SMALL GROUP JOURNEYOFFERS

The Lost Citadels & Northern Canyons

2026▾
10
Days
1
Cliff Temple at 525m
1
Mayan Pyramid of Cambodia
1
Solo

Remote pyramids, a 525-metre clifftop citadel, and ancient brick temples far from any tourist crowd

See Pricing & Inclusions ↓
10 Days
Small Group
from $8,100 pp
Home  ›  Journeys  ›  Cambodia  ›  The Lost Citadels & Northern Canyons

OverviewA highly curated itinerary focusing entirely on deep-desert pyramid monuments, dry-zone architectural exploration, and remote 4x4 temple expeditions. Standing before the seven-tiered sandstone step pyramid of Koh Ker, ascending the Dângrêk mountain ridge to Preah Vihear's 525-metre cliff face, and exploring the pre-Angkorian brick temples of Sambor Prei Kuk — Cambodia that almost no luxury traveler has ever seen.

Best ForDiscerning travelers seeking deep-desert pyramid monuments and remote archaeological expeditions completely free of commercial crowds
Duration10 Days / 10 Nights (approx)
RouteNairobi → Siem Reap (SAI) → Koh Ker → Preah Vihear → Sambor Prei Kuk → Preah Khan → Amansara, Siem Reap → Nairobi
Group SizePrivate or small group — your party, or join a small departure
Price From$9,200 per person sharing
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Koh Ker — a monumental 36-metre-high seven-tiered sandstone step pyramid rising from dense jungle, looking completely like a Mayan structure in the heart of Cambodia

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Preah Vihear — ancient stone sanctuaries perched on the edge of a 525-metre vertical cliff face, the Cambodian and Thai plains stretching to the horizon

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Vintage wines from a private setup on the 525-metre cliff edge at Preah Vihear as the sun sets over the plains — one of the most dramatic sundowners in Southeast Asia

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Sambor Prei Kuk (UNESCO) — pre-Angkorian octagonal brick temples with ancient stone carvings hidden inside deep forest clearings, dating to the 7th century

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Preah Khan of Kompong Svay — a massive remote temple complex with collapsed towers completely untouched by standard commercial tourism

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Hot bento breakfast inside an open-air stone gallery facing a quiet forest pond at Preah Khan before anyone else arrives

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Amansara stone-carving masterclass — chiselling traditional Apsara celestial dancers into sandstone blocks guided by a master carver

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Torch-lit Khmer banquet on an open-air stone terrace at Amansara, warmed by a roaring central bonfire

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Exclusive Khmer pottery heritage — 900-year history of Angkorian clay firing, traditional kiln engineering

The Lost Citadels & Northern Canyons
Route Map

Interactive Route Map

Nairobi → Siem Reap (SAI) → Koh Ker → Preah Vihear → Sambor Prei Kuk → Preah Khan → Amansara, Siem Reap → Nairobi. Day-by-day scrollspy markers to follow.

Itinerary

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 1 | Nairobi → Siem Reap — Arrival in the Ancient Plains

VIP handling at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport, flight to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI). VIP pickup, private luxury 4x4 SUV north through rural landscapes into the ancient dry-zone plains.

Check into The Privilege Floor by Lotus Blanc — Luxury Suite — or an exclusive-use luxury mobile safari camp. Private guided tour of the local area if arriving before 4:00 PM. Welcome dinner.

Day 1 | Nairobi → Siem Reap — Arrival in the Ancient Plains
Koh Ker

Day 2 | The Seven-Tiered Pyramid of Koh Ker

Drive deep into the northern plains to Koh Ker — a monumental 36-metre-high seven-tiered sandstone step pyramid rising out of dense jungle, looking completely like a Mayan structure in the heart of Cambodia.

Built by King Jayavarman IV in the 10th century as a rival capital to Angkor. The surrounding temples and hidden ruins of this forgotten city. Return for gourmet dinner.

Day 2 | The Seven-Tiered Pyramid of Koh Ker
Preah Vihear

Day 3 | The Sovereign Cliff Temple of Preah Vihear

Travel up the steep switchbacks of the Dângrêk mountain range to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Preah Vihear — ancient stone sanctuaries perched on a 525-metre vertical cliff face with the Cambodian and Thai plains stretching to the horizon.

Premium vintage wines and appetizers served on the edge of the 525-metre cliff beside the ancient stone sanctuaries, watching the sun set over the plains. One of the most extraordinary sundowners in Asia.

