily.
  • We handle the paperwork — We complete and submit your visa, eVisa or travel-authorisation applications on your behalf. You supply the documents once; we do the filing, track the approval and hold the confirmations for you.
  • Where you must appear in person — A few consulates insist on biometrics or a short interview that nobody can sit on your behalf — China requires fingerprinting for some nationalities, as do European and United States visas. We still prepare the entire file; we simply book you a single appointment and brief you beforehand so one visit settles it.
  • Before you travel — Entry rules change frequently and without much notice. Your specialist confirms the current requirements for every passport in your party at the time of booking, and checks them again before you fly.

Guaranteed Departures

Private, tailor-made departures on your dates, or join a small group

  • Once confirmed, you travel — When your departure date is confirmed, it is guaranteed. We do not cancel, merge or reschedule a confirmed departure for commercial reasons, however the final numbers fall.
  • What confirms a departure — A departure becomes confirmed once the agreed number of travellers has been reached and paid for in line with the agreed payment schedule. Places held without payment do not count towards it.
  • If the minimum is not reached — Where a group departure has not reached its agreed numbers, we tell you early rather than late, and you choose: move to the next available date, continue at a revised small-group rate, or take a full refund of everything you have paid.
  • Solo journeys — Solo and tailor-made itineraries carry no group minimum at all. Your dates are confirmed the moment your deposit is received.

A deposit of 30% is required to confirm your booking, with the balance due 60 days before departure. All itineraries can be tailored — extend a stay, add a destination, or adjust the pace to suit you. Comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical evacuation and personal effects is required for all guests. Your dedicated specialist remains on call throughout your journey for any changes or assistance you need.

  • What to pack — Light layers and slip-on shoes, which you will take off repeatedly at temples, shrines and traditional inns. Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter most religious sites, so pack at least one modest set you can throw on. A light rain shell handles the tropical downpours, and the highlands and northern cities run far cooler than the coast — bring a proper warm layer if your route climbs.

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