Kampot and Kep, Mountains, Sea and In-between, Full Day Private Tour

Kampot is a quaint, lightly touristed old provincial capital on the Kampong Bay River with classic colonial era architecture, surrounded by picturesque mountains.

Located only 30 minutes from Kampot, Kep is a budding resort area in a National Park, and famous for its local crab shacks at the ocean's edge.

Kampot was once a sleepy city that has been transformed into a lively destination for local and foreign visitors, with a variety of music venues, bars and restaurants. This city is based on the eastern side of the Kampot River and within a short distance of the elephant mountains.

The character of this city is quite different from other beach towns such as Sihanoukville, it has a more small town vibe that is quite welcoming and relaxed. This old provincial capital is rich in colonial architecture and quiet lanes. There is even a partially destroyed bridge in the city centre that was bombed in the war and rebuilt using mismatched components that has created an iconic local feature.

Pepper Plantations:

Cambodian varieties of pepper grown throughout the region including Koh Kong, Kampot and Kep have been internationally renowned for more than a century as some of the highest quality pepper in the world. Its distinct flavor and pungency, with intense but light taste and fresh lingering aromas has long been a prized ingredient in the finest French kitchens as well as in local dishes such as Pepper Crab. There are many farms in the area with a few on the road to Kep. At the plantations, you can see the different growing methods and types of pepper, and there is usually a shop where you can buy Kampot pepper straight from the source.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Cambodian plantations were in full operation and the country was exporting more than 8000 tons of pepper annually. By 1960, there were more than 1 million pepper poles in Kampot. But the wars of the late 20th century put an end to production for almost 30 years. Production was renewed in the late 1990s. Pepper plantations one again dot the province. Cambodian pepper comes in four varieties - green, black, red and white - all from the same plant but differing in ripeness and preparation. Green pepper is harvested young and usually used fresh in cooking. The classic black pepper is allowed to ripen dark green, harvested, dried and ground. perfect for table use. Red pepper is prepared the same as black but allowed to over-ripen before harvest. Finally, white pepper is red pepper that has had the outer shell removed which is often used in blends or white sauces.

You will have lunch at the Crab Market in Kep. Dine on delicious crab straight off the boat, it does not get fresher than that. Sample the regions most famous dish Pepper Crab, combining two local products.

Sea Salt is another of Kampot's important products. Vast salt pans (salt fields) stretch across much of the coastline south and southeast of Kampot and Kep.

The salt pans consist of large areas of hardpack ground divided up into paddy like pans. Ocean water is pumped into the pans from canals, then allowed to evaporate, leaving a thick layer of salt coating the ground. As it dries workers rake the salt carefully into piles, collect them and move them into storage.

There are easily accessible salt pans just east of Kampot town along the road to Kep. The road south from Kampot to Phnom Duong beach also passes through the salt pans, the salt fields rely on solar evaporation and only operate in dry season.

This is a private tour, so you may take it any day, and anytime you would like. Just let us know what fits your schedule.

 

Included

• English Speaking Local guide
• All Transportation
• Entrances Fees
• Local Taxes
• Cold Water and Towels
• Pickup and Dropoff from your Accomodation or the Cruise Port

Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Travel insurance
• Accommodation

Not suitable for

• People with mobility impairments

Pickup is from your hotel in Sihanoukville or from Sihanoukville Port GATE 1. Please look for the guide that has a welcome sign with the Sihanoukville Tours logo.

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes
• Hat
• Sun Screen