A journey through the ancient and modern Cambodia for 12 days exploring the wonders of the temples of Angkor, some of the most iconic places around Siem Reap as well as being witness the rural Cambodian lifestyle at Battambang. Landscape, portrait and street photography will be just some of the photographic styles we will practice during this 12 days tour.
Day 01 : Siem Reap – Arrival
Welcome to Siem Reap, the entrance to the Angkor Temple complex and the legacy of Khmer Empire. Upon arrival, the local Cambodian English speaking tour guide will greet you and 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. As soon as drop the luggages at the hotel will be heading to the old town of Siem Reap still retains the charm of the colonial French, along with a picturesque river and numerous pagodas following by meeting your professional photographer for the discussion with question & answer before starting to shoot. In the afternoon visit the picturesque town. Before sunset we will enter in the archaeological site of Angkor, the largest in the world, to admire and photograph the sunset at Angkor Wat, a symbol of Cambodia.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Welcome dinner.
Day 02 : Siem Reap – Angkor Temples
Breakfast and departure early in tuktuk to Angkor (7 km), the largest archaeological site in the world and the cradle of Khmer civilization. Visit of the fortified city of Angkor Thom (XII century) and its temples, chief among them the mysterious Bayon, with its 54 spiers gothic embellished with 216 faces oriented toward the 4 cardinal points, representing the enigmatic face of the king JayavarmanVII. Impressive also the quantity and the quality of the bas-reliefs that tell epic battles and scenes of everyday life. We will continue with the visit of the pyramidal Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Leper King, and PreahPalilay small but charming little temple frequented by tourists. For lunch we return to town.
In the afternoon we will visit the Ta Keo, elegant unfinished temple of the eleventh century, the little-frequented BanteyKdey, to end the day and enjoy the sunsetall’AngkorWat(XI century), the largest religious building in the world, famous not only for bloated size also for the amazing bas-reliefs (1,200 square meters).Return to Siem Reap.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Day 03 : Siem Reap – Angkor Temples.
After breakfast we go back inside Angkor, to complete the visit of the archaeological site.
Let’s start with the labyrinthine Preah Khan (XII century), second in size only all’AngkorWat,
and we conclude the morning visiting the picturesque East Gate and West Gate, the monumental gates of Angkor Thom East and West. For lunch we return to town.
In the afternoon we move towards the Ta Prohm (XII century), a fascinating temple surrounded by jungle and surmounted by the roots of huge trees and creepers. We continue with a visit to SraSrang, huge tub for washing public (800 x 400m), and closed the day climbing on the Pre Rup temple-mountain to watch the sunset.Return to Siem Reap.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Day 04 : Siem Reap – Phnom Kulen National Park, Kyunghyu
The whole day is dedicated to visiting the Phnom Kulen National Park, which includes one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Cambodia. After breakfast we will go by car or minivan (50 km). We will visit the Buddhist temple perched on a rock 40 meters high with a large reclining Buddha inside, the most sacred and important place of pilgrimage for Cambodians, and we will relax bathing underneath a wonderful and impressive waterfall. Packed Lunches.
Return to Siem Reap in the afternoon. Before sunset we move into an area called by locals “Kyunghyu.” Amusement park and meeting place for the Cambodians, who love to get together with friends and family to eat any work type of street food, bought in the stalls and tasted
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Day 05 : PhsaKrom Fresh Market &Bakong Temple
Early breakfast, to visit the local market PhsaKrom Fresh Market in the midst of turmoil. The fish caught at night in the nearby Tonle Sap Lake is brought here at dawn, and until mid-morning you can watch the lively purchase and sale of the locals. By mid-morning we travel by tuktuk in a village a few kilometers from Siem Reap, where we will have lunch in a house Cambodian and try authentic local cuisine. After a little ‘relaxation and after visiting the village and its activities, we will move in the temple of Rulous, particularly admire his undisputed jewel in all its splendor, the Bakong Temple. The warm and soft lights of sunset allow us to take memorable photographs. High probability of encountering several monks, always available for a chat and be photographed, being the temple adjacent to an ancient Buddhist pagoda.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Day 06 : BengMealea, KompongPluk
After breakfast we move tuktuk with the goal BengMalea (XII century), a huge temple complex completely invaded by the violence of nature, with roots and vines that have now taken over the temple, a true exploratory experience. After lunch we stop to visit the stunning village on stilts KompongPluk. Due to the increase in volume up to 10 times of the Tonle Sap lake towards the end of the rainy season, all the fishing villages adjacent to it are built on stilts as high as 6-7 meters. The village has not yet been invaded by mass tourism, and the only one trip to get there will be an unforgettable experience. Between the village and the lake in a canoe, you can visit the picturesque floodplain forest, and photograph to return the sunset.
Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 07 : Siem Reap, Battambang
After breakfast we will depart by boat to Battambang (about 8-10 hours, depending on the water level). Along the way we pass continuously among floating villages, villages on stilts and rural views. Picnic lunch on the boat
Arrival in Battambang in the late afternoon then will be meeting the local guide and transfer to hotel follow by check in and realx.
Overnight in Battambang
Meals: Breakfas&, lunch
Day 08 : Battambang
Elegant riverside town boasts a host of French colonial buildings and some of the most beautiful rice fields around the country. In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will make a brief but curious excursion on the famous “bamboo train”. The train is actually a bamboo platform with a small internal combustion engine still used by the inhabitants of the villages adjacent to reach the city, and we will allow photographers to penetrate into the heart of the countryside, in the middle of rice paddies and water buffalo.
We will then move in tuktuk to find out how local families prepare homemade sheets of rice for food, and visit the former Pepsi factory, closed in the early 70s due to the civil war and never reopened. Numerous machines and thousands of bottles are still inside. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon we will visit WatEk Phnom& PhnomSampeau or the old wooden houses. Towards sunset stroll along the bustling river, full of French colonial houses. Return to hotel,
Overnight in Battambang
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Day 09 : Battambang, Phnom Penh
Morning departure to Phnom Penh (5 hours, buses with air conditioning) after enjoy your breakfast, but full of fascinating contradictions capital of Cambodia. Packed Lunches during the trip. Phnom Penh, a metropolis of nearly two million inhabitants, is situated at the confluence of three rivers. Once called the “Pearl of Asia,” noted everywhere the hand of the French colonization, the elegant and vast boulevards, the old colonial houses.
Following by check in at the hotel. In the afternoon visit to the Royal Palace: the Throne Room, the Silver Pagoda and the house of iron donated to King Norodom by Napoleon III, are among the most important buildings and fascinating.
We move then walk to the nearby National Museum of Cambodia, where we will see the most beautiful pieces of pre-Angkorian and Angkorian periods.
Return to hotel,
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Day 10 : Phnom Penh
After breakfast visit to the PhsaThmei, the huge central market in Phnom Penh, most famous for the giant art deco-style building that houses it. We offer many photographic possibilities, from the bustling fish market to the very popular stalls selling local crafts.
In the late morning visit to the TuolSleng Museum, better known as S21. Once school was ridestinata by Pol Pot in a maximum security prison, where more than 17,000 people were tortured and killed during the Khmer Rouge regime in the second half of the ’70s.
After lunch at a brasserie along the river, you can enjoy shopping at the Russian Market, filled with stalls of all kinds, from clothing to antiques. Although it is also a tourist market, the central food is very photogenic, thanks to the many shafts of light that penetrate the tents of the ceiling.
We end the day with a sunset cruise on the Mekong, which will allow us to see the silhouette of the royal palace with the sun setting behind. Return to hotel,
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Day 11 : Phnom Penh Departure
Breakfast and transfer to the International Airport for taking the next flight home or to the next destination.
Meals: Breakfast.
COST INCLUDES:
– Accommodation on double/twin room sharing basis;
– All meals as stated;
– All tours and transfers in private air-con vehicle
– English speaking guide
– Professional photographer with final post production and editing session using the photos
– All entrance fees
– Boat excursion
– Boat fee from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
– Bottle of drinking water, soft drink and tissues.
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.