Sambor Prei Kuk

Day 4 | Lost Brick Temples of Sambor Prei Kuk

The pre-Angkorian octagonal brick temples of Sambor Prei Kuk (UNESCO) — dating to the 7th century, ancient stone carvings hidden inside deep forest clearings, the brick towers rising from the jungle floor.

Your historian explains a civilisation that predates Angkor itself. The surrounding primary forest and hidden ruins. Return for gourmet dinner.

Day 4 | Lost Brick Temples of Sambor Prei Kuk
Preah Khan of Kompong Svay

Day 5 | Preah Khan of Kompong Svay — Remote Temple Expedition

An exclusive 4x4 day-expedition to the massive remote temple complex of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay — collapsed towers completely untouched by standard commercial tourism, the jungle reclaiming the stones.

A hot bento breakfast set up inside an open-air stone gallery facing a quiet forest pond before anyone else arrives. The profound silence of a 12th-century capital far from any tourist trail.

Day 5 | Preah Khan of Kompong Svay — Remote Temple Expedition
Siem Reap

Day 6 | Return to Siem Reap — Amansara

Drive back to Siem Reap and check into Amansara — Pool Suite. A relaxed afternoon inside the private garden courtyard pool, decompressing from the remote north.

Gourmet dinner at the estate.

Day 7 | Stone-Carving Masterclass with a Master Artisan

A private masterclass at an exclusive artisan training centre — chiselling traditional Apsara celestial dancers into sandstone blocks guided by a master carver. Creating a small carving to take home.

The geometric art of Khmer stone carving, unchanged in technique for a thousand years. Return for a relaxed evening.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 | Resort Spa & Torch-Lit Khmer Bonfire Banquet

A relaxed afternoon spa massage at Amansara using local organic argan and ginger oils.

A dramatic bonfire dinner on an open-air stone terrace overlooking the resort's private gardens, warmed by a roaring central bonfire.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 | Exclusive Khmer Pottery & Heritage Tour

An isolated mountain village cooperative with indigenous master potters and historians — the 900-year history of clay firing used during the Angkorian empire, traditional kiln engineering.

A private performance of folk string music and oral storytelling. Celebratory farewell dinner at Amansara paired with vintage wines.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 | Return to Nairobi — Departure

A relaxed luxury breakfast. Smooth chauffeur transfer to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport. Complementary spa session if time permits. International flight back to Nairobi.

Breakfast

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 Lost Citadels & Northern Canyons
Your Accommodation

Two Exceptional Properties

The Privilege Floor by Lotus Blanc — Luxury Suite
NIGHTS 1–5
Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Privilege Floor by Lotus Blanc — Luxury Suite

View
Amansara — Pool Suite
NIGHTS 6–9
Siem Reap, Cambodia

Amansara — Pool Suite

View
Why This Journey

What sets this journey apart

The Cambodia beyond Angkor: a seven-tiered jungle pyramid, a temple on a 525-metre cliff and brick sanctuaries few visitors reach.

01

A pyramid in the jungle

Koh Ker’s 36-metre, seven-tiered sandstone step pyramid, rising from dense forest as if lost to time.

02

Wine on a cliff edge

The ancient sanctuaries of Preah Vihear on the edge of a 525-metre cliff, with vintage wines on the cliff edge as the sun sets over the plains.

03

Temples to yourself

UNESCO-listed Sambor Prei Kuk’s pre-Angkorian brick temples, the remote Preah Khan of Kompong Svay with a hot bento breakfast before anyone else arrives, and a stone-carving masterclass.

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 forReturn Cambodia visitorsHistory loversAdventurous travellers
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 4x4 transfers
  • 9 nights luxury accommodation
  • All meals — Full Board throughout
  • International flights Nairobi–Siem Reap–Nairobi
  • Koh Ker pyramid expedition
  • Preah Vihear cliff temple ascent
  • 525m cliff edge sundowner setup
  • Sambor Prei Kuk private historian
  • Preah Khan remote temple expedition
  • Stone gallery forest breakfast
  • Amansara stone-carving masterclass
  • Khmer pottery heritage cultural day
  • 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$9,200
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
$9,650
May – Sep Best ValueMonsoon season — lush temples, fewer visitors
$8,100
Sep – Dec Peak SeasonDry season returns, ideal touring conditions
$9,950

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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