Cambodia Delights

Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, you will be welcomed and driven to hotel. Free time at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today, you will visit the monastic complex of Preah Khan whose name means « Sacred Sword », the small island temple of Neak Pean, and then Ta Som. These three temples were built by King Jayavarman VII and illustrate the re-eminence of Mahayana Buddhism during his reign.

Afternoon, you will explore Angkor Wat that is the most impressive Hindu temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world. Breaking from the Shaivism tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country’s prime attraction for visitors. As dusk nears, a walk to the summit of Phnom Bakheng Hill will afford a panorama of the whole complex lit by the rays of the setting sun, weather permitting of course.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

You will start your day with half-an-hour trekking with our guide through the jungle from East Gate to the Victory Gate. East Gate, famously known as Death Gate, is not one of the Angkor temples, but rather one of the gates to the city of Angkor Thom. It is not one of the main thoroughfares on a typical tour of Angkor Thom, and for this reason is considered by many to be a more pleasant site to visit due to the lesser volume of people. This also means better photo opportunities especially in the early morning. Although it is in a slightly more ‘crumbly’ state than some of the other gates, they were constructed identically so share nearly all the same features such as statues of gods, nagas on the approach, and carved faces at the top. Legend has it that it was the gate through which the army would bring guilty convicts to be executed. The guide will narrate the story about the death gate while you are walking. When you reach the victory gate, our driver, who is waiting for you there, will take all of you to continue visiting Angkor Thom, where you will start with the Bayon, a bizarre structure of several architectural changes reflecting a switch from Hinduism (the foundations) to Buddhism (the superstructure). Your next visit will be to the Elephant and Leper King Terraces followed by the Baphoun Temple. You will continue to see Ta Prohm, strangled by massive tree roots and typical of the condition of the whole complex when it was discovered in 1860 by French naturalist Henri Mouhot.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today, you will be driven about 35km south of Angkor Wat temple to visit the famous temple of Banteay Srey “Citadel of Women,” This small pink sandstone temple (late 10th century) is considered as the crown jewel of classical Khmer art with the delicate beauty of its carvings. Continue to Bantey Samre, whose style of the towers and balustrades bear strong resemblance to the towers of Angkor Wat. You will spot villagers making sugar from palm juice on your way to Banteay Srey. If you wish, you could visit them.
Afternoon, you’ll be pick up and driven to Siem Reap River, for a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake to visit the village of Kompong Pluk, where you can ‘go native’ aboard a dugout canoe for a paddle through the flooded forest near the village. You will return to your hotel late afternoon.

Kampong Pluk is a cluster of three villages of stilted houses built within the flood plain of Tonle Sap about 16km southeast of Siem Reap. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them

(Note: due to the reason that Kompong Pluk floating Village is dried during the period from Mar – Aug, we reserve our rights to change the visit of Kompong Pluk floating village to the floating village of Chong Kneas instead)

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast at hotel, you will board a speedboat from Siem Reap to Battambang in the Tonle Sap Lake. The trip will lasts for 6-7 hours passing wonderful landscape and the daily life along the riverbanks. Picnic lunch box will be served and Arriving in Battambang, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free.

You will spend the night in Battambang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today have a fun morning cycling around local villages through the local countryside. You will have plenty of stops where you will learn how the locals produce rice paper, prahoc (typical Cambodian fish paste), grolan (sticky rice stuffed in bamboo) and other Cambodian treats. The local countryside is beautiful and the Battambang area is known for the high-quality rice and also oranges grown in the area. We then head off to the Bamboo Train station. The Bamboo Train has been set up by the villagers in order to facilitate the transportation of goods and persons as there are no regular trains running any more. The “train” itself is very basic: one bamboo platform on 4-wheels is activated by a small motor. Sitting on the platform (we will provide some cushions for your comfort), you will travel the 8 km to the next station through beautiful landscape and rice paddies (depending on season of visit). A true rollercoaster ride without loops! Then proceed to visit Wat Ek Phnom, a nice 11th century temple which offers a very peaceful atmosphere in the countryside, surrounded by trees and lily ponds. Strolling around the quiet temple can be a very relaxing and spiritual experience. Next to the temple you can see the Wat Ek Phnom Pagoda which has one of the most complete collections of Buddhist wall and ceiling paintings in all Cambodia.

Overnight at hotel in Battambang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be driven from Battambang to Phnom Penh by National road No 5 (291 Kms). Along the way, you will stop at the small rural village of Ban Chkol, 8 km before Pursat which is famous for pottery. Stroll around the village and have a chat with the friendly villagers. You will also visit various temples and the three large stupas where the ashes of three former kings are preserved. You will then visit the most impressive structure of the site, the “Vihara of the 18-Cubit Buddha”. Continue towards Kampong Chnnang province and stop at Kompong Tralach Leu Pagoda, a lovely ancient Pagoda nestled in the village of Kompong Tralach. Arriving in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon, you will finish your day by a sunset cruise on the Chatomouk River. After the tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel where you will spend the night in Phnom Penh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

In the morning, you will visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, which was originally built as a secondary school named Tuol Svay Prey High School in 1960, then the Khmer Rouge converted this into a torture and interrogation centre to extract ‘confessions’ of anti-government sentiment. The museum was established in 1979 and opened to the public to recall of the victims as tragic testimony in Cambodia history.
After that, you will visit the so-called ‘Killing Fields’ or the Chowing Ek Execution area which is 15km southwest of the city centre. The exhumed skulls of some 8,000 souls, arranged by sex and age, are displayed behind glass panels in the Memorial Stupa, which was erected in 1988.
You will then drive back to the city centre and visit the National Museum, home to the world’s best and probably the largest collections of Khmer art. You will then visit the Royal Palace and the attached Silver Pagoda, a symbol for Cambodia. You will then be free for shopping at the Russian market.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, you will travel 230km from Phnom Penh to Sihanouk Ville, also known as Kampong Saom, which is a province of Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand. This port city is a growing Cambodian urban center, located 185 kilometres southwest of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. The province is named after King Father Norodom Sihanouk and grew up around the construction of Sihanouk Ville Port. You will enjoy your relaxation at beach and overnight hotel in Sihanouk Ville.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

You will be free at your own time and overnight at hotel in Sihanouk Ville

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation:

Spend a free day at leisure. Overnight in Sihanouk Ville
Alternatively, take a boat trip departing 9am to explore three islands giving you the chance to snorkel, fish or just rest and relax. At the first stop you will see colorful corals and fishes at the island of Koh Chaluh. At Bamboo Island enjoy swimming in the clear waters or relax on a long yellow sandy beach with a coral reef. Have a seafood BBQ lunch with cool drinks and fruit on the beach. After an easy walk of 10 minutes to the other side of Bamboo Island before departing to either Koh Tres for some snorkeling or Koh Takiev for some more beach (please advise at the start of the tour which option you prefer). In the afternoon return to Sihanoukville to arrive 4-5pm.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation:

After breakfast, continue your trip for 230km from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Transportation: Private vehicle