DAY 01: ARRIVAL PHNOM PENH
Welcome to Phnom Penh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Tonlé Sap and the Mekong Rivers, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since French colonization of Cambodia. Upon your arrival here, you will be met by your local Cambodian English speaking tour that will help you transfer to your hotel for check in. On the way your guide will deliver a very interesting briefing about the history of Cambodia, its culture, people and lifestyle.
In the afternoon you will visit the RoyalNational Museum, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda. The Royal Palace was built in 1866 by King Norodom and is now home to His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk Mony, King of Cambodia. The Silver Pagoda is located within the Royal Palace compound, so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles; among the treasures are a solid gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds weighing 90 kg, and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Your enjoyable day will end with a cyclo excursion along the Mekong Riverfront passing Wat Phnom and Phsar Chass.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Phnom Penh
• Meals: None
• Private A/C vehicle & English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees
• Cyclo ride
• Bottle drinking water on tour
DAY 02: PHNOM PENH – KOH DACH MEKONG ISLAND (B)
Another amazing breakfast today is followed by something new: you’ll climb aboard the quirky form of local transport known as the MotoRemork, or Tuk Tuk, to Koh Dach Island, where you’ll have a local’s eye view of life on the river. Stroll around the village, and pay avisit to a community craft workshop. Besides fishing and farming, the people here guard many arcane skills in arts and crafts, put to excellent use in their high-quality products sold in the local markets. After perusing these fine items, have a fine time stretching out on a hammockunder the thatched roof of a water bungalow.
In the afternoon we will explore the harsher times of Cambodian history while ruled by the Khmer Rouge (1975-79) with a visit to theTuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields.Tuol Sleng Museum was used as an interrogation center before sending the victims to the killing fields about 15 Km south of Phnom Penh. Next you can enjoy browsing or shopping at the Russian Market. This market morphed into a fully-fledged foreigner’s market during the 1980s – a time when most visitors were Russians, explaining the story behind the name. This market has a huge, varied selection of souvenirs, curios and silks. Just like the nearby Central Market, there are plenty of jewelers and gold-sellers, but it’s also the best choice in town for buying top-quality fabric.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Phnom Penh
• Meals: Breakfast
• Private transportation by Tuk-Tuk & A/C vehicle
• English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees
• Bottle drinking water on tour
DAY 03: PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP (B)
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel then travel to Siem Reap by plane or by bus as soon as you arrivehere.you will be met by your local Cambodian English speaking tour guide whowill helpyou transfer to your hotel, for check in; On the way your guide will deliver a very interesting briefing about the history of Angkor, its culture, people and lifestyle.
After check in at your hotel we will head for the Angkor Archeological Park to see the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the last capital city of the ancient Khmer Empire. It is approached from outside via a causeway that extends about fifty meters across a moat, on each side of the causeway are railings fashioned with 54 stone figures engaged in the performance of a famous Hindu story: the myth of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk (Tug of war). On the left side of the moat, 54 devas (guardian gods) pull the head of the snake ‘Shesha’ while on the right side 54 asuras (demon gods) pull the snake’s tail in the opposite direction. In this myth, the body of the snake is wrapped around the central mountain – Mt. Meru – perhaps corresponding here to the Bayon temple at the center of the site. Next we will walk along the wall of Angkor Thom to Prasat Chrung, the best corner to view the setting sun, accompanied with a cold beer or wine. You will finish this memorable day with a royal boat journey along the ancient moat.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap
• Meals: Breakfast
• Private A/C vehicle& English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees
• Royal boat excursion in the moat of Angkor Thom with cold beer or wine
• Flight ticket from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap with all tax
• Bottle drinking water on tour
DAY 04: SIEM REAP – TREASURE HUNTING IN ANGKOR THOM& ANGKOR WAT (B/L)
The morning after breakfast at our hotel, we begin another magical day at the mystical Ta Prohm temple, where ancient stones and massive tree roots engulf the ruins. These trees and stones provide a stunning temple experience while alsoenjoying with sound of birds and nature; this is a wonderful place to start the temple tour. The exploration will take approximately one hour, walking through this jungle temple after weaving our way through the beautiful Ta Prohm we journey into the ancient city of Angkor Thom.
After exploring the treasures of this ancient walled city, we continue with a visit to the mystical Bayon temple adorned with its smiling faces. The journey through the jungle to the famous Bayon which stands in the middle of the city of Angkor Thom, is now everyone’s favorite site, surrounded by hundreds of smiling faces engraved on the pieces of gigantic sand stone; the temple is definitely one of the most stunning and mysterious. We head further into the temple complex and visit Baphoun, a hill top pyramid-temple, consecrated to the God Shiva that just opened to the public recently after renovation. We also visit the Elephantand leper king terraces, the royal enclosure temple of Phimean Akas and the serene Preah Pithu groups of smaller temples. We will enjoy a walk along the ancient walls of this city and relax with a hot Cambodian style picnic lunch in a shaded area or alternatively we will have lunch at a local restaurant.
