Kep and Bokor National Park are astonishing remnants of a glorious era when Kampuchea was a French colony, ending with a notorious war and the tyrannical rule by the Khmer Rouge. This part of Cambodia is relatively unknown to most visitors. To learn more about the fascinating history of this region and to see an album of photos, continue to our Kep Album.

Depart Phnom Penh early this morning with your guide and driver in an air-conditioned vehicle. Depending on your interest, make stops at as many as three seldom-visited Angkor-period archaeological sites along the route to Kep including Ta Phrom (don't miss having your fortune told by one of the resident mystics) and  Phnom Chisor, where you hike to the top of a hill for spectacular views of the countryside. The route takes you through some spectacular countryside along back roads that allow you to see country life up close. If you like, you can stop at one of the villages along the way where magnificent silk textiles have been made for hundreds of years. Arrive in Kep late afternoon. Kep-sur-Mer was once home to 1200 private villas, all destroyed by the Khmer Rouge. Take time to explore the nearby beach market, where fresh seafood arrives almost hourly.

After breakfast you embark on the two-hour drive to the top of Bokor National Park, stopping along the way for photos and maybe a glimpse of some of the rare animals in this forest preserve. The first stop at the summit is the ruins of King Sihanouk's villa, which has magnificent views of the farmlands and sea below. Continue to the two-tiered Popokvil Falls for a picnic. After lunch you climb to one of the highest points on the mountain to explore the cavernous ruins of the Casino, with its vividly-colored lichens, intriguing graffiti and views of the ruins of the hotels and villas that made up this French Hill Station. After a stop at the Catholic church you return to Kep in time for a dip in the pool and a fabulous sunset.

Breakfast at the hotel. If you are adventurous, wander down the road to the colorful beach market for a bowl of noodles and fresh mango and papaya. Afterwards, you visit one of the pre-Angkor period temple ruins, which may require a climb up a steep hillside or a trip through a pristine mangrove forest. Then continue to Rabbit Island (which has no rabbits of any kind), a beautiful and undeveloped place) where you may explore following a barbecue lunch. Return to Kep later in the afternoon.

The morning is free for you to enjoy the pool or explore the beach market. Later, we return you to Phnom Penh airport in time for your departure flight.

PRICE PER PERSON FOR ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE:

Champey Inn Through December  2008 Double 297 195 148 9,281 Single 540 355 269 16,875

YOUR HOTEL IN KEP Value: Champey Inn

Options at additional cost: Overnight on Rabbit Island

Prices are based on currency exchange rates of 01 March 2008 and are subject to change.