Cambodia at a glance

THROUGH THE CAMBODIA AT A GLANCE TOUR, YOU WILL DISCOVER

Day 1: Arrive Phnom Penh (D)

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport, be met and greeted by our guide and take a short transfer to your hotel.

Once considered as the most beautiful city in the Orient, and was destroyed much during the recent turbulence, Phnom Penh still features much colonial charm. After refreshment, take some time to discover the neighboring streets to have a quick glance of the bustling city. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at Bopha Phnom Penh Titanic. Be introduced to some of the tasty Khmer cuisine in a breezy riverside restaurant while enjoy some Apsara dancing, performance is nightly between 7-9pm.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Phnom Penh city (B, L)

After breakfast, discover Phnom Penh in a cyclo, an authentic way of exploring the city. Visit Wat Phnom where Khmer’s typical art and statues displayed.

At the river front, visit Royal Palace. Built in 1866 and the Palace complex houses the Silver Pagoda where over 5000 silver tiles cover the floors. Originally, it was Wat Prakeo which means the Emerald Buddha pagoda.

The journey continues to the National Museum, built in traditional Khmer style the place houses and display over 5,000 pieces of artifact, archeological and religious items from pre-historic period until 17th century.

Next you will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which documents the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge against both their political enemies and many thousands of everyday Cambodians. In 1975 this former high school was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and converted into Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest detention and torture centre in the country. Please note that the images on display are quite graphic and unsettling.

End your day on a lighter note at the city’s art deco inspired Central Market. This main market sells everything from fresh fish to flowers. You can buy gold jewellery, precious gems, silk, t-shirts, souvenirs and more!

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Kampong Thom – Siem Reap (B, L)

After breakfast, from Phnom Penh, travel through countryside villages to Kampong Thom where there is a chance to visit a weird Skun Market selling eight-legged creatures!

Further on the way, visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the pre-Angkorian period site which has been inscribed for UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage. Built during the Chenla kingdom during 6th and 7th centuries, today the 100 temples, most are in good condition, nested silently in the forest.

After the temple, visit and observe the ancient art of bamboo and rattan craft weaving in the nearby local villages. Take the opportunity to visit Isanborei Craft Hut a community based project contributing to the sustainability of the people’s livelihood in the region.

After lunch, transfer from Kampong Thom to Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Siem Reap – Angkor complex (B, L)

Enjoy a good breakfast and jump on a remork or tuk tuk to weave the way through ancient city of Angkor Thom, the final capital city of the Great Khmer Empire. The main gate to enter the city is via the great South Gate, impressively carved with Elephants and giant faces on top and the entrance in front the gate is lined with a row of 54 gods holding Naga snake each side.

Continue the tour to Ta Prohm temple which has made it well known with the ‘Tomb Raider Temple”. Return to the hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure or take part in one of the following optional activities.

Spend the rest of the day visiting the world’s biggest religious temple. The building masterpiece Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century Angkor and was designed and constructed to feature the Mount Merou symbolizing for home of the gods. In the last hours of the afternoon, grasp the gold chance to enjoy the view of the sunset over the mythical towers with the present of over 2000 decorative Apsara dancers.

End your day with sunset views over the jungle from the top of Pre Rup temple before returning to Siem Reap.

Optional activity: Aspara danse show dinner in the evening (with a supplement).

Day 5: Siem Reap – Angkor complex – Tonle Sap lake (B, L)

See the exquisite pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, overflowing with small, delicate and very ornate carvings depicting classical Khmer art, and considered one of the best temples of all! Then it’s off for a quick look at Banteay Samre, which is modeled on Angkor Wat, before heading to the Tonle Sap lake for cruise around the floating villages.

Next, take a boat trip to Kampong Khleang, one of the largest permanent communities living on the Tonle Sap lake. In the dry season you can walk through the village and you will be amazed at what looks like a forest of stilt houses rising up to ten meters in the air. In the wet season when the lake is at its fullest, take a boat along the roads that have turned into rivers, lapping up against the houses.

Return to Siem Reap later in the afternoon.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 6: Siem Reap – Departure (B)

Enjoy breakfast and spend the last hour at leisure before being transfer to the airport for the flight to your next destination. If time permits, spend some hours exploring Siem Reap’s colorful markets or visit Artisans d’Angkor, the arts and crafts workshop which provide assistance to the conserve and introduce traditional Cambodian art and craft.

You might be interested in our Cambodia in depth tour, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Cambodia classic & culture travel style!