Following Angkor Thom we head to the jewel of the Khmer Empire and visit the amazing Angkor Wat. The amazing temples of Angkor were constructed to express the wealth and power of the Khmer Empire at the time. Many stone inscriptions describing the foundations of the temple have been found but Khmers left no word to tell how this great empire collapsed. Come and dig out some secrets of Angkor with our experienced guide, reveal the stories and legends behind the sandstone carved bas-reliefs, gables and lintels. Stroll around this massive monument to admire the Khmer architectural masterpiece and engineering.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap
• Meals: Breakfast & lunch
• Private A/C vehicle & English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees
• Bottle drinking water on tour
DAY 05: SIEM REAP – PINK TEMPLE – LAND MINE MUSEUM & CAMBODIA CIRCUS (B/L/D)
No need to rush this morning; after breakfast at the hotel you will head off with your guide to the mountain at Phnom Kulen National Park. Themountain was used as the ancient capital city in AD 802 in the reign of king Jayavarman II, who declared himself god king and announced independence from Java, giving birth to present day Cambodia. There are 56 Angkorian temples made of bricks and volcanic stones, but most of them are in poor condition. You will see the Thousand Linga River, and an enormous reclining Buddha, constructed in the 16th century; you can enjoy a swim at the waterfall followed by a picnic lunch on the riverbank. Descending from the mountaintop on the afternoon we head off to see the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, which stands alone in the jungle. The enchanting temple of Banteay Srei is many people’s favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, and the intricate, high quality carvings in the solid sandstone. The unanimous opinion amongst
French archaeologists who worked at Angkor is that Banteay Srei is a ‘precious gem’ and a ‘jewel in Khmer art’. Later in the afternoon we head back to Siem Reap via a stop to learn about the period of civil war in Cambodia, which only ended as recently as 1998. We visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum an NGO that provides education and support for dozens of at-risk youth and landmine affected children.
Tonight you will be amazed by the spectacle of the Phare Cambodia Circus; a troupe of young Cambodians offering a spectacular and exciting blend of traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed as a story about Cambodian life and society.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Private A/C vehicle & English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees
• Bottle drinking water on tour
• Cambodia Circus
DAY 06: SIEM REAP – EXPLORE FLOATING VILLAGE(B/D)
In the morning after breakfast we will travel to the eastern part of Siem Reap to visit the floating village of Kompong Phluk or Kompong Khleang. During the dry season we are struck by the forest of stilted houses rising up to 10 meters in the air and in the wet season the waters rise up to one or two meters from the base of the buildings. The village is a permanent community within the flood plain of the Lake, with an economy based on fishing and surrounded by flooded forest. A boat excursion will take us through the floating village, stopping at one of the local houses to visit the family where you will find out close up, how different life is between this country and yours. If time permits, you can also explore this great ecosystem by canoe and hear the calls of the macaque monkeys, and the birds while observing the forest beneath the lake’s surface.
In the afternoon you will really enjoy a horse trail ride through the countryside and villages, riding for about 2 hours around Siem Reap. This is a different way to take you through the scenic rice fields and villages, as well as suitable for both beginners and advanced riders to have fun.
Tonight, your sumptuous dinner will be accompanied by a Classical Apsara Dance performance depicting scenes from Khmer mythology.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap
• Meals: Breakfast & dinner with Apsara performance
• Private A/C vehicle & English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees
• Boat excursion
• 2 hours horse trail
• Bottle drinking water on tour
DAY 07: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (B)
There’s just one more chance for a hearty breakfast before you depart, so make the most of it! There’s also just one more morning to enjoy exploring Siem Reap on your own or relaxing at the hotel till your departure transfer
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap
• Meals: Breakfast
• Private A/C vehicle & English speaking tour guide
COST INCLUDES:
– Accommodation on double or twin room sharing basis;
– All meals as stated;
– All tours and transfers in private air-con vehicle
– English speaking guide
– All entrance fees
– Boat excursion
– 2 hours horse trail ride
– Bottle of drinking water, soft drink and tissues
– Domestic flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and tax
COST EXCLUDES:
– All airfares & airport taxes.
– Visa;
– Travel insurance;
– Beverages in the restaurants where meals are included
– Gratuities to guide and driver
– Personal and other expenses such as porterage, bar bills and laundry not stated in the itinerary.
