Experience Cambodia Through Temples, Rivers And Beaches

Day 1: Welcome to Siem Reap, Cambodia (Meal: No)

Day 2: Angkor tours (Meal: B/L)

Day 3: Pink temple & life on Tonle Sap Lake (Meal: B/L)

Day 4: Siem Reap – Preah Vihear (Meal: B)

Day 5: Preah Vihear – Stung Treng (Meal: B)

Day 6: Stung Treng – Kratie (Meal: B)

Day 7: Kratie – Phnom Penh (Meal: B)

Day 8: Phnom Penh’s Past & Present (Meal: B/L)

Day 9: Phnom Penh – Koh Rong island (Meal: B)

Day 10: Koh Rong island – Free Leisure (Meal: B)

Day 11: Koh Rong island – Free Leisure (Meal: B)

Day 12: Koh Rong island – Phnom Penh – Departure (Meal: B).

Arrive at Siem Reap by flight. Siem Reap – Treasures of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Special warm welcome to all.

Meet our representative and transfer to hotel for check in. The rest of the day free for your leisure time.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Enjoy breakfast at hotel.

We drive to Angkor Thom which was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire.

We begin with a visit to Bayon Temple. At the exact center of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king.

We continue to visit Terrace of the Leper King. Along the Terrace of Elephants, which was originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern side lies the Baphuon, one of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11^th century.

We continue to visit Ta Prohm "Tomb Raider" fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history.

We continue our journey to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Known as the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei, built in the 10th century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of the Khmer’s classical stylistic architecture. The bas-relief work is the best example of the Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back, we stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar and handicrafts for selling to tourists. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the country side, struggling for daily life.

Depart for Tonlé Sap. You will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. You will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" moves from place to place following the water levels and its current.

You will go to a local pagoda, where you should change to clothes you can get wet in. Here you will experience the  “SrouchTeok” ceremony, translated into “Water blessing”. A monk will chant in ancient Pali as he splashes water over you, washing away your sins and bad luck, so you can start fresh again.  Being a good “new” person will increase your good luck.

Dinner with Apsara Dance show at a local restaurant. For travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Cambodia, no visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance'. After one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance are better described as 'dance-drama' because the dances are not merely dance but they also convey a story or message.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, meet your guide and continue to Preah Vihear. Our first stop is at Beng Mealea, which is an overgrown ruin 90mn away from Siem Reap. It is huge, but less known and largely untouched. Apart from this temple, we also visit a small quarry where sandstone was cut to build the temple.

Last but not least for today is Koh Ker group:  a group of many temples in the forest, about 150km from Siem Reap. These were built when Cambodia was ruled by two kings (uncle and nephew), and Koh Ker was one of the two capital cities, during the 1st half of the 10th century.

Overnight at Preah Vihear.

After breakfast, we drive up to Preah Vihear, which sits at the top of the Dangrek Mountains. Preah Vihear is known as the Temple Mountain, which was built at the beginning of the 10th century as a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple had further constructions added by the following three kings.  Today the temple today is still a Hindu site, but Buddhist Monks pray at the temple to the Gods. The temple area consists of three stories surrounded by two galleries.

After we visited this landmark, we continue to the greater Mekong region. Traveling along one of the newest and remotest roads, there are many opportunities to photograph and enjoy the nature.

Overnight in Stung Treng.

After breakfast, we enjoy a boat trip along the Mekong River to explore the remote flooded forests. It stretches south along the Mekong River from the border with Laos to Stung Treng. It is a haven for critically endangered mammals, birds and fish and a unique riverine flooded forest system. Ideal for a photographer's dream. With only birdcalls announcing our presence, we maneuver our way quietly downstream for a couple of hours before reaching the only village on that stretch of the river.

We leave Stung Treng and head to Kratie. We then reach Kampi, one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. We board a local boat and cruise out into the mighty Mekong, having a chance to encounter these gentle mammals. Seeing them is guaranteed. After enjoying an hour or more viewing dolphins, we travel to a sleepy Mekong port and the charming town of Kratie. We can stop at the hilltop temple of Phnom Sombok to watch sunset over the Mekong.

Overnight in Kratie.

After breakfast, we continue our trip towards Phnom Penh. Arrive in Kampong Cham, we visit Wat Nokor, also called Nokor Bachey Pagoda which is an 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine made of sandstone and laterite with a large reclining Buddha and numerous alcoves containing Buddha images. We continue to Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and Phnom Srei (Woman Hill). According to local tradition, two teams of men and women competed to build a stupa on the summit of each hill before dawn.

En route, there is the chance to pause at Skuon, affectionately known as 'Spiderville', where it is possible to sample the local delicacy of deep-fried tarantula.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After meeting our tour guide, we begin our visit at Wat Ounalom. Being the seat of Cambodia's Mohanikay order, it is the most important Wat of Phnom Penh, and the center of Cambodian Buddhism. It was established in 1443 and consists of 44 structures. Next, we visit the Royal Palace compound, built in 1866 by the predecessors of King Norodom. This is the most conspicuous feature and also one of the most impressive and colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Near the Royal Palace is the Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), at display are plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made in diamond, emerald, gold and silver. We continue to Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple located in the center of Phnom Penh city. It was built in 1373, and stands 27 meters above the ground. It is the tallest religious structure in the city.

We will stop at Central Market, located in the heart of the Phnom Penh. The Khmer name of the market is Phsar Thmei, which translates to “new market”. The Central Market was built in 1937 during the French colonial period, in Art Deco style, and is painted bright ochre. It consists of four wings dominated by a central dome; the design allows maximum ventilation.

We will also learn about the dark side of Cambodia – its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. First, you’ll visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb. This was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture center. Once you have gained an initial insight of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, you will be driven 15km from Phnom Penh to visit the 'Killing Fields'. This is where Toul Sleng prisoners were forced to march to and then to be executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful quiet setting.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, pick up by your driver (without guide) and drive towards Sihanouk Ville, which has long been a place of relaxation for Cambodians. Arrive in Sihanouk Ville, we take the fast boat to Koh Rong “Paradise Island”.

Overnight Koh Rong.

Enjoy a full day of sun or swimming in the warm coastal waters. This is the moment that the dream of going on vacation to an exotic land becomes reality.

Overnight Koh Rong.

We say farewell to the island and take the express boat back to Sihanouk Ville. Upon arrival at Sihanouk Ville port, meet your driver (without guide) and drive back to Phnom Penh.

Arrive in Phnom Penh, transfer to Phnom Penh airport for departure to your next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.

Note: To have enough time, please book departure flight not early then 4pm.

